BARISAN NASIONAL FLOUT ELECTION LAWS

With an intense campaigning to regain control of the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat, the Barisan Nasional has been flouting Election Laws by providing more than RM200,000 that a prospective candidate and his political party could spend in any parliamentary election. On the other hand, the Election Commission seem to have a blind eye towards the Barisan Nasional since they continued existence in their position would be detrimental, if any form of action is undertaken.

The ruling Barisan Nasional seem to be spending all of a sudden almost RM80 Million in Kuala Terengganu and their excuse is that they are carrying out development projects under the federal government. Doesn't it seem surprising that only these things happen on the spot when a by-election is called upon.

It was further reveal that the State government had handed-out about RM200 to RM1,000 to Kuala Terengganu resident of Chinese origin in conjunction with the coming Chinese New Year which will be celebrated on 26 January 2009 and the total paid out is estimated at RM2.7 Million.

In a surprising move, the Chinese community in Kuala Terengganu have been offered 'goodies' that had been least expected namely, the State government had pledged RM3.3 million for the construction of a hall for the Chinese community in Bukit Kecil, with the ground breaking ceremony scheduled for 13 January, approved RM2.8 million for the refurbishing of the sole Chinese school in Kuala Terengganu, SJK (C) Chung Hwa Wei Sin while the school's brass band will receive a sum of RM200,000. Another RM110,000 was allocated to 40 Chinese religious organisations. In addition to the allocations from the state government, the State MCA has obtained federal allocation worth RM205,000 for two temples while Education Minister on 5 January announced a RM2,926,000 allocation for 10 Chinese schools in the State. It is learnt that the deciding votes will be in the hands of the Chinese and by offering these amounts, Barisan Nasional is expecting their undivided vote, as the saying there 'don't bite the hands that feed us'.

Yesterday, 583 Terengganu based contractors mostly UMNOputras were offered contracts valued at RM15.8 Million in infrastructure works in the Kuala Terengganu area.

The usual cost of printing banners, flags, posters and others would also amount to a few Millions since there are many billboards showing how they (BN) seem to care for the rakyat.

Isn't this flouting Election Laws. A complete examination of the expenditure of all the candidates need to be undertaken before polling day on 17 January 2009, and the Election Commission should disqualify candidates who have exceeded the prescribed limits of RM200,000.

From the facts presented, its time that the Election Commission DISQUALIFY the Barisan Nasional candidate from contesting and charge him (Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh) and his Barisan Nasional party for breaching the law.

Will the Election Commission do it ?