Independent candidate campaigns to stamp out money politics

SANDAKAN: Independent candidate for the Sandakan parliamentary by-election, Chia Siew Yung, recounts how he was approached by several groups during his campaign trail who offered their services to assist in the election.

Further engagement with the groups revealed that they had been ‘shopping' around unnamed candidates for the highest payment in return for their services in voter influence and management.

Greenhorn as he is and newbie in politics, Chia is shocked at the obnoxious proposals insinuated to him as a norm in elections.

As an NGO member against money politics, Chia felt it is his social responsibility and civic obligation to eradicate vote buying practices which lead to a corrupt society.

Chia therefore called upon all candidates in the by-election to join hands and pledge their commitment to rid the society of money politics, starting with the Sandakan by-election.

To this end, Chia initiated the ‘Sandakan Declaration Against Money Politics' and invited all candidates to be present to sign the Declaration on Sunday, May 5, at Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Sandakan (Lunkayan Room) between 9am-10am.

This initiative will clear the candidates of any innuendos and allegations of vote buying in the Sandakan by-election, he added.

Chia also extended the invitation to political parties, NGOs, civil liberty movements and activists to be present on this historic occasion to sign the Sandakan Declaration.

He also called on representatives of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Royal Malaysian Police to attend in support of the Anti-Money Politics campaign.