Bersih says nay to taxpayers money for Perkasa

Joining the chorus of dissenting voices, the Coalition of Free and Fair Elections (Bersih) has today urged the government to clarify if taxpayers' money or party funds are being channeled to Perkasa.

Malay supremacist group Perkasa had disclosed last week that some of its programmes have been funded by government-related agencies.

It later told Sinar Harian that funds were to help BN win the next general elections.

Bersih's president Maria Chin Abdullah (right) said today that the distinction between taxpayers and political party money was an important matter.

"Parties should be giving the money and it should not come from government, which is taxpayers' money," she told Malaysiakini.

"If the government admits to giving money to Perkasa, this would be shocking. Perkasa incites hatred and racist statements - does government actually support that or not?"

BN partners join in chorus

Other political parties Gerakan, MCA, DAP and PKR have issued similar statements calling for funds to Perkasa to be investigated and immediately stopped.

Umno supreme council member Isa Samad had said that since it was formed Perkasa has received plenty of aid from Umno.

Maria said that the Election Commission has the power to step in if there are signs of government machinery being abused to skew elections in favour of any political party. But she added that Bersih has lost faith in the EC.

After taking over the Bersih helm this month, Maria started a petition for the Agong to step in and replace the EC's existing members. This would be handed over next month after gathering signatures from as many NGOs as it can.

In the past, Maria said Bersih had noted that there had been many public complaints about BN usurping taxpayer's money to help in their polls campaigns but to no avail.

The grouses included BN using government vehicles and equipment, and promising development funds for projects even after the dissolution of Parliament.

She said that Bersih had also queried the timing of handing out BR1M aid - making it seem like part and parcel of the election campaign.

"The government should also be accountable so that their giving to NGOs is not for political purposes," Maria said.

"I wouldn’t object to NGOs taking taxpayers’ money but when they take funds to carry out political work, especially a racist thing, I totally disagree."