By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Dec 9: Money politics are currently making its rounds in Sarawak, particularly in Kuching, alleges DAP Kota Sentosa candidate Michael Kong Feng Nian.
It was during his breakfast rounds at the constituency yesterday when he was told by voters of the incident.
“I met a business owner who informed me that one particular political party has been going round Kota Sentosa gathering names, MyKad identification numbers and in exchange giving each individual RM50.
“Money politics is the long standing practice since Barisan Nasional’s (BN) time. When these people offer money for your votes, they are treating this state and election as an investment. They are hoping to be able to win your seal of approval on the short term basis so that when they win the election, this will be their opportunity to raid the State coffers to get back their investment with interest; usually exponentially more than what they have given out,” Kong said in a press conference today.
He asserts that such practice not only shows how outdated certain political parties are but also how similar they are to the BN coalition.
Kong added the saying, ‘the apple does not fall far from the tree’, where such practices also insults the intelligence and integrity of the voters.
While he said he welcomes healthy competition such as thousands of billboards and flags being erected along the roads, Kong took a firm stand that corrupt and unethical practices must come to a stop.
“We want to bring Sarawak to greater heights and such practices will only pull us back.
“To the voters, I want to say, please vote with your heart and conscience. Do not be swayed by money politics. Let us all vote against these parties and frogs to move Sarawak forward,” he said.
Meanwhile over in Batu Kitang constituency, DAP candidate Abdul Aziz Isa also alleged vote buying, projects being announced, and even more ‘development’ promises.
“I have been told by several voters that my ‘hands and legs are tied’ and there is nothing much I can do because my opponent is currently the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman,” Abdul Aziz alleged.
In the same press conference, MP Bandar Kuching Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen said this is not just two constituencies that are seeing money politics but the whole of Sarawak and Malaysia.
Although Malaysia is a democratic country, Dr Yii asserts that money politics must not be condoned.
“We will look into lodging a report against these and write to the Election Commission. I call upon voters to think twice and do not be fooled by all the announcements or events by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) throughout the campaign period,” Yii said. — DayakDaily
