Malott dares "never cheated" Najib to implement 4 key election reforms

Former US ambassador to Malaysia John Malott has dared Prime Minister Najib Razak to put his money where his mouth is and prove that UMNO "has never cheated in any election" by implementing 4 key reforms, including allowing foreign observers and the use of indelible ink.

In a hard-hitting open letter to Najib and sent to Malaysiakini, Malott - who is believed to have been barred from entering the country due his outspokeness - urged Najib not to keep reneging on his word.

"You say that Malaysia's elections are free and fair. Now you have a chance to prove it to the outside world and remove all doubts. And if your party wins, then the Malaysian people - and the world - might finally be convinced," wrote Malott.

"As a result of the developments on July 9, the world is now paying increased attention to Malaysia. In particular, we now wonder how free and fair your nation's elections are. We have learned that some of your country's citizens believe that Malaysia needs electoral reform. On July 9, they marched with a coalition called Bersih 2.0, and they called for free and fair elections."

"You responded by declaring Bersih illegal and suppressing the 'Walk for Democracy' with overwhelming police force. The world noticed your heavy-handed reaction, and it wondered why a peaceful demonstration calling for fair elections bothered you so much - so much so that you were willing to risk Malaysia's international reputation - and give your country and yourself a major black eye."

No reason not to implement

Malott called on the Malaysian leader to push through 4 easy to implement and effective electoral reforms. Outlawed polls pressure group Bersih 2.0 had asked for 8.

The concessions that Malott advised are:

1) Allow international groups to observe your elections. Based on your assertions, they will find nothing amiss, and their reports will give credibility to Malaysia's election results.

2) Allow observers from all political parties to witness the postal balloting that takes place on military bases. For years, the opposition has said that something is amiss. But since you say that Umno never cheats, I am sure that they will find nothing wrong, and you will be vindicated.

3) Let's put an end to all the accusations about phantom voters by using a simple, effective and cheap solution - indelible ink.
Your Elections Commission wants a super-sophisticated biometric system, but there is no way it can be in place by then - and many people worry that it can be manipulated. Indelible ink works - just ask the world's largest democracy, India. I don't think anyone has ever disputed the results of India's elections in over 60 years.

4) Finally, let RTM be truly independent, like the BBC and NHK and the public broadcasting systems in Australia, France, Germany, and elsewhere in the world. RTM does not belong to Umno. It belongs to the people. As long as RTM - funded by all the people of Malaysia - acts as the propaganda arm of the 25 percent of Malaysians who voted for Umno, no one can believe that Malaysia's elections are fair and free.

Reason for over-reaction - refusal to give up power

Indeed, Najib has disgusted a lot of Malaysians, both at home and abroad with his over-reaction to the rally. He and his UMNO party had feared it could trigger a wave of consciousness for social reform, and blaze a trail for Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakatan Rakyat coalition to win. The next national polls is not due to be called until March 2013, but local experts say the latest Najib will delay is early next year.

In the runup to the rally, the greater Najib's paranoia and the more brutal the police crackdowns, the more fiercely the people rejected his leadership. On D-Day, July 9, some 50,000 filled the streets of Kuala Lumpur. They locked arms, chanted, and sang the national anthem. By then it was clear, Najib had mishandled the rally. A slew of global rebukes followed, and to save his dignity, Najib is insisting that Bersih had ulterior motives, and wanted to topple his government. The UMNO-owned Utusannewspaper even suggested that Bersih was the work of 'Jews'.

By now, all of the nearly 2,000 people detained in the runup to and during the July march, have been released. Six socialist leaders remanded under the draconian Emergency Ordinance for rekindling communism and waging war against the King were freed just a day ago.

Time is running out

Bersih chairwoman Ambiga Sreenevasan has begun a public debate with the Election Commission deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar. So far he has agreed to extend the 7-day campaigning period but refused to raise it all the way to 21 as Bersih had requested.

