‘Bersatu’s poor showing in GE14 down to EC's electoral fraud’

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has alleged that electoral fraud committed by the Election Commission caused Bersatu to lose several parliamentary and state seats in the recent polls.

"We have received reports on cheating cases that were committed by the EC, which caused several of our candidates to lose," he claimed at a press conference today after chairing the Bersatu supreme council meeting.

Mahathir, the Bersatu chair, said that a number of the party's candidates lost their leads during tallying when ballot boxes were brought into polling centres.

He also pinned the party’s showing on spoilt votes, which he said numbered up to 800 votes in certain cases.

"Are Malaysians so stupid (that they do not know how to vote properly)?"

"That was the reason why we didn't perform well."

Mahathir said his party will study the matter further to see if there are sufficient grounds to file election petitions.

However, when asked how many seats were lost due to this alleged electoral fraud, he only said: "Quite a number."

"I can't say how many, we are counting."

Mahathir also pointed out that his Pakatan Harapan allies also faced similar problems.

He warned that action will be taken against EC chief Mohd Hashim Abdullah if any wrongdoings are discovered.

"I understand that he wants to resign, but if there is anything against him, action will be taken according to the laws of this country," he said.

Will accept former Umno members

Meanwhile, Mahathir said Bersatu has decided to accept the membership of former Umno members.

"We decided that they should announce their exit and state their stand for Harapan government. Only then we will consider (to accept them)," he said.

Mahathir noted that his party has become popular after the general election where more than 1,000 people, including Umno members, have applied to join the party.

He also said the government will study whether to maintain the National Civics Bureau (BTN) and other agencies, which were set up for the interest of BN.

"All this will be studied, whether (they) will stay or be abolished."

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) had urged the government to close down BTN, which it claimed was detrimental to the unity of the country.

On May 23, Mahathir announced the dissolution of five government bodies and committees - the National Council of Professors (NPC), the Federal Village Development and Safety Committees (JKKKP), the Prime Minister's Department's Performance and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) and Land Public Transport Commission (Spad).

To another question, the prime minister said the government will look into the possibility of establishing a scheme similar to Felda, to provide land for the Indian community.

Mahathir said the government will also consider allowing all races to enter Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), which is now only open to Malay and other bumiputera students.

This was among the 25 demands made by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf). -Mkini