http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/128568
Election watchdog Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) today said that it will carry on with its independent observer work with or without the support of the Election Commission (EC).
The EC was reported this morning as saying that it has dropped its recognition of Mafrel as an official election observer because it (Mafrel) had allegedly failed to hand over its reports for the past nine by-elections.
This EC decision comes just two days after Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister and Selangor Umno deputy chief Noh Omar accused Mafrel of being biased and called for its recognition by the EC to be reviewed.
"We will continue to monitor the upcoming Hulu Selangor by-election from outside the polling centres," said Mafrel president Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (left) when asked for a response.
He explained that EC's recognition only allows Mafrel to observe polling and vote-counting at the tallying centres stressing the major part of Mafrel's work was outside those areas.
"From experience, most campaigning abuses such as corruption occurs outside the polling stations and there are also abuses in terms of media coverage," said Syed Ibrahim.
However, the watchdog chief, stated that the body will appeal the EC decision.
Reports not submitted
"Mafrel is already in the process of contacting the EC and we hope to meet them to appeal against their decision as soon as possible," said Syed Ibrahim.
Syed Ibrahim conceded that Mafrel's reports for the past nine by-elections had not been submitted to the commission.
Explaining the delay, he said: "Unlike a general election where we can be more selective on where to focus, we had the same team covering new by-elections even before the previous reports were completed.
"We want to ensure that the reports are up to proper standards and will hand all reports over to the EC before the coming Hulu Selangor by-election," he assured.
When asked if the EC's move was politically-motivated, Syed Ibrahim said that was difficult to determine but said it would be disappointing if it were true.
"If their decision was made because political pressure was exerted onto them, then it is very unfortunate because the EC should be independent," he said.
With about 90 expected volunteers, Mafrel will begin ground observation for the Hulu-Selangor by-election on nomination day on April 17, maintaining a presence until polling day on April 25.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
PEMANTAU MAFREL - PRK HULU SELANGOR
RAKYAT MALAYSIA YANG LAYAK MENGGUNDI DAN BERMINAT UNTUK MENJADI PEMANTAU MAFREL UNTUK PRK HULU SELANGOR BOLEH LAH MENGHUBUNGI
SETIAUSAHA KEHORMAT MAFREL:
Mafrel refutes 'opposition mouthpiece' jibe
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/128449
Nigel Aw
Apr 6, 10
5:18pm
NGO Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) has refuted Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Noh Omar claims that the body is an opposition mouthpiece.
Yesterday, Noh, who is Selangor Umno deputy chief and Hulu Selangor by-election director, had accused Mafrel of bias following an article published in Sinar Harian where the election watchdog said that Barisan National violated election rules.
'Mafrel's statement shows it is no longer independent [...] it is becoming a mouthpiece for the opposition,' Noh had said.
Contacted today, Mafrel president Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (left) said that the statement was directed at BN because a reporter had specifically asked for his (Syed Ibrahim's) comments on Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's visit to Hulu Selangor four days ago.
"A reporter had asked me to comment on the deputy prime minister's promise of four new schools during his visit to Hulu Selangor," said Syed Ibrahim.
The watchdog chief said that while the distribution of welfare w
as understandable as it was part of the duties of elected representatives, insinuating who voters should vote for before the official campaigning period was wrong.
"Our observation was based on the statements made to the media by individuals from both sides. While both sides have been handing out welfare, BN has made insinuations that the people should vote for it," he added.
'Undilah Barisan Nasional'?
During his visit to Hulu Selangor last week when he announced four new schools for the district, Muhyiddin (left, below) was quoted as saying that voters should mark the Hulu Selangor by-election date in their diary and next to it jot down 'undilah Barisan Nasional' (vote Barisan Nasional).
Syed Ibrahim said he remained confident of Mafrel's credibility despite Noh's call for the Election Comission (EC) to review the Mafrel's position as an independent elections watchdog.
"What we do is not subject to the EC. It is just that the EC recognises our observers work in the field. But we hope that the cooperation with the EC will continue," he said.
He also refuted claims that Mafrel had not submitted any reports to EC on their various observations.
"We have shared our last general elections report with the EC and we have made a commitment to submit reports this month for all the by-elections held in the past year," he explained.
With Hulu Selangor by-election looming on April 25, the constituency has been promised new schools by the federal government and a RM2 million allocation to develop its drainage system.
The ruling Pakatan Rakyat state government, meanwhile, has handed out land titles to 108 families and cash to senior citizens under a welfare scheme.
