The Malaysian Insight

PORT Dickson MP Anwar Ibrahim said he had not committed any electoral offences during the by-election campaign despite electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 naming him as the top culprit.

He said he welcomed Bersih’s criticism, but denied that he committed any offences.

“I welcome their criticism, and we need to see specifically what they are.

“I was invited to attend (some events), so I do not know how it is my fault,” Anwar told reporters when met in Parliament today.

Bersih released a report last week that said Anwar committed six of the 10 electoral offences identified in Port Dickson. The other four were committed by the PAS candidate, Mohd Nazari Mokhtar.

Among Anwar’s six identified wrongdoings included the free tuition proposal, free concert at his operations centre, a dinner organised for him, and his appearance at an army event with Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.

The former deputy prime minister said he was “invited by friends” for the dinner function and pushed the blame on the organisers for not inviting other candidates.

“I was invited. The question on why the other candidates were not invited, you need to ask them (organisers),” Anwar said.

However, the 71-year-old said he had not officially responded to Bersih, adding that he will explain all his alleged misdeeds.

“They have not asked me for my views, I have also not given my response. They have given their observations and I feel we should scrutinise and answer them properly,” Anwar said.

Anwar received a total of 31,016 votes, while his closest rival, Nazari, received 7,456 votes in the October 13 by-election.

Former Negri Sembilan menteri besar Isa Samad, who contested as an independent, placed third with 4,203, losing his deposit.

The four other independents, including Anwar’s former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan, Stevie Chan, Lau Seck Yan, and Kan Chee Yuen, all lost their deposits. – October 29, 2018.