Malaysia to Reform Election Body over Bias Concern

(Australia Network News) – A senior member of Malaysia’s opposition has cautiously welcomed a new bi-partisan committee which will oversee the country’s Election Commission.

The commission currently answers to the prime minister’s office and the opposition has accused it of being biased towards the ruling Barisan Nasional.

Prime Minister Najib Razak has announced that an independent, bi-partisan parliamentary committee made up of government and opposition members would be formed to oversee the Election Commission.

Lim Kit Siang, the opposition Democratic Action Party’s parliamentary leader, has told Radio Australia’s Connect Asia program they have not been consulted, and would like to see the full details before making a final judgement.

“It seems to be a step in the right direction,” he said. 

 

“It’s an acknowledgement that the biggest casualty in the last general elections is the credibility, the independence and the authority of the elections commission to conduct a clean, free and fair elections.”

“I think it’s important that the electoral commission not been seen as subordinate and seen as an appendage of the ruling government of the day, which has always been the case in the last five decades.”

Listen to the podcasts of Lim Kit Siang and Khairy Jamaluddin at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-03/an-bipartisan-committe-to-oversee-malaysian-election-commission/4729330