MACC to probe vote-buying in Hulu Selangor

Complaints about vote-buying in the heated run-up to the Hulu Selangor by-election are being investigated, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Abu Kassim Mohamed.

He told reporters in Parliament today that the commission is already investigating allegations and counter-accusations by both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat that voters were bribed.

Asked whether the act of dishing out cash to the electorate could be considered bribery, Abu Kassim said: "We are not here to interpret the law. Whoever complains about it, we will investigate. If any parties complain, then it is our function and job under the law to look at it."

Narrowly-defeated Pakatan Rakyat candidate Zaid Ibrahim referred to the by-election last Sunday as the 'dirtiest and most corrupt'. BN, similarly, has accused Pakatan of engaging in the same, paying voters RM200 each and distributing groceries.

Zaid (right), who lost to BN's P Kamalanathan by 1,725 votes, accused Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his government of vote-buying, saying the ruling coalition descended on Hulu Selangor with RM64 million to spend.

This morning, Zaid announced that he would be filing an election petition to declare the results null and void.

'A few complaints made'

Abu Kassim was in Parliament to hand over MACC's annual report to the parliamentary special committee on corruption.

Asked how many reports had been lodged with the commission over offences committed during the by-election, he said he was not sure of the number but assured that investigations would be carried out accordingly.

"If elements of corruption are there, then we will investigate. A few complaints have been made and we will investigate. I can't simply reveal the full details," he said.

Kamalanthan (left), when contacted about the MACC probe, said he would cooperate with any investigation.

"I have done nothing wrong [...] I was just the candidate and I did my work," he said.

Asked about the BN machinery which backed him, Kamalanathan replied: "As for that, you would have to ask BN."

source: http://malaysiakini.com/news/130451

seals: I can predict the outcome now :)

Kamalanathan ... good answer:

"I have done nothing wrong [...] I was just the candidate and I did my work," he said.

Asked about the BN machinery which backed him, Kamalanathan replied: "As for that, you would have to ask BN."