SEMENYIH POLLS | Tourism and Culture Minister Mohammadin Ketapi has apologised for announcing an RM80,000 allocation for repairs to a hall in Semenyih, ahead of the by-election for the Selangor seat this Saturday.

Mohammadin added that he was withdrawing the allocation as it could be constitute an election offence.

"At an event, I had announced an RM80,000 allocation for upgrading works to Dewan Haji Md Silin in Beranang.

"I would like to inform that I withdraw the allocation, as I realise it contravenes the Election Offences Act 1954 (under) the Election Commission," he said in a statement tonight.

Mohammadin's apology and withdrawal come just under three hours after he left National Crafts Day celebrations at Dewan Haji Md Silin, where he had made the announcement.

The minister said he had granted the allocation based on feedback from the local community, but only later realised that it could be an election offence.

"Before my statement, I was approached by residents and visitors to the event, who voiced the need to upgrade the hall.

"However, as I now realise that it is an offence under the Election Offences Act, therefore I sincerely apologise and retract the announcement," he said.

Mohammadin said it was not his intention to disrupt the election process in Semenyih.

The event held in conjunction with National Crafts Day celebrations, which begin tomorrow and end on March 11, also saw 33 prizes given out in a lucky draw.

Beranang is one of the 23 polling districts in Semenyih, and has 972 voters.

The four-way contest will see Pakatan Harapan's Muhammad Aiman Zainali take on BN's Zakaria Hanafi, PSM's Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul and independent candidate Kuan Chee Heng.

The by-election was called following the passing of Harapan incumbent Bakhtiar Mohd Nor on Jan 11.