Group wants EC under Parliament purview By LOH FOON FONG

The Star
foonfong@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: A group of 40 intellectuals and non-governmental organisation representatives want the Election Commission (EC) to be placed under Parliament's jurisdiction.

Former Temerloh MP Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said it was important that the EC reported to Parliament.

“The commission could have an MP to speak on its behalf in Parliament,” said Saifuddin, who moderated a discussion yesterday on inclusiveness in the context of national reconciliation after GE13 organised by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Institute of Ethnic Studies.

Saifuddin also said this was possible because Parliament had its own administration, which would enable it to pay salaries of those in the EC.

The institute's research fellow, Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, said the EC and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission should function independently and not be put together with other government agencies in Putrajaya.

“They should be closer to Parliament instead of Putrajaya,” he said.

He also said Opposition leaders should be recognised as in Britain, where they are invited to most official functions.

“Every MP must be seen as elected by the people,” he said.

Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs chief executive Wan Saiful Wan Jan said a shadow Cabinet should be formed and funded by the state as it was rightly the responsibility of the Government.

“Otherwise, it is difficult for the shadow Cabinet to function well,” he said.

The discussion group also said more select committees should be set up in Parliament for more check and balance.

There was also a call for the Government to ensure independence of government agencies in providing basic infrastructure to everyone regardless of political allegiance, religion and race.

Community service consultant Jasmine Adaickalam said this was important for inclusive social development.

The group also called for independence of the media.

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya political economist Prof Dr Terrence Gomezsaid it was unlikely for political parties to make many changes.

“There is a need for a third force institutionalised civil society to put pressure on the political system,” he said.

The proposals would be further discussed with the National Unity and Integration Department on May 28.