Bersih 2.0 urges government to revise first-past-the-post electoral system
KUALA LUMPUR: Bersih 2.0 believes it is time the country reviews whether it should maintain the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system, or adopt a mixed-members’ system, with some lawmakers elected through the Party List Proportional Representation (List-PR).
The Bersih 2.0 steering committee said PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s bid for the Port Dickson parliamentary seat in a by-election was cause for wider debate on both the FPTP electoral system, and the top-down and opaque candidacy selection process.
The election watchdog said while Malaysians should be critical of the Port Dickson by-election, their scrutiny should also cover the systemic defects and not end with personalities.
“Because FPTP mandate is personal, the current system necessitates by-elections whenever vacancies arise, whether the incumbents succumb to illness or accident, becomes incapable or disqualified, or resigns.
“The resignation of Port Dickson member of parliament Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah to pave way for Anwar to return to the Parliament showed the rigidity of the FPTP system in allowing the party to alter its leadership line-up,” it said.
Bersih said the inflexibility for parties to adjust their leadership line-up had wide implications beyond this case and other by-elections to replace deceased in- cumbents.
“The practice of appointing lost candidates or unelected technocrats as senators before their appointment as ministers or deputy ministers is one such consequence, making the Senate even more a rubber stamp. The PH administration has five senators.
“More idiosyncratically, Anwar’s Kajang Move in 2014 was triggered because his party could not name him as a back-up candidate as menteri besar without a by-election.
“Anwar, who has triggered three by-elections — twice due to political trials — so that he can lead a government, has the moral responsibility to make clear if he wants to keep the rigid system and conveniently bends it to his interest,” it said.
It said that beyond the question of dynastic politics directed to the Anwar family, the bigger question was the top-down and opaque candidacy selection process in almost every party in Malaysia.
“GE14 saw many new candidates fielded by BN and PH on last-minute arrangements, or against the will of local branches.
“Such undemocratic practices often cause local discontent, boycott or even sabotage. In fact, the MP for Port Dickson who resigned was a last-minute pick.
“By right, FPTP candidates should be selected from bottomup by local branches, not party headquarters, as in the United Kingdom where the FPTP system is born and still applied.
“Nomination of candidates by party headquarters is only justified in List-PR.
“When candidacy selection is top-down and opaque, can allegations of nepotism or cronyism be avoided even if a son, a daughter or an unrelated protégé of a prominent leader is qualified to be a candidate in his own right?” said the statement.
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Supreme Council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan welcomed Bersih 2.0’s call for the FPTP system to be reviewed.
He said the FPTP system did not create a healthy competition if there were more than two parties.
“In fact, small parties may not be able to compete directly. This is why in Malaysia, political parties are forced to form a coalition, because there are many challenges if they contest alone.”
Wan Saiful, who is also Bersatu Perlis secretary, said looking at the country’s political system, a system based on proportional representation (PR) was more suitable.
“The system allows small parties to have a fair chance without having to join anyone, and subsequently ensures that minority voices are heard in the election.”