Gov't refuses to budge on 'first past the post' system

The government is not ready to replace the 'first past the post' (FPTP) electoral system to the proportionate representation system to allow acknowledgment of popularity vote as it is not suitable for Malaysia.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim said this is because the FPTP system allows representation even for minority groups in the country.

"FPTP is the best system and can unite all races. If a race does not have a representative in the Dewan Rakyat, we can appoint them in the Dewan Negara, so it is the best in the world.

"Even the smallest minority, like the Siamese, have representation. An even smaller minorities, like the Sikh, can enter DAP and have a representative in the Dewan Rakyat," he said.

However, he said that the Election Commission is studying the matter.

Shahidan was replying to a question by Hatta Ramli (left)(PAS-Kuala Krai) who asked if the government is ready to accept the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform's recommendation to review the proportional representation system to replace the FPTP.

The issue has been raised by the civil society following the outcome of the 13th general election, whereby the BN formed government despite not winning the popular vote.

Under the FPTP system, a party or coalition can form government if it can win the most number of seats in the lower house through a simple majority, regardless of the number of total votes garnered nationwide.

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