In an obvious display of ‘so what’ arrogance, BN decides to change the rules before the election in trying to keep the infamously biased referee. Instead of the usual ‘if in doubt, leave it out’, they are not about to take chances without their ‘lucky charm’.
Tian Chua put it well by saying ‘why change the Constitution for one person’? Why go to such trouble to keep the retiring Chairman and creating suspicion and reinforcing adverse perception of his impartiality?
Raja Petra, in his inimitable style, poked fun at certain aspects of Rashid's so-called reforms:
"BERSIH has asked for free, fair and transparent elections. This is fundamental in a democratic parliamentary system. But Malaysia practices the ‘first past the post’ electoral system. In other words, it is seats and not votes that count.
Yes, Malaysia has free, fair and transparent elections. It is free because you do not have to pay any money to vote. In fact, you can even receive money if you agree to vote for the ruling party. It is therefore more than free. It is profitable as well. And if your area faces a by-election, you will further receive tens of millions in development as the many by-elections thus far have proven.
Malaysian elections have never been transparent. But now the Elections Commission has introduced transparent ballot boxes. So, as far as the government is concerned, Malaysian elections are now transparent as well and there is no longer any reason for anyone to complain about Malaysian elections not being transparent enough. Of course, the people in government are not able to differentiate between a transparent system and transparent ballot boxes. It is like Samy Vellu walking into his office stark naked and declaring to all and sundry that he runs his ministry in a very transparent manner and nothing is hidden from public view."
From Haris Ibrahim’s ‘The People’s Parliament’:
“Rashid is due to retire on 31st December, 2007.
The move to extend Rashid’s term for another year could mean either that the elections will only be held next year or if before the end of this year, then Rashid is still needed to helm the EC if and when there are petitions to challenge any election results.
Pak Lah is pushing for a constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age to 66.
There they go again, messing about with our constitution for their own ends.
On 20th November, 2007, bodoh! bodoh! bodoh! tabled the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2007 in Parliament for its first reading. This bill seeks to extend the retirement age of EC members to 66.
The bill is scheduled for the second and third reading on 11th December, 2007.
Kim Quek has written an excellent piece on this disgraceful move to tinker with the constitution. It appears in Malaysiakini and you can read it HERE. “
On the day scheduled for the second and third reading of the bill, BERSIH is planning a gathering outside Parliament at 11am to call on parliamentarians to vote against the bill."
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