At an event in Dungun on Friday, Zahid announced grants of RM250,000 to the Terengganu Malaysia Youth Council, RM200,000 to motorcycle teams throughout the state, and RM100,000 to the Central Terengganu Development Authority (Ketengah) youth association.
The country’s top graft-buster today said the announcement was above board as the allocations promised to Terengganu are federal-level initiatives, Sinar Harian reported.
“The government can implement initiatives deemed appropriate for the public,” Azam was quoted as saying in response to the backlash from some quarters that the announcement constituted a “bribe” to voters in the state.
“In my view, there is no issue with regards to these grants as they are government initiatives. If the allocations were approved by the (federal) government, there is no element of bribery.”
During the event, Zahid, who is also the Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president, called for the youth present to vote for the “blue and red wave” at the upcoming state elections, adding that the amount allocated may be increased depending on the result of the Aug 12 polls.
“That’s what I just (announced). After this, the prime minister will come up. He will top up, and add more, God willing,” he was reported to have said.
“As long as on Aug 12, the youths join the blue wave (BN) and the red wave (PH) in Terengganu.”
In a statement on Friday night, electoral reform group Bersih called on the government not to abuse its power when federal ministries and agencies announce policies and allocations ahead of the six state elections.
Zahid has also been criticised by PAS and Muda, with Terengganu Muda last night lodging a police report after alleging that Zahid’s speech seemed to be an attempt to bribe youth voters.
Yesterday, Zahid dismissed Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s accusation that he was “normalising corruption” with such announcements, telling Sinar Harian that “the youths need sufficient funding to carry out activities, whether at district, state or national level.”
Earlier today, deputy PAS president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man questioned the MACC for not issuing any statement in response to Zahid’s speech, which he claimed “clearly involves bribery and goes against the country’s laws”.
He said this was in contrast with the Kelantan government’s announcement to provide buses for voters to return home to cast their ballots, without any conditions imposed on who they should vote for.
On Thursday, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said he disagreed with the idea because giving money as a form of charity, paying for bus tickets, or giving gifts during the election season violated the Election Offences Act 1954 as it can influence voters to support the concerned candidate.