Telekom bars staff from being polling, counting agents

GE14 | Telekom Malaysia has barred its staff from participating as polling and counting agents (Paca) in the 14th general election.

This was communicated in a directive dated April 11 sent in an internal mass email to all its staff, including those working in its many subsidiary companies. Malaysiakini has obtained a copy of the directive.

“Telekom Malaysia employees are prohibited from acting as election agents in polling centres or acting in any way for candidates contesting in either the Dewan Rakyat or the Dewan Negeri,” it said.

Electoral reform groups like Bersih as well as opposition political parties have been actively encouraging Paca signups as part of their efforts to keep the GE14 process accountable.

The directive also barred employees from wearing clothes bearing the Telekom Malaysia logo when attending political ceramah, distributing election material from any political party, making statements supporting any political party and encouraging others to vote for particular candidates.

It further prohibited political party logos to be exhibited on any private cars or items of clothing while within the Telekom Malaysia premises.

‘Infringement of democratic rights’

A staff member who requested anonymity said that this directive, especially the ruling against being a Paca, was a “gross infringement of our democratic rights as citizens”.

“How can you say that we can’t do all these legitimate democratic things just because we are working for you?

“If you want to say you can’t wear Telekom Malaysia logo or any logo from Telekom Malaysia’s subsidiaries when you (participate in political activities) so that the company does not seem like it is endorsing somebody then ok, that is fine.

“But to say that I am not allowed to be a Paca in my own time, as a private citizen when I am not working for Telekom Malaysia, is nonsense. They are putting ridiculous demands on us as employees,” the staff member told Malaysiakini.

Malaysiakini has contacted Telekom's corporate communications team, which has promised to respond in due time.

Besides being the country’s telecommunications provider, Telekom owns a variety of businesses including Webe Digital, Universiti Telekom and Malaysia Multimedia University.

Malaysia will observe elections on May 9. -Mkini