AN MCA leader has called for the Election Commission (SPR) and electoral reform group Bersih to scrutinise recent government aid announcements in Melaka ahead of the state election, questioning whether public resources are being used to gain political publicity.
Its youth wing’s deputy chairman Mike Chong Yew Chuan raised concerns over Transport Minister and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke’s recent announcement of financial assistance for drivers and an allocation of RM800,000 for eight schools under the Sekolah Angkat MADANI (SAM) programme, with each school receiving RM100,000.
“There is nothing inherently wrong with government allocations to improve school facilities or assist taxi and school bus drivers,” Chong said.
“However, the government must explain why these announcements and aid distribution activities have been concentrated in Melaka on the eve of the state election.”
The controversy comes ahead of the Melaka state election, with polling scheduled for Nov 14 and nomination day set for Oct 31.
The RM1,000 one-off assistance for eligible taxi, hire-car and school bus drivers was announced under Budget 2027 and is funded by proceeds from the sale of special vehicle registration numbers. The assistance is intended for eligible drivers nationwide, rather than only those in Melaka.
Loke has denied that the assistance is intended to attract votes, saying the programme would be rolled out nationwide.
However, the timing of the Melaka distribution has prompted questions about the distinction between government administration and political campaigning.
“The rakyat does not oppose government assistance. Schools and communities in need should receive the funding they are entitled to,” Chong said.
“The concern is whether public allocations are being used to give a particular political party a publicity advantage during an election campaign. Government funds belong to the people, not to any political party, and must never become tools for partisan campaigning.”
Chong said determining whether the activities involved an abuse of power or vote buying required more than assurances that the allocations served legitimate purposes.
He called for scrutiny of when the allocations were approved, how beneficiaries were selected, how the events were organised and publicised, and whether party campaigning was involved.
“MCA Youth therefore urges SPR to investigate whether these activities involve the misuse of government resources, compromise administrative neutrality or undermine electoral fairness,” Chong stressed.
“MCA Youth also calls on Bersih to clarify the boundaries between legitimate government assistance and political publicity during an election period, and to strengthen its monitoring to ensure a level playing field for all parties.”
According to Chong, Pakatan Harapan, which has long championed reform, integrity and clean elections, should uphold the same standards in government as it had demanded when in opposition.
“Government assistance is a matter of public policy, not a political favour. Recipients should never feel obliged to support any party in return,” he emphasised.
“The people are entitled to accept the assistance they qualify for and vote according to their own choice. Public assistance must never become a political exchange for votes.”
He said SPR must ensure that elections are conducted fairly, impartially and transparently, and prevent the advantages of incumbency from blurring the line between government administration and party campaigning.
“The timing and use of public allocations deserve proper scrutiny to ensure that electoral fairness is protected,” Chong said. ‒ Oct 29, 2026
Main image: Bernama
