Bilik Gerakan MAFREL di Sibu
4D, Jalan Kampung DatU, SIBU
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Mafrel: Foreign funds Yes, foreign agent No
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/fmt-english/news/general/5254-mafrel-foreign-funds-yes-foreign-agent-no
By Rahmah Ghazali
FULL REPORT KUALA LUMPUR: Elections watchdog Mafrel has admitted receiving foreign funds from the United States and Finland but rejected an accusation of being a "foreign agent".
Its president Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said: “An NGO monitoring body like us needs financial aid, be it from local or foreign sources. This is the normal practice for political parties as well.”
But he rejected an accusation by a Barisan Nasional senator that the election watchdog is a “foreign agent”.
He claimed that the foreign funds were for Mafrel to carry out its work during the 2008 general election, but the agreement did not include by-elections.
The money, he explained, was used to train volunteers for the monitoring process. In return, Mafrel submitted election reports to the funders.
Syed Ibrahim revealed that the money, amounting to US$50,000 (RM170,000), came from the Finnish embassy and the US' International Republican Institute (IRI).
"There is nothing strange about this,” he said, stressing that Mafrel (Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections) has always been unbiased and transparent in its election reports.
He said foreign funding was their final option, as they were still awaiting approval for government funds.
"We had to go through a lengthy procedure and it took a long time for our application to be processed. So finally, we had to rely on other funding,” he said.
Cedibility questioned
In the Dewan Negera last Tuesday, Senator Idris Buang also questioned Mafrel's impartiality, claiming that it was founded by a former PKR Youth leader.
Commenting on this, Syed Ibrahim said: "It is normal for politicians to found companies or NGOs. Besides, we never closed our doors to any Umno, PAS or PKR members who want to become volunteers.”
Earlier, the Mafrel boss also touched on the Election Commission's decision to drop the watchdog as an independent observer due to Mafrel's delay in submitting its reports.
Syed Ibrahim blamed this on the "out of the ordinary" string of by-elections since the 2008 general election.
He said Mafrel will submit its reports on the by-elections to the media today, while its report on the Hulu Selangor by-election has also been completed.
"It is time-consuming because we need to cross-examine the facts so that we can set a high standard for our reports. We also want to ensure that the reports contain truthful and credible information,” he added.
He said Mafrel sent an official letter, dated April 12, to the EC appealing against its decision to drop the watchdog.
"But we have yet to receive an answer,” he said, adding that Mafrel will continue to play an active role, especially in the upcoming Sibu by-election in Sarawak.
.Email us your comments to comment@freemalaysiatoday.com
.
By Rahmah Ghazali
FULL REPORT KUALA LUMPUR: Elections watchdog Mafrel has admitted receiving foreign funds from the United States and Finland but rejected an accusation of being a "foreign agent".Its president Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said: “An NGO monitoring body like us needs financial aid, be it from local or foreign sources. This is the normal practice for political parties as well.”
But he rejected an accusation by a Barisan Nasional senator that the election watchdog is a “foreign agent”.
He claimed that the foreign funds were for Mafrel to carry out its work during the 2008 general election, but the agreement did not include by-elections.
The money, he explained, was used to train volunteers for the monitoring process. In return, Mafrel submitted election reports to the funders.
Syed Ibrahim revealed that the money, amounting to US$50,000 (RM170,000), came from the Finnish embassy and the US' International Republican Institute (IRI).
"There is nothing strange about this,” he said, stressing that Mafrel (Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections) has always been unbiased and transparent in