We the members of G25 would like to make a special plea to all the political parties contesting in the GE14 national elections to ensure that their candidates refrain from the politics of hate using race and religion during the campaign. Malaysians are now mature voters. They are more interested in listening to the issues and the ideas that the candidates have in their party manifesto than to hear the racism and extremism that leave a lasting scar on national unity and our feelings.
The biggest wish among voters is that the candidates will be men and women of integrity who are prepared to declare to the country that they have not been involved in corruption or money laundering and that they have made a full disclosure of their assets to the MACC. Every candidate should bring a copy of the asset declaration to the campaign to show proof of action. The police should also intervene if there is evidence a candidate is associated with crime or drug syndicates. The Election Commission should cause all candidates to be vetted by the Police for illegal activities and the MACC for any alleged corruption and money laundering. This ought to be the responsibility of the Election Commission. The Election Commission ought to show utmost integrity and impartiality by allowing international observers to monitor the elections and put a stop to any pre-election campaigning.
All political parties are to make a solemn declaration to the nation that if elected to victory, they will introduce reforms for a better Malaysia. They should spell out their reform proposals in their party manifesto with clear timelines to show to voters they truly mean what they promise.
We call on all political parties to declare that their reforms seek to establish national unity and good governance of the country, with transparency and accountability in the institutions of government, and to provide effective checks against all levels of corruption and abuse of power. The country hopes to hear assurances from them that after the elections, there will emerge a new political culture for respecting the rule of law and its enforcement without fear or favour. Apart from these assurances, they have to make a pledge that they will not interfere with the legal and administrative institutions of government in performing their professional duties in accordance with their mandates as advisors and implementers of government policy.
We are concerned to hear the allegations over the re-delineation exercise and the inclusion of several categories of public services for early and postal voting. We condemn any gerrymandering in the re-delineation of constituencies. These are serious matters which can have a damaging effect on the integrity of the elections, causing fear and worries over the political stability of the country and its future as a democracy. We do not want to see this country black listed for practising low electoral standards in its national elections. We call on the Election Commission to be professional in looking into the allegations with a view to ensuring free and fair elections, so that the results of the voting in G.E 14 will be accepted both in Malaysia as well as internationally to be a true reflection of the people’s choice. It is extremely urgent that any irregularities be removed well ahead of the elections to convince those who have not yet registered and the sceptics who refuse to register to do so now as the elections are meaningful to our future as a democracy. We call on all Malaysians to express their hope for a better country by turning out in full force to vote wisely for the candidates who they believe can be trusted to rule with integrity, fairness and justice to all.