What happened to electoral reform proposals, asks MP
KUALA LUMPUR : An opposition MP has urged the government to clarify the status of recommendations to improve the electoral process proposed by the Electoral Reform Committee (ERC).
Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) said the ERC, chaired by former Election Commission (EC) chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, was established in August 2018 in response to growing public distrust in the country's electoral system.
He said the committee was given two years to review the system, compare it with practices in advanced democracies, consult experts, conduct engagement sessions and research, and propose legislative reforms.
'I understand the committee submitted its final report to the government upon completing its mandate.
'So, what is the status of that report? How many recommendations were made and what actions were taken by the government?' he asked during the debate on the 2023 Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) report in the Dewan Rakyat.
In August 2020, the ERC submitted 49 recommendations to improve the electoral system to the then government led by Muhyiddin Yassin.
According to the ERC, the implementation of its proposed reforms would take between three and 10 years, if accepted.
Key recommendations included strengthening the EC's powers as an independent regulator of political parties, the establishment of an electoral boundary commission, and setting fixed dates for the dissolution of Parliament and state assemblies – six months ahead of their actual expiry.
Saifuddin, who is also a member of Bersatu's Supreme Council, said a fair and credible election process is a fundamental civil and political right.
'Elections are the most crucial component of a functioning democracy, one that ultimately serves the people.
'Such a democracy must uphold five key principles of elections – freedom, transparency, integrity, efficiency and fairness.'
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