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Don't rush us, says select panel head

Saturday, 24 September 2011 10:01am

©The New Straits Times (Used by permission)

PUTRAJAYA: The newly appointed chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform has pleaded for "space and time" for views and proposals to be made on improving the electoral process.

Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, who is also Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, said such views could be made via submissions of memorandums and public hearings to be held in various parts of the country.

"I hope that there will be as much participation as possible from the Malaysian public in this process.

"Details on these will be made available once the select committee is officially constituted by Parliament and holds its first meeting," he said in a press statement yesterday.

Ongkili, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah deputy president and Kota Marudu member of parliament, thanked prime minister and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak for nominating him as chairman of the committee.

He said it was an honour and a privilege to represent the nation as well as Sabah and the Kadazandusun community in identifying and formulating improvements to the electoral process and system in the country.

On Thursday, BN had announced Ongkili, who had previously chaired the Select Committee on National Unity and National Service Training Programme, and four others as its representatives on the committee.

The other four are Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, who will represent Sarawak and the Ibans, Kangar MP Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, who will represent Umno, Alor Gajah MP Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn for MCA, while Hulu Selangor MP P. Kamalanathan is representing MIC.

The list was endorsed by Najib.

The motion for the setting up of the PSC would be tabled at the next Parliamentary sitting on Oct 3. BN will propose a six-month time frame for the panel to complete its report on improving the electoral system before it is tabled in Parliament.

Meanwhile, in Petaling Jaya, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) steering committee member Dr Subramaniam Pillay said Najib must ensure that the electoral reforms through the newly-set up committee were put in place before calling for the next general election.

He added the committee would be meaningless if the timing of the polls did not depend on it.

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