“When a BN candidate made accusations, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should have responded by asking for a police report to be made.”
“Investigations should be conducted to see if any election offences have been committed.”
The MP has been left wondering whether there was a “real reason” behind Najib’s supposed ignorance on election offences. “The issue could be that the Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak can offer an even larger amount to the voters before polling day.”
Ong was expressing shock over the irony of Najib’s “advice” to the residents of Jegai Anak Jawa Long House in Kampung Purai, Undop, under the Simanggang state seat, when he paid a visit there on Tuesday. “He advised voters not to sell their rights for money.”
“It’s an ironic piece of advice since it is a well-known and well reported BN practice for bags of cash to be distributed to many longhouses the day before polling day in order to buy votes.”
This time, added Ong, it was the BN candidate for Simanggang, Francis Harden, who accused one of the other candidates of offering voters RM100 before polling day and RM200 after polling day if he was successfully elected.
“They (voters) must think of long term development in their areas and not look for short term gains by selling their votes to those willing to offer money,” Ong quoted Najib as saying.
If the voters of Simanggang and Sarawak want real and sustainable development, they should vote for a strong opposition candidate who can put pressure on the Sarawak Government to spend the resources of the state wisely and transparently, continued the MP. “I therefore urge the voters of Simanggang to vote for the DAP candidate, Leon Jimat Donald.”
He reiterated that Najib should ask for those who attempt to bribe voters to be investigated under the Election Offences Act 1954.