During the 12PRN there were many talks of misconducts being committed during campaign and during elections day. These misconducts besides harassments and threats against supporters and candidates included the giving of money, food and drinks to influence voters to vote for candidates who gave them these goodies.

It is may seems not a bribery because the candidate, when giving money, food and drink normally never ask voters who receive them to vote for him. During elections, even a well know beer brand had with it, a Kenyalang logo, being distributed to rural people by many candidates to “buy the heart” of the voters.

It was also a common sight that rice, sugar and salt distributed during Covid-19 and during campaign bore the names of political parties and photographs of candidates, ministers and YBs. It is a great embarrassment to campaign this way.

The style of campaign had lowered the dignity of elective office. It is a display of low moral to win votes with goodies in this way especially, by displaying of photographs of candidates and ministers on the rice bags. The low moral in winning elections had caused what we sow in this country which reaped ugly corruption and abuse of power almost everywhere in our daily lives.

Election law and laws on bribery and corruption have to be amended to include jail terms and to disqualify candidates, ministers and YBs who display their photographs and party logos for goods and things distributed or given to the public from holding elective office.

VOON LEE SHAN
President,
Parti Bumi Kenyalang
24 February 2022