Nigel Aw
Apr 6, 10
5:18pm
NGO Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) has refuted Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Noh Omar claims that the body is an opposition mouthpiece.
Yesterday, Noh, who is Selangor Umno deputy chief and Hulu Selangor by-election director, had accused Mafrel of bias following an article published in Sinar Harian where the election watchdog said that Barisan National violated election rules.'Mafrel's statement shows it is no longer independent [...] it is becoming a mouthpiece for the opposition,' Noh had said.
Contacted today, Mafrel president Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (left) said that the statement was directed at BN because a reporter had specifically asked for his (Syed Ibrahim's) comments on Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's visit to Hulu Selangor four days ago.
"A reporter had asked me to comment on the deputy prime minister's promise of four new schools during his visit to Hulu Selangor," said Syed Ibrahim.
The watchdog chief said that while the distribution of welfare w
as understandable as it was part of the duties of elected representatives, insinuating who voters should vote for before the official campaigning period was wrong."Our observation was based on the statements made to the media by individuals from both sides. While both sides have been handing out welfare, BN has made insinuations that the people should vote for it," he added.
'Undilah Barisan Nasional'?
During his visit to Hulu Selangor last week when he announced four new schools for the district, Muhyiddin (left, below) was quoted as saying that voters should mark the Hulu Selangor by-election date in their diary and next to it jot down 'undilah Barisan Nasional' (vote Barisan Nasional).
Syed Ibrahim said he remained confident of Mafrel's credibility despite Noh's call for the Election Comission (EC) to review the Mafrel's position as an independent elections watchdog."What we do is not subject to the EC. It is just that the EC recognises our observers work in the field. But we hope that the cooperation with the EC will continue," he said.
He also refuted claims that Mafrel had not submitted any reports to EC on their various observations.
"We have shared our last general elections report with the EC and we have made a commitment to submit reports this month for all the by-elections held in the past year," he explained.
With Hulu Selangor by-election looming on April 25, the constituency has been promised new schools by the federal government and a RM2 million allocation to develop its drainage system.
The ruling Pakatan Rakyat state government, meanwhile, has handed out land titles to 108 families and cash to senior citizens under a welfare scheme.
Mafrel nafi ia alat pembangkang
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/128457
Nigel Aw
Apr 6, 10
6:25pm
Badan pemantau pilihan raya, Malaysian for Free and Fair Election (Mafrel) menafikan dakwaan timbalan pengerusi Umno Selangor, Datuk Noh Omar yang melabelkan NGO itu sebagai alat pembangkang kerana didakwa tidak bersikap bebas dalam menyatakan pandangannya.
Ia berikutan laporan dalam Sinar Harian di mana Mafrel mendakwa Barisan Nasional melanggar undang-undang pilihan raya.
Presiden Mafrel, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh berkata ulasannya merujuk kepada BN kerana
seorang wartawan secara khusus menyoalnya berhubung lawatan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, empat hari lalu.
"Seorang wartawan meminta saya mengulas kenyataan timbalan perdana menteri yang menjanjikan empat sekolah baru ketika melawat Hulu Selangor,” katanya.
Menurut Syed Ibrahim pengedaran kebajikan yang dijanjikan itu mungkin dapat diterima sebagai sebahagian daripada tugas wakil rakyat tetapi mengkiaskan siapa yang patut diundi sebelum tempoh berkempen adalah salah.
“Pemerhatian kami adalah berdasarkan kenyataan yang dibuat kepada media oleh kedua-dua pihak. Meskipun kedua-dua pihak ada menawarkan bantuan kebajikan, namun BN membuat kiasan yang rakyat seharusnya mengundi mereka,” katanya.
Muhyiddin pada 2 April lalu mengumumkan bahawa Hulu Selangor akan mendapat empat sekolah baru, dan projek pembinaan banjir bernilai RM2 juta ringgit.
Belaiu juga dilaporkan berkata kementerian pendidikan sedang mengenalpasti tapak sesuai untuk membina sebuah sekolah aliran Cina.
Sehari kemudian, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak pula mengumumkan projek perumahan baru untuk warga Felda di Gugusan Sungai Dusun.
Projek bernilai RM32 juta ringgit ini membabitkan 2,50 unit, setiap satunya bernilai antara RM42,000 dan RM75,000 ringgit.
Nigel Aw
Apr 6, 10
6:25pm
Badan pemantau pilihan raya, Malaysian for Free and Fair Election (Mafrel) menafikan dakwaan timbalan pengerusi Umno Selangor, Datuk Noh Omar yang melabelkan NGO itu sebagai alat pembangkang kerana didakwa tidak bersikap bebas dalam menyatakan pandangannya.
