I refer to Malaysiakini’s report relating to the Tribunal to investigate the misconduct of the Election Commission. As provided by Article 114(3) and Article 125 (3) of the Federal Constitution, the Tribunal is a necessary step in order to recommend for the removal – or in other words, sacking – of EC members.
Firstly, I urge the Government and Minister to confirm whether or not the Tribunal is indeed being set up. For purposes of public interest and transparency, I will therefore be submitting a question in parliament under the Ministers’ Question Time next week to seek clarification on this issue from the government.
Secondly, I welcome and fully support the setting up of such Tribunal in order to remove the remaining six EC members.
As we can recall, the EC was responsible for manipulating the redelineation exercise, the electoral roll, and delaying the Form 14 during elections. Although the former EC Chairman, Tan Sri Hashim Abdullah, has resigned, the other six remaining EC members were also complicit and collectively responsible for these electoral irregularities and mismanagement before and during the 14th General Elections. They must all be held accountable for their actions.
The setting up of the Tribunal to remove EC members will be the first in history. The six EC members – Tan Sri Othman Bin Haji Mahmood, dan lima anggota SPR yang lain, iaitu Dato’ Md Yusop Bin Haji Mansor, Datuk Haji Abdul Aziz Bin Khalidin, Haji Sulaiman Bin Haji Narawi, Dato’ Bala Singam A/L Karupiah, dan Dato’ Leo Chong Cheong – ought to be ashamed for being the first EC members to be indicted for misconduct.
I wish to also remind and draw attention to the motion of no confidence against the six EC members which I have submitted in Parliament. I urge the Speaker and Minister to take up the motion so that it can be expedited in Dewan’s order of business. The Members of Parliament should be allowed to debate on this important issue, and to vote whether or not the six EC members still command public confidence.
However, the six remaining EC members need not wait. They should resign immediately to avoid wasting the public’s time and resources on the Tribunal or Parliamentary process.
It is clear that they have lost the confidence and trust of the people, as evident by the thousands of Malaysians who have protested against them via the Bersih rallies in the past 10 years, and voted overwhelming in high turnouts to counter electoral fraud.
Although the appointment of the new EC Chairman, Mr. Azhar Harun is most welcomed, the agenda for electoral reform can only proceed smoothly and unhindered with the resignation or removal of the six EC members. This resignation or removal process must therefore take place immediately without further delay.