Legitimacy to govern from free and fair elections is the hallmark of democracy and fulfills the dictum to be governed with the true and informed consent of the people.
The recent Sarawak state elections witnessed the strangulation of democracy with massive open electoral misdeeds.
The continued gerrymandering through arbitrary redelineation exercise, the blatant use of government machinery, vote buying, on the spot allocations, promises of unfettered future spending, vanishing indelible ink and limited media access are symptomatic of the failings of democratic governance and an uneven level playing field.
Sarawak PKR and opposition candidates are marginalised from enjoying the same treatment as their BN counterparts. Not only are they are forced to face the likes of the PM and the DPM dispensing cash like theres no tomorrow whilst their only ‘semenanjung’ counter force is held up by the immigration; but they also face an unfair redelienation process created to attenuate gains made in previous elections.
As such, we applaud and will continue to work alongside BERSIH, Parliament and state legislature, the judiciary and other reform minded NGOs who have been at the forefront in demanding truly free and fair elections. It is precisely due to their perseverance that the Sarawak PKR through YB See Chee How proceeded with our legal suit against the EC’s redelineation process which was unconstitutional as it was drawn heavily in favor of the incumbent, following the 29 objections made for the 11 new seats announced by SPR.
A cursory glance at past practices include the 5th Sarawak state election having 48 seats, which with a denial of BN’s two thirds majority when BN won only 28 (PBB:14,SUPP:11,SNAP:3) seats, PBDS 15 seats and Permas 5 seats.
The redelineation process ended up with the creation of 8 new state seats totalling 56 state seats by the 6th Sarawak state elections in 1991.
True enough, the tried and tested redelienation trick then won BN 49 new state seats and PBDS 7 seats.
We must reaffirm and redouble our demand for electoral reforms. Unless reforms are executed before the next general elections; then Malaysia will continue its decline into autocracy and illegitimacy. The skewed redelienation process will end up crushing more opposition held seats in other states throughout Malaysia.
Whilst Chief Minister Adenan has much to celebrate through his popular vote of 61.8 percent and his 87.8 percent of state legislature win, it would be all the more legitimate with a fair redelienation and electoral process which accords fair treatment and coverage to all legitimate political entities.
NURUL IZZAH ANWAR
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR LEMBAH PANTAI
VICE PRESIDENT AND ELECTION DIRECTOR OF KEADILAN
