The Malaysian Insight

SABAH Bersih 2.0 recorded 19 election offences in the recent Sandakan by-election, a slight improvement from the number of violations committed by parties contesting the Rantau and Cameron Highlands by-elections earlier this year, the political watchdog said, adding that DAP accounted for 11 of the 19 transgressions.

Announcing the release of Bersih 2.0’s findings on the May 11 Sandakan poll today, Sabah vice chair Beverly Joeman said despite the reduced number, the authorities and political parties should press on with ending irregularities like “treating”.

In Sandakan, Joeman noted DAP organised two events where voters were treated to food and drinks.

She said the first event was held before nomination day on April 25 and the second through a third party: the Al-Furqan Prayer Hut Commitee on May 3. The latter held an event “kenduri Sekampung Bersama Ketua Menteri”.

“In Cameron Higlands, four of such cases were recorded, while there were seven in Rantau,” she said at a press conference in Kota Kinabalu, noting that in Rantau and Cameron Highlands the organisation recorded 39 and 23 polling offences respectively.

“The parties may have been unable to hold more of these events because the fasting month began on May 6.”

Other offences included the misuse of government machinery, such as a marine police boat to ferry Parti Warisan Sabah members to Berhala Island to campaign.

“Our observers also noted that most of the offences committed during the polls were attempts by political party workers to try and influence voting, such as preparing transportation for voters to get to the polling stations at SK Sri Tanjung Papat and SK Sungai Anib.

“We found nine vehicles were used to ferry voters. Eight of these vehicles had the PBS and DAP flags fixed to them,” she said.

Among other offences, Joeman also said parties still set up “pondok panas” or voter reference booths on polling day, despite the Election Commission having said these were no longer allowed.

However, despite some weaknesses, Joeman said the overall polling process was carried out well by the commission.

The Sandakan parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of MP Stephen Won Thien Fatt, on March 28. – May 21, 2019.