Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman has apologised to opposition party PAS over the unprofessional statement made by one of his officers on duty for the Kuala Berang by-election against the party.

He said that PAS' dissatisfaction was justified as the press statement made by returning officer Idris Che Mat, who was quoted by mainstream media New Straits Times and Berita Harian on Aug 17, was inappropriate.

"On behalf of the EC, I apologise to PAS over the statement made by the officer. I have already talked to him and advised him to be fair in his conduct in future," Abdul Rashid told the media at his residence in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

The EC chief had earlier met PAS vice-president Mustafa Ali who submitted a letter of protest against the returning officer who was said to have ridiculed the party when asked to comment on PAS' complaints against his biased conduct.

PAS claimed Idris failed to act fairly when denying PAS leaders entry into the Hulu Terengganu district office building to accompany election candidate Muhyidin Abdul Rashid on nomination day.

The treatment was in contrast to that given to the Barisan Nasional whose leaders including Deputy Premier Najib Razak who was not only ushered into the building but was seated in an air-conditioned hall.

No bad intention

Asked about the mater, Idris was reported to have said: "...we would have accorded them the same treatment if there were ministers among them ( PAS leaders)."

Saying it was justified for PAS to be offended by the statement, Abdul Rashid said that "he (the officer) made it sound as if PAS leaders were not on par with BN leaders and therefore could not be given the same treatment."

"But I am sure he has no bad intention," he added.

The EC chief also hoped that the matter would not affect the current election campaign that has been smooth so far.

"I hope with my apology, the matter ends here. So far I am satisfied with the on-going campaigning and hope this smooth ride will continue until the election is over."

On other matters, Abdul Rashid said that the commission has arranged 60 flights by helicopter to ferry election workers for the Ba'kelalan by-election in Sarawak.

"The recent crashes has not deterred the election workers from carrying out their duties. They have told me that they are ready and we leave it to God and hope that everything will be alright," he said.

He said that all ballot boxes will be flown to Lawas where the tally centre is located.