Sad to say, this is about all that the EC is willing to concede. Wan Ahmad has even insisted that he was powerless to implement changes and only the Najib administration could do so. Legal experts have said that this was a lie as the federal consititution clearly empowered the EC.

Hence, there is growing nervousness now. Some believe that Najib would declare a police state rather than to agree to reforms as there is a strong chance that he might lose in a free and fair competition. Hence, a recent round of calls both from within and outside Malaysia for him to pursue a wiser and fairer course of action.

"Governments that manipulate elections have lots to cover up. But you say that your elections are free and fair, so that means you have nothing to be afraid of showing to all of us in the outside world, not to mention your own people," said Malott. - Malaysia Chronicle

Malaysia Chronicle appends below the full-text of his rather hard-hitting statrment

An open letter to PM Najib

You say that Malaysia's elections are free and fair. Now you have a chance to prove it to the outside world and remove all doubts. And if your party wins, then the Malaysian people - and the world - might finally be convinced.

As a result of the developments on July 9, the world is now paying increased attention to Malaysia.

In particular, we now wonder how free and fair your nation's elections are. We have learned that some of your country's citizens believe that Malaysia needs electoral reform. On July 9, they marched with a coalition called Bersih 2.0, and they called for free and fair elections.

You responded by declaring Bersih illegal and suppressing the 'Walk for Democracy' with overwhelming police force. The world noticed your heavy-handed reaction, and it wondered why a peaceful demonstration calling for fair elections bothered you so much - so much so that you were willing to risk Malaysia's international reputation - and give your country and yourself a major black eye.

When you returned from your visit to Europe, you declared that Malaysia's elections truly are free and fair, and that Umno has never cheated in any election.

I am glad to hear that.

Because it means that in Malaysia's next general elections, you have nothing to hide.

Governments that manipulate elections have lots to cover up. But you say that your elections are free and fair, so that means you have nothing to be afraid of showing to all of us in the outside world, not to mention your own people.

Therefore, I am sure that you are willing to readily agree to the following proposals:

1) Allow international groups to observe your elections. Based on your assertions, they will find nothing amiss, and their reports will give credibility to Malaysia's election results.

2) Allow observers from all political parties to witness the postal balloting that takes place on military bases. For years, the opposition has said that something is amiss. But since you say that Umno never cheats, I am sure that they will find nothing wrong, and you will be vindicated.

3) Let's put an end to all the accusations about phantom voters by using a simple, effective and cheap solution - indelible ink.

Your Elections Commission wants a super-sophisticated biometric system, but there is no way it can be in place by then - and many people worry that it can be manipulated. Indelible ink works - just ask the world's largest democracy, India. I don't think anyone has ever disputed the results of India's elections in over 60 years.

4) Finally, let RTM be truly independent, like the BBC and NHK and the public broadcasting systems in Australia, France, Germany, and elsewhere in the world. RTM does not belong to Umno. It belongs to the people. As long as RTM - funded by all the people of Malaysia - acts as the propaganda arm of the 25 percent of Malaysians who voted for Umno, no one can believe that Malaysia's elections are fair and free.

So, my dear Prime Minister, it's all very simple. You say that Malaysia's elections are free and fair. Now you have a chance to prove it to the outside world and remove all doubts. And if your party wins, then the Malaysian people - and the world - might finally be convinced.

If you refuse these suggestions, then the doubts will linger, and your assertions about the honesty of Malaysia's election will continue to be questioned.

Sincerely,
John Malott

MIC want to remain sole Indian rep in BN

Palanivel said MIC would object to any other Indian-based parties joining BN as MIC is the main party for the Indian community.

PUTRAJAYA: The MIC has threatened to “walk out” of the Barisan Nasional (BN) if the ruling party allows other Indian-based parties to join the BN as direct members.

“We will object to them (other Indian-based parties) joining the BN as direct members. We will walk out (of the BN)… they can become associate members but not direct members.

