Let global polls observers in, urges US senator
Lee Way LoonPublished: May 31, 2012 9:03 AM | Updated: Jun 1, 2012 1:24 AM
Echoing one of the demands from polls watchdog Bersih, an US senator has expressed hope that Malaysian government will invite international observers to monitor the looming general elections to ensure the electoral system is free and fair.
Echoing one of the demands from polls watchdog Bersih, an US senator has expressed hope that Malaysian government will invite international observers to monitor the looming general elections to ensure the electoral system is free and fair.
Joseph Lieberman, currently visiting Malaysia with colleague John McCain, said inviting international monitors to observe a country's political system is a sign of a confidence.
"From the discussion we had yesterday, the government might possible (agree to it) and I appreciate that greatly," said Lieberman.
Speaking to the press this morning, Lieberman (right with Mcain in photo) and McCain said they had discussed various issues with Malaysian government leaders yesterday, including the much-debated electoral system issue.
According to McCain, the US "will do anything we can to assist in ensuring there is a free and fair elections" in Malaysia.
"We know that there are a number of issues surrounding the elections and being debated by the opposition as well as the government and authorities.
"There is a paper containing twenty two points (of electoral reform recommendations) that has been issued and hopefully the government and opposition are working on it together," said McCain, referring to the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the electoral reform report.
'Be friendly to Israel'
Lieberman added that anyone who has started on the road of democracy will have no way to back down, except to continue improving democracy, human rights and the electoral process.
"I think the government really been on the road to reform and its a fact that the relations between US with Malaysia have improved under the (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak) government,
"But it doesn't mean that this government cannot continue to improve on the road of democracy," he said.
Lieberman, who is a Jew and staunch supporter of Israel-friendly policies, also called on the Malaysian government to establish diplomatic relations with that country.
Citing the US as an example, he said his country has diplomatic relations with many countries though some of them do not share a same stand on some issues.
However, McCain added that it is an issue to be decided by the Malaysian government and people and that they "do not intend to tell the Malaysia government who they should have relationships with".
Joseph Lieberman, currently visiting Malaysia with colleague John McCain, said inviting international monitors to observe a country's political system is a sign of a confidence.
"From the discussion we had yesterday, the government might possible (agree to it) and I appreciate that greatly," said Lieberman.
Speaking to the press this morning, Lieberman (right with Mcain in photo) and McCain said they had discussed various issues with Malaysian government leaders yesterday, including the much-debated electoral system issue.According to McCain, the US "will do anything we can to assist in ensuring there is a free and fair elections" in Malaysia.
"We know that there are a number of issues surrounding the elections and being debated by the opposition as well as the government and authorities.
"There is a paper containing twenty two points (of electoral reform recommendations) that has been issued and hopefully the government and opposition are working on it together," said McCain, referring to the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the electoral reform report.
'Be friendly to Israel'
Lieberman added that anyone who has started on the road of democracy will have no way to back down, except to continue improving democracy, human rights and the electoral process.
"I think the government really been on the road to reform and its a fact that the relations between US with Malaysia have improved under the (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak) government,"But it doesn't mean that this government cannot continue to improve on the road of democracy," he said.
Lieberman, who is a Jew and staunch supporter of Israel-friendly policies, also called on the Malaysian government to establish diplomatic relations with that country.
Citing the US as an example, he said his country has diplomatic relations with many countries though some of them do not share a same stand on some issues.
However, McCain added that it is an issue to be decided by the Malaysian government and people and that they "do not intend to tell the Malaysia government who they should have relationships with".
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