‘I am an independent ERC chair’ declares Bersatu man Abdul Rashid
Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman may be Bersatu vice-president but he has vowed to carry out his role in free and independent fashion.
“Although I am a Bersatu man, I am independent-minded. The government knows I have no hanky-panky (planned).
“As far as I am concerned, I am a completely independent person on this committee,” he stressed at a press conference in Putrajaya today.
Abdul Rashid came under intense fire for his infamous “by hook or by crook” remark during the Bersatu AGM in December...
Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman may be Bersatu vice-president but he has vowed to carry out his role in free and independent fashion.
“Although I am a Bersatu man, I am independent-minded. The government knows I have no hanky-panky (planned).
“As far as I am concerned, I am a completely independent person on this committee,” he stressed at a press conference in Putrajaya today.
Abdul Rashid came under intense fire for his infamous “by hook or by crook” remark during the Bersatu AGM in December.
His tenure as Election Commission (EC) chairperson from 2000 to 2008 was also marked by a disputed redelineation exercise and the birth of election watchdog Bersih.
He courted further controversy by joining Perkasa in 2013.
Still, he maintains that the EC should be free from political pressure and be accorded prosecutorial powers.
“I want to ensure a level playing field for all political parties, all candidates ought to have the same rights (during elections),” he said.
He further expressed his belief that all political parties should be governed by an independent EC, and be given a level of funding from the government.
Also present was ERC executive chairperson Amerul Muner Mohammad, who said the committee had arranged to meet with both Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional for their input on their work.
“We are going to engage with all political parties because (we are) supposed to get input from everybody,” he said, referring to the public engagement exercise the committee was presently embarking on.
The ERC was formed in Aug last year and has two years to propose a set of recommendations to the Cabinet on improving the present electoral system.
Abdul Rashid joined Harapan component party Bersatu last year and contested the Kota Lama Kelantan state seat during the 14th general election.
He lost to PAS incumbent Anuar Tan Abdullah in a five-cornered fight with BN, PSM and an independent candidate.
And I am Groot! Any a beng a lian Tom dick and Harry can declare that. What an idiot. Who appointed this disaster to such an important post??!!
Independent to do whatever by hook or by crook
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