Malaysian PM Razak boosts Election Commission’s independence

In this Thursday, April 9, 2009 file photo, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks during a press conference as he unveiled a new Cabinet in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Malaysia's leader announced Saturday, June 1, 2013 that the Election Commission would be placed under Parliament's watch to boost confidence in its independence after recent national elections sparked allegations of fraud, but the opposition said the move did not go far enough. <AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin>

Malaysia’s leader said Saturday that the Election Commission would be placed under Parliament’s watch to boost confidence in its independence after recent national elections sparked allegations of fraud, but the opposition said the move did not go far enough.

Prime Minister Najib Razak’s National Front coalition won May 5 polls, but with a smaller parliamentary majority. It also lost the popular vote to Anwar Ibrahim’s three-party opposition alliance.

The opposition has accused the Election Commission, which comes under the prime minister’s department, of being biased and failing to address irregularities such as bogus ballots and illegal voters that it said helped Najib’s coalition cling to power. Anwar’s alliance has held many peaceful rallies nationwide that have drawn tens of thousands of people to press for investigations into the alleged fraud.

Najib, who has rejected the accusations of fraud, said in a statement Saturday that a special bipartisan parliamentary committee that is independent and includes opposition lawmakers would now be given oversight over the Election Commission.

“It is so easy to take the path of blame and denial, but this will not solve any of our problems or unlock the challenges facing Malaysia,” he said. “I understand that sections of the public want to see our election processes strengthened. I am announcing these improvements to our electoral system in the spirit of unity and national reconciliation.”

Opposition lawmaker Lim Kit Siang said it was a step in the right direction, but called for the top two officials in the Election Commission – whom he labeled as National Front protagonists – to step down to ensure a real change.

“The Election Commission must start with a completely new slate with a new chairman and deputy chairman if it is to win full public confidence,” Lim said.

Ambiga Sreenevasan, an activist who is leading calls for clean elections, echoed Lim’s remarks, saying the Election Commission must be headed by credible officials to ensure its impartiality.

She also said the move was wrong in principle, noting that the commission, under the constitution, should be an independent body that doesn’t bow to the government.

“It’s a Band-Aid to a gaping wound,” she said. “It’s a good thing they recognize it needs fixing, but the wound is huge and this will not work.”

The National Front won 60 percent of Parliament’s 222 seats in this month’s elections, but only 47 percent of the popular vote. <AP/NEWSis>