SHAH ALAM - "Announcing aid in the midst of election season with the 'condition' that the people should vote for them clearly amounts to vote-buying," said the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) President, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Syed Saddiq stated that he has no issue if aid is to be distributed to the people, but it must be done correctly.
The Muar MP stressed that what is untrue remains wrong, and corruption should never be normalised.
Previously, the Rural and Regional Development Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was accused of giving bribes during an event by announcing additional grants of RM100,000 to the Central Terengganu Development Youth Association (Ketengah), RM250,000 to the Terengganu State Youth Council, and RM200,000 to the motorcycle team in the state.
However, Sinar reported that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, said that the grant allocation is not considered a form of bribery; instead, the agency views it as a legitimate provision from the federal ministry.