Muhyiddin: PSC given six-month deadline
The parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reforms will have six months to come up with its recommendations, once it is formed by act of parliament.
The parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reforms will have six months to come up with its recommendations, once it is formed by act of parliament.
"The bill to form the committee would be tabled when Parliament sits again on Oct 3," Deputy Premier Muhyiddin said after chairing the cabinet committee meeting on supply and prices in Putrajaya today.
He also revealed the list of five BN MPs who will be on the committee which will be chaired by Marudu MP Maximus Johnity Ongkili (PBS).
The other four BN representative are:
- Kapit MP Alexander Nanta Linggi (PBB)
- Kangar MP Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad (Umno)
- Alor Gajah MP Fong Chan Onn (MCA)
- Hulu Selangor MP P Kamalanathan (MIC)
The five names, he said, has been submitted to the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat recently.
Muhyiddin also welcomed the opposition's recent announcement to commit themselves to the committee for electoral reform, despite earlier boycott threats .
"Good! We want the PSC to be successful in its role. We want all sides to be involved, not only BN components, in the move to strengthen democracy," said the Pagoh MP.
Will polls be held later?
The government proposed the formation of the bipartisan PSC on Aug 15, in what was seen as a move to salve public outcry over the government crackdown against the July 9 Bersih 2.0 electoral reform rally.
Other than the heavy handed anti-Bersih measures, the government has been widely criticised for its unwillingness to listen to suggestions to reform the electoral process.
Pundits see the PSC proposal as an attempt to defuse electoral reform issues from being ammunition for the opposition in the next general elections, as it did during the political tsunami of 2008.
The framework for the PSC is still unknown and the Najib himself will not promise that the reforms will be in place before the next general election.
Critics said without such a promise, the PSC’s work would rendered useless should Parliament be dissolved before their work is done.
It was this fear that had caused the opposition to initially shy away from the PSC.
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