Bersih Sarawak records 32 alleged offences

KUCHING: Electoral watchdog Bersih Sarawak recorded 32 alleged offences that contravened the ‘Election Offences Act 1954’ during the recent 14th General Election starting from nomination day (April 28) to polling day (May 9).

Bersih Sarawak vicechairperson Ann Teo speaking at a press conference here yesterday said the main focus of the body in this election was the Stampin parliamentary seat contested between SUPP chairman Datuk Sim Kui Hian and Pakatan Harapan state chairman Chong Chieng Jen.

“More than 20 offences were detected by our team of volunteers who covered 25 out of the 32 polling centres in the Stampin parliamentary seat,” said Teo who is heading the watchdog in Sarawak.

Among the alleged offences reported during the campaigning period in Stampin was the distribution of t-shirts emblazoned with SUPP and BN logos outside the gates of the Padawan Municipal Council building (one of the nomination centres) on nomination day.

Bersih Sarawak, she added, also received reports of Sim who allegedly gave donations and party flags to members of the public openly - which Bersih Sarawak deemed as ‘undue influence’ and contravened Section 9 -10 of the Election Offences Act 1954.

She disclosed the body recorded six reports of these ‘undue influences’ and the giving away of prizes or donations to the public.

She also questioned the objectives of “Sejiwa Senada” programme and an education roadshow that were concurrently held during the campaigning period in Batu Kawa.

Both programmes, said Teo, were reportedly displaying the BN flags with Sim present who was allegedly campaigning for the election.

“We have a strong feeling that these two programmes were used by BN as a platform for its election campaign,” said Teo.

Bersih Sarawak, she revealed, also received reports of BNSUPP playing host to a dinner during the election campaign where lucky draw prizes were given out to the diners.