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Another PSC in the works

Wednesday, 04 April 2012 10:13am

©Malay Mail (Used by permission)

by Hemananthani Sivanandam

KUALA LUMPUR (April 3, 2012): A new select committee will be set up by Parliament to implement and oversee the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms.

PSC chairman Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said with the formation of the new select committee, the onus is on the various authorities to carry out the recommendations in the report.

"We have recommended having a select committee to monitor the electoral roll and the implementation of the recommendations of the report.

"My client is the Parliament, our job is to supply to Parliament and the resolutions there … so they will take it up from there.

"The motion will be presented by the government to the House Committee to set up this new committee," Ongkili told a news conference after tabling the PSC report in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He rubbished allegations made by opposition MPs who claimed their views were ignored.

Ongkili said that there were no drafts submitted during the proceedings of the committee, adding that the members were given room to voice their grouses and provide alternative solutions.

"I have also looked into four matters raised by the opposition in asking for a minority report such as the border correction issue and the 42,000 so-called dubious voters," he said.

"We discussed it but it did not merit being included in the final report because action is being taken by the Election Commission."

Responding to opposition claims that the committee had failed in its duty to promote electoral reforms, Ongkili said that it was a "politically motivated" jibe.

"If we have failed, why did they stay until the end?

"If they want to use it for political mileage, then for goodness sake please be sensible.

"They sat there until the last day of the meetings and suddenly (they) say it didn't fulfil the requirements? I mean (they'd) be a sitting duck if (they) didn't do anything."

The nine-member PSC started work last October, compiling the report from public hearings and feedback from various parties. Five of the members are from the Barisan Nasional, with three from the Pakatan Rakyat and one Independent MP.

The PSC also formed five minor committees to scrutinise memorandums sent to it directly. It completed its work last week after 14 meetings and six public inquiry sessions.

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