Free and Fair Elections in Sarawak Jeopardised
April 13th, 2011 | Posted in Press Release | | 
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Press statement: 13 April 2011
Free and Fair Elections in Sarawak Jeopardised
BERSIH 2.0 would like to express serious concerns regarding several issues that jeopardise free and fair campaigning in the days leading up to the Sarawak state elections on 16 April 2011.
1. Distinction between political interest and administrative positions
BERSIH 2.0 is appalled that Prime Minister Najib Rajak has cancelled this week’s Wednesday cabinet meeting to campaign in Sarawak. As the leader of the national government and Barisan Nasional (BN), Najib has set a bad example of blurring the lines between the federal government on the one hand and party politics on the other. Instead, Najib should emulate the first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman who took two months leave to campaign in the 1959 elections. During his absence, Deputy Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Razak acted as head of the government. We are disappointed to note that both Prime Minister Najib Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yasin were in Sarawak campaigning for Barisan Nasional in the past few days. It is not stated if the head and deputy head of the government took leave to campaign in Sarawak.
This separation of powers is further confused by the manipulation of the Ikatan Relawan Rakyat (RELA) and the armed forces in the Sarawak state elections. It has been reported that political secretary to the Sarawak Chief Minister, Wilso Nyabong Ijang, called on RELA members to ensure victory for BN candidates in the upcoming elections, equating administrative obedience to the government with political support for the party in power. This is in breach of administrative neutrality. In addition, there are also allegations that the military has been intimidating constituents to vote for BN by threatening to tear down schools should the opposition win . Such dirty tactics must not be employed in election campaigning and the Election Commission must investigate into such claims and take action against those responsible. The latest incident involves Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yasin allegedly “reminding” an official gathering of teachers held on government time to mark “X” next to the BN candidate on their ballot papers .
BERSIH 2.0 would like to emphasise that those holding executive and administrative roles must not confuse or sideline their duties in favour of partisan political interests. We remind politicians on both sides of the political divide, including Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat, to abide by this principle.
2. Corrupt practices
BERSIH 2.0 condemns the ongoing bad practice of offering gifts, money and promises of development with the intention of influencing the voters’ choices. This amounts to election offences. One key example that mars the reputation of PM Najib Razak is the scrambling for “goodies” containing Tupperware merchandise during a rally at MBKS stadium on 9 April. Another more serious example is Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) deputy president Peter Nyarok’s threats to longhouse chiefs that he would use his “ministerial power” to withdraw promised minor rural projects if the opposition wins in the respective longhouses . We call on all candidates and politicians to respect the Election Offences Act 1954. The EC must prove its independence by taking immediate action against those who commit election offences, and not “pass the buck” to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
3. Postal votes
Based on the figure released by the EC, there are only 34 overseas Sarawakians who will be voting via postal ballot. We question if this figure is an accurate reflection of the actual number of registered Sarawakian voters living overseas considering the restrictive postal voting regulations which only allow postal votes from diplomats and overseas students.
The EC, which has extended postal ballot rights to police spouses under Sub-regulation 3(1)(f) of the Elections (Postal Voting) Regulations, should have done so for all Sarawakians studying or working in Semenanjung Malaysia, Sabah, Singapore, Brunei and other countries. The expensive transportation cost is believed to be one of the reasons why Sarawak had a low turnout of 62% in the 2006 state poll. In the 2008 general elections, Sarawak registered a lower turnout at 58%, the lowest amongst all states and a stark comparison to 79% for Semenanjung Malaysia.
BERSIH 2.0 is deeply disappointed that the EC has simply ignored the appeal of civil society on March 22 calling for both postal voting rights for Sarawakians and a campaign period of at least 21 days to allow for large scale postal voting. The EC should be responsible for the potential disenfranchisement if the turnout in Sarawak elections is again much lower than the national standard.
4. Barring of activists from entering Sarawak
In the past week, two activists – BERSIH Steering Committee member Dr Wong Chin Huat and Steven Ng – have been barred from entering Sarawak. We reiterate that this is an outrage and outright abuse of power by Chief Minister Taib Mahmud in his effort to stifle dissent. Bersih 2.0 demands that the complete list of individuals barred from entering Sarawak is made public, together with the reasons for such a denial of entry. We will support any legal challenge to define and test the scope of the constitutional provision enabling Sabah and Sarawak to control movement and immigration.
Yours sincerely,
Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan
Bersih 2.0 Chairperson
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President Obama said, “Election Commission must conduct Free Fair and Credible Elections.”
EC of Malaysia does NOT conduct fair & free and credible elections.
1. Unfair & Inequitable delineation of constituencies
Similarly in SARAWAK with about 979,796 voters with 18363 postal votes
Dayak (Iban + Bidayuh) forms 35% of the voters and is the majority group
Chinese form about 32% of the voters
Malay/Melanau form 28% of the voters is the smallest group but it has the most seats.
Others form the rest.
In SARAWAK there are 71 State seats.
