Transparency: Stick to RM200,000 campaign limit

Transparency: Stick to RM200,000 campaign limit

Anti-corruption group says the law must be respected even if the amount may not be practical today.

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PETALING JAYA:
Political parties and election officials have been urged to abide by the legal limit of RM200,000 campaign expenses for the by-elections in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar on June 18.

The anti-corruption group Transparency International Malaysia said today that “while RM200,000 may not be practical today, until and unless this changes it remains the legal limit.”

He urged the Election Commission to take action without fear or favour against candidates or political parties that broke the rules.

The group’s president, Akhbar Satar, said: “All too often we see these rules overlooked with expenditures during the campaign period far exceeding the RM200,000 limit per parliamentary seat. This situation is further compounded by a loose interpretation of the Act and lax enforcement by the regulators.”

He also urged candidates not to make empty promises while campaigning but only those which could be delivered when they were elected as members of Parliament.

Voters should be ready to punish the winning candidate if he fails to deliver or honour promises made during the campaign.

SEE ALSO: ‘Kuala Kangsar by-election will test Umno’s vote bank’

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