EC stops PD candidate offering pens but Anwar allowed to give anything

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5, – Free online tuition for voters’ children and renovation of army housing in Port Dickson is okay, but free pens are not.

That is the message from the Election Commission (EC) as the campaigning for the Port Dickson parliamentary by-election continues fervently.

Yesterday, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched a new free online tuition programme, which he claimed to have been his idea, as part of his campaign, Bernama reported.

He added that the free online tuition, which could be accessed through “pdtuition.com“, offered learning in all subjects taught at national schools and national-type schools.

“It would be a major loss if this programme is not used in the best possible way by parents and teachers. So I call on the parents to encourage their children to use this facility to help them in their studies.

“If I were to get the mandate later as the MP for this area, I will ask the district education office to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme in November and study ways of improving it,” he was quoted as saying during the launch event.

Free online tuition, an election offering

He admitted that the programme was part of his by-election campaign offerings.

Anwar officiated the launching of the programme yesterday in Port Dickson.

Netizens are asking how this not a form of election bribery?

Over the past week, Anwar has promised a major Taiwanese investment project to boost employment in the resort town, as well as a five-star hotel, an airline programme and education programme, which is the free online tuition launched yesterday.

‘Airline programme’ promise with Tony Fernandes?

It also seems that the airline programme promised could be linked to AirAsia chief Tan Sri Tony Fernandes who coincidentally decided to share his thoughts on Port Dickson on his LinkedIn page yesterday.

He said he was excited by all the limelight that has the small town has been under of late.

“We’ve been advocates in the development of this raw diamond since years ago. Its vicinity to Kuala Lumpur International Airport makes it a potential to be the Jumeirah Beach (Dubai) of Malaysia particularly for transiting passengers.

“Convention centers, shopping malls and resorts are just some of the projects that we believe can take Port Dickson to new heights,” he said.

Netizens are asking how this not a form of election bribery?

Future benefits for army veterans

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu too dropped by Port Dickson, deciding to have an event to present Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medals to ex-army personnel at the army museum in town.

The Amanah president also denied that a new RM500,000 allocation for the home renovations of armed forces personnel in Port Dickson constitutes an election bribe.

The minister also advised the army voters that a vote for Anwar was a vote for a future prime minister who would ensure greater benefits for veterans.

Netizens are asking how this not a form of election bribery?

EC orders independent to stop free pens bribe

Meanwhile, the EC have come down hard on independent candidate Kan Chee Yuen over his plans to give voters pens as he goes around the town as part of his campaign for the by-election.

According to Bernama, the 45-year-old said he had bought the pens from supermarkets in the district to be distributed to voters.

However, he has agreed to abide by the EC’s order against doing so, which was sent to him via email yesterday.

“We have not yet distributed the pens. We had intended to do so on Saturday, but the EC sent me an email, saying it is not allowed.

“The order against the distribution of the pens is to prevent elements of bribery in the campaign. I thank the EC for pointing out the mistake. I apologise and will abide by it,” he told Bernama yesterday.

The EC needs to come clean on how it is ascertaining what constitutes a bribe and what is not, especially with prominent lawyer Azhar Harun now at the helm of the commission, as chairman.

Anwar will be facing former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Isa Samad; retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Mohd Nazari Mokhtar, of PAS; and five independent candidates, the most prominent of which is his accuser in the Sodomy II, Saiful Bahari, for the PD by-election taking place on Saturday, October 13.

– NMT