SHAH ALAM - The announcement made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi regarding special allocations to three social bodies in Terengganu has been deemed as violating two of the three 3C prohibitions, namely "No Conditions, No Campaign, and No Candidates" by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih).
As the Minister of Rural and Regional Development in the Federal government, Zahid's action was seen as imposing a condition that the allocation amount would be increased if the government party were to win the state election on Aug 12.
Bersih stressed that the allocations, which are not for all bodies of the same type across the entire country, have infringed upon the principle of non-campaigning.
Additionally, linking the allocation amount to the victory in the state polls clearly violates the principle of unconditionality.
"This is different from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement in Madani Economy, which includes all Malaysians.
"There cannot be a special announcement aimed at states facing the upcoming elections to attract support.
"So any previous conditional announcement, including Zahid's statement in Terengganu, must be cancelled immediately," Bersih stated in a statement today.
During the Sentuhan Kasih Desa programme in Terengganu on Friday, Zahid announced an additional allocation of RM100,000 for the Youth Association of the Central Terengganu Development Board (Ketengah). He also announced an allocation of RM250,000 for the Terengganu Youth Council and RM200,000 for motoring associations in the state.
Bersih reminded the Prime Minister and the Madani Government that violating the 3C principles would adversely affect the government's credibility and could be perceived as party propaganda instead of a broader vision for the entire country.
"Bersih put forward the 3C ban on July 20 to regulate non-temporary governments, namely the Federal Government in the state elections and the state governments during the general election.
"Prohibition 3C is intended to close the loophole for non-interim governments without prohibiting them from carrying out their respective mandates.
"Bersih will always remain fair, balanced, and neutral in monitoring the behavior of all political parties and elected representatives," the statement added.