The Election Commission (EC) should allow voters to decide whether they find an election candidate's fluency in Bahasa Malaysia acceptable or not instead of turning it into an election rule, said electoral reform group Bersih.
"Bersih supports the idea that elected representatives need to understand and speak BM but this should not be the responsibility of the EC or the government.
"The ability of candidates to grab the attention of voters through reading, writing and speaking is going to be paramount in their winning seats - candidates and parties know this.
"Choosing quality candidates should therefore be the prerogative of parties and voters," Bersih said in a statement today.
Last Sunday, the EC said it was considering to make obtaining credit for BM in the SPM examination as precondition for a citizen to stand for election.
Bersih added that the Article 47 of federal constitution does not discriminate based on race, religion or any other social status when it comes to a citizen contesting in an election.
"Placing limitations on representation will hinder people from being an elected politician, especially for the more remote or isolated areas, where local leaders are their representatives.
BM credit no guarantee
"Having someone who speaks Bahasa Malaysia with credit does not guarantee good representation or that they will be good politicians.
"In fact, it may have the reverse effect – it denies people of representation. This is a shame to democracy," it said.
Instead, Bersih urged the EC to focus on more pressing issues such as legislative reforms on electoral abuse including misuse of government machinery for elections, over spending and inaction against electoral offences.
Meanwhile, DAP's Seputeh MP Teresa Kok ( right ) also urged the EC to implement recommendations by the parliamentary select committee on electoral reform in 2012.
"Although the nation has seen 13 general elections, so many long standing electoral flaws and defects have not been addressed.
"EC chief Abdul Aziz (Mohd Yusof) should therefore focus on the much needed reforms and make Malaysian elections free, fair and clean," she said.
