PSC To Study Calls For Barcode On Ballot Papers

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Electoral Reform will look into a recommendation that a barcode be used to replace the serial number on ballot papers.

PSC chairman Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said he will bring up the matter in the committee's next meeting, as the barcode system would enable authorities to monitor the handing out of ballot papers and to trace any irregularities.

"If there is an extra ballot paper, you have to trace where it comes from. And the only way to trace is to see where that extra code comes from.

"Without a barcode, it is hard for you to say where it comes from and so forth," he told reporters here today.

Bukit Panau assemblyman Datuk Abdul Fattah Mahmood suggested on Saturday that the serial number on the ballot paper be abolished.

Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar has said that there is no need to use a barcode on the ballot paper, as the serial number is sufficient to guarantee the secrecy of the vote.

Ongkili had earlier witnessed the signing ceremony between Nanning TV, China and Jia Yu Channel, Malaysia to expand their collaboration in TV productions.

The two companies have ventured into animation production with the production of "Borneo HeadHunter," which will be released in China during the China-Asean Expo in October this year.

Ongkili said he was optimistic that the partnership between Nanning TV and Jia Yu Channel will open up more opportunities for future collaboration and enable Malaysia's content industry to penetrate China's market more significantly.

As Malaysia's content industry has started to gain international recognition, he said, local industry players should look into tapping into bigger market segments, especially in the Asian market.