PUTRAJAYA: With Pakatan Harapan having been accused of abusing its position in the run-up to the upcoming Semenyih by-election, the Election Commission (EC) has said that, in general, government activities are not against election laws.

But if these activities were found to fish for votes, then it might be an issue, said EC chairman Azhar Azizan Harun.

"As such, the government must be able to justify the activity and prove that it is not to fish for votes if the issue is brought to court," he told a press conference to welcome the latest appointments of the Commission on Friday (Feb 15).

Azhar was asked for his comments on the many ministers who have been visiting Semenyih in the past few days. Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, for one, has accused Pakatan ministers of going to Semenyih to fish for votes.

Azhar said that it must be remembered that since Parliament and the state legislative assemblies had not been dissolved, the government still existed.

"When the government exists, there will be government activities," he said.

Azhar admitted that some of the electoral laws, including campaign ethics, were just for show.

"I'm sorry to say that. But now we are creating awareness and the results are good.

From Port Dickson to Cameron Highlands to Semenyih, the people are starting to be aware of this.

"Until someone took legal action against the EC to question the validity of the EC. I welcome this because the courts are the best party to decide this question.

"It is the same with the election ethics and offences. Please bring all these things forward and take action, so that we can get guidelines (pedoman)," said Azhar.

Najib said as many as seven ministers, including Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, had gone to the constituency.

"The Home Minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) also visited to announce an allocation of millions of ringgit to the police force.

"Two days before that, another Pakatan minister (Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman) provided free motor oil to voters there, complete with free haircut service.

"These ministers are using government machinery and funds to implement various programmes as well as giving free goodies to voters in Semenyih," Najib said in a Facebook post.

He added that Azmin described the ministers' visits as a mere coincidence.

"The rakyat must believe that Pakatan never lies. They never abuse their authority and government funds for the by-election," Najib said sarcastically.

Other Pakatan ministers who have visited Semenyih recently included Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin and Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun.

The Semenyih by-election was triggered following the death of Bersatu's Bakhtiar on Jan 11 due to a heart attack.

During the 14th General Election, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's Bakhtiar Mohd Nor won with a majority of 8,694 over his closest opponent, Datuk Johan Abd Aziz of Barisan Nasional in a four-way fight.

Nomination has been set for Feb 16 while polling will be held on March 2.