Oppositions told not to give stupid and unreasonable suggestions for the cheap publicity

March 26, 2013

“So, don’t give stupid and unreasonable suggestion…unless they are out to get some cheap publicity.” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: The opposition’s call for the installation of CCTV at polling centres in the 13th General Election is impractical and tantamount to casting aspersion on the credibility of Election Committee (EC).

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said yesterday it only reflected the opposition was desperate and might resort to anything to win the election.

He was reacting to PAS Miri chief Jofri Jaraiee’s call for use of more sophisticated device to monitor the voting process, saying CCTV would prevent cheating and abuse during the voting process.

“In BN, that is never an issue because we are confident of EC handling the election process.

“The fact that some states were won by the opposition in the 12th General Election, how is it possible if there was any element of cheating or bias by EC,” Dr Rundi, who is also PBB secretary-general and Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), said.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah regarded the opposition’s suggestion at the eleventh hour for CCTV at polling centres and checking at movement of ballot boxes as downright silly and illogical.

“How ridiculous this suggestion could be if we are to see how many thousands of polling centres there are all throughout the country.

“What the opposition need to do now is to learn have faith in the professionalism of EC in handling the election.

“They should not keep on undermining the credibility of EC.

“This is the same EC that conducted the election in 2008 where the opposition won many seats and even few states.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Youth Development, recalled some months back, the parliament set up a ‘reform committee’ to look at proposed changes to Election Laws for this forthcoming election.

The committee, he said, comprised of BN and opposition members and public was allowed to meet and propose their views.

“Pursuant to this committee set up and its findings, new positive changes were adopted among others, the use of the ink and acceptance of overseas voters.”

To the opposition, he said: “So, don’t give stupid and unreasonable suggestion…unless they are out to get some cheap publicity.”