PUTRAJAYA should allow international observers to monitor the next national polls if the prime minister is confident there will be no room for cheating, Malaysian social media users said.

They were sceptical with Najib Razak’s assertion “the chances of cheating are non-existent” in the 14th general election.

Some said Najib should not take Malaysians for fools by issuing such a statement.

They were responding to Najib’s remarks which he made after chairing an Umno Supreme Council meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Najib, who is chairman of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, was responding to a meeting between Pakatan Harapan leaders, led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and European Union ambassadors last week. 

It was reported complaints of gerrymandering by the Election Commission (EC) were mentioned at the meeting.

Najib brushed off the claim and said the system in place was the same one practiced before.

Social media users, however, were sceptical.

Facebook user Shahbudin Husin said if it was true “the chances of cheating are non-existent”, Najib should welcome international observers with open arms to monitor the polls.

“Why would he want to deflect and say the PH meeting with the EU ambassadors was a desperate act and an attempt to get foreign aid?” said Shahbudin.

Echoing the same sentiment was Adam Aqill who said Najib should allow international observers or whoever who wants to observe the polls.

Facebook user Jovi Yeong likened Najib’s statement to a thief saying he cannot steal while Cheah Sin Kooi said Najib should not take Malaysians for fools.

“Gerrymandering and malapportionment of the electoral roll is cheating to me … lutolonggua guatolonglu (you help me I help you) is cheating to me … the feet dragging on registration of PH logo is cheating to me,” Cheah said in his FB post.

Twitter user who goes by the handle @azean_hasan said there were many things which had happened which contradicted what Najib said on Tuesday.

“Voters’ names missing, EC doing the redelineation, there was confusion in residential addresses and what was so obvious was EC delaying in registering (voters). Are these not ways to give win to UMNO?”

Twitter user @MohdSayutiOmar shared the same view.

“Najib said the voting system is transparent and cheating was not possible. But redelineation in selected areas, is that not a form of cheating? Which EC has given the ‘license’ to ensure UMNO-BN is saved?”

Twitter user @Takahashi92, meanwhile, said Najib superceded US president Donald Trump when it came to doublespeak.

“Forget about Trump, Najib reigns supreme when it comes to doublespeak,” said Takashi in his twitter account.

Fourteen ambassadors and three charges d’affaires of EU countries met PH leaders at the residence of Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the EU to Malaysia Maria Castillo Fernandez last week.

Commenting on that meeting, Najib said: “They (PH) had to complain to foreign powers so the end result can be questioned. They just want to raise controversy.

“They alleged our system is unfair, when in fact, this system got Dr Mahathir elected. It is this system that brought us prosperity.”

Bersih 2.0 steering committee member Jay Jay Denis said cheating has happened before and it was clear the redrawing of electoral boundaries is a form of daylight robbery. 

“EC works under the Prime Minister’s Department. That is why the EC has not been able to complete the process of cheating (redelineation) as people have voiced their unhappiness at the enquiries and even brought the matter to court. 

“If PM Najib wants this to be the cleanest elections ever, then do not table the new electoral boundaries in Parliament,” said Denis.

Up to 128 of the 222 Parliamentary seats will be redrawn in the redelineation, which will need to be passed by Parliament.

Critics said the new boundaries will give BN the advantage in GE14, particularly in Selangor, the country’s richest state ruled by the federal opposition since 2008. – January 31, 2018.