‘Don’t accept BR1M if you say it’s a bribe’
MIRI: Members and supporters of opposition parties should not accept any financial assistance from the government if they consider 1Malaysia People’s Aid ( BR1M) a bribe and that the government is doing it to fish for votes during elections.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in his posting in social media, said the government was engaging in a form of bribery by giving financial handout to targeted groups or individuals. He also urged the people to report the matter to the Malaysia Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC).
Telang Usan PBB youth chief Dominic Nyurang said the handout could not be regarded a bribe as it was given to those from the low income groups.
Saying there were 2,461 BR1M recipients in Telang Usan alone, he said the financial handout was given to those under the low income groups irrespective of political inclination, be they BN or the opposition.
He said it could be considered a bribe if the aid was only given to BN supporters.
“If they (opposition) regard BR1M as a bribe they should not accept it and any other assistance in cash or kind from the government.
“If they have received it they should return the money. Don’t be a hypocrite by accepting the assistance and at the same time say it is a bribe.”
Dominic added that BR1M could not be consudered a bribe because it was given out all year round, and not during elections.
He said although the amount might be small and not enough in view of the escalating cost of living, BR1M was able to ease some of the burdens faced by the people.