BERSIH 2.0 is calling for royal commission of inquiry into the former election commissioners who had until recently been under the spotlight of an independent tribunal, expressing disappointment at the tribunal aborting its inquiry because the commissioners had already resigned.

“Why are people who committed such gross electoral misconduct not questioned? Why do people who have put our democracy at risk get to continue to enjoy their retirement?” said Bersih 2.0 chairman Thomas Fann at a press conference today.

Fann said Bersih was now urging Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to initiate an RCI into electoral misconduct during the 14th general election.

“We are hopeful that Dr Mahathir will listen to our petition.”

Fann said justice must be served upon those “who attempted to subvert democracy in Malaysia by denying us a free and fair election”.

He spoke of rising public panic on the night of May 9, when the televised updates by the Election Commission were halted abruptly, just as the pivotal results from East Malaysia were arriving.

“Before this, the results were coming in live,” he said.

“However, suddenly, after 9pm, nothing. It put the country on edge. People were not told why, and rumours that spread that night could have led to some serious consequences.”

Dr Mahathir must “without delay” advise the king to convene the RCI to allay public disquiet over allegations of misconduct by former election commissioners, Fann added.

Bersih also presented its proposed terms of reference for an RCI:

1. To inquire into: any misconduct, abuses of power or shortcomings by former EC members; any acts of manipulation of the electoral roll; and any manipulation of electoral boundaries during the sixth delimitation exercise;

2. The recommended actions be taken against former EC members and others complicit in illegal acts;

3. To recommend any amendments or changes in laws and regulations to strengthen the electoral system.

It should also investigate misconduct involving the unconstitutional delineation of electoral boundaries that favoured Barisan Nasional; fixing polling day on a Wednesday, a flawed postal voting system that impeded registered voters overseas; the destruction of voters’ addresses in the electoral roll; the decision to bar observers and the shifting of army voters to marginal constituencies.

The inquiry should cover the commissioners’ work from May 6, 2013, to May 10, 2018, Fann added.

The commissioners in question include former chairman Mohd Hashim Abdullah, former deputy chairman Othman Haji Mahmood, Yusop Mansor, Abdul Aziz Khalidin, Sulaiman Narawi, Bala Singam Karupiah and Leo Chong Cheong.

The RCI panel members could comprise former judges, law professors, lawyers and “credible members of civil society”, said Fann, adding that they must “command the confidence of society”. – May 31, 2019.