Razali: Suhakam to place 50 observers in hot seats

KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) will have 50 observers on the ground to monitor hot parliamentary seats during the general election.

Its chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail (pic) said the observers, made up of its commissioners, officers and volunteers, will be sent to seats in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kelantan, Kedah, Perak, Perlis, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Sarawak and Sabah.

“Where they vote, they will monitor,” he said yesterday after a closeddoor discussion on the media’s importance to free and fair elections with industry representatives.

The monitoring will start on May 6 and continue until May 10, a day after polling day, he said.

For nomination day this Saturday, observers will be sent to six areas in Selangor and one in Kedah, he added.

The six areas in the Klang Valley are Selayang, Bangi, Puchong, Sungai Buloh, Titiwangsa and Lembah Pantai.

“We will also monitor the campaigning period in the Klang Valley,” he said.

Razali urged people to lodge complaints with the Suhakam if they come across any human rights vio- lations during the general election, adding that free and fair elections are pivotal in ensuring human rights are upheld.

In the previous general election, he said Suhakam received complaints relating to the lack of suitable facilities for the disabled, problems with the indelible ink, and names missing from the electoral roll.

While Malaysians are capable of monitoring the election themselves, Razali said the nation must also have the confidence to have foreign observers present.

“We should be an example that others can follow,” he added.

An online portal recently claimed that Malaysia had consistently refused to allow external observers.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman refuted the claim on Sunday, saying the Election Commission had invited observers from 14 countries.

Anyone with human rights-related complaints relating to the general election may call Suhakam at 03-2612 5600 or e- mail humanrights@suhakam.org.my or file an e-complaint at www. suhakam.org.my.