PSC On Electoral Reform To Conduct First Hearing Friday

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Electoral Reform will begin its public hearing Friday to be attended by 11 individuals comprising several politicians as well as former Bar Council president Datuk S. Ambiga.

Its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said these individuals would give input on proposals for improving the country's electoral system at the public hearing from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

"We are still accepting the list of those who want to take part in the hearing. If we can't finish it tomorrow, we will reconvene on Saturday," he told reporters after chairing the fourth meeting of the committee at parliament house.

Others expected to attend are representatives of the Selangor Youth Council, Transparency International and Ex-Policemen Association.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said yesterday that the PSC would carry out six public hearing sessions nationwide.

Ongkili said the sessions would be carried out based on the parliamentary sitting procedures, pointing out that participants would be subjected to the same standing order.

"They will be given 10 to 20 minutes to convey their proposals," he said.

On the meeting today, Ongkili said, it involved the Election Commission, with representatives of the Home Ministry and National Registration Department taking part to explain on issues raised by committee members.

The group headed by Kangar MP Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and assisted by Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong will look into the legal matters. Gombak MP Mohd Azmin Ali, assisted by Hulu Selangor MP P. Kamalanathan will look into the electoral process and input from the people as well as from the parliament.

Ongkili, assisted by Rasah MP Anthony Loke will look into improvements to the electoral process, Alor Gajah MP Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn, assisted by Kuala Krai MP Dr Hatta Ramli will oversee the efforts to strengthen the EC while Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi will study an alternative electoral system.