GE15 'most corrupt of all elections' held in Malaysia, claims Mahathir

SHAH ALAM - Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad claims the 15th general election (GE15) may have been the most corrupt in Malaysia.

He said some of the candidates who won Nov 19 polls could be due to bribes given to voters.

“The bribes were given openly. Many received the bribes just before going in to vote. There were lots of people who saw the money being handed over.

“There was little or no attempt to hide as the money was being given and the instruction regarding which symbol to cross in the voting slip,” he claimed in a statement.

The two-time premier further claimed the corrupted act may have been witnessed by the authorities, however, he said no one has been charged with misconduct.

The former Pejuang chairman also urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to probe parties which seemed to be spending huge funds during GE15.

“During elections, if a candidate or a party indulged in lavish spending, investigation should be carried out as to the source of the funds.

“If it is discovered that the money had come from illegal sources, the candidate or the party should be charged.

“It is important to fix the limit to the amount spent during elections. Already each candidate is required to submit an account of the money he had spent during the election,” he said.

Despite the account having been submitted, he further suggested lawful action must be taken to parties that spent beyond the limit.

Mahathir lost his Langkawi seat in GE15. He was among 369 candidates who lost their deposits in the general election.