‘Hold election after electoral reforms completed’

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KUALA LUMPUR: The next general election should only be held after the Parliamentary Select Committee on electoral reforms finishes its work and its recommendations implemented, Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah) president Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said yesterday.

The Gua Musang member of parliament, better known as Ku Li, hoped the committee could speedily complete its tasks.

“We welcome the government’s decision to bring to Parliament, the idea of reforming the electoral process, taking in the views of the people,” he told reporters here yesterday.

Tengku Razaleigh said such views would help guide Parliament in reviewing  the electoral process towards ensuring a free and fair election.

Also present were Amanah deputy presidents, namely former information minister Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and former MIC deputy president Datuk S Subramaniam.

On Aug 15, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the formation of the committee, in a bid to improve the election process and strengthen laws and regulations governing elections in the country.

Commenting on Amanah’s establishment, Tengku Razaleigh said the entity was a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and not a political party.

“When we launched Amanah in July (July 22), we did so with (the status of an) NGO in mind, not a political party. It’s as far as it remains until we come to some other decision,” he said.

Elaborating, he said being an NGO allowed Amanah members a wider platform to express their opinion on issues of public interest. — Bernama