Opposition parties are hoping to send a strong signal to voters that reforms must be made to the Election Commission (EC) with their decision to boycott the Jan 28 Batu Talam by-election in Pahang.

According to PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, the decision was made even before EC chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman urged for reforms on Monday.

The boycott was announced at a PAS function in Raub last night. The state seat fell vacant following the death of Umno incumbent Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan in December.

"We are used to this. It seems to be a trend for the chairperson (Abdul Rashid) to call for change a week before any election," Nasharuddin told a press conference at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

"If he fails in his call for a review to the election laws, we urge that he resigns," he stressed.

Short of calling it a gimmick, the PAS leader said the intention behind Abdul Rashid's call is to pacify the opposition ahead of the polls.

According to the opposition parties, the EC is riddled with problems that favour the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN). Their chief complaints include voter identification in the electoral rolls, phantom voters, lack of free media coverage and lopsided postal voting.

"We gave (the EC) time to correct themselves. There has yet to be any response," Nasharuddin said.

Asked if the boycott will be called off if changes can be made before the elections, he replied: "The recommendations are a lot. For decades, we have made demands. If changes can be made in these few days, then he (Abdul Rashid) is the most efficient person in the world."

Furthermore, he said if the opposition parties participate in the by-election, it will be seen as if they condone the electoral process.

PAS is not afraid

Nasharuddin also dismissed speculations that the Islamic-based party had pulled out of the contest because it knows it cannot win.

"We expect the BN machinery to say that PAS is afraid. But if we are afraid, we would never field candidates in Sarawak, Sabah or even in Johor, which for years has been known as an Umno stronghold," he said.

Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) information chief Tian Chua, who was also present, urged voters to support the boycott.

"We are not blocking voters from voting, but we are asking them to display their disappointment with the electoral process by supporting the boycott," he explained.

Nasharuddin said the parties will not discourage independent candidates from contesting but stressed that they will not endorse or support any candidate.

He also revealed that the opposition parties will embark on a nationwide roadshow to press for reforms in view of the coming general election, which pundits predict can be held by the end of the year.

Others present at the press conference were PAS treasurer Dr Hatta Ramli and PKR vice-president Azmin Ali.

The decision to boycott the Batu Talam contest was criticised by election watchdog - Malaysians for Free and Fair Election (Mafrel).

Mafrel said if there is no contest, the boycott will tantamount to denying voters their right to elect a representative.

On the other side of the fence, Umno Raub division committee member Abdullah Abu Bakar is being touted as the likely candidate for Batu Talam.

The former school teacher is in the candidacy race with five other hopefuls, including Umno Raub division deputy chief Mustaffar Kamal Abdul Hamid.

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