C4 executive director Cynthia Gabriel said in a statement it was concerned over the “continued abuse of power” by members of the government who were using official positions, government machinery, and funds in the election campaign.

She singled out the use of the immigration department by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in an event called “Gerak Mesra dan Jati Diri”. It was organised by the immigration department this morning for youths and residents of Bagan Datuk, Perak.

Cynthia said because Zahid was contesting the Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat, the event had become partisan in nature and betrayed the government’s neutrality.

She added: “We are aghast to learn that the head of the immigration department, Mustafar Ali, spoke at and supported this event. As the former deputy chief commissioner (prevention) of MACC, Mustafar Ali should have known that his involvement in this event runs contrary to the spirit and purpose of the law.

“Instead of conducting himself in a professional and dignified manner, he has become complicit in this indefensible display of abuse of power.”

Cynthia said MACC had been established to combat corrupt practices and abuse of power.

“We would like to reiterate our call for all relevant public institutions, in particular the MACC, to act independently to combat corrupt practices at elections in order to uphold electoral fairness and integrity.”

She said it had also been reported that Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on April 27 that all 60,000 DRB-Hicom Sdn Bhd workers would receive a special incentive of RM500 each.

“Not only is RM30 million spent for this special incentive a violation of the government’s duty, it also amounts to bribery under the Election Offences Act 1954,” she said.

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