TANAH RATA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) has denied reports and photos which has gone viral over money politics in the Cameron Highlands by-election.
PH Jelai Election Operations deputy chief, Arvind Bharet said the pictures which have been going viral over social media platforms showing a PH supporter giving money was nothing more than reimbursement for travel expenses to the pact’s volunteers.
“In regards to the pictures which went viral on the social media platform, I would like to stress that it is reimbursement of petrol costs to PH volunteers who came on their own motorcycles to lend support on nomination day from the interior of Tanah Rata,” he said in a statement.
Arvind said the reimbursement would be declared as part of the election expenditure.
“All of it was implemented based on the existing laws,” he added.
PH Cameron Highlands by-election candidate, M. Manogaran also denied any knowledge of money being given by PH to the Orang Asli community
‘i was not there and I only had knowledge of the allegation (money being given), this morning.
“I can only respond after checking on the claim … give me some time,” he said after visiting the Sungai Relong Orang Asli community at Pos Mensun in Ringlet, here today.
Manogaran was commenting on several pictures which made their way onto social media platforms showed a woman wearing a PH t-shirt disbursing money, believed to be to members of the the Orang Asli community in Cameron Highlands.
Asked whether the money came from his own pocket as he is the PH candidate, Manogaran claimed he had no knowledge of the matter
“It was not me (who gave the money), give a me a bit time. It (money being disbursed) is alleged to have taken place after the nomination process and I can’t say anything now at the moment.
Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional Youth lodged a report on the matter with the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).
Pahang Umno Youth Chief, Mohd Farid Mohd Noor they lodged the report so as to allow the authorities to get to the bottom of the matter, including question the alleged individual’s involvement.
“We want MACC to investigate the matter and take the necessary action,” he said after lodging the report at the MACC Operations Centre at Merlin Hotel here.
MIC Youth also lodged a Police report on the matter at the Tanah Rata Police Station, today.
It’s chief, R.Thinalan urged Police and the MACC to get to the bottom of the matter as well as the identity of the woman and where it took place.
“I am not sure whether the disbursement of the money was to buy food or as a bribe to the people off Cameron Highlands.
“I believe that it took place in Cameron Highlands as the woman was wearing a T-shirt with the PH words,” he said.