‘Supportive’ Pakatan lists 7 demands for Najib

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Pakatan Rakyat has suggested that an international auditing firm be appointed to oversea a probe into the current electoral process

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat wants a member of the opposition to head the Parliamentary Select Committee, which Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced yesterday.

The request is one of seven demands the coalition has listed out for Najib’s consideration.

Hailing Najib’s decision to set up the Parliamentary Select Committee as a ‘huge feat and a win for democratic forces in Malaysia’, Pakatan said it was also important that an independent international audit firm be appointed to oversee a possible investigation into the current electoral process and systems.

It suggested that globally recognized firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and others, be considered.

In a statement issued by the Pakatan secretariat today, the coalition listed their seven demands and urged the premier to incorporate them into the committee’s terms of reference.

Besides an opposition leader heading the select committee, Pakatan also demanded that sufficient budget and authority be given to the committee to allow them to “have powers to investigate, validate and recommend sweeping changes”.

The statement also added that there must be a fair hearing of issues and recommendations on the matter, especially on the eight demands made by the Bersih 2.0 coalition and other political parties, civil societies and academia.

“They should also allow the Web 2.0 and social media to be used for wider public feedback,” said the statement.

Restore EC’s integrity

Pakatan also suggested that a study which “compares and adopts” best global electoral practices should be commissioned and tabled for the consideration of the committee.

“As this matter needs wide-ranging coordination, analysis and reports, a dedicated program management unit sourced from a credible firm is to be at the disposal of the committee,” read the statement.

Reforms should also be made to restore the Election Commission’s (EC) integrity over partisan actions and statements made by them recently.

All these reforms must be “finalised, announced and completed” in total before the next general election.

They also urged the PM to immediately address widely reported irregularities in the electoral rolls.

The statement also urged the Barisan Nasional-Umno regime to provide greater media access to the opposition.

Last week the Pakatan coalition had submitted a memorandum to Najib seeking an emergency parliamentary sitting.

This was followed by claims that at least 1,100 permanent residents had been added to the electoral roll meant for citizens.

This is just one of the many reported irregularities in the electoral rolls in the recent weeks.

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