How does Loke justify his visit amidst election watchdog criticism?

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Loke Justifies Cameron Highlands Visit Amidst Election Watchdog Criticism

Transport Minister Anthony Loke has defended his recent visit to Cameron Highlands, asserting that it was not connected to the upcoming parliamentary by-election and was part of his regular duties. He stated that his visit was scheduled before the by-election was announced and that he barred the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate from accompanying him to avoid any perception of impropriety. Loke argued that elected representatives cannot cease their work and engagement with constituents simply because a by-election is underway, as people rely on them for assistance throughout the year.
Visit Pre-dates By-election Announcement

The visit by Transport Minister Anthony Loke to Cameron Highlands was arranged prior to the official announcement of the parliamentary by-election. Loke explicitly stated that the timing of his visit was not influenced by the impending poll, which was triggered by the disqualification of MIC's Datuk C. Sivarraajh due to vote buying allegations.
Exclusion of PH Candidate

To preempt criticism and ensure the visit was perceived as official business, Loke took the step of barring the PH candidate from being present during his engagements. This action was intended to demonstrate that the visit was not a campaign activity designed to influence voters in the by-election.
Continued Duty of Care to Constituents

Loke emphasized that elected representatives have an ongoing responsibility to address the issues faced by the public throughout the year, not just during election periods. He argued that it is impractical and unfair to constituents to halt all problem-solving activities until after the election process is concluded.
Rejection of Accusations of Impropriety

Responding to concerns raised by electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0, Loke questioned the basis for criticism regarding his visit. He challenged the notion that his presence or activities constituted an abuse of power, the offering of sweeteners, or the making of promises to voters. Loke maintained that he would continue to perform his ministerial duties despite any scrutiny.

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How does Loke justify his visit amidst election watchdog criticism?

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