GEORGE TOWN: Penang will be setting up a state inquiry commission to investigate the alleged handing out of money to voters in 10 constituencies where Pakatan Rakyat candidates lost.Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the inquiry was crucial, as the State Government had lost faith in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
According to lawyer Tommy Thomas, the inquiry can be set up under section 2 (3) of the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950 that gives power to both federal and State Governments to appoint commissions," he said.
Lim said people should be reminded that money politics is an offence, and the EC and MACC failed to take action.
"If we continue relying on MACC's old and trite law, this matter will not be resolved. We hope they would take action after investigation but in the event they do not, this inquiry would run parallel with theirs," he said.
Lim said the inquiry would enable a statutory finding to be made against money politics.
Earlier, Bayan Baru MO Sim Tze Tzin led 10 PR candidates who lost in 10 Umno-held seats lodged a report with MACC to investigate the payout of "lucky bonus" to voters from those constituencies.
The constituencies are Penang, Pinang Tunggal, Bertam, Permatang Berangan, Sungai Acheh, Bayan Lepas, Pulau Betong and Teluk Bahang.
Sim said the voters had to turn up at three areas - Pulau Betong, Menara Asas, and Lorong Helang 2 (Balik Pulau) - to collect between RM120 and RM200 from operators who allegedly possessed a digitalised voters' list.
"They are very sophisticated in the way they work.
They send text message via phone to the voters in the constituencies where BN won and ask them to come and collect their money," he said.
A sting operation conducted by Sim and his people revealed the alleged money distributors operated from small rooms in shoplots with laptops and immediately ran away when they were discovered.
Penang MACC director Datuk M. Samarajoo, confirmed receiving the reports and that they would be investigated.
