Bersih Slams Loke for Announcing Taxi Driver Aid at PH Candidate Event

Electoral reform coalition Bersih has criticised Transport Minister Anthony Loke for announcing RM1,000 in special aid for Melaka taxi drivers at Pakatan Harapan’s candidate announcement for the Melaka state election.

Bersih said this blurs the line between official government business and party campaigning, creating the impression that the aid came from a contesting party.

“Not Any Party’s Funds”: Bersih Warns Against Promoting Government Aid at Rallies

It stressed that the money comes from government revenue and should not be promoted at campaign events to favour the ruling party. Saying the aid is nationwide, it added, does not explain why it was raised at that event.

Melaka taxi drivers received RM1,000 each last Monday. The funds come from the sale of special “H” registration numbers, which raised RM91.21 million.

Loke said the aid was already announced in Budget 2027 and will go to taxi, hire-car and school bus drivers nationwide.

Separately, Bersama’s Lee Chean Chung questioned a lucky draw organised by the Prime Minister’s political secretary, Azman Abidin, who is contesting Paya Rumput.

The programme offered motorcycles and 100 smartphones, which Lee estimated at over RM100,000 in prizes alone. That is the legal spending cap for a state candidate. Malaysiakini has contacted Azman for comment. Polling is on 14 November.