“Umno does not allow any other Malay party to join the BN, the MCA also does not allow other Chinese-based parties to join the BN as direct members. Gerakan is a multi-racial party. If Umno allows other Malay-based parties to join BN as direct members, we do not mind,” MIC president G Palanivel said.

Speaking to the press after the party’s annual general assembly here this evening, he said the party, which boasts 640,000 members, is holding discussion with several Indian-based splinter parties.

“We want them (Indian-based splinter parties) to come back to MIC. If they are interested, then it is not a problem. But if they are not, then they can do whatever they want. We are talking to them. I have approached and spoken to them… some will join us.

“If they decide to merge with MIC, then we will become more powerful… some are talking to me and all will be revealed at the right time,” said Palanivel, who was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department yesterday.

Recently Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that Indian-based IPF were close to become a BN partner. The splinter party from MIC had been long applying to join the BN but had failed to do so following MIC’s objection.

Electoral incentives

Palanivel also announced that MIC will not give up any of its seats under the BN’s seat allocation system.

The MIC is allocated nine parliamentary and 19 state seats to contest under the BN banner. At the 2008 general election, the party recorded a dismal performance, winning only three parliamentary and seven state assembly seats.

“If BN component parties want to swap seats with us, we are prepared to talk but we will not let go the nine parliamentary and 19 state seats,” he said.

Asked if MIC would request for additional seats in the next general election, he said the party would not do so unless there is a constituency delineation exercise.

“But I do not think there would be a delineation exercise before the next general election,” he added.

Palanivel also said he will give incentives like i-Pads and trips to Hindu temples in India to branch leaders who bring in 1,000 MIC members to be registered as voters.

“Currently, we have about 200,000 MIC members who have yet to register as voters… we have to go to the ground and register them. If we can do this, then the party would have 600,000 registered voters.

“Once this is achieved, we can show our strength. We can achieve a lot. We want MIC to become a powerful voting block. Although Indians are a minority in the country, we can become a powerful party if we register 600,000 of our members as voters,” said Palanivel.

Seeking to improve economic lot of Indians

The MIC wants the government to set up an authority for economic advancement of Indian community.

PUTRAJAYA: The just-concluded 65th MIC general assembly approved a resolution asking the government to set up an Indian Community Economic Empowerment Authority under the Finance Ministry.

The resolution called for significant actions to be taken to uplift the economy of the Indian community.

It was one of nine resolutions on politics, governmental affairs, education and socio-economics adopted at the two-day assembly.

The resolution also called a special mechanism to be created to help hardcore poor Indians to own homes.

The general assembly also approved unanimously a motion to give full support to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s leadership and G Palanivel as MIC president.

In education, MIC also called on the government to give serious attention in providing pre-school facilities in at least 87% of the total number of Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SRJKT) nationwide. At present only 18.7% of the schools have such facilities.

The motion was made in line with the prime minister’s announcement that pre-school education was an important component in the national education system.

The party also approved a resolution asking the government to offer more trainings and skill courses in the form of grants to the Indian community.

MIC also asked the government to consider giving automatic citizenship to permanent residents who had been residing in Malaysian since pre-independence year and those born in Malaysia after Independence but had remained under the stateless category.

- Bernama

Najib: BN would have won Kelantan in 2004 if polls skewed

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

July 31, 2011

Najib stressed today that his administration was fully committed to electoral reform. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak today shot down accusations that the country’s electoral process was unfair, and said that if Barisan Nasional (BN) could manipulate results they would have won Kelantan in 2004.

The PAS-run Kelantan government, an opposition stronghold, suffered a near defeat during the 2004 general elections when PAS won the state with a slim majority of just three seats.

“If you think we (BN) can manipulate the ballot box, don’t you think it’s also possible we could have come up with three extra votes? If you say the Election Commission (EC) is not transparent, if you say we manipulate votes ... we can do it but we have not done so.

“There are fair elections in Malaysia, you should not doubt that,” Najib said today during his speech to conclude the Malaysian Student Leaders Summit (MSLS) here.

