'PSC recommendations 80 percent done'

The parliamentary select committee (PSC) for electoral reform is nearly done with its list of recommendations to fix and improve the Malaysian polls system.

“Tomorrow is the final meeting as there are some things that we need to think about tonight, but I can say that 80 percent of the recommendations, we have already agreed on,” its chairperson Kota Marudu MP Maximus Ongkili told reporters after chairing the PSC’s meeting today.

However, he refused to disclose details of the recommendations, saying that it can only be disclosed after the PSC report is tabled to Parliament come April 2.

“But I am satisfied with the committee, they spoke their mind and worked to better and improve the electoral system. I think you are going to be happy with the recommendations,” added Maximus (left).

PKR’s representative in the PSC, Gombak MP Azmin Ali, told reporters when approached earlier that some of the unresolved matters included the issue of the voter roll, which Pakatan members on the committee said are still problematic.

He described the many hearings and meetings with the Election Commission on the matter which had still to date remained unfruitful.

Today was supposed to be the last meeting of the committee. However, it has been suspended until tomorrow to allow for the contentious issues to be resolved.

The PSC was formed after tremendous public pressure was brought to bear to push for electoral reforms following a government crackdown on the Bersih 2.0 electoral reform rally last year.