Ia berikutan laporan dalam Sinar Harian di mana Mafrel mendakwa Barisan Nasional melanggar undang-undang pilihan raya.
Presiden Mafrel, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh berkata ulasannya merujuk kepada BN kerana
seorang wartawan secara khusus menyoalnya berhubung lawatan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, empat hari lalu."Seorang wartawan meminta saya mengulas kenyataan timbalan perdana menteri yang menjanjikan empat sekolah baru ketika melawat Hulu Selangor,” katanya.
Menurut Syed Ibrahim pengedaran kebajikan yang dijanjikan itu mungkin dapat diterima sebagai sebahagian daripada tugas wakil rakyat tetapi mengkiaskan siapa yang patut diundi sebelum tempoh berkempen adalah salah.
“Pemerhatian kami adalah berdasarkan kenyataan yang dibuat kepada media oleh kedua-dua pihak. Meskipun kedua-dua pihak ada menawarkan bantuan kebajikan, namun BN membuat kiasan yang rakyat seharusnya mengundi mereka,” katanya.
Muhyiddin pada 2 April lalu mengumumkan bahawa Hulu Selangor akan mendapat empat sekolah baru, dan projek pembinaan banjir bernilai RM2 juta ringgit.Belaiu juga dilaporkan berkata kementerian pendidikan sedang mengenalpasti tapak sesuai untuk membina sebuah sekolah aliran Cina.
Sehari kemudian, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak pula mengumumkan projek perumahan baru untuk warga Felda di Gugusan Sungai Dusun.
Projek bernilai RM32 juta ringgit ini membabitkan 2,50 unit, setiap satunya bernilai antara RM42,000 dan RM75,000 ringgit.
State gov't now operates from Hulu Selangor
S Pathmawathy
Apr 6, 10
5:04pm
The rural district of Hulu Selangor has temporarily replaced Shah Alam as the capital of the state, as government affairs are being coordinated and organised from there.
Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim (left) has relocated to the District Office of Hulu Selangor in Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) yesterday, and the state executive councillors have been traveling daily for meetings.
It is also confirmed that the state's weekly executive council meeting, which is held on Wednesdays in Shah Alam, will be held in Kuala Kubu Bharu tomorrow onwards.
A source from the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council said that Khalid, who is leading Pakatan's election team, plans to stay put until April 17, the day of the nomination.
Executive councillors Dr Xavier Jeyakumar and Elizabeth Wong were among those who have been recently spotted at the district office, a member of the staff told Malaysiakini today.
The Hulu Selangor Parliamentary seat was declared vacant after its PKR representative 71-year-old Zainal Abidin Ahmad, succumbed to brain cancer last month.
Polling day has been slotted for April 25 with eight days of campaigning.
Intense electioneering
However, political rivals Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat have already begun intense electioneering despite warnings from authorities against campaigning before nominations.
BN deputy chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin said that the ruling coalition will name their candidate on April 15.
Meanwhile, Pakatan which is apparently having a hard time to pick from a dozen of names, will be making the announcement on April 13.
Malaysiakini understands that several state government officials have been going around the constituency and directly approaching voters to understand their needs.
"Since the Menteri Besar is in charge of land matters, and there are a lot land related problems in that area, he decided to stay on. This is just for practicality," said the source, from Khalid's office.
The source had also rubbished claims that state's resources are being utilised for the campaign.
"Khalid has done the same in Kuala Selangor last month and previously in Sepang, where the menteri besar had stayed two days. This has nothing to do with the by-election but it's just a routine exercise," said the source.
However, once nominations are filed, Pakatan and Khalid, who leads the state election machinery, is expected to go all out in the race for votes.
Cover up
BN's Batang Kali state assembly representative Mohd Isa Abu Kasim, however, said that the state was just covering up the fact that they were actually campaigning.
"They are not suppose to use the state apparatus in elections but they are located right at the district office," said Mohd Isa.
He added that was not proper as the district officer is normally appointed as the returning officer for the election.
"How does this look like, the Pakatan MB sharing an office with the district officer? " he said.
Apr 6, 10
5:04pm
The rural district of Hulu Selangor has temporarily replaced Shah Alam as the capital of the state, as government affairs are being coordinated and organised from there.
Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim (left) has relocated to the District Office of Hulu Selangor in Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) yesterday, and the state executive councillors have been traveling daily for meetings.