The ruling BN coalition has garnered severe criticism over the way it handled the Bersih 2.0 rally, amid a long list of complaints over an unfair election process by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and civil society groups. The international community, from Singapore to the UK, has criticised the government’s handling of recent public dissent.

Najib stressed that his administration was fully committed to electoral reform in order to bring about an improvement to the current system.

“I’m committed to electoral reform. We will make sure there are no more phantom voters ... If the biometric system goes ahead, there will be no chance of phantom voters,” he added.

The PM said he “refuted” allegations that there is no parliamentary democracy in Malaysia, before stressing that the only ones who determined the ruling government in Putrajaya was the electorate.

“There are no guarantees for anyone in the general elections. There is no way to fix the ballot box,” Najib said.

Bersih estimates that 50,000 people showed up at the July 9 rally for free and fair elections despite efforts to prevent it from taking place while police have said the number was closer to 6,000.

The protest turned chaotic when police fired tear gas and water cannon at thousands of demonstrators, resulting in nearly 1,700 arrests, scores injured and the death of ex-soldier Baharuddin Ahmad, 59.

The government has promised to investigate allegations of police brutality while the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) will hold a separate public inquiry into police conduct during the rally.

Muslims in Malaysia begin fasting tomorrow

An officer of Malaysia’s Islamic authority performs “rukyah” in Putrajaya July 31, 2011. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Muslims in Malaysia will begin fasting tomorrow.

National news agency, Bernama, reported that Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Datuk Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, had made the announcement earlier this evening.

Sacked Utusan journalist to launch Harian Malaysia August 1

By Syed Mu’az Syed Putra

July 31, 2011

Hata said today that Harian Malaysia’s focus will be community issues. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Former journalists’ union chairman Mohd Hata Wahari will launch theHarian Malaysiaonline newspaper tomorrow, months after being fired fromUtusan Malaysia for criticising the Umno-owned daily.

Hata told The Malaysian Insider that the Malay-language website with the motto “Ethical and Responsible” will focus mostly on community-based issues with a light political slant only despite having editorial advisers such as PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, Umno’s Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.

“We will focus on the people’s problems and even if there is politics, it will be kept to a minimum. We want to focus on grassroots issues and we will expose them.

“We know what most of the problems faced by people out there are. I have worked for many years at Utusan Malaysia and I know what is going on,” he said.

Hata, who recently quit his post as National Union of Journalists (NUJ) chief, worked forUtusan Malaysia from 1995 until he was sacked on April 21 for criticising the Umno-owned Malay daily’s editorial direction.

“The mainstream media is not honest and often tries to conceal what has happened. This is why we want to expose these issues,” said Hata, who will assume the post of chief editor of the portal.

He added that Harian Malaysia will have journalists posted in every state across the country to ensure wider coverage.

“We will also be asking our advisers to write for Harian Malaysia,” he said.

Hata explained that Harian Malaysia will be subscription-based and readers can choose to pay RM10 for one month, RM60 for six months or RM120 for a year.

For the time being however, readers can access the site for free.

“Yes, we will be free in the interim ... perhaps for about six months to a year. Then we will start subscriptions,” he said, adding that the project is a family business.

Hata also said that the Harian Malaysia portal on www.harianmalaysia.my had already kicked off on July 1 but merely as a basic framework of the paper.

“Now, we are getting the electronic newspaper ready and it will be launched officially on August 1, together with our official portal,” he said.

The Harian Malaysia portal will be updated daily while its electronic newspaper will be updated weekly.

“For now, we will have an e-paper because we have not received a printing permit,” he said.

Hata will be helped by Mohd Laile Wahari in the capacity of the paper’s Editor (Management) and Mohd Shawal Wahari as its Editor (Editorial).

Like other newspapers, Harian Malaysia will feature sections dedicated to politics, current affairs, views and columns, community, interviews, issues, entertainment and sports.

There will also be a special column called “Awang Sulung” that will discuss current issues.