When I was in the Armed Forces, I vaguely remember Melanau form a small % of the population maybe 2%
Melanau people are different from Malays. # @ # @
Why does EC group Melanau & Malays together ???
Dayak – Iban – Bidayuh have more commonalities
Why split them ?
Ibans say Indonesians migrated into Sarawak & categorised Malay. Is this correct ???
Malay/Melanau majority areas have 27 seats.
None of the seats have 20,000 voters. The mean is about 10,000 voters.
Chinese majority areas have 13 seats.
10 seats have more than 20,000 voters.
All the seats have more than 15000 voters
Iban majority seats number 21.
The average number of voters per seat is about 12,000
N57 seat of 27,225 could have 2 seats ONE with Iban majority & ONEwith Chinese majority.
Bidayuh majority areas have 6 seats.
The average number of voters is 15,000
Orang Ulu majority have 4 seats.
Average number of voters is 8500 voters.
Malay Melanau is the smallest of the 3 groups but it has the most majority seats.
Malay Melanau majority seat N 20 has only 7656 voters
Chinese majority seat N10 has 29488 voters.
This means N10 has 4 times more voters than N 20.
One Malay/Melanau vote = 4 Chinese Votes
So the Sarawak Election is UNFAIR ###
EC should be made up of Judges, Empires, Referees etc who know FAIRNESS & JUSTICE.
EC said it is following the Regulations.
But Regulations are NOT fair in the first place !!!!
Is it against the Regulation to delineate equitably like 10,000 voters per constituency plus or minus 50 voters ?
In 1994, Mahathir orchestrated the evil plan leading to defection of 21 frogs led by Lajim Okin etc
In 1999, Election Commission re-delineated constituencies to increase Muslim seats from 18 to 24 seats; reduce Christian majority seats from 18 to 12 and reduce Chinese majority seats from 7 to 4. (STAR)
As a result N1 got 7650 voters and N13 got 25976.
This a form of CHEATING.
This is discrimination against other religions, race & basic human rights.
Apparently Mahathir instructed the Election Commission to do this UNFAIR exercise after he promised revenge against Pairin.
2. All parties must have access to TV.
People want to hear from all sides to see a balanced view & get an informed choice to cast their votes.
This will reduce the the number of ceramah as people can watch the TV from the comfort of their homes.
3. Dead people on the voting list. Phantom voters
This means EC is NOT doing its job properly & efficiently.
4. Postal Votes.
Security Forces are allowed. But what about civilians ???
5. BUYING VOTES WITH MONEY, ITEMS etc
This is common.
UMNO Elections is frauded with votes buying.
Remember Isa.
Many knew UMNO was buying votes with money & items
in Sanggang.
But Mahathir rebutted, “Show me the proof.”
Go and go a survey lah.
What is EC & MACC & Police doing ???
6. INTIMIDATION, Harrassment, provocations
7. Apparently the Police made it difficult for Opposition &
cited security as the reason.
Apparently Police had interrupted ceramah by Opposition
The Police must facilitate freedom of campaign and the
democractic process
8. There must be limitation in election expenses.
There must be limtation of tenure of Chief Minister to 2 terms for 5 years to reduce Corruption and Abuse of Power.
Power does not make one smarter, humble, better, fairer.
Prolonged Power makes one more arrogant, more corrupt, more cruel, more crooked & sinister etc.
Look at the Arab Muslim Uprisings in Middle East.
They want Freedom Democracy & Change.
Elections are often rigged.
Saddam Hussein had 100% votes. He was greater than God becos there are atheists.
Isn’t Islam better than Freedom & Democracy ???
Marwan of Empire said Islam is not the solution for the Arabs Muslims in Middle East.
Another expert said Islam is not enough & inadequate.
Politicians will cheat, lie, intimidate, fight and even kill to win election and power. Look at Marcos & Aquino.
Those who lost the election refused to give up power !!!
Look at Laurant Gbagbo & Quattara of Cote d’ivoire.
This led to civil war with thousands killed.
But politicians DON’T CARE.
There is a lack of Political Maturity.
Japanese said Politicians are crooks & gangsters. There are many in Malaysia.
If elections are UNFAIR, losers may protest & demonstrate and this can lead to unrest and civil wars.
Fighting for power is the major cause for INSTABILITY.
UN & France must be commended by bringing Gbagbo to his senses. @ # @ #
If unrest and civil wars & instability occur, EC must take the BLAME.
EC must be independent & made up of respected JUDGES EMPIRES & REFEREES who know what is FAIR & JUST.
Apparently a few EC members are members of UMNO or PERKASA !!! Is this true ???
EC members must be BIPARTISAN.
EC cannot take sides. EC cannot be BIASED
You cannot be playing the GAME and setting the RULES.
Lim Ah Lek of MCA said,
“Win like a Gentleman & lose like a Gentleman”
Politicians are elected to solve problems and NOT to create problems. @ # @ #
Reformasi Vs Transformasi
May God Bless Malaysia
Robert
Corrections & criticisms welcome