Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim today tabled for second reading the amendments to the Election Offences Act 1954, which seeks Parliament's approval to set up an election enforcement team.

He said the amendment is necessary in view of the political climate and voters' attitudes in the wake of " new developments " following the Anak Bukit and Pendang by-elections last year. However, he did not elaborate.

The main proposal under the amendment is to set up an enforcement team to monitor the activities of election candidates and to see that they comply with election laws. It will be empowered to take immediate action against those who breach the laws.

This includes removal of campaign materials and getting police help to detain anyone involved in holding illegal ceramah.

Each team will be headed by an Election Commission (EC) officer, and will comprise a police officer who is at least an inspector, and representatives of the local authority representative and candidates' political parties.

Decisions or actions shall be by mutual agreement between all members. Where this is not possible, the EC officer will make the final decision.

Other proposed amendments include removing restrictions on the size of campaign materials, include posters.

The amendments will prohibit party supporters from displaying, wearing or holding campaign materials bearing the party logo within 50 metres of a polling station on election day.

MPs concerned

The eleven parliamentarians who took part in the debate later expressed concern over the authority to be provided to the team.

Husni Hanadzlah (BN-Tambun) said the team should be taught the concept of democracy and how to apply this in carrying out their duties.

He supported the amendments, saying such teams could help curb any violent incidents during the election.

Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi (PAS-Kuala Terengganu) was doubtful on the basis of the EC's failure to win confidence that it could conduct a fair and clean election.

In this respect, he referred to charges that the EC and Puteri Umno had secretly colluded over a recruitment exercise that was subsequently exposed by his party.

The PAS leader also claimed that a survey conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia academicians showed 49 percent of respondents had no confidence in the EC, and 96 percent felt that the print and broadcast media are used by Umno during campaigning.

The debate at the committee stage continues tomorrow. The bill is expected to be passed after the third reading.