Media statement
by DAPSY Acting National Secretary and DAP Gaya By-election Operations Coordinator, Loke Siew Fook
 on Monday, October 7, 2002
in Kota Kinabalu

Call on Election Commission to ensure no government machinery to be misused by the ruling party


It was reported in the local media today that the UMNO Sabah information bureau had a special meeting yesterday to monitor the current issues raised by the oppositions. It was further reported that the meeting was attended by officials from government agencies like Jakim, Sabah Special Functions Department, Biro Tata Negara and other agencies.

While it was normal for contesting parties to monitor issues raised by opposing parties, what is it has to do with these government agencies? The meeting called by UMNO and the subsequent programs to be implemented by these government agencies is clearly a misused of government machinery by the ruling party.

I want to remind UMNO that this a by-election campaign period and all political campaign related works must be carried out by their own party machinery and not trying to make use of the government agencies.

These government agencies are funded through taxpayer monies and they should implement their functions and objectives for the benefit of the people not the interest of the ruling party.

I call on the Election Commission to immediately probe into this matter and stop any political parties particularly UMNO from misusing government agencies. The EC has a very important role to play to ensure a free, fair and clean election. If the ruling party is given the advantage to have the upper hand and easy access to government machinery, then it has make the election processes a total mockery.

Election campaigns in our country must evolve towards the direction of a free and fair fight for votes to win the mandate from the people by giving all contesting parties the same access to any resources, uses of public venues, balance media coverage and to ensure a same level of playing field. Only then we can have a genuine democracy in Malaysia.