Ismail Sabri challenges Dr M to report on BR1M to MACC

PETALING JAYA: Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been challenged to lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BR1M) recipients for allegedly receiving bribes.
Issuing this challenge today, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Mahathir's recent statements have become more absurd and that he has become more desperate by humiliating the recipients of the fund.
"If it is a bribe, I hope Mahathir will lodge a report with the MACC. So that when they lodge an investigation, they can arrest all recipients as well. Under graft cases, it becomes an offence for those who offer and those who receive as well ," he told reporters after visiting Tabika Kemas in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, Sepang, today.
In defending the federal government scheme, Ismail Sabri, who is also Bera MP, said the aid is a means to alleviate the people's financial burden.
"Based on Mahathir's logic, the Selangor government's free water scheme should also be labelled as corruption.
"Additionally, the federal government also sponsors education in Kemas kindergartens. Can this be interpreted as bribery as well?" he asked.
As such, he opined that government aid cannot be interpreted as bribery.
Ismail Sabri's response came after Mahathir, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairman, had repeatedly claimed that BR1M was a form of corruption.