PETALING JAYA: Wan Saiful Wan Jan supports Bersih 2.0's calls to review the nation's existing First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) election system.
The Perlis Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia secretary said the current system does not help to create a healthy competition if there were more than two parties contesting.
"In fact, the smaller parties may not even be able to compete at all.
"This is why the political parties in Malaysia are forced to form a coalition. If they were to contest on their own, the challenge they face is tougher," he said in a statement on Monday (Sept 17).
Wan Saiful (pic) said the Proportional Representation (PR) system was much fairer in Malaysia where there were many political parties.
He said the PR system would enable smaller parties to obtain a fair share of seats without the need to form a coalition with other parties.
"This will ensure that the voices of the minority still have an opportunity to be heard in an election in Malaysia," he said.
Wan Saiful added that he agreed with Bersih's point of view on how the country could learn from the election system practiced in the United Kingdom as he had once participated in those polls.
"It is true the United Kingdom selection of candidates are more dependent on the grassroots and this has resulted in the strong relationship between an elected representative and its constituents," he said.
Wan Saiful had previously contested in the UK election when he ran as the Conservative Party candidate for the Luton Borough Council in 2007.
