KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has defended his actions in announcing assistance to youth groups in Terengganu, saying that he did not break any law.
He said some quarters who had raised the issue had done the same but "when it comes to them, it's considered sedekah (donation) when it was clearly political bribery".
"The one who said my announcement on the Rahmah initiative for Terengganu youths was buying votes is a former youth and sports minister himself who has made such announcements (during his tenure).
"In this matter, I'm a federal minister and it is within my rights to announce such assistance to the people. I'm not a candidate and not in any caretaker state government," he said when met at Wisma Berita, Angkasapuri, today.
He said as federal ministers, it was within their rights to announce such initiatives, including at the youth event he attended recently.
Furthermore, he said his announcement in Terengganu came before the state election's nomination process on July 29.
On Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan's statement that election candidates should campaign with "empty pockets", Zahid said it simply meant he advised them against buying votes.
"And this has been our culture; so that candidates won't violate the Election Offences Act."
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has described the allocation of grants by the federal government to the youth of Terengganu as not illegal or corrupt.
Zahid, who is rural and regional development minister, had during an event in Terengganu recently announced a grant of RM100,000 for the Central Development Authority (Ketengah) youth association and RM250,000 for the state youth council.
In addition, he also announced RM200,000 in aid for motoring associations in the state.
Terengganu is among the six states where the state elections will be held besides Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kedah and Kelantan.
Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had previously questioned Zahid's announcement and asked for action to be taken, claiming that various parties have expressed anger and disappointment on social media over the matter.
Meanwhile, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who is former youth and sports minister, accused Zahid of trying to "normalise corruption", while Terengganu Muda lodged a police report against Zahid over his speech, alleging that he was using ministry funds to win over the support of the youth.
On a separate matter, Zahid said the government was reviewing the Orang Asli Act 1954 to enhance support to the communities in many fields, including technical and vocational education and training (TVET), while continuing to protect their lands.
He said engagement sessions with the Attorney-General's Chambers and stakeholders were being held.
"This is to ensure that the proposed enhancement to the law would suit today's current situation (and still be relevant) even in the next five decades to come.
"We target tabling the amendments in Parliament latest by mid-next year."