ELECTIONS ‘08 DAILY FACTSHEET #10: POLLING DAY

CPPS is pleased to have brought to you its “CPPS Daily Policy Factsheets” over the past two weeks as a build-up to the Malaysian General Elections 2008. In this daily series between nominations and polling day, we have explored key policy issues that we felt were important in informing your voting decision. Policy decisions made by leaders have a direct effect on your life as a citizen, and the elections is this one crucial time you decide on your leaders. We hope these fact sheets have been useful policy briefs as you decide whom to vote for. Here’s to an educated and informed voting public in Malaysia! To view ALL our policy factsheets in PDF, click here.

To view complete versions on all parties’ constitutions and manifestos, please click here

The run-up to the 12th General Elections in Malaysia has juxtaposed security, peace and prosperity against calls for justice, equality and accountability. 13 days of long hard campaigning have seen the rise of verbal attacks, launch of party manifestos, 10,000-odd crowds at ceramahs, and heated debates behind computer screens as both sides woo individuals through websites and weblogs. One day before the nation’s 10.2 million voters go to the polling booths, citizens sit at home, offices and mamaks contemplating their final decision for the big day. Malaysia, as most other countries, conducts national-level elections because she believes it is a necessary feature in democracy. After 50 years of independence, it is true that significant progress has taken place, with economic growth and relative stability, all steps towards a developed nation. Nevertheless, the hallmarks of a true democracy surely include elements other than progressive wealth. Surely pillars such as the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, equal and fair representation, the rule of law amongst others – and the enforcement of the same – count for something. Has Malaysia these elements of democracy? Governments are put into power by the people. Parliamentary and state representatives are in place to precisely represent the citizens whom they serve. The concept of leadership then needs serious revision, to viewing politicians as subservient to its public, a notion difficult to grasp in a highly hierarchical Asian socio-cultural context. The question is – what demands are you (as masters) making of your candidates, and how will you hold them accountable to their glorious promises post-elections?

EDITORIAL

Some of you might still be struggling to decide on which flag to mark tomorrow. Some issues that we have outlined in our policy fact sheet series over the past 2 weeks may help you to make informed and intelligent choices. The CPPS believes in the principles of integrity, public accountability, good governance and equal competition. Its stands are articulated fully in the Merdeka Statement and Young Malaysians’ Consensus Document. The final decision is simply for you to make. Post-elections, where do we go from here? It is necessary to note that an election is not the only method through which citizens’ voices should be heard. Constitutional and legal recognition of local democracy is needed to allow citizen participation in local, state and federal level policy-making processes. Civil society has the right to question its leaders in between elections. Finally, CPPS reiterates its stand to provide space for public debate and policy dialogue, allowing voices from either ends to reach the other.

In the long run, we envision a political culture based on ideology and policy – not race. We laud what we view as the beginning of younger Malaysians taking some ownership of the political process through participation in the elections as candidates. Nevertheless, we reiterate the need for immediate electoral reform as highlighted in yesterday’s factsheet, the result of which would then validate fully Malaysia’s claim to being a full democracy in the right sense of the word. With that, we wish you all the best tomorrow. Happy voting!

Did you find our Daily Policy Factsheets helpful? Please send feedback to

cpps@cpps.org.my on which in particular were useful in helping

you make your decision. The CPPS will also produce monthly

policy factsheets – indicate which other areas you are most concerned with.

Correction: Factsheet #9 stated that there were 219 parliament seats. It should be 222 parliament seats. CPPS apologizes for the mistake and any inconvenience caused.

GUIDELINES to follow before and at the polling booths

• Make sure your vote is CLEAR and DARK.

• Make sure no one is watching you. You have the right to vote in secret.

• Mark the ballot paper on the right-hand side with a CROSS.

• Do NOT mark between lines or outside the box.

• Immediately after voting you must place the marked ballot paper in the enclosed small envelope marked “A” and fasten it up. You must then place the envelope marked “A”, together with the declaration of identity, in the larger envelope marked “B” addressed to the returning office.

• CHECK for your polling centre and in which stream you are to vote in here: http://202.190.126.62/daftarbi.aspx. Alternatively, you may call the Elections Commission call centre at 03-8885 6600 between 8am and 12 am.

• You will find out: a) your name, IC number, and gender b) your Parliamentary consitutency constituency c) your State constituency d) the name of the polling station in which you are to cast your vote e) which stream you are in f) Voting time: 8:00 am and 5:00 pm G) your serial number

• REMEMBER to bring along your MYKAD

• Pay attention to ensure that no extra ballot is torn out by the clerk at your stream who may do so by mistake if names are called out faster than he/she can handle.

*** The cartoon pictures were taken from KOMAS guidebook to elections. Know what you can and cannot do, whether as an elections officer,

candidate, agent, or VOTER.

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO READ THE ELECTIONS OFFENCES ACTS

Take your time to read and understand what you can, so you will be

able to recognize such offences when they are committed.

POLICY FACTSHEETS. As we approach the end of the 2008 12th General Elections campaigning period, CPPS would like to urge all voters to reflect carefully on the national issues which they consider as important. The CPPS has covered a variety of key policy issues that we feel are important in informing your voting decision. We hope that these fact sheets have been a useful policy brief as you decide whom to vote for at the polling booths tomorrow. To review any particular policy factsheet, please click on the appropriate factsheets below.

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Questions to Ask Yourself • Have you downloaded, read, understood and analysed the different political parties’ constitutions and manifestos? • Do you know your Parliamentary and State seat candidates on both sides by name, and the parties which they represent? • Have you found out your candidates’ and parties’ views on specific policy issues outlined in the CPPS factsheets, i.e. Corruption, Environment,

Urban Transportation, Crime Rates, Economy & Development, Education, Local Government, Media Freedom, Elections, and others we did not cover Human Rights, Judiciary, Migrant Workers, Indigenous Rights, Health Policy?

• Have you personally observed candidates engaging in unfair or unequal campaign practices? Have you heard statements promoting ill will, discontent and hostility unfairly towards other candidates or supporters?

• How will you evaluate the candidate that wins post-elections? What criteria will you use to monitor their actions or inactions? • What will you personally do after this General Elections to ensure that your voice is continually heard within the decision-making process?

How will you keep leaders accountable to their promises?

CPPS EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT. Date: Saturday, 15th March 2008 Time: 10am - 12pm (lunch not provided) Venue: Sunway University College (please refer to www.cpps.org.my for updated details)

Join us as our panel speaks on the results of the 12th General Election 2008 and its implications on the political realm in Malaysia moving forward.

• Datuk Dr. Denison Jayasooria, Executive Director of Yayasan Strategik Sosial • Dr. Farish Noor, Senior Fellow, Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU Singapore • Khoo Kay Peng, Executive Director of SEDAR Institute • Malik Imtiaz, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist • Tricia Yeoh, Director of the Centre for Public Policy Studies

Post-Elections Analysis Open Dialogue

FEATURING