Shrugging off the attacks and obstructions from the Election Commission (EC) and the ruling coalition, a local election watchdog is determined to continue with its job of observing the Sibu by election.

They also dismissed the allegation that they had accepted foreign funds and were prejudiced against the BN.

NONE During a press conference here in Sibu, the coordinator of newly formed Sibu Election Watch (SEW) Wong Meng Chuo ( left ) stressed that they will still observe the election proceedings from outside polling centres despite failing to win EC approval.

"Even though the EC said there is no need for people to watch them, we will still definitely watch.

"They have no authority to stop us," he said, adding that they are only executing their constitutional rights.

He also rebutted EC deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar's contention that that the commission did not need any watchdog, including Malaysians for Free Elections (Mafrel).

"If any government organisation says they do not need observation, this means they will act arbitrarily," he said.

The coordinator of Malaysia Election Observation Network (MEO-Net) Ong Boon Keong, who was also present at the press conference, asked if the EC was trying to hide something by barring observers.

Voodoo doll

He added that the enforcement team that included political parties is not enough to ensure the fairness of the polls as the members are interested parties.

Both Wong and Ong were once the members of Mafrel, whose official observer status was dropped by the EC last month.

The watchdog has recently came under serious attack from the BN, with the latest by PBB Sarawak Senator Idris Buang.

Idris had accused Mafrel in Parliament yesterday of not being independent and receiving foreign funds.

To prevent any misunderstanding, Wong and Ong stressed yesterday that the SEW has never accepted any funding from foreigners and doesn't have any political links.

"This is a citizen's initiative and voluntary movement ," said Wong.

NONE According to him, the watchdog has gathered 22 volunteers, mostly local to monitor the by election. They are now still looking for two more volunteers.

Ong also clarified that the cost of the exercise, estimated at RM3000, will be raised through a online donation drive.

On Mafrel's status, he admitted that the group is registered under Companies Act, but they are now preparing to register under Society Act.

O bukit gantang by election mafrel pc 300309 ong boon keong ng also said their observations of Sibu by-election will be updated daily on their website and the final report will be published and submitted to the EC despite not being accredited by them.

Wong also revealed that SEW found that 1245 voters have different addresses when they compared the current electoral roll with that of the last general election.

"We want EC to explain this," he said.

Ong ( right ) suspects that this irregularity might be due to the re-adjustment of polling areas and location by the commission, which could make it difficult for voters to find their polling centres.