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Boycott parliament swearing-in, urge NGOs

Malaysia Kini - June 6, 2013

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A coalition of NGOs protesting alleged massive electoral fraud and irregularities in the 13th general election has called on Pakatan elected representatives to boycott the swearing in of Parliament scheduled for late June.

"This week, we will begin a campaign and hand a memorandum to Pakatan political leaders to boycott the swearing in of Parliament," said group spokesperson Haris Ibrahim at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He argued that doubts over the professionalism, integrity and independence of the Election Commission (EC) and ongoing election petitions made the electoral results suspect.

Haris also pointed out that Pakatan itself has organised several mass rallies to highlight the same alleged electoral fraud, and boycotting the swearing-in ceremony on June 24 would strengthen their protest.

"For me, the question of losing out for not being represented in Parliament does not arise. Fifty-one percent of voters have already been hoodwinked in the process of determining who runs Putrajaya (due to) the current system," added Haris.

Why the rush?

Meanwhile, PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan who was also at the press conference believes that there are still many unfinished business which should compel Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to hold his horses.

"The issue now is that this government is not recognised, it is a minority government, election petititions are still in the courts and the Bersih's people's electoral tribunal has yet to conclude. "So when all these are still outstanding, why do you want to swear-in so quickly?"

Arutchelvan believes that the 51 percent popular vote obtained by Pakatan is a bigger mandate than BN's 48 percent, and Najib should call off the swearing-in until such concerns are dealt with.

PKR leader Badrul Hisham Shahrin likened the process of forming the new government to buying a used car.

"The question is, we want to buy a car. The car is damaged, the salesman tells us to buy it first, after the purchase he said he will repair, after we have paid for it and changed ownership.

"But we should ask that he repair it first, touch up the engine and the paint-job until it is better. Can it wait? Of course," he said.