Ex-Bersih activist refutes perception of partisanship in EC role
Former Bersih member Zoe Randhawa has refuted allegations of partisanship and promised to “listen to all sides", in her new role as an Election Commission (EC) commissioner.
She said this when asked if she was concerned that perceptions about her former NGO would taint her new role...
Former Bersih member Zoe Randhawa has refuted allegations of partisanship and promised to “listen to all sides", in her new role as an Election Commission (EC) commissioner.
She said this when asked if she was concerned that perceptions about her former NGO would taint her new role.
“[...] Now that I am with SPR, democracy in my eyes will always come first. Upholding the trust of the people will always come first and I think it is important to listen to all sides for the process of reform.
“In response to the allegations that Bersih might be partisan, maybe you can ask the current chairperson (Thomas Fann) about that.
“But I can say that during my time in Bersih, I always put the issues of democracy and free and fair elections first and foremost,” she told a press conference after clocking in at the EC headquarters in Putrajaya this morning.
Also present was EC chairperson Azizan Azhar Harun, who said such perceptions about Bersih, and also himself, were unfounded.
“I feel that such a perception is inaccurate, such perceptions have also been held about me.
“As activists, we fought for what we thought was right and some of the things we fought for, received support from the former opposition.
“It’s not that we agreed with them, they agreed with us! Even some in the (BN) government at the time agreed with us,” he quipped.
“[...] But of course perceptions are just perceptions, I hope the EC’s track record will (eventually) speak for itself,” Azizan added.
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'It is surreal'
At 30 years old, Zoe is the youngest EC commissioner ever appointed.
“It is surreal,” she said when asked about this.
The other commissioners who reported for duty today were former Foreign Ministry chief secretary Ramlan Ibrahim and former Human Resource ministry director general Chin Paik Yoong.
Both said they would bring to the table their extensive experience in the civil service.
Azhar said that two more new commissioners, Universiti Malaya law professor Azmi Sharom and UKM senior fellow Faisal S Hazis, were not present as they had yet to end their term of service with their respective institutions.
The recent appointments bring the total number of EC commissioners to six, one shy of the seven as stipulated in the Federal Constitution.
Azhar hoped that the last appointment would be made soon.
“The last commissioner is being processed as the appointment process is very detailed and it will take some time.
“[...] But I hope the appointment can be made as soon as possible,” he said when asked.
With almost a full team with him now, Azhar hoped to begin reforming the electoral system.
“The reforms won’t be rushed. We will analyse all the facts and engage with all stakeholders,” he said.
