Azam praises Election Offences Act for clear guidelines.

PUTRAJAYA: Tan Sri Azam Baki, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), stated that there is no need for the MACC to create specific guidelines regarding the allocation of aid and assistance during elections. According to Azam Baki, the matter is already clearly stated and explained in the Election Offences Act 1954, specifically in Section 10. He believes that all parties involved should understand and adhere to the regulations outlined in the Act. These comments were made during the launch of the MACC’s body camera initiative on Monday (July 31).

Last Friday (July 28), the government announced that it had granted RM100,000 to the Terengganu Tengah Youth Development Council Federation (Ketengah) and RM250,000 to the Terengganu Youth Council. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had approved the allocation and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was expected to increase the amount. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Development Minister, mentioned that the allocation would only be given if the youth in Terengganu supported the government in the upcoming polls. Some quarters labeled this announcement as a form of vote-buying.

However, Azam Baki clarified that the government’s grant did not involve any corruption. He emphasized that it was a government initiative aimed at benefiting the people and not a bribe to secure votes. Azam Baki stated, “To me, there is no problem with the grant … it is not a form of bribery.”

It should be noted that another news article reported Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s stance on the grants for Terengganu youths. According to Anwar Ibrahim, these grants had nothing to do with the forthcoming elections, rejecting claims that they were politically motivated.

Overall, the MACC chief commissioner’s statement highlights the existing regulations in the Election Offences Act 1954 and emphasizes the importance of adhering to them during the election period. Azam Baki also clarified that the government grants were not corrupt activities but rather initiatives to benefit the people.