The EC is on the leash!

Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said that he knows when the next general election will be held but he cannot reveal the date.

Commenting on the criticisms levelled at the EC, he said elections in the country were free and fair and transparent, in accordance with existing laws. “We are using the same laws which had been in existence (for a long time) and if certain quarters are not happy with that, they shouldn't blame the EC.

Rashid should know his position and that of the EC before he opens his mouth. By telling the press that he knows when the election date, he was trying to impress the people how close he is with the PM and reveal how powerful he is. In any case, the independence of the EC has been is open to question.

Rashid should answer the allegations of the NGOs and the opposition about the lack of fair and clean election in Malaysia as contains in the Memorandum submitted to the King by Bersih. Rashid got to understand that as the Chairman of the EC, he should address the issues of reform.

I remember i did openly attacked Rashid in the press for his political remarks about "the success of the BN". He has overstepped his boundary by going to the press lobbying for the BN's system. He did it again this time by telling the press that he did know about the election date as if he is the instrument of the BN.

To say that the EC is on the leash of the BN is definitely fitting as long as it Chairman acts like Rashid's and as long as the call for reform was not acknowledged by the EC. The Election Commission has brought shame to the people of the country and the BN has turned the EC into its pet instead of an independent commission as prescribed under our Federal Constitution.

Malaysian must speak, and speak they will in this coming general election!

David Wong
19-11-2007