Johor police chief M Kumar said an investigation paper has been opened into the complaint involving the two-day “Jelajah Orang Mahkota” carnival organised by the Barisan Nasional state government.

On Saturday, Kluang Perikatan Nasional Youth filed a police report accusing BN of bribing Mahkota voters through the carnival, saying there were prizes worth thousands of ringgit up for grabs.

Menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi denied that the event was political or aimed at mustering support for BN in the by-election. He said PN’s candidate and leaders also attended the function.

Kumar also said police are investigating the circulation of poison-pen letters urging Chinese voters to stay away from Saturday’s by-election.

The investigation is being carried out under Section 4(A) of the Election Offences Act for promoting feelings of ill-will or hostility, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.

“The investigation involves the viral content, and it is said that the content is not true. The investigation is ongoing,” he told reporters briefly after monitoring early voting here today.

On Saturday, DAP’s Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi claimed that poison-pen letters were placed in mailboxes asking Chinese voters to reject BN candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah.

She said the letters, written in Mandarin, were titled “An appeal to voters in the Mahkota by-election: We hope to see fair treatment for all people in Johor”.

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has since brushed off the matter, expressing confidence the letters would not affect Chinese voters in Mahkota.

Chinese voters make up 34% of the 66,318 voters in the Mahkota state seat.

The by-election on Sept 28 will see a straight fight between Syed Hussien and PN’s Haizan Jaafar.