'Time to cement local representation concept in democracy'

Summary

• Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan calls upon political parties to set aside their differences and uphold the concept of local representation when it comes to electing leaders, calling it another form of institutional reform.

• He says it is improper for voters to cast their ballots in places where they no longer live for years despite it being their place of birth.

• Wan Saiful describes them as “outsiders” seizing power from the actual people living in the area and deciding who will become their elected representative.

Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan urged political parties to set aside their differences and uphold the concept of local representation when it comes to electing leaders, calling it another form of institutional reform.

He said this in response to Selangor PAS chief Ab Halim Tamuri who urged PAS supporters who live in Selangor but vote in other states - namely Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah - to become local voters instead.

“This issue must be given serious attention. My view is that the idea must have a broad application, where a voter should vote at the place where they stay,” Wan Saiful (above) said in a statement today.

In making the call on March 13, Halim said if the voter relocation process is successful, Perikatan Nasional could capture Selangor in the next general election.

"I really hope those who live in Selangor vote in Selangor. Especially in constituencies where we need (support) like Shah Alam, Sungai Buloh, Bangi, Sekinchan, Semenyih, and Sepang," he was reported as saying.

Not a new idea

Commenting on the matter, Wan Saiful said the issue was raised in the Electoral Reform Committee established by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad after the 2018 general election.

Wan Saiful was a member of the committee chaired by former Elections Commission chairperson Ab Rashid Ab Rahman.

“The topic was raised, and as I recall, we were throwing out ideas on how to ensure voters cast their ballot wherever they are living right now,” he added.

Elaborating, Wan Saiful felt it was unfair for voters to cast their ballots in places where they no longer live for years despite it being their place of birth.

He said it affects the basic principle of democracy, where the power to elect local leaders must be vested in those who would be directly impacted by the decision made, not those unaffected at all.

“It’s improper for those only returning for a week or two in a year (to a certain locality) to decide who will lead the place for the next five years.

“It means the individual has become an ‘outsider’, seizing power from the actual people living in the area and deciding who will become their elected representative.

“And it also means that the individual has no regard whatsoever for who is being elected at his or her current locality,” Wan Saiful mentioned.

Harapan lacks understanding

Taking potshots at Pakatan Harapan for opposing Halim’s idea, the Bersatu leader accused the coalition of lacking understanding of the concept of local representation.

“Some say Harapan wants Malay voters to vote elsewhere as it will give them an advantage.

“To me, this has nothing to do with race or religion. If a Chinese or Indian voter resides in a certain locality, they should vote in the area they are residing.

“So, it’s not proper for Harapan to reject the suggestion just because they may lose the election,” he added.

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