KUALA LUMPUR – An MCA figure has accused Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming of going against anti-corruption principles by allegedly attempting to influence voters in the run-up to the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
Criticising Nga’s announcement of projects under his ministry worth RM5.21 million in the area, MCA’s Senator Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker cautioned that the DAP politician’s actions might not augur well for perceptions of the unity government.
“Our Madani government should be about civil society, accountability and transparency, (but) the minister’s announcement at this juncture smells of bribery and is perceived to be purely vote-fishing (amid) an impending by-election,” Ti, a former MCA vice-president, told Scoop.
MCA, which is a component party of Barisan Nasional (BN), is part of the unity government as well.
“(Nga) is a cabinet member and (holds) a high rank in our government. He should stop clowning around and be more serious in his work and words (instead of) acting like a ‘kaki lima’ or street medicine salesman,” Ti added.
In announcing the projects and funds for Kuala Kubu Baharu yesterday, Nga had asserted that the allocations had nothing to do with the poll for the state seat, to be held on May 11.
“We (the ministry) chose (to announce allocations) for Kuala Kubu Baharu not because it is having a by-election. We chose Kuala Kubu Baharu because it is a very lucky place. The ‘feng shui’ here is good. So don’t be sensitive,” Nga had said.
The DAP vice-chairman and Perak party chief had also urged voters living and working elsewhere to return and “vote in a caring party”.
Ti said that Nga’s actions were “unfortunate and regretful” as DAP had previously repeatedly criticised the announcement of ministerial projects and allocations during election seasons.
“If this sort of attitude is adopted as a norm as a result of our minister’s joke or arrogance of power, then our society is made unhealthy and twisted.”
During its time as the opposition, DAP had been a vocal critic of vote-buying attempts during elections, directed against its now-ally, BN.
For example, DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng had called on the Election Commission to show its political independence by condemning “money politics” allegedly conducted by BN during the 2014 Teluk Intan by-election.
DAP stalwart Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang had also advised voters in the 2019 Cameron Highlands by-election to be the eyes and ears of the law to report on corrupt electoral practices.
Ti also took issue with Nga’s jokes about Kuala Kubu Baharu having “good feng shui” as the reason for the ministry’s allocations in an attempt to put distance between the projects and the coming by-election.
“The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election was called as a result of the late assemblyperson’s demise. Now, the rakyat is joking that for them to have good feng shui, it must be via a by-election or the demise of their assemblyperson or MP.
“It is unfortunate that the minister made a joke out of a person’s death, especially his own colleague (in DAP). This corrupt practice is no light matter and an elected representative’s death should not be joked about as a good omen for their constituents.”
The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election will be held on May 11 following the death of its representative Lee Kee Hiong, who had held the seat for DAP-Pakatan Harapan since 2013.
DAP is expected to field a candidate again to represent the unity government coalition in the by-election. – April 19, 2024