It is also confirmed that the state's weekly executive council meeting, which is held on Wednesdays in Shah Alam, will be held in Kuala Kubu Bharu tomorrow onwards.
A source from the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council said that Khalid, who is leading Pakatan's election team, plans to stay put until April 17, the day of the nomination.
Executive councillors Dr Xavier Jeyakumar and Elizabeth Wong were among those who have been recently spotted at the district office, a member of the staff told Malaysiakini today.
The Hulu Selangor Parliamentary seat was declared vacant after its PKR representative 71-year-old Zainal Abidin Ahmad, succumbed to brain cancer last month.
Polling day has been slotted for April 25 with eight days of campaigning.
Intense electioneering
However, political rivals Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat have already begun intense electioneering despite warnings from authorities against campaigning before nominations.
BN deputy chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin said that the ruling coalition will name their candidate on April 15.
Meanwhile, Pakatan which is apparently having a hard time to pick from a dozen of names, will be making the announcement on April 13.
Malaysiakini understands that several state government officials have been going around the constituency and directly approaching voters to understand their needs.
"Since the Menteri Besar is in charge of land matters, and there are a lot land related problems in that area, he decided to stay on. This is just for practicality," said the source, from Khalid's office.
The source had also rubbished claims that state's resources are being utilised for the campaign.
"Khalid has done the same in Kuala Selangor last month and previously in Sepang, where the menteri besar had stayed two days. This has nothing to do with the by-election but it's just a routine exercise," said the source.
However, once nominations are filed, Pakatan and Khalid, who leads the state election machinery, is expected to go all out in the race for votes.
Cover up
BN's Batang Kali state assembly representative Mohd Isa Abu Kasim, however, said that the state was just covering up the fact that they were actually campaigning.
"They are not suppose to use the state apparatus in elections but they are located right at the district office," said Mohd Isa.
He added that was not proper as the district officer is normally appointed as the returning officer for the election.
"How does this look like, the Pakatan MB sharing an office with the district officer? " he said.
S'gor BN rallies the troops ahead of by-election
The movement to wrest back Selangor is already in first gear with today's launch of the state BN convention in Shah Alam.
State deputy BN chief Noh Omar fired one salvo after another against the ruling Pakatan Rakyat government, sparing no details at the several scandals and controversies that have rocked Pakatan.
From the Elizabeth Wong sex scandal to Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim's statements on doing away with the New Economic Policy, Noh had the 1,500 participants riled up in an anti-Pakatan onslaught.
But the real crux of the function is to also shore up support for the upcoming Hulu Selangor by-election which will be a real test for BN amidst rumours of infighting among the component parties over who should contest the parliamentary seat.
Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also state BN chief, is expected to deliver a speech themed 'BN can change: Love Selangor, Trust BN' later this afternoon at the conference, held at the Shah Alam Convention Centre.
Also present at the function were MCA vice-president Donald Lim, and PPP president M Kayveas.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/128490
State deputy BN chief Noh Omar fired one salvo after another against the ruling Pakatan Rakyat government, sparing no details at the several scandals and controversies that have rocked Pakatan.
From the Elizabeth Wong sex scandal to Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim's statements on doing away with the New Economic Policy, Noh had the 1,500 participants riled up in an anti-Pakatan onslaught.
But the real crux of the function is to also shore up support for the upcoming Hulu Selangor by-election which will be a real test for BN amidst rumours of infighting among the component parties over who should contest the parliamentary seat.
Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also state BN chief, is expected to deliver a speech themed 'BN can change: Love Selangor, Trust BN' later this afternoon at the conference, held at the Shah Alam Convention Centre.
Also present at the function were MCA vice-president Donald Lim, and PPP president M Kayveas.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/128490
Monday, April 5, 2010
Kenapa salahkan Mafrel?
Kenapa salahkan Mafrel?
Nazri Abdullah
KUALA LUMPUR, 6 April: Badan Pemantau Pilihan Raya (Mafrel) mempertikaikan pihak tertentu yang menyalahkannya ekoran membidas tindakan Kerajaan Pusat meluluskan pelbagai projek perumahan dan sekolah kepada penduduk Hulu Selangor.
Pengerusinya, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (gambar) menjelaskan Mafrel tidak berpihak kepada sesiapa dan respons yang diberikan itu berdasarkan laporan media.
"Saya respons itu kepada laporan media, kalau ada media melaporkan berkenaan, apa dilakukan Menteri Besar Selangor dan juga direkodkan kenyataan berkempen, saya akan buat teguran sama. Kita tidak berpihak kepada mana-mana,” jelasnya kepada Harakahdaily sebentar tadi.
Menurutnya, semasa pilihan raya kecil Dun Pengkalan Pasir di Pasir Mas pada 2005 lalu, pihaknya pernah menegur Kerajaan PAS Kelantan.
"Masa pilihan raya kecil Pengkalan Pasir, Mafrel juga pernah tegur Kerajaan Kelantan.
"Adakah kerana saya tidak menegur Menteri Besar Selangor (Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim), maka itu salah bagi saya, sepatutnya proses undang-undang yang perlu dipatuhi,” katanya.
Justeru, beliau mempersoalkan mengapa kesalahan itu dialihkan kepada Mafrel.
Semalam, Timbalan Pengerusi Umno Selangor, Datuk Noh Omar mendakwa Mafrel sebagai alat pembangkang kerana tidak bersikap bebas dalam menyatakan pandangan.
Noh menyatakan demikian dengan merujuk satu kenyataan Syed Ibrahim yang mempersoalkan tindakan kerajaan pusat meluluskan projek perumahan dan sekolah kepada penduduk di Hulu Selangor menjelang pilihan raya kecil parlimen kawasan itu pada 25 April ini.
Bagi Syed Ibrahim, tindakan tersebut menyalahi peraturan pilihan raya.
Ekoran itu, Noh meminta SPR mengkaji semula kedudukan Mafrel sebagai pemantau pilihan raya.
"Mafrel bekerja atas dasar perinsip, kalau nak cadang SPR tarik balik pengiktirafan, buktikan dengan rekod gerak kerja kami, tak perlu bidasan politik semata-mata,” jelas Syed Ibrahim.
Mafrel ditubuhkan pada 2001 sebagai badan bebas dan diiktiraf oleh SPR sebagai badan pemantau pilihan raya.
Nazri Abdullah
KUALA LUMPUR, 6 April: Badan Pemantau Pilihan Raya (Mafrel) mempertikaikan pihak tertentu yang menyalahkannya ekoran membidas tindakan Kerajaan Pusat meluluskan pelbagai projek perumahan dan sekolah kepada penduduk Hulu Selangor.
Pengerusinya, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (gambar) menjelaskan Mafrel tidak berpihak kepada sesiapa dan respons yang diberikan itu berdasarkan laporan media."Saya respons itu kepada laporan media, kalau ada media melaporkan berkenaan, apa dilakukan Menteri Besar Selangor dan juga direkodkan kenyataan berkempen, saya akan buat teguran sama. Kita tidak berpihak kepada mana-mana,” jelasnya kepada Harakahdaily sebentar tadi.
Menurutnya, semasa pilihan raya kecil Dun Pengkalan Pasir di Pasir Mas pada 2005 lalu, pihaknya pernah menegur Kerajaan PAS Kelantan.
"Masa pilihan raya kecil Pengkalan Pasir, Mafrel juga pernah tegur Kerajaan Kelantan.
"Adakah kerana saya tidak menegur Menteri Besar Selangor (Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim), maka itu salah bagi saya, sepatutnya proses undang-undang yang perlu dipatuhi,” katanya.
Justeru, beliau mempersoalkan mengapa kesalahan itu dialihkan kepada Mafrel.
Semalam, Timbalan Pengerusi Umno Selangor, Datuk Noh Omar mendakwa Mafrel sebagai alat pembangkang kerana tidak bersikap bebas dalam menyatakan pandangan.
Noh menyatakan demikian dengan merujuk satu kenyataan Syed Ibrahim yang mempersoalkan tindakan kerajaan pusat meluluskan projek perumahan dan sekolah kepada penduduk di Hulu Selangor menjelang pilihan raya kecil parlimen kawasan itu pada 25 April ini.
Bagi Syed Ibrahim, tindakan tersebut menyalahi peraturan pilihan raya.
Ekoran itu, Noh meminta SPR mengkaji semula kedudukan Mafrel sebagai pemantau pilihan raya.
"Mafrel bekerja atas dasar perinsip, kalau nak cadang SPR tarik balik pengiktirafan, buktikan dengan rekod gerak kerja kami, tak perlu bidasan politik semata-mata,” jelas Syed Ibrahim.
Mafrel ditubuhkan pada 2001 sebagai badan bebas dan diiktiraf oleh SPR sebagai badan pemantau pilihan raya.
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