Security Personnel Who Allegedly Tried To 'Buy' Votes Arrested At Sabah Poll Station
They were found carrying a large amount of cash.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 22 Sep 2020, 05:31 PM
Two members of the security forces were arrested after they were found carrying a large amount of cash at Lahad Datu, Sabah yesterday, 21 September
Sources said that the duo was trying to use the money to 'buy' votes ahead of the early voting for the Sabah state elections (PRN) happening today, 22 September, reported Harian Metro.
The sources added that the security forces acted as 'middlemen' between those electorates and a local political candidate.
The early polling for the state kicked off at 8am today with 16,877 military personnel, policemen, and their spouses expected to cast their votes in 55 stations.
As of press time, it is unknown how much money the duo had and who they were working for.
The police arrested the suspects after receiving a tip-off
It is understood that the suspects have been transferred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Lahad Datu for further action.
Both Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali and Sabah MACC director S Karunanithy confirmed the arrests, reported New Straits Times.
MACC Sabah has since opened an investigation into the case
The suspects are currently being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 for accepting any gratification as an agent and the Election Offences Act 1954.
If found guilty under the first provision, the suspects can face imprisonment of up to 20 years, a fine not less than five times the gratification or RM10,000 - whichever is higher - or both.
