The Malaysian Bar - Bar Council ‘welcomes’ interim PSC electoral reforms

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Bar Council ‘welcomes’ interim PSC electoral reforms

Friday, 02 December 2011 08:46am

©The Sun (Used by permission)
by Lee Choon Fai

PETALING JAYA (Dec 2, 2011): The Malaysian Bar council welcomes the interim report tabled by the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms albeit with a pinch of salt.

Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee yesterday said the Bar Council was encouraged by the excellent recommendations, which prove that a bi-partisan PSC "can and does work".

However, he stopped short of stating the government is delivering on its reform pledges.

"The Bar is hopeful that the PM will return to his Malaysia Day pledge. The Bar supports these aspirations but will speak up when the implementation towards achieving such aspirations are in the law and contrary to these aspirations," said Lim.

He said it is now up to the Election Commission (EC) and the government to commit to the reforms recommended by the PSC.

The PSC on electoral reforms was formed after the Bersih 2.0 rally which drew tens of thousands of people calling for free and fair elections on the streets of KL on July 9.

The committee is chaired by Science, Technology, and Information Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili.

The recommendations are the result of hearing and deliberating on the public feedback including those from Bersih 2.0, Bar Council and other NGOs.

"Where people's constitutional rights are affected, this is the best approach to take to ensure the people are heard," said Lim.

Malaysia Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) commissioner Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said that the recommendations made are good and need to be considered seriously for implementation so that the EC can act effectively and immediately against election offences.

"Suhakam recommends those who resort to undemocratic means to win elections and responsible for violations of the law be made accountable in a timely manner and not after five years," said Sha'ani.

The commissioner was referring to "cash handouts, grants to private schools, allowances to cover expenses of party supporters, compensation in lieu of wages, and various non-cash inducements such as speeding up administrative processes (as in the issuing of ownership titles to house owners)".

Suhakam also previously produced six recommendations to contribute to the PSC on electoral reform. Among the recommendations are to introduce a caretaker government and responsible candidates during campaigning.

The PSC is also considering 10 other recommendations.

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