No BR1M if opposition comes into power, Azmin says (Updated)

SHAH ALAM: The opposition will discontinue the handout of 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) if it comes into power after the next general election.
PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the party was against the cash aid and considered it as a form of bribe.
He also said that a recent statement made by former prime minister and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over BR1M was taken out of context.
"BR1M is a bribe ... I would not want to continue corruption, I wage war against corruption," he told reporters after attending the Selangor government monthly assembly at the state secretariat building here.
During the official launch of PPBM last Saturday, Mahathir had expressed his willingness to continue with the BR1M handout if it was found to be necessary, despite the opposition's critical stance towards the programme.
Mohamed Azmin, who is also the Selangor Mentri Besar, when queried on this stressed that Mahathir had meant that BRIM should not be used as a mechanism by any party to woo voters.
"It (BR1M) should be maintained with more transparency by being institutionalised and not managed by politicians. It cannot be included in the election manifesto.
"It was clear (Mahathir's statement) but why wasn't it highlighted?" he added.
Earlier in his speech, Mohamad Azmin said the Selangor government would not undermine the intelligence of the public by handing out cash to gain their support.