EC, be a sport. BN, don't be a coward

Electoral reform movement Tindak Malaysia head, Wong Piang Yow today commented on an article carried on Malaysia Chronicle article dated 28th Mar 2012 entitled Malaysia Will Send Observers For Myanmar By-elections.

We are pleased to note that Malaysia has decided to send observers to monitor Myanmar’s by-elections on 1st Apr 2012. This shows the openness and humility of Myanmar in inviting Asean members as well as other observers. Previous calls to our Election Commission to invite election monitors for our elections, has been dismissed with the excuse “foreign observers are not needed in Malaysia because observers don't understand our culture and law.”

Has Malaysia suddenly discovered a profound understanding of Myanmar’s culture and law to qualify us to be an election observer there? It appears our behaviour smacks of hypocrisy and poor sportsmanship. In sports, we cheer the team that practise good sportsmanship and display the better skills. The Election Commission should learn from this and practise free and fair elections so that the people can accept and respect whichever party gets the mandate to govern.

Extend Mandate of the PSC!

Tindak Malaysia jointly with BERSIH 2.0 has put up more than 100 proposals on changes to the election laws and regulations. The response so far from the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform has not been very encouraging. Maybe the 6 months mandate for their appointment is not long enough.

Tindak Malaysia urge the Prime Minister to extend the mandate and widen their scope to ensure a thorough overhaul of the Election Commission and the electoral system, including the complete replacement of the Election Commission members, if found necessary.

General Elections should not be conducted until the reforms are completed. Anything less will show that the BN is a coward and a poor sport.

http://www.tindakmalaysia.com/