KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal by the Kelantan state government to provide free bus services for university students to return home to vote in the upcoming state elections on August 12 is a violation of the Election Offences Act 1954.
Malaysian Corruption Watch deputy head Noor Mohamad Shakil Hameed said the proposal put forward by Pas was inappropriate and should not be implemented.
He advised political parties and their respective candidates to be more aware and sensitive to issues that could cause them to be subject to action, including annulment of the election results later.
"Besides breaking the law, such actions can also trigger various speculations and be seen as an element of encouragement to attract voters to support a particular party.
"Things like this have been happening for a long time and politicians should take heed and not make the same mistakes in every election.
"So, parties and candidates need to understand every act and election rule that is currently in force and also the need to avoid breaking them," he told Berita Harian today.
His comment was in reaction to Pas' statement which suggested that all six states involved in the upcoming elections provide free bus services to university students to allow them to return home to vote on August 12.
Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, said the move by the Kelantan government should be followed by other states to increase voter turnout.
The Kubang Kerian Member of Parliament said the provision of free buses was not bribery but rather was aimed at helping the students fulfil their responsibilities as voters.
Noor Mohamad said he hoped that the Election Commission and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission would closely monitor every 'movement' of all the parties and candidates contesting.
If found to be violating the rules, he said strict action should be taken against the concerned party.
"All parties and candidates must compete with trust and honesty and practise high values of integrity.
"Voters are becoming more literate and are wise enough to judge between glass and diamond, and can judge which actions are labelled as corrupt," he said.