Bersih has asked the Malaysian Armed Forces to consider withdrawing its case against Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) pilot Major Zaidi Ahmad for filing reports on the failure of the indelible ink used in last year’s general election.

Describing the action as outrageous, Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah said it was clear that the action was to deter military personnel in future from performing their civic duty and protecting the sanctity of their votes.

“Clearly, Major Zaidi is being victimised and made an example to others. The military and government must stop punishing citizens for their own failures. We strongly urge the RMAF to withdraw the case immediately,” Maria ( left ) said.

“The indelible ink used was admitted to be problematic by Election Commission chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof himself. Bersih 2.0 has documented many reports where the ink could be washed off immediately.”

Zaidi will face seven charges in the military court tomorrow following two reports he lodged on the indelible ink last year.

Zaidi, who is commanding officer of the No 12 squadron (F5 jets) based in Butterworth, was reported by state journal SelangorKini as having received yesterday the military court order to appear at the RMAF court complex at the Kuala Lumpur Air Base tomorrow.

Five of the charges are under Section 50 (2) of the Armed Forces Act 1972, which deals with non-compliance with an order from a superior officer, for which the punishment upon conviction is a jail term of not more than two years.

The other two charges involve Section 51 of the same Act, which deals with non-compliance with a permanent command. This is also punishable with imprisonment of up to two years.

Bersih willing to provide assistance

Maria said the people who should be charged with any offence should be those responsible for the failure of the indelible ink, who are the top brass of the EC.

The Bersih chairperson said she was not certain as to whether the electoral watchdog could send its lawyers to the RMAF base in Kuala Lumpur to monitor the proceedings tomorrow, since it is a military court.

However, Maria said, Bersih was willing to render whatever assistance necessary to Zaidi ( right ), if needed.

Zaidi is believed to be the first public servant to face a military court case following the indelible ink fiasco.

He has been suspended from his duties, but still receives his salary and allowances.