KUCHING: Batu Kawah independent Liu Thian Leong denied he was buying votes in the run up to the state election after a police report was lodged by a local resident yesterday.
The local had received three envelopes, with a total of RM90 inside from a man who said he represented Liu.
"We distributed some money for the workers who helped to put up banners, billboards and set up stages for our campaign.
But, these were salaries and were not intended to buy votes," he said when contacted.
"I know this man (the individual who gave the envelopes). He is one of the members in my election committee. However, I never instructed him to distribute money to the voters.
“I will need to investigate the matter first. Maybe there is some misunderstanding as we have hired a lot of part time workers (for the election)," he added.
The 26-year-old constituent lodged the police report after he received the money yesterday.
According to him, he received the money in the envelopes, with his parents' and his own name stated on the respective envelopes, at Kampung Sinar Budi Baru, Batu Kawah about 5.30pm.
Each envelope had RM30 inside.
After discovering the money, he immediately lodged a police report.