Former Election Commission (EC) chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) on electoral reforms was necessary as Bersih 2.0's demands and proposals by the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reforms were not holistic enough.
Abdul Rashid (left), who served 17 years as the EC secretary and almost 10 years as the commission's head, said both Bersih 2.0 and PSC did not provide solutions for structural problems within the electoral system.
“(Holistic reform) means studying all the laws, not just one or two. This is like changing the car battery, spark plug and engine oil. This type of quick fix will (cause) bigger problems. The core policies is the same,” he told Malay daily Sinar Harian in an interview today.
He cited the example of using indelible ink, which has been accepted and will be implemented in the next general election, as a “minor thing” that will only “dirty the hands” and not strengthen Malaysia's democracy.
“But I am not against it. I also wanted to do it (in 2008) but the government did not agree then. I don't know why they did not agree. During my tenure, the government did not agree but they agree now. Maybe because the pressure is higher.”
In 2008, the government back-pedalled on the use of indelible ink four days before the March 8 general election, drawing flak from both BN and the opposition.
Abdul Rashid (left), who served 17 years as the EC secretary and almost 10 years as the commission's head, said both Bersih 2.0 and PSC did not provide solutions for structural problems within the electoral system. “(Holistic reform) means studying all the laws, not just one or two. This is like changing the car battery, spark plug and engine oil. This type of quick fix will (cause) bigger problems. The core policies is the same,” he told Malay daily Sinar Harian in an interview today.
He cited the example of using indelible ink, which has been accepted and will be implemented in the next general election, as a “minor thing” that will only “dirty the hands” and not strengthen Malaysia's democracy.
“But I am not against it. I also wanted to do it (in 2008) but the government did not agree then. I don't know why they did not agree. During my tenure, the government did not agree but they agree now. Maybe because the pressure is higher.”
In 2008, the government back-pedalled on the use of indelible ink four days before the March 8 general election, drawing flak from both BN and the opposition.
PSC terms of reference too narrow
Asked what would he do if he was made Bersih chief, Abdul Rashid replied he agreed with the coalition's demand to set up an RCI to study the electoral system despite already having the PSC.
“(RCI is still) needed! This PSC is just temporary. Its terms of reference is also narrow. It cannot move outside of its terms of reference.
“The PSC has done its mission, good! But those (PSC members) are MPs, they are politicians. They know what is happening but they will not touch (certain issues).
“They just changed the engine, plug and engine oil, that's it,” said Abdul Rashid.
However, Abdul Rashid did not elaborate in detail on the structural problems of the electoral system which he wants reviewed.
He had called for a committee to be set up for electoral reform after the historic 2008 general election.
In January this year, he commented that the proposals by the PSC are merely procedural changes, which can be implemented within a week.
Asked what would he do if he was made Bersih chief, Abdul Rashid replied he agreed with the coalition's demand to set up an RCI to study the electoral system despite already having the PSC.
“(RCI is still) needed! This PSC is just temporary. Its terms of reference is also narrow. It cannot move outside of its terms of reference.“The PSC has done its mission, good! But those (PSC members) are MPs, they are politicians. They know what is happening but they will not touch (certain issues).
“They just changed the engine, plug and engine oil, that's it,” said Abdul Rashid.
However, Abdul Rashid did not elaborate in detail on the structural problems of the electoral system which he wants reviewed.
He had called for a committee to be set up for electoral reform after the historic 2008 general election.
In January this year, he commented that the proposals by the PSC are merely procedural changes, which can be implemented within a week.
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