Ban parties that don’t keep election vows, says Umno MP

Ketereh MP and Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa.

KUALA LUMPUR: An Umno MP says the Election Commission (EC) should be allowed to ban political parties which fail to fulfil their manifesto in the May 9 polls from contesting in the next general election.

Annuar Musa (BN-Ketereh) said this is to ensure that voters, especially the youth, are not duped by such parties.

The Umno secretary-general also said the Pakatan Harapan administration was guilty of this.

“We need to encourage more accountability of political parties contesting in polls as the youth are impressionable, and some political parties will fish for votes with promises they cannot keep,” he told the Dewan Rakyat when debating a bill to amend the constitution to lower the voting age.

Opposition leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob agreed, saying the EC should act independently instead of taking directives from Putrajaya.

Ismail said the EC should ensure free and fair elections and ensure that voters are not pressured by the government.

He added that no action was taken over offences committed by the ruling coalition during the Cameron Highlands by-election, including using government machinery and handing out cash.

The Bera MP also accused electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 of being one-sided, claiming that it had become less vocal compared to when Barisan Nasional was in power.

“Bersih is not ‘bersih’ (clean),” he said. “Previously they would take to the streets to protest against us, but now they are keeping mum over offences committed by the current government.” - FMT