PETALING JAYA: Lim Guan Eng's speech in Sandakan is no different from Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's speeches in the past, says Bersih 2.0.

The electoral watchdog has taken Lim to task over a promise that the latter made in Sandakan, saying that if DAP candidate Vivian Wong was elected, she could remind him to include a parking project in the next budget.

However, if she was not elected, then it couldn't be helped, Lim said.

"Lim is the Finance Minister, and it is within his power to grant that extra allocation if there is a genuine need, and indeed it is his duty to do so regardless of which party the candidate or MP is from.

"Bersih 2.0 calls on Lim to clarify what he meant when he said if Wong doesn’t get elected, it can’t be helped.

"We would urge him to give his assurance that he will help resolve the car park issue even if Wong didn’t get elected because he is the Finance Minister for all Malaysians regardless of political affiliation," said Bersih 2.0 in a statement on Friday (May 3).

It added that it was "deeply concerned that arm-twisting electioneering tactics such as bribery and undue influence" should be used against voters.

"Voters must be free to make their choices without any pressure, which is why they are considered election offences."

It was reported on Thursday (May 2) that The Election Commission (EC) took down a billboard which implied that Lim had threatened Sandakan voters by saying he would not address the issue of insufficient parking bays at the Sandakan Hospital should the DAP's candidate lose in the May 11 polls.

An EC officer, Asarakal Martinis, told reporters the billboard was taken down because it was allegedly “seditious”.

“We referred the matter to the EC headquarters in Putrajaya, and following that we were ordered to take it down,” he said.

The Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) billboard depicted a screenshot from Astro AEC’s Mandarin news, with a Chinese headline which translates to “Insufficient parking lots in Sandakan hospital; Lim: If we win, then find me. If we lose, there’s nothing I can do”.

It is understood that PBS Deputy President Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai is meeting the returning officer (RO) at the Sandakan Municipal Council over the matter.