PH DENIES PIX OF MONEY POLITICS
Woman in picture reimbursing PH volunteers’ petrol expenses, says official
PAKATAN Harapan (PH) has denied reports and photos that allegedly show money politics in the Cameron Highlands by-election.
Jelai PH election operations deputy chief Arvind Bharet said the pictures, which had been going viral over social media, showing a PH supporter giving money was nothing more than reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by volunteers.
“In regard to the pictures, I would like to stress that it is reimbursement of petrol costs to PH volunteers from Tanah Rata who came on their motorcycles to lend support on nomination day,” he said.
Arvind said the reimbursement would be declared as part of election expenditure.
“All of it was implemented based on laws.”
Cameron Highlands PH by-election candidate M. Manogaran denied any knowledge of money being given by PH to the Orang Asli.
“I was not there and I only had knowledge of the allegations (money being given) this morning.
“I can only respond after checking on the claim …give me some time,” he said after visiting the Sungai Relong Orang Asli community at Pos Mensun in Ringlet here yesterday.
Manogaran was commenting on pictures showing a woman wearing a PH T-shirt disbursing money to people believed to be Orang Asli in Cameron Highlands.
Asked whether the money came from his own pocket as he was the PH candidate, Manogaran claimed he had no knowledge of the matter.
“It was not I (who gave the money), give me a bit of time. It (money being disbursed) is alleged to have taken place after the nomination process and I can’t say anything at the moment.”
Barisan Nasional Youth lodged a report on the matter with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Pahang Umno Youth chief Mohd Farid Mohd Noor said it lodged the report to allow the authorities to get to the bottom of the matter.
“We want MACC to investigate and take action,” he said after lodging the report at the MACC operations centre at Merlin Hotel here.
MIC Youth also lodged a police report at the Tanah Rata police station yesterday.
Its chief, R. Thinalan, urged the police and MACC to identify the woman and where it took place.
“I am not sure whether the disbursement of money was to buy food or as a bribe to the people of Cameron Highlands.”