Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has brushed aside opposition calls for Election Commission chairperson Abdul Aziz Yusof and its deputy Wan Ahmad Wan Omar to step down because they are Umno members.
"In the government, there are also PAS members. They are not active because the government does not allow them to be active,” he riposted at a press conference today.
"So what is so wrong with some government servants saying they are party members but they are not active?"
He was speaking after launching the Malay version of his memoir 'Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad'.
"In the government, there are also PAS members. They are not active because the government does not allow them to be active,” he riposted at a press conference today.
"So what is so wrong with some government servants saying they are party members but they are not active?"
He was speaking after launching the Malay version of his memoir 'Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad'.
Mahathir was responding to PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution's claim that the duo were Umno members.
Saifuddin (left) had said that by being aligned to a political party, Aziz and Wan Omar had failed to be independent within the EC.
Aziz had admitted to being an Umno member, saying he registered in the 1970s - but stressed that he was independent.
"I stress that even if someone had registered me a as member of the party, it does not make me one-sided or biased. I've never felt bonded during my tenure here," Aziz had said.
His deputy Wan Ahmad had similarly admitted to the allegation but said he was an inactive member.
"All civil employees are not allowed to be active in any party. If they want to do so, they must resign. I'm still in service so it is proof that I'm not an active member," he had said.
Saifuddin (left) had said that by being aligned to a political party, Aziz and Wan Omar had failed to be independent within the EC.
Aziz had admitted to being an Umno member, saying he registered in the 1970s - but stressed that he was independent.
"I stress that even if someone had registered me a as member of the party, it does not make me one-sided or biased. I've never felt bonded during my tenure here," Aziz had said.
His deputy Wan Ahmad had similarly admitted to the allegation but said he was an inactive member.
"All civil employees are not allowed to be active in any party. If they want to do so, they must resign. I'm still in service so it is proof that I'm not an active member," he had said.
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