Kampar MP tells MACC, EC to also investigate PAS, Gerakan for spending big in GE15

(MMO) – A DAP federal lawmaker today called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Election Commission (EC) to investigate Bersatu’s partners in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition for possible fund abuses during last year’s contentious general election.

Kampar MP Chong Zhemin said that since the anti-graft watchdog had frozen Bersatu’s bank accounts, it should also look into the accounts of both PAS and Gerakan to check the source of its campaign funds for GE15 last November.

“The number of flags, posters and billboards hung by the PN in all corners of the country during the last general election is incredible, far surpassing the publicity materials of PH and Barisan Nasional,” he claimed in a statement.

PH refers to the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, of which DAP is a component party.

“Where did Perikatan Nasional receive such a huge amount of money to use in the election campaign?” Chong asked.

He cited Article 19(1)(a) of the Election Offences Act 1954 which restricts the spending of each election candidate to RM200,000 maximum for parliamentary seats, and RM100,000 for state seats.

“I urge the Election Commission (EC) to also investigate whether the expenditures of PN candidates in the general election have exceeded the legal limit,” added Chong who is also Perak DAP publicity secretary.

Last Wednesday, MACC confirmed that it had suspended Bersatu’s bank accounts to facilitate investigations under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 that began last December.

It is understood that the accounts in question were frozen as part of the MACC’s probe into alleged irregularities in the use of RM600 billion worth of public funds meant for the Covid-19 pandemic when Muhyiddin was prime minister.

Several news reports also suggested that the MACC action was linked to allegations that Bersatu received donations from about 10 contractors who were said to have procured various public projects when the party was in government.

It is thought the donations amounted to more than RM300 million.

Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has since said that the party will send a letter to the MACC requesting for the release of the party’s financial accounts, claiming it needed to pay its staff and prepare campaign materials for the coming elections in six states.