Anwar warns against use of government machinery in election campaigns

KUALA LUMPUR: Disciplinary action will be taken against quarters found using government machinery during election campaigns, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said anyone with proof can lodge reports to the relevant bodies.

He said the Cabinet also agreed not to make any announcements specific to the contested constituency following nomination day.

“I have given instructions on this. If there is proof that any quarters, be it ministers or government bodies, are using government machinery during campaigns, it has violated the Cabinet’s decision and disciplinary action will be taken. I assure you of that,” he said during Prime Minister Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 9).

Anwar, however, was of the opinion that announcements related to the continuation of projects made before nomination days for any election were not an issue.

This was in response to a supplementary question by Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) referring to statements made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during the recent Sungai Bakap by-election.

The statements related to a proposal to reconstruct a Tamil vernacular school and Senior Citizens Activity Centre in Sungai Bakap, Penang.

Ahmad Zahid later defended his announcements, saying the proposal for a Tamil school was already there. He added that allocations were previously available but were channelled for other purposes.

He also said the Senior Citizens Activity Centre in the Seberang Perai Selatan District, especially Sungai Bakap, has not been established despite the available allocations.

Separately, Anwar also stressed there was no political interference towards the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“I have never instructed or interfered regardless of whether the suspects are from the government or Opposition,” he said.

He added that graft cases involving politicians were less common than those involving business entities or civil servants.

“We should all focus on combating graft, and within one to two years, we will see more promising results,” he said.

This was in response to a supplementary question by Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani).