A representative expressed disappointment that his organisation - Bersih 2.0 - was once again today refused permission to present recommendations to the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform.

Bersih 2.0 steering committee member Dr Toh Kin Woon was asked to present his eight-point recommendation for electoral reforms as an individual.

Toh, who is chairperson of the LLG Cultural and Development Centre and a former Penang state executive councillor, was also not happy with PSC chairperson Maximus Ongkili questioning his representation.

“He said he was not sure whether I was representing Bersih 2.0 and rejected me,” Toh told a press conference.

NONE “I am disappointed because I am a Bersih steering committee member and I am from Penang. I should be allowed to present our eight-point agenda,” he added.

Toh (right in photo) , who took about 10 minutes to make presentation, suggested that the Election Commission (EC) allows automatic registration of voters, but this was questioned by Ongkili, who said it was pointless if voter turnout remained poor.

NONE “Voter turnout is a separate issue and should not be used as an excuse (not to implement the recommendation).

“Everyone has the right to register and the EC must ensure they exercise their right to vote... perhaps we can implement compulsory voting,” Toh added.

Last month, Ongkili insisted that Bersih 2.0 representatives speak as individuals and “not on behalf of Bersih, but they can reflect its views”.

Ongkili stressed this when Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevesan and steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah said that they were speaking for the banned coalition.

No compulsory voting, please

In August, EC deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar had urged the government to reject the participation of Bersih 2.0 in the submissions on electoral reforms.

Wan Ahmad told the media that the committee should only comprise MPs from various political parties, to prevent obstacles to the government’s reform efforts.

Seven other groups including Suaram, Aliran, PKR, Parti Sosialis Malaysia and Parti Kesejahteraan Tanah Air (Kita) presented their recommendations today.

azlan Other than Ongkili, who is science, technology and innovation minister, other MPs - P Kamalanathan (Hulu Selangor), Mohamed Azmin Ali (Gombak), Loke Siew Fook (Rasah) and Wee Choo Keong (Wangsa Maju) attended the two-day meeting.

Meanwhile, Parti Sosialis Malaysia representative Choo Chon Kai expressed disagreement with compulsory voting as suggested by Toh.

According to Choo, citizens have the right not to vote although this would eventually result in poor voter turnout.

“If voter turnout is poor, the EC must then find out why this is so, instead of imposing compulsory voting on citizens,” he added.

A group of five NGOs under the banner of Gabungan Tunaikan 8 Tuntutan, Barulah PRU13 (Fulfill the 8 Demands Before GE13 Coalition) urged the federal and state governments not to dissolve state assemblies or Parliament before these demands are fulfilled.

“It is the promise by the government for a more democratic country that is pro-rakyat,” the group said.

The group was represented by Malaysian Youth and Students Democratic Movement, Jemaah Islah Malaysia, Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Penang chapter), Suaram and LLG Development Centre.