Pakatan committed more election offences because it is the govt, says EC

Asila Jalil Asila Jalil Updated 5 years ago · Published on 11 Mar 2019 8:04PM · 3 Comments

Election Commission chairman Azhar Azizan Harun says it will be interesting to watch the candidates debate one another in an election campaign. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, March 11, 2019.

PAKATAN Harapan committed a higher number of electoral offences in the Semenyih by-election than Barisan Nasional (BN) because the former is the government and was bound to commit offences that the opposition could not, said Election Commission chairman Azhar Azizan Harun. 

In an interview with BFM radio station today, Azhar said he was not defending PH but the ruling coalition’s position made it more likely to make more mistakes than BN. 

“Being the government, there were offences they could commit that the opposition couldn’t, such as misuse of government assets, misuse of ministerial time, and government activities which are used to bait voters and votes. 

“These three offences, or these three transgressions of ethics, cannot be committed by the opposition,” he said.

On Friday, Bersih 2.0 said PH committed 21 election offences in the Semenyih polls and BN committed 13. An unknown individual committed one. 

Parti Sosialis Malaysia and independent candidate Kuan Chee Heng did not commit any.

The election watchdog said the total 35 offences committed in Semenyih is the highest in the six by-elections held since the May 9 general election.

The offences included acts of undue influence, treating and gifts, political violence, intimidation and harassment, and promoting ill-will or hostility using race and religion.

Asked why the parties continued to make the same mistakes, Azhar joked that it was because they were used to making them. 

“Also because prior to this, nobody spent any time talking about election offences and the election offences act,” he added. 

On whether the election candidates should debate one another, Azhar said such debates would be interesting, citing the Indonesia presidential debate as example.

“I would love to see the candidates (speak) so the people would know their manifestos.” – March 11, 2019.

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Comments

  • OK, but will no action be taken because they were committed by the government side?

    Posted 5 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • Mr Chairman don't be like those people who blows hot air please as we have too much of them so please for heaven sake please take some action and don't say that its beyond the EC as we only make observations and recommendations. If that is the case than you might as well pack your bags and go home.

    Posted 5 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Mr Chairman don't be like those people who blows hot air please as we have too much of them so please for heaven sake please take some action and don't say that its beyond the EC as we only make observations and recommendations. If that is the case than you might as well pack your bags and go home.

    Posted 5 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply