Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) strongly supports the call by the civil society organisation Bersih 2.0 for Clean, Free and Fair elections in Malaysia, as should all members of the public and civil society, regardless of political affiliation. Election results must truly reflect the wishes of the people.
The fight against corruption in any country begins at the top in the political arena, starting with clean and fair elections where the democratic process of election is carried out in a manner where its integrity is safeguarded.
The way the election process is managed and how campaigns are conducted by political parties and their candidates reflect the state of governance and maturity of the political institutions. A clean, free and fair election process gives the public confidence in their elected representatives, political parties and the government.
TI-M reiterates the call for swift and stern action to be taken against all allegations of corruption, including vote buying. Campaign offences should be clarified to assist the MACC in its enforcement. Therefore, it is imperative for the Election Commission (EC), as the first step, to define clearly what is illegal and what is not.
TI-M has, since 2009, conducted research, held consultations, workshops on reforming political financing in Malaysia. The EC and political parties participated in the research and consultations. There are 22 recommendations from this project for reforms in political financing including elections, which were submitted to the Prime Minister on 5 May 2011. The recommendations include the enhancement of the autonomy and independence of the EC, establishment of a neutral caretaker government after elections are called, equal and free access to public media for elected political parties and a better regulated election process.
TI –M welcomes the assurance by the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department YB Liew Vui Keong in Parliament last week that the government is currently reviewing certain acts such as the Societies Act 1966, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, Election Commission Act 1957 and Anti Money Laundering Act, as well as the Anti Terrorism Financial Act 2001 to reform political financing and institute an effective monitoring mechanism. TI-M had also proposed state funding of political parties for election campaigns.
TI-M calls for swift implementation of these amendments, and fully supports any initiative which promotes transparency and integrity, and contributes to clean, free and fair elections in Malaysia.
TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL MALAYSIA (TI-M)
It is absolutely true that a good governance carry the true democracy with transparency, fair and clean elections for the people and elected by the people.
Even though the country already had 12th general elections but the nations has the strong evidence of mal-pratices by the SPR in favour of the ruling party.
Therefore the Bersih 2.0 has stand out as an independence committee to request the board of election to review and amend those that are listed in their memorandum for a clean, fair and just election in the coming 13th general election.
Chanllenge are bound to be explosive and fantastic between the BN and opposition parties but to win an election must be excercising transparency with one man one vote judge by the International Transparency Unit and elected by his fellow citizens.
People are no longer be spoon feeds but the true performance with new aspirations and creative ideology be selected to govern for the people and of the people.
Therefore the people voice an wisdom must be aheard and any arrogant or threaterning will not yield them a continue support.