How will TI-M address PM's 'pledge breach'?

Now that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has signed the Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) election integrity pledge, what happens if he violates it?

That is the question being posed by DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, who believes that Najib had breached the code at least five times during the 15 day Chinese New Year celebration period.

In a press release today, Lim (right) queried whether TI-M had a mechanism to receive and investigate public complaints over such breaches by signatories to the documents.

He also queried if TI-M will disqualify signatories, if they are found to violate the four principles outlined in the pledge.

"For instance, within days of signing the pledge, the prime minister violated his commitment to conduct a clean and ethical election campaign, when he declared in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday that 'a vote for DAP is a vote for the oppression of Muslims'.

"This is a most unethical and shameless incitement of racial and religious hatred which is also totally against Najib's signature 1Malaysia policy," said Lim.

According to Lim, the onus was now on TI-M to relay the matter to Najib and ask him to apologise for making the remark.

'EC No 2 not neutral'

On Feb 20, Najib had signed the pledge which stipulates four principles that BN leaders would observe during the election campaign:

- Truth, integrity, ethical conduct and accountability, including not accepting or giving bribes or being involved in corrupt practices in way;

- Upholding and giving priority to the interests of the rakyat as a whole;

- Good governance and transparency; and

- Compliance with all the applicable laws and regulations of Malaysia.

Lim said that he had qualms about signing the same document because the premier did not appear serious about the pledges and appear uncommitted to its principles.

He also dismissed Election Commission (EC) deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar's criticism against Pakatan Rakyat for refusing to sign the pledge.

Lim said that Wan Ahmad was making a political statement instead of displaying neutrality.