KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has clarified that the announcement of RM6.13 million in development projects for Tapah constituency was made prior to the nomination process for the Ayer Kuning by-election.
This comes after Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming was criticised for making the announcement four days ago, less than a month before the by-election on April 26.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the government’s stance is clear: the use of government machinery or allocations from the time of nomination until polling day is not permitted.
“(The project announcement was made) before the nomination process,” he told reporters at the sidelines after the monthly assembly with Finance Ministry staff in Putrajaya today.
“If it (was announced) after the nomination process, (the government) has to issue a warning, stating that (such a practice) is not allowed.”
Last Thursday, Nga announced an allocation of RM6,130,719 for 33 development and infrastructure projects in Tapah during the Sentuhan Kasih 3.0 programme held at Tapah Road Public Market.
Ayer Kuning is one of the two state seats under Tapah parliamentary constituency.
Electoral watchdog group Bersih criticised the announcement, pointing out that it was a form of unfair usage of public funds.
In a statement, the group claimed that while development and infrastructure upgrading projects are necessary, Nga’s announcement was made in the context of an upcoming by-election, thus giving unfair advantage to the ruling party.
PSM candidate for Ayer Kuning, Bawani KS, also criticised the announcement. She reportedly said that such allocations should have been made at a different time because announcing them close to the campaign period could amount to bribery.
The Election Offences Act 1954 prohibits such offers which could be deemed as bribes before, during and after elections.
The April 26 Ayer Kuning by-election will see a three-cornered contest between Barisan Nasional candidate Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, Perikatan Nasional candidate Abd Muhaimin Malek, and Bawani.
The by-election was called following the death of incumbent Ishsam Shahruddin, 58, on February 22 due to a heart attack. – April 14, 2025