Batu Talam: One man show ?

The Batu Talam by-election may be a no-show by the opposition as they discuss the possibilities.

Current election laws were inadequate and flawed, Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Anwar Ibrahim said today.

“The possibility of not participating in the by-election cannot be ruled out…“

During the press conference, the former deputy prime minister also commented on the Election Commission (EC) chairman's call on Monday (Jan 8, 2007) for legislative reform so that the commission can uphold the democratic process of fair and transparent elections.

He said the chairman's admission showed that the entire process was flawed in the past.

"(The previous elections were) not free, no access to the media and certainly many regulations are considered to be bias," he said.

He added that if nothing was done following the chairman's call, it would be a "mockery of the entire electoral process."

Pas and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Wednesday night announced that they would boycott the Batu Talam by-election scheduled for Jan 28.

Pas deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa said the decision was taken following the discovery of discrepancies in the electoral roll for the constituency.

"The electoral roll appears doubtful. Coupled with postal votes that are never transparent and prejudiced, we decided that it was best we boycotted the by-election," he said before 1,000 Pas and PKR supporters at Pas' constituency headquarters here.

Also present were Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang amd PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Nasharudin also said that the biased attitude of the Election Commission chairman favouring the Barisan Nasional (BN) was also a factor in the boycott decision.

"If Pas and PKR participate in this by-election, it would mean we too are a party to the abuse the democratic process," said Nasharuddin.

The seat fell vacant following the death of its BN state assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan, 65, of cancer on Dec 27. In the last general election in 2004, he beat Dr Mohamed Nilam Abdul Manaf of Pas with a majority of 2,761 votes.

The EC fixed Jan 16 as the nomination day.

Media Statement: Welcoming Tan Sri Rashid’s Admission

I welcome the admission by the Chairman of the Elections Commission, Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman on the fact that our election laws are inadequate and flawed, and there needs to be an independent commission formed to revamp our electoral process.

This was an inadvertent admission of the serious flaws, blatant abuses and manifest disregard for democratic principles in our elections. I call upon the Chairman’s conscience not to continue to be used as a stooge for UMNO and the BN government.

We had earlier called for his resignation for his incompetence and betrayal of trust, as the flawed electoral process has made a mockery of the so-called democratic rule in this country.

If this is the conduct of the elections as admitted by the Chairman, what is the rational of proceeding with the elections without the reforms necessary. This must be addressed by the Chairman, and it is now incumbent upon him and the EC to ensure free and fair elections are conducted in this country.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
January 9th 2007

PAS, KeADILan boikot pilihan raya kecil Batu Talam

PAS dan Parti KeADILan Rakyat (PKR) mengumumkan untuk memboikot pilihan raya kecil Dewan Undangan Negeri Pahang kawasan Batu Talam yang dijadualkan berlangsung 28 Jan ini.

Pengumuman pemboikotan itu dibacakan oleh Timbalan Presiden PAS, Ustaz Nasharudin Mat Isa dalam satu majlis ceramah di Markas PAS Sega di sini malam tadi....(more)


Malaysia Batu Talam by election Anwar Pas KeADILan