TI-M unfazed by 'polls bribe' criticism

Amidst brickbats, the Malaysian chapter of corruption watchdog Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) is maintaining its position that government handouts during election campaigns are blatant vote buying tactics.

"Of course it's a bribe. What else could it be? If you are outrightly giving a voter RM1,000 and say 'vote for me', what else could it be? There have to be clear do's and don'ts," TI-M president Paul Low said.

Speaking on the sidelines of a function in Kuala Lumpur today, Low also maintained that promises made during campaigns constitute a grey area.


Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told Parliament on Tuesday that “assistance”, such as giving out sewing machines during election campaigns, are not considered vote buying.

He said this was because “assisting” the public was part of the ruling party's way of fulfilling its election manifesto, adding that “assistance” can be given at any time.

Responding to this, TI-M held a press conference yesterday to denounce Nazri's position, but said that it was “not bothered” about promises or pledges made during elections.

TI-M doesn't want to argue

This elicited a strong response from polls watchdog Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasen, who said that promising development in return for votes was “clear cut bribery”.

Nazri also issued an immediate rebuttal against Low, referring to a 1981 court decision that it was not an offence but in line with the government's responsibility to ensure development and allocate funds, regardless of whether there was an election.

When asked about this, Low remained diplomatic and said he was merely conveying TI-M's position and did not wish to engage in an argument with anyone.

"This is basically just our point of view," he told reporters after the launch of the corporate integrity pledge and anti-corruption principles function at Bursa Malaysia.

The event was launched by the minister in charge of the Performance, Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), Idris Jala, who said the pledge could be a step in getting corporations to unite against bribery during the tender process.

With the pledge taken on a voluntary basis, Idris said, he hoped companies would embody the spirit of the pledge, instead of "treating it just as a piece of paper". (Regina Lee)

'Election handouts ARE bribes'

The Malaysian chapter of the corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI-M) has refuted the claim that election handouts are not bribes.

"This is especially during campaigning. Unfortunately there are no adequate laws to deal with those things, especially when it comes to cash and sewing machines," said TI-Malaysia president Paul Low.

"There are a lot of promises made, like building a bridge. These promises are borderline.

"You cross the line when you say, 'here is RM1,000, vote for me'," Low (right) told a press conference at the organisation's headquarters this morning.

This directly contradicts a claim by Minister in Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

The minister had told the Dewan Rakyat in a written reply yesterday that 'assistance' given to people during an election cannot be interpreted as corruption.

"We have promised to fulfil (our manifesto)... sewing machine assistance for instance, if it is not given during the election, it will be given after the election. It's the same. Is this an offence?" Nazri told Ab Azizi Ab Kadir (PKR-Ketereh) during Question Time.

"We cannot stop giving out assistance (during elections) because we will still be providing such assistance after the election."

Low said election promises, though, are not tantamount to corruption.

"Promises are not corruption and we're not really bothered unless the Election Commission (EC) comes up with rules that it cannot be done. It may be unethical but it is not corruption."

While saying that both the opposition and ruling coalitions are guilty of making election promises, he called on the people to be more discerning.

"If someone promises you a bridge, (tell the politicians): It is our right to development for our constituency - why not implement it before an election?"

EC still doesn't seem to be independent

While TI-M can come up with ideas for free and fair elections, there will still not be a difference if the EC is beset with perception problems, said Low.

"There needs to be a reform in the election process for the do's and don'ts. There are a lot of grey areas now. Many countries have very specific do's and don'ts for elections, but Malaysia does not have that...

"In practice, the EC does not seem to be independent. It has to at least be seen to be independent.

"At the moment, the EC is just managing elections, not enforcing... this is an area where we need to strengthen the commission for more powers to conduct an election campaign."

With the 10th Sarawak election due next month, TI-M called for a free and fair process, with an eye on political financing.

"The impending Sarawak election offers great challenges and opportunities for a free, fair and honest election.

"One of the biggest threats to free, fair and honest elections is political corruption - the mother of all corruption."

'Mixed messages from Najib'

Low also touched on the government's various development plans and its integrity.

"We believe that the acid test (for the Government Transformation Programme) is whether the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) will improve or not, because that will be used by the investors.

"Though Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has said that there will be transparency, there are some mixed messages. Some tenders are open but some are not, like (for) the mass rail transit project.

"Maybe we're in transition, but we need to be consistent."

The CPI index dropped from 4.5 in 2010 to 4.4 this year. However, Malaysia's ranking remained the same - as the 56th least corrupt country. Regina Lee