Malaysian government tracking down individual alleging vote buying by Pakatan during Cameron Highlands by-election

LIPIS — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is in the midst of tracking down the social media account holder who uploaded an image, which went viral, of an individual dressed in a Pakatan Harapan shirt allegedly handing out money to an Orang Asli.

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Eddin Syazlee Shith said so far no one has come forward to provide any explanation on the matter, the location or the motive behind the images.

"MCMC needs some time to identify the account holder and the reason the individual had made the picture viral. It could be merely speculative and might have been blown out of proportion.

"We do not know what actually took place and whatever that has been alleged about the image might not be genuine as we are unsure about its authenticity," he said after visiting PH's operating centre at Felda Sungai Koyan 3 in Lipis on Sunday (Jan 13).

Mr Eddin Syazlee, who is the Negeri Sembilan Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy chairman, was commenting on several images of a woman handing out cash which had been making its round on social media since Sunday morning.

He said the presence of the images will not jeopardise PH campaign ahead of the Cameron Highlands by-election and PH has instructed its by-election party workers to be extra careful, and carry out their job with integrity.

"If we want things to be on our side, we will surely deploy the government's machinery to campaign but that is not PH's way and we (the leadership) have also stressed that we will not do what the previous regime had done.

"Since we are not even using the government's machinery, then how can we use money to secure support....never mind let’s wait for MCMC's investigations before deciding on the next course of action," he said.

In an earlier programme at Pos Betau Orang Asli settlement, Mr Eddin Syazlee told reporters that MYTV digital television decoders will be distributed again to eligible recipients who have registered with the Cost of Living Aid (BSH) programme soon.

He said the distribution was stopped last year following a dispute between MYTV Broadcasting Sdn Bhd and Telekom Malaysia (TM), and the matter has been resolved.

"Since the services have been restored, the ministry will now continue to distribute the decoders. Eligible BSH recipients which were previously known as 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) will start receiving the decoders.

"However, we need to fine tune certain issues to ensure those who receive the decoders will utilise the units. In the past, some recipients did not collect the decoders due to the costly installation fees fetching hundreds of ringgit," he said.

Mr Eddin Syazlee said he hopes that efforts will be taken to ensure more Orang Asli settlements in the country receive the MYTV decoders, and the distribution will not be only focused in town areas. NEW STRAITS TIMES