Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that the millions announced for development in Tanjung Piai has nothing to do with the upcoming by-election in the federal constituency as the funding had already been planned earlier.
However, not only was the previous administration accused of feeding the rakyat “dedak” (chicken feed) the whole year long to buy support, various allocations meant to assist the people, such as BR1M, was referred to as “bribe money.”
It was a blanket accusation that covered every aspect of the broader Barisan Nasional government, meaning, it was not restricted to elections alone.
Is Mahathir saying that development cannot be carried out in Tanjung Piai if the allocation announcements were made after the poll?
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that the millions announced for development in Tanjung Piai has nothing to do with the upcoming by-election in the federal constituency as the funding had already been planned earlier.
Asked why the announcement wasn’t made after the poll, Mahathir said it was normal for the government to continue doing its job even if a candidate has yet to be chosen.
“It was just a coincidence that there will be a by-election held at the same place.
“It is bad if we announce it during the campaigning period. But normally, we do have plans (for an area).
“We are not using this as part of election goodies to raise support,” he said.
However, everything he said and did prior to the 14thgeneral elections suggests the exact opposite.
Not only was the previous administration accused of feeding the rakyat “dedak” (chicken feed) the whole year long to buy support, various allocations meant to assist the people, such as BR1M, was referred to as “bribe money.”
It was a blanket accusation that covered every aspect of the broader Barisan Nasional government, meaning, it was not restricted to elections alone.
Even politicians were accused of “makan dedak” to the point that they couldn’t speak out against corruption as they were too busy “sucking mouthfuls of chicken feed.”
And when allocations were announced prior to a by-election, the government would be accused of feeding supporters “dedak” instead of regular human food at the ceramah centres.
On Sunday, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub announced a RM3 million allocation to upgrade three jetties in Tanjung Piai.
He said the allocation was intended to boost the economy and improve the livelihoods of fishermen and other locals.
The allocation also provides for basic facilities such as refrigerated storage and stalls for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Last Saturday, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced a RM4 million allocation to upgrade six futsal courts and a football field there.
Syed Saddiq said the allocation from his ministry was part of the RM14.6 million requested by the previous Tanjung Piai member of parliament, the late Datuk Dr Md Farid Md Rafik.
The Election Commission has fixed Nov 16 as the polling day for the Tanjung Piai by-election.
Is Mahathir saying that development cannot be carried out in the federal constituency if the allocation announcements were made after the poll?
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RJ RITHAUDEEN
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