PETALING JAYA: The use of durians to supposedly garner votes in the imminent Sg Kandis by-election has left a bad taste in the mouths of electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0.

They say it reeks of corruption, alleging that it is tantamount to an offence under Section 8 of the Election Offences Act for seeking to influence voting behaviours of Malaysians.

The event, which promised to treat attendants in Shah Alam with 1,000 durians from Batu Kurau, Perak, was organised by Koperasi Hijrah Selangor, a microcredit programme under the state government’s administration.

The free durians proved to be a thorn in Bersih 2.0’s observations, as the electoral watchdog called the initiative a form of abuse of government machinery to campaign in favour of PKR candidate Zawawi Ahmad Mughni in the impending by-elections.

In a statement issued Wednesday (July 25), Bersih 2.0 called for the immediate cancellation of the event, which was supposed to be graced by the presence of newly appointed Selangor Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari.

“The Selangor Mentri Besar and Zawawi should also provide a public explanation of the event,” it added.

If the event isn’t cancelled, Bersih 2.0 said that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should investigate and take action on the matter, which is in line with Section 3 and 7 of the MACC Act.

“We call on all parties to refrain from the practice of electoral fraud, including impersonation, treating of food, undue influence through dishing out of goodies or threat and intimidation, inciting racial or religious hatred, bribery, including outright vote buying and abuse of government machinery.”

Bersih 2.0 stressed that all contesting candidates should be invited to and be treated equally in any events organised by state agencies, as such bodies should remain neutral and non-partisan at all times.

“Bersih 2.0 reminds the Pakatan Harapan government that the people have voted for change in the 14th General Election – a change from the Barisan Nasional rule of 61 years that was marred by massive corruption, cronyism and nepotism.

“Pakatan should uphold its election manifesto, which promises to cleanse Malaysia of corruption, malfeasance and kleptocracy, Promise 14 on strengthening anti-corruption practices and Promise 17 on ensuring transparency and robustness of our election system,” it said.

The Sg Kandis by-election will see a three-cornered fight between Pakatan, Barisan and an independent candidate.

The Sg Kandis state seat fell vacant after the death of assemblyman Mat Shuhaimi Shafie on July 2 from lymphoma.

He won the Sg Kandis seat with a 12,480-vote majority in GE14.

Polling is on Aug 4.