By FMT staffKUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has been accused of displaying the basics of corruption in his attempt to fish for Chinese votes in the upcoming Sibu by-election in Sarawak.
Claiming that by-elections in Malaysia are stranger than fiction, DAP MP Charles Santiago said this time around, Najib has taken the cake for “shameless vote-buying and unadulterated corruption”.
He was responding to Najib's plea to a group of Chinese educationists, where the prime minister reportedly said: "Please, I help you, you help me. That way we have a very fair and happy relationship. It won't cost you anything to give us what we want. We will do what we should to give you what you want. And you know what I want.”
According to Santiago, there is nothing fair about this relationship.
“Certainly the premier did not mince his words... it is simple and pure corruption. Dishing out government allocations worth RM18 million is clearly fashioned to bribe Chinese voters.
“And neither the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission nor the Election Commission have responded to such a blatant act of corruption while in other countries, an investigation would have been initiated,” he said.
'Don't fall into the trap'
Even before this “sorry” episode, Santiago noted that Najib and Umno leaders have cherry-picked elections as a strategic time to give handouts.
“These funds are state funds that are entrusted by the people to the government. It is not meant to bribe the people to hold on to the reins of power.
“Staying in power should come from policies and social and economic progress resulting in a better quality of life for all Malaysians,” he said.
“Najib and his foot soldiers have, thus far, not demonstrated any signs that they are willing to engage the people through an empowering exercise,” he added.
In view of this, the Klang MP said Malaysians should not perceive such largess in a positive manner but send a tough message to the government that they are judged not by handouts but by efforts throughout the mandate period.
In this instance, Santiago said Najib is clearly embarking on a reputation-cleansing exercise by trying to bond with the Chinese educationists after Barisan Nasional's failure to clinch Chinese votes in Hulu Selangor.
“But the Chinese community must not fall into Najib and Umno’s trap.
“They must instead vote with a conscience for the future of Sibu and the nation as Najib and the ruling government have acted with almost no fear of accountability,” he added.
The Chinese form 67 percent of the electorate in Sibu, the second largest city in Sarawak.
On Sunday, BN's Robert Lau will take on DAP's Wong Ho Leng and independent Narawi Haron in the by-election.
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