Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 5. March 30 1981
Court Condones Bribery
Court Condones Bribery
The court case generated extensive interest. By his own words, Razaleigh said that there would be development if the NF won. The logical conclusion is that if the NF had lost; no, or less, development would have been forthcoming. The court did not consider whether such a conditional pledge might induce voters to support the government lest they lost development money.
Another argument that was not raised in court is whether a minister can use taxpayers' money to further the cause of one party against another. In Rengkalan Kota, Razaleigh followed the all-too-common practice of making on-the-spot, specific commitment - M$600,000 (US$264,000) allocated to Chinese education!
In court, Razaleigh maintained that the pledge to bring development was a national pledge that was continuous. But, what people at his meeting were told was what would happen in their area if the NF won!