Show proof, opposition told

The Star (5/11/2007): Opposition parties who allege that the electoral system is tainted or flawed should back their claims with evidence, said MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat.

He said it was ironic that these parties including Parti Keadilan Rakyat still continued to take part in elections when they claimed the system was flawed.

“We respected Keadilan’s stand when it boycotted the Batu Talam by-election due to this claim.

“However, it later took part in the Ijok and Machap elections which were run under the same system. The public should be given an explanation as to why the party made a drastic change in its stand,” he said yesterday.

Ong was responding to a statement by PKR vice president Sivarasa Rasiah who said 65 groups, including five political parties would gather at Merdeka Square at 3pm on Nov 10 and march to the Istana Negara to hand over a memorandum to the King.

“The memorandum will include four appeals – to implement a clean electoral system, use indelible ink for elections, ban postal votes and give all parties fair access to the media.

“In many countries, the debates between political parties are televised for the public to watch,” Sivarasa told newsmen after giving a talk at Kampung Permatang Damar Laut.

He also said the party would focus on issues pertaining to the nation’s economy, personal security and democracy, adding that its slogan was “stop the rot, vote for change.”

Ong said: “The Opposition’s politics is characterised by hollow sloganeering which is unlikely to bring any concrete development.

“It is hinging its very survival on the weakness of administration and problems facing the public.”