Caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said he did not mean to reveal how he had voted on his ballot paper at the SK Bandaru Baru Beris Jaya voting centre.
However, he had been pressed by the media to hold up his ballot, he said, and without thinking, had accidentally revealed the contents.
“I didn’t mean to do it…but in that sort of ‘kelam kabut’ situation, trying to help my media friends, I was turning here and there for them to take pictures, and I didn’t realise it had become unfolded, revealing the contents.
“I had folded it twice, but they asked me to turn here and there, so I turned to them.
“I entertained the reporters’ request but they ‘fixed’ me up…if I had wanted to display the ballot paper I would have carried it higher,” he said.
Earlier, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said showing a ballot paper that has been marked is an offence under the Election Offences Act 1954.
He said police will investigate if any report is lodged.
“However, as of 6pm, we have not received any such report.
“If there is any report, the offence can be classified under Section 5 of the Election Offences Act,” he said.
It was earlier reported that Sanusi had allegedly committed an election offence for showing his ballot paper to media personnel after casting his vote.
His action was heavily criticised by many social media users.