Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said the unity government would carry out two projects in Sungai Bakap if Pakatan Harapan (PH) wins the by-election, which takes place today.

Bersih communication director Asraf Sharafi Azhar said Zahid’s announcement was in violation of the Election Offences Act and amounted to offering a bribe.

He said the projects promised were conditional upon the PH candidate winning the by-election.

Asraf added that making such promises was an “old tactic” that may no longer work on the people.

“What the people want instead is commitment towards reforms and better policies for the people,” he said.

Zahid had said on Wednesday that he believed proposals to build a senior citizens’ activity centre and a Tamil school in the area would be implemented if the PH candidate, Joohari Ariffin, is elected.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari then accused Zahid of “blatant bribery”, saying that this was a desperate move by the unity government to win the by-election.

Fadhli said PAS does not rule out the possibility of legal action against those attempting to violate election laws, especially if they offer incentives or projects with the aim of influencing voters.

The Sungai Bakap by-election in Penang today is between Joohari and PN’s Abidin Ismail. The seat fell vacant following the death of assemblyman Nor Zamri Latiff of PAS on May 24.