Pua: Voter survey shows failure of PM’s reforms

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — The latest Merdeka Center survey result is clear indication of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s failure in executing his political reforms pledge, DAP MP Tony Pua has said.

The research house found that more than nine in 10 voters in peninsular Malaysia want the electoral roll cleaned up before the general election that must be called within the year, according to its survey conducted just days before tens of thousands joined the April 28 Bersih rally for free and fair polls.

DAP national publicity secretary Pua said the survey results were loud and clear, as only 44 per cent of the 1,019 registered voters surveyed were  “confident” that the electoral process was free from irregularity and only five per cent of respondents felt the voter roll did not need cleaning up before the next general election.

“Merdeka Center’s latest survey results [give] damning evidence that the people [have] lost faith in the country’s electoral system, despite the ‘best effort’ by the prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to set a transformation agenda.

 “The results clearly showed that Malaysians have very little confidence in the half-hearted steps taken by the prime minister, which [were] intended to give a better perception of our electoral process,” he said in a statement today.

The survey also found that nearly half of the 1,019 registered voters surveyed believed the registry contained dubitable entries that included foreigners.

Pua took a swipe at the government’s Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms, saying the survey’s results demonstrated public distrust towards the panel.

Only 34 per cent thought the PSC was “a sincere effort” from the Barisan Nasional government “to reform” while 43 per cent thought it was an “attempt to cover up or divert public attention.

The Petaling Jaya Utara MP said the survey also “fully justified” Bersih’s reasons for having its third rally last month in the city capital.

“The prime minister will have the opportunity to pass new laws seeking a full transformation of the electoral process when the Parliament commences its sitting on June 11 before dissolving it for the next general election.

“Without true and thorough reforms from Datuk Seri Najib, he will fail to win legitimacy even if he were to win the vote count in the 13th GE as he will be seen as having won the elections through cheating and fraud, instead of via the support of the people,” Pua said.

 After last July’s Bersih demonstration, Najib announced a raft of reforms including a parliamentary panel to look into enhancing the electoral system over a period of six months.

However, early last month, Bersih called for another protest, saying the recently-concluded polls panel had fallen short of its demands, which include a cleaning of the electoral roll, postal voting reform, free access to media for all parties, and the use of indelible ink.

Although tens of thousands descended onto the capital last month, the event was marred by clashes between police and protestors.

This led the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) to accuse the opposition of attempting a violent coup by hijacking the rally.