C4 Center Criticizes Nga Kor Ming's RM5.21 Million Allocation Announcement Ahead of Kuala Kubu Bharu By-Election

The electoral reform group C4 Center has criticized Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming's announcement of a RM5.21 million allocation for Hulu Selangor projects ahead of the Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election. C4 Center stated that the announcement violates the 3C Prohibition guidelines outlined by Bersih since the last 2023 state election, which prohibit conditions, campaigning, and the involvement of candidates by non-interim governments in the context of a by-election.

Nga Kor Ming announced the allocation for infrastructure upgrades in Hulu Selangor on April 18, 2024, including 14 projects worth RM4.82 million to be implemented by the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS) and the Chinese New Village Project. The announcement was made ahead of the Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election, which has a nomination day on April 27 and election day on May 11.

C4 Center has urged reforms to Malaysia's election laws to address such unethical campaigning practices. The group highlighted that it is common for the government to approve and announce federal funding before elections, which they say damages the nation's democracy and public participation in governance.

Why this matters: The criticism by C4 Center raises important questions about the use of government resources and announcements to influence voters before elections. This incident underscores the need for reforms to Malaysia's election laws to ensure fair and ethical campaigning practices.

However, DAP Selangor has defended the announcement, with election director Ng Sze Han stating that the allocation is a common practice and was done before the nomination day. Ng also mentioned that Nga Kor Ming had visited Terengganu and Kelantan to provide similar allocations, even though there are no by-elections there.

Parti Gerakan Malaysia (Gerakan) president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau criticized the allocation announcement, describing it as an "immature practice of politics" that could influence the voting pattern of constituents. The announcement has received criticism from various quarters, including electoral watchdog Bersih and Muar member of parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

The Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election is set to take place on May 11, 2024, with the nomination day on April 27 and early voting on May 7. DAP Selangor has stated that they will announce the candidate who will represent the unity government for the by-election by next Wednesday.

Key Takeaways

• C4 Center criticized RM5.21 million allocation by Nga Kor Ming before Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election.
• Allocation violates 3C Prohibition guidelines, which prohibit conditions, campaigning, and candidate involvement.
• C4 Center urged reforms to address unethical campaigning practices in Malaysian elections.
• DAP Selangor defended the allocation as a common practice, while Gerakan criticized it as "immature politics".
• Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election scheduled for May 11, 2024, with nomination day on April 27.