EC powerless to act on BN flags at Komuter stations

The Election Commission says it is powerless against BN flags being put up at several Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) commuter stations in Selangor.

Instead, EC chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof (left) said the local councils concerned could act in this matter.

"The EC only has powers on the placing of party flags and campaign materials when there is an election campaign.

"Other than that period, the other authorities have the powers, like the Shah Alam City Council or the various local councils. They can act in this," he said in a short SMS reply to Malaysiakini.

Aziz was asked whether putting up BN flags before an election campaign kicks off is an offence under electoral laws and whether action could be taken against the purported directive by KTMB chairperson Mohd Zin Mohamed for BN flags raised at Komuter stations.

YesterdayMalaysiakinireported that its checks on Tuesday revealed that BN flags were up at the Batu Tiga and Shah Alam commuter stations.

KTMB union president Abdul Razak Abdul Hamid, said he would seek an explanation from Mohd Zin on the matter.

"I did not get the directive. I only found out about it from media reports," Abdul Razak said, adding that he did not think such a directive was proper," Malaysiakini quoted him as saying.

Last Friday, it was reported that Mohd Zin, who is also Selangor BN coordinator, had issued a directivefor BN flags to be put up at all 28 stations in the state, now controlled by Pakatan Rakyat.

Sources said KTMB officers were told to ensure that the BN flags were hoisted at strategic places and placed in areas that would not endanger the safety of the trains and commuters.

Mohd Zin, who is also Sepang MP, had allegedly instructed the auxiliary police to keep an eye on the flags to prevent vandalism

However, the former works minister has denied issuing the directive ahead of what is widely expected to be a closely fought general election, but gave the green light to the raising of BN flags so long as it did not hinder the smooth running of the trains.