‘Something wrong with the EC’

KUALA LUMPUR – The Election Commission (EC) is experiencing a trust deficit that needs to be addressed immediately. 

This is the reaction of several politicians to Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah’s remarks yesterday on enhancing the effectiveness and trustworthiness of the EC, with one of them simply saying that there’s “something wrong” with the institution.

The sultan had asked the Conference of Rulers and Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to pay special attention to the selection of EC members and ensure that they command the public trust.

The deputy Agong made the proposal during a book launch yesterday as he noted that the commission’s members cannot simply be dismissed, barring grounds to do so, similar to the position of a Federal Court judge.

Newly elected Puteri Wangsa assemblywoman Amira Aisya Abd Aziz told The Vibes on the sidelines of the launch that Sultan Nazrin’s suggestion is a good one, but at the same time the process of appointing its members must also be looked at for weaknesses that need improving.

“Well, I think that when it comes to selecting the EC, Muda has always been consistent in saying that it has to be separated from the Prime Minister’s Office, for example,” she said.

“It is important for us to ensure that whatever selection process is used to select new EC members, it must be the kind of process that can resonate well with the people.

“What Tuanku mentioned is a very good suggestion. But again, I think it is important for us to really look at the process, and if that is the best way forward then it is something that Muda welcomes. I think it’s something that we have to work together to pursue,” she said.

The Muda secretary-general added that it is also critical that there are efforts to ensure continuous improvement to the electoral process itself. 

She said this includes allowing postal voting for those who live outside of their constituency within the country, instead of only allowing this privilege only for members of the media, uniformed servicemen/women, and voters living outside of Malaysia.

Can the EC be trusted right now?

Similarly, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil said there is merit to Sultan Nazrin’s argument to ensure some form of check and balance within the appointment of EC members, but his party needs to deliberate on the proposal.

“I think in the case of the EC it is worthwhile, seeing the mechanisms currently in place and their shortcomings. 

“When you listened to Tuanku’s speech, he reiterated this three times. Of course, he was reading what was in the constitution about kepercayaan (trust).

“Can the body be trusted? I think this is a very important element. It’s almost like the election must not only be free and fair, but must be seen to be free and fair.

“The EC itself must be seen to be trustworthy. This sets a much higher threshold and we have to look at it seriously,” said Fahmi.

 The PKR communications director also believes that the ruler’s advice given at yesterday’s book launch was targeted not only at the audience in the hall, but also at EC itself.

He urged the commission to listen to Sultan Nazrin’s address, especially seeing how recent electoral trends have become “worrying” with only a “cosmetic application of democratic practice”.

“I think the current chairman of the EC should take full responsibility for the low turnout. When you look at Johor for example, at the start of the campaign period you had one set of SOPs, but midway there was a different set of SOPs.

“To me, this shows that after three state elections the EC still has not learnt what it means to open up, what it means to have the process of elections when Covid-19 is endemic.

“Here we are at the Majestic Hotel. There’s a lot of people in this space, but it doesn’t stop us from engaging with each other, and yet when it comes to democratic elections? Oh, this you can’t do, that you can’t do, ceramah kelompok (political gatherings) are not allowed…to me that is foolish,” he said. 

Something must be wrong with EC: Tok Him

Meanwhile, Putra founder and president Datuk Ibrahim Ali believes something must be wrong with the commission, seeing that it has garnered the attention of one of Malaysia’s most articulate sultans.

“The fact that Tuanku raised the matter about the role of the Conference of Rulers in relation to the EC, there must be something wrong.

“If it is all okay, I don’t think Tuanku would touch on that issue. The fact that he touched on that issue means it’s a strong message for the government of the day, and even the public to take note of what was said by Tuanku.

“Overall, the speech by Tuanku is very relevant, taking into account the present political scenario, especially the meaning of democracy,” said Ibrahim, who is also fondly known as Tok Him by his supporters and friends.

The former lawmaker elaborated that a real democracy allows its MPs and assemblymen to vote according to their consciences, unlike Malaysian tradition where they chiefly follow the instructions of party whips.

Ibrahim said that the spirit of democracy does not shackle one to be so compliant to the party, with times when a legislator must vote against the wishes of his party, according to the needs and requirements of his or her constituencies and the constituents themselves. 

In fact, he added, Putra has done away with chief whips, so that in the event any of its members succeed in a contest, they can vote in the respective houses according to their consciences. – The Vibes, March 22, 2022