PH has never engaged in vote-buying — Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday Pakatan Harapan (PH) has never engaged in vote-buying.

“Pakatan Harapan has never given money to anyone (to win votes),” he said when approached by reporters here.

Dr Mahathir was asked to comment on an allegation made through the circulation of several photographs on social media that PH had engaged in vote-buying in the ongoing Cameron Highlands parliamentary by-election, polling for which is on Jan 26.

He said, however, that the PH government provided financial aid to the people.

“If the government has to provide the (development allocation) money, it will do so. Everybody gets that,” he said.

The Camerons by-election is a four-cornered contest among PH, Barisan Nasional (BN) and two independent candidates.

PH has fielded Pahang DAP deputy chairman M. Manogaran, BN a retired senior police officer Datuk Mohd Ramli Nor while the independents are a former lecturer of the Aminuddin Baki Institute, Sallehudin Ab Talib, 61, and farmer Wong Seng Yee, 40.

The by-election is being held because the Election Court, on Nov 30 last year, annulled the victory of Datuk C. Sivarraajh of the BN in the 14th general election last May after establishing there was vote-buying to influence voters. - Bernama