PETALING JAYA: Umno information chief Isham Jalil has challenged Perikatan Nasional to prove its claim of “solid evidence” that it did not bribe the voters at the general election in November.
Isham said PN secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin must present the “solid evidence” he claimed to have. Only then would the people be able to ascertain the truth of the matter.
Hamzah was reported as saying earlier today that PN has evidence to brush off claims made by Terengganu Umno that the coalition bribed the voters in the Marang, Kuala Terengganu and Kemaman parliamentary constituencies using the state government’s cash handouts.
Terengganu Umno has filed petitions to nullify the GE15 results in the three seats, citing allegations of vote buying.
Isham also asked the PN leader to explain the numerous police reports and viral videos showing men who are allegedly from PN giving out money to voters and making them swear in the name of God to vote for PAS.
“Using God’s name to bribe the voters is a heinous act. Trying to cover up the action is not a good strategy. It is akin to digging a much deeper hole to bury yourself. Don’t use religion to condone what is haram,” said Isham in a Facebook post.
Yesterday, Isham dismissed a claim by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang that cash handouts in three constituencies amounted to giving alms (sedekah) and were not against any election law.
However, Isham said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Offences Act had spelled out what constitutes a bribe, and had reminded the Marang MP not to come up with reasons to justify bribing voters.
