PETALING JAYA: The Election Commission (EC) must allow a minimum 21-day campaign period for the general election, said PKR vice-president Tian Chua(Pic) today.
This was one of the resolutions passed during the International Conference on Malaysia’s 13th general election, which was held at the Lake Club between March 4 and 5.
Tian Chua was reading out from a press statement prepared by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was the organiser of the two-day conference.
He also said that the longer campaigning period would help political parties with limited funds to get their message across to the masses.
“Although EC had promised a minimum 12 days for the campaigning period, it should be extended to 21 days in the interest of fair play,” said Tian Chua.
He also urged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to ensure that no government machinery or taxpayers’ fund is used for campaigning after Parliament is dissolved.
“A caretaker government will only allow Najib to administer the country but that doesn’t allow him to set new policies and spend from government coffers for political purposes,” he said.
Tian Chua also urged the EC to direct the government to allow fair media access to all political parties and be transparent during the polls by allowing observers to monitor the general election.
He added that the electoral body must make a pledge to ensure that it would execute all tasks under its purview with the utmost professionalism.
“Civil servants must remain impartial during the general election. The Chief Secretary to the Government [Ali Hamsa] must remind them that their loyalty lies with the King and country,” he said.
A copy of the report was also presented to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Nazri Abdul Aziz, on March 14.
Among those who attended the conference were Hulu Selangor MP P Kamalanathan, Kuala Krai MP Hatta Ramli and Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga.
