“Saya komited untuk melakukan pembaharuan pilihan raya. Kami akan melaksanakannya. Contohnya, terdapat kebimbangan mengenai pengundi hantu. Kami akan memastikan tidak akan ada peluang untuk pengundi hantu.”“Jangan merasa sangsi komitmen kami untuk memperbaiki sistem tersebut. Kami mempunyai kelemahan tetapi tidak ada seseorang pun yang dapat menafikan bahawa terdapat demokrasi.”
Sebagai peringatan, dan imbauan sejarah, rakyat tidak pernah memilih YAB sebagai Perdana Menteri Malaysia. Oleh itu, peluang untuk melaksanakan reformasi pilihan raya menyeluruh ini merupakan peluang terbaik untuk menerima mandat dari rakyat untuk memerintah.
Open Letter to
Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib BinTun Abdul Razak
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Immoral to Conduct 13th General Elections Before Substantive Electoral Reform Is Implemented
YAB Prime Minister,
As Prime Minister, it is morally imperative for you to fulfill the pledges you made during the closing address at the 5thMalaysian Student Leaders Summit on the 31st of July 2011, and I quote:
“I am committed to electoral reform. We will undertake it. For example, there are concerns about phantom voters. We will ensure there is no chance for phantom voters.”
“Do not doubt our commitment to improving the system. We have shortcomings but no one can dispute there is democracy.”
The Rakyat does not deserve to be misled yet again on the long over due need for electoral reform with distractions by way of excuses made for changed venues, heavy-handed crackdown or selectively declaring certain groupings illegal (read BERSIH 2.0).
Instead, the focus remains on the following 8 demands to realize a truly fair and free electoral process in Malaysia:
1. Clean the electoral roll
2. Reform postal ballot
3. Use of indelible ink
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
5. Free and fair access to media
6. Strengthen public institutions
7. Stop corruption
8. Stop dirty politics
As a gentle and historical reminder YAB, the rakyat has never truly elected YAB as the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Hence, let this opportunity to enact comprehensive electoral reforms present YAB with the opportunity to definitively receive the rakyat’s mandate to govern.
The implementation of bold electoral reforms will also signal that YAB will no longer be held at ransom by extreme right wing elements that have held back reforms for a better Malaysia.
YAB must also take heart in realizing that embarking on reforms will also ensure YAB regains legitimacy from the Rakyat against other UMNO pretenders to the political throne. These pretenders must not get the better of YAB.
By fulfilling this moral imperative, YAB will effectively fulfill the conditions stipulated in Article 114 of our Federal Constitution:
Realizing an Election Commission which enjoys the support and confidence of the Rakyat.
Finally, i thank YAB for at the very least listing electoral reforms as an item that requires urgent action and sincerely hope that YAB will focus on action oriented plans to implement the 8 demands made by Bersih 2.0 before the 13th General Elections.
It would be immoral for YAB to hold the GE 13 without implementing the electoral reforms necessary to assure a free and fair election.
A free and fair election is the cornerstone of any modern democracy allowing for the true mandate of the electorate to choose the government of the day.
Hence, I would like to state that if YAB and BN are elected freely and fairly as the next government, then it would be my duty and honour to serve as a loyal opposition for the nation.
Nurul Izzah Anwar
Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai
Vice President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat
Most importantly, Rakyat Malaysia
