EC busts ‘bn ceramah’ for abuse of gov’t machinery

The Welfare Department and a deputy minister were left red faced yesterday after a function they were involved in was stopped by the Election Commission. The Barisan Nasional ceramah at Sama Gagah village was stopped following complaints by PKR officials that government machinery was being abused for campaigning purposes. Led by EC officer Sulaiman Abdullah a team of enforcement officers visited the scene, accompanied by complainants, PKR treasurer-general William Leong, PKR, Youth deputy chief Faris Musa and Pantai Jerajak state rep Sim Tze Tzin. Their surprise visit prompted Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Heang Siak Kee to stop her speech half-way and vanish from the scene. Sulaiman and his team also inspected a bus bearing the the Welfare Department logo and later instructed the bus driver to take the bus away. Later, Sulaiman ordered a counter run by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to be closed immediately. Ministry officers were seen frantically taking down buntings and other materials, while trying to avoid press photographers, before leaving on another bus. 'RM200 incentive for those over 60 years old' With Heang's departure, the function had only Seberang Jaya state assemblyperson Arif Shah Omar Shah as the only Barisan Nasional representative present. Arif Shah said he happened to be passing the area and believed that the function was organised by "some NGOs". Contrary to his claim, large numbers of BN flags were draped all over the venue. On the stage, the words "Please vote BN" were written in large Chinese characters. There were also several hampers on stage as well. On Heang's presence, Arif said she was here to "shake hands" with voters. "We all happened to be here. But Heang was later invited on stage to give a speech". In another development, Sim claimed Heang's had said in her speech that all participants above 60 were allowed to claim RM200 from the organisers. "Under the election laws, this is illegal," said Sim, who also urged the EC to take stern action against the event organisers. Lee Way Loon/Mkini