PSC proposal a set-up and Pakatan falls for it
'Just when the rakyat started to believe that Najib is sincere about clean and fair elections by setting up the PSC, he comes out with this statement.'
PM: GE can be held anytime, no need to wait for PSC
Faz: The parliamentary select committee suggestion is a set-up to shut Bersih and the opposition up, and the insincerity of PM Najib Razak and Umno-BN is showing clearly.
The clear demand for electoral reform has been turned into ‘class' struggle between the have-nots and generally weak Bersih and opposition groups against the well-offs and powerful Umno-BN.
And Umno-BN is using everything in their mighty arsenal to prolong their stay in Putrajaya, regardless of common decency. It's a sad situation but for common decency to prevail, fight we must - in all avenues, we legally have to show Umno-BN out of the corridor of power.
Information must be made available to all citizen especially the rural folks. Let us mobilise the true information brigades to spread the messages of the terrible deeds of Umno-BN.
YellowBoxer: Until the electoral reforms have been instituted, any win by the BN in the 13th GE is a victory obtained by fraud.
You have all the military postal votes, and from the confessions of the four ex-servicemen who are the true patriots, it is clear that the BN has been manipulating the military to prop up their candidates in marginal constituencies.
Winning by fraud is the most despicable thing in an election. If you want to win, win fairly, after the flaws in the system have been removed.
What's the hurry? Unless you want to put someone out of your way first, like Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Onyourtoes: PM, you do not know what justice and fairness are all about. You can't see your own baloney. It is as clear as the bright sunny sky that the EC has been reduced to nothing more than a eunuch. How then we expect you to do your own audit?
By the way, free and fair election is not just about clean and authentic electoral roll. It is also free access to media, equal air time over TV, abuse of government machinery and resources by political parties, excessive promises of government allocations by ruling (caretaker) government and arbitrary use of security measures to withhold permit to hold political rallies.
Please bear in mind that all these things we fight for is not personal. We want all these instituted irrespective of who is in power.
In the future, we want a fixed date to hold the general election just like in the US so that the incumbent party cannot simply abuse its power by manipulating and picking the most appropriate date to favour itself.
Armageddon: If the PM think there is no weakness in the legitimacy of the elections and the next GE 13 does not have to wait for the outcome of the PSC (parliamentary select committee) findings and rectifications, why then bother to form the panel.
We can see through you, Mr PM, this is an absolute lip service. To the EC (Election Commission), continue with your digusting initiatives in guaranteeing a win for the BN.
Najib should differentiate between the role of a PM and the role of BN president. It looks like the role of BN president takes precedence.
One Brain Cell: "What we can do immediately, we will do immediately," said Najib. Well then, what he can do immediately is:
- Get the NRD to clean up its act and remove all dead and duplicate voters.
- Agree to the use of indelible ink.
- Let Malaysians who live/work overseas vote.
- Allow military personnel vote for themselves and not have their CO (commanding officers) doing it on their behalf.
- Stop offering money in exchange for votes.
- Ensure the opposition has equal access to the media.
- Allow a reasonable campaign period.
- Stop foreign workers from being given instant citizenship and voting rights on the understanding they vote only for BN.
If Najib could do all these immediately, then perhaps we wouldn't need the committee to sit at all.
Freemsia: Just when the rakyat started to believe that Najib is sincere about clean and fair elections by setting up the PSC, he comes out with this statement.
If he says GE can be held anytime and there's no need to wait for the PSC, it is pretty obvious he is not very sincere and serious about free and fair elections.
Anonymous_3e4b: See what I told you. Najib is just buying time. PSC will achieve nothing. Najib's intention is to stay in Putrajaya at whatever cost.
Cala: The selection criteria for the cabinet and the recruitment of civil servants have never been based on meritocracy. Given this kind of backdrop, just how efficient and effective can one expect them to deliver a sound policy change is highly questionable.
For clue, see how MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) legal chief argued his case in TBH (Teoh Beng Hock) case. See also how the army chief illogically argued his case about loyalty.
If there is anything to say about this Umno-led BN regime, it epitomises the carelessness, self-centric, and self-serving nature of individuals who place personal interests above all else.
Anwar should know them better - do not place hope on this parliamentary select committee.
Dark Archon: We knew it! The PM isn't sincere about electoral reform. Frankly, if anyone who has been winning based on a certain formula, and suddenly, he is asked to give up that formula, who in their right mind are willing to do it? I guess Najib isn't one for sure.
Anonymous_3da6: Najib, if you called the election without the database at EC being given a clean bill of health, then it is tantamount to cheating.
The current EC database is corrupted and not accepted without a full audit. EC must adopt ISO standards in their standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Thus, it is hoped that PSC would recommend these suggestions which are:
1. Full audit on EC database
2. Full audit on the functional specification and operating procedures of the computer system
3. Implement ISO standard for their SOPs
4. Annual review on all changes.
5. Periodic review on the integrity of their database by an independent audit team.
If these can be done, our confidence in the EC will be restored.
Bert: It is very clear that the PM's announcement on forming a PSC to look into electoral reforms was only a ploy to pacify the people. He was not serious about it as he well-known to be a flip-flop PM. When has he ever kept his word?
Disbeliever: Najib, so this is the government's sincere offer? It looks like your offer of a stadium for the Bersih rally.
I am of the opinion that your announcement of the PSC is just an eye-wash to make you look good, Mr PM. Who are you trying to hoodwink?
I think you are the big bad wolf in sheep's clothing and we are definitely not going to be taken for a ride.
Bluemountains: Bersih and Pakatan Rakyat must try appealing to the king to get His Majesty to intervene since he is the one who approved the appointment of EC commissioners.
The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

