PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed that the party did distribute cash to voters during the 15th General Election (GE15) but claimed that it was not against election rules as the money was distributed for “charity”. Hadi further alleged that existing rules only prohibited contesting candidates and their representatives from giving cash to voters.
As reported by The Malaysian Insight, Hadi, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Marang said the matter while speaking to reporters after attending the Semarak Gelombang Rakyat event with Perikatan Nasional (PN) Negeri Sembilan today. The statement was made in reply to Barisan Nasional’s (BN) petitions to contest the election results in three Terengganu parliamentary seats in GE15 due to the cash handouts by PAS and PN.
Commenting on the filed petitions, PAS President asserted that it was a tactical move by BN. Hadi stressed,
“According to election law, a candidate or a candidate’s representative cannot give out cash money, it is up to the public to give alms,”
Previously, Terengganu UMNO Liaison Body filed a petition to annul the GE15 results for the Kuala Terengganu, Marang, and Kemaman parliamentary constituencies because PAS had allegedly bribed voters by distributing money a few days before polling day through the i-Pension, i-Belia and i-Students schemes.
So, what do you guys think of the statement by Hadi? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: 34 Weddings Ceremonies in a Month? PAS MP Criticised by M’sians For His Monthly Report Card