KUCHING: DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng’s proposal to have a fixed election date is just a gimmick to make the people think lowly of the current polling system.
Assistant Minister for Youth Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he believed Pakatan Rakyat would not implement it if they came into power, while Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the proposal would effectively leave the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong out of the picture.
Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday, Abdul Karim opined that there was no need to change the current system as it had been widely accepted and did not cause any problems.
“It is not something unique, and we are not the only country practising it. Those countries which used to be colonies of England are practising the same system.
“Probably, the opposition made it up so that people will think the present system is not a good one. If they are in the government, they will do the same thing also. I don’t think they would want to change.”
Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim said the current system had added more excitement to elections.
“It does give a lot of thrill because when you are not given the date, all the swirling speculations make the run-up to the election to be more juicy and interesting.”
Lim, who is also Penang chief minister, said recently he would propose to Pakatan to fix the date of all future elections if they came into power in the coming 13th general election, and noted that amendments to the Federal Constitution would have to be made.
On the argument the fixed polling date would help to promote certainty for the business community, Abdul Karim disagreed. He said investors had their own way of reading and studying the conditions of a country before making any decisions.
Lo said Malaysia had a monarchy system, and thus its polling system was different from countries which adopted the presidential election system, such as the USA.
“Under our system, upon the advice of the prime minister, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong will allow Parliament to be dissolved, So, you see, there is a reason for everything. We cannot just fix a date and forget about the King.
“It is in the Constitution, and it is our system of government,” he said via SMS yesterday.
However, state PKR chief Baru Bian opined that Lim’s suggestion had more good than harm.
The Ba’Kelalan assemblyman said the fixed system would not only allow the country to plan economically but would also allow its people to plan and organise their lives, holidays and social activities.
“If the government of the day is confident of their performance for the last five years, they have no reason to keep the date a secret,” said Baru via SMS.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim predicted that the 13th general election would be held in November.
“Having said that, I would not be surprised if the prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) dissolves Parliament immediately after tabling Budget 2013 (on Sept 28).”
sumber:theborneopost
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