THE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING YOU: Don't waste public funds to appeal re-delineation - Bersih warns EC

The Election Commission should accept the Kuching High Court's decision to nullify the re-delineation exercise for Sarawak, said Bersih chairperson Marina Chin Abdullah.

"EC should admit that it has made a mistake. I don't think EC should waste taxpayers' money to appeal the decision," she told Malaysiakini.

Marina said the commission should clean up the electoral roll before embarking on another re-delineation exercise.

By doing this, she noted, EC can address the problem of 37 percent of voters without addresses and polling stations as well as the phantom voters issue.

"It should also display the re-delineation in all the state constituencies, not only 57 out of 82 state seats.

"I hope EC doesn't do things hastily, it should come up with map that reflects the changes of boundaries instead of a bare map," she said.

Failing which, she said, EC would be violating the court's order.

Marina said the decision showed that the court understood the re-delineation exercise was faulty and unconstitutional.

"This has set a standard and benchmark of how EC should re-delineate Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.

"I congratulate the court for making the correct decision. This is a victory not only for Sarawakians, but for the nation,"she added.

'Judge sent a clear message'

Similarly, Bersih resource person Wong Chin Huat described the decision as a victory for the Federal Constitution over EC.

"All this while, EC has acted as if they are above the Federal Constitution. The judge has sent a clear message.

"It's a great milestone in Malaysia's political history - BN no longer has a free hand they thought they have in re-delineation.

"Hence, their built-in over representation may be over. GE14 may be substantially different," he added.

Wong is also confident of the plaintiff winning again should EC appeal the high court decision.

"We hope this result will encourage more Malaysians to fight mal-apportionment and gerrymandering with us.

"We must not be contented with this first victory but should instead put a closer watch on EC," he added. - mkini