Election reforms being studied, says Takiyuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is looking into the proposals made by the Electoral Reform Committee (ERC), said Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (pic).

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the ERC had done its survey and study for two years and completed it last August.

“The Prime Minister received the report on behalf of the government from the ERC chairman on Aug 27,2020.

“The report contains 49 recommendations that touch on the system, process and laws related to elections, ” said Takiyuddin in reply to Khoo Poay Tiong (PH- Kota Melaka) who asked if the government would publish the final report of the ERC to MPs and the public, as well as action to reform and improve Malaysia's electoral system and process.

Takiyuddin said the government is very committed to ensuring that the development of democracy is in line with the current times and needs of the rakyat.

He said the report by ERC does not only involve changes to the election process, it also involves changes in various aspects in terms of government management which involves various ministries and agencies.

“As such, the government is looking at each of the recommendations submitted for evaluation to see (if the) government has the capability to implement them.

“The government needs time to look into the recommendations as it needs to get the views and feedback from various agencies and stakeholders, especially the Election Commission, ” said Takiyuddin.

He said the ERC has also listed action plans in phases, and among them is the suggestion to form a body that will do the monitoring and coordinating of the actions by various government agencies on the recommendations submitted.

He said the government needs to ensure that the changes implemented truly add value to the lives of the rakyat.

To a supplementary question by Khoo, Takiyuddin said the government was also forming another special committee, headed by Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, to look into the findings of the ERC.

Takiyuddin also said the report will be made available to the public and it will even be tabled in Parliament for lawmakers to view or even debate on it if need be.