EC deputy chief booed in debate with Ambiga

Election Commission (EC) deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar today faced a hostile crowd in a debate with Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan.

He was booed a number of times, forcing him to plead with the audience to give him a hearing in the event organised by Kumpulan Karangkraf, a media organisation which publishes Malay language daily Sinar Harian and a score of popular magazines.

Wan Ahmad (left) also insisted that the EC does not have the enforcement powers to tackle the abuses raised by various quarters relating to the electoral system and processes.

He then kicked the ball to the Attorney-General's Chambers regarding amendments to the election laws.

“Don't treat the EC as the enemy,” he urged the people.

In response, Ambiga (right)lambasted the EC for not taking pro-active action in changing the laws.

“You are treating the people as the enemy. Should EC take action in recommending changes, we will support. We will fight for you,” she said to the applause of the crowd.

Ambiga herself, however, faced questions levelled at her over the rally on July 9 which took place, with at least two members of the audience demanding whether she would continue with her "confrontational" methods.

One challenged Ambiga "from lawyer to lawyer" on her leadership role on July and whether she would organise more "illegal rallies".

A third questioned the Bersih 2.0 chief over the prominent space taken up by opposition party leaders in her civil society-led coalition.

At one point, moderator Wan Saiful Wan Jan from think-tank Ideas, called for calm.

"Let's stop the heckling," he said, adding that the situation was turning into rowdy "primary school" classroom.

The three-hour panel discussion, 'What's next after July 9?', also saw the participation of UKM professor Shamsul Amri Baharuddin.

[More to follow]