THE Elections Commission (EC) should investigate Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for issuing a veiled threat of withholding development projects for Sarawak should they vote for the Opposition.
“The commission must investigate the Prime Minister under Section 9 of the Election Offences Act for ‘undue influence’.
“Section 9(1) deems it an offence to threaten, or to inflict loss on a person, or to directly and indirectly interfere with the free exercise of anyone’s electoral right,” it said in a statement.
In a speech in Kapit, Sarawak on last Saturday, Ismail Sabri urged the people to make a right choice in the upcoming state polls to preserve good ties between Putrajaya and the state leadership.
Citing the Second Sungai Yong Bridge costing RM12.6 mil located about 15km from Kapit, the premier said it would be “difficult to carry out” the project if both governments have differing ideas.
Ismail Sabri’s statement received brickbats from various quarters, with electoral watchdog Bersih taking him to task for issuing veiled threats.
Calling it appalling, Aliran reminded the premier that Sarawakians are entitled to all taxpayer-funded development projects, irrespective of whom they choose to represent them.
Repulsive and undemocratic
It added that such discriminatory threat made against Sarawakians just because they were voting for someone else was obnoxious and undemocratic.
“Sarawakians must be able to vote freely and without fear or favour in a democracy, especially when they are part of the larger ‘Malaysian Family’.
“It’s bad enough that the Sarawakians received unfair allocations in Budget 2022, despite the state contributing so much to federal coffers through its oil and gas resources,” Aliran stated.
As leader of the federation, Aliran added, Ismail Sabri should have called all Sarawakians to exercise their voting rights and choose anyone they feel would serve them best, based on track record and manifesto.
“The Bera MP should retract his statement and apologise – failing which, we call on Sarawakians to reject those who issue threats to withhold development projects that the people are entitled to,” it concluded. – Dec 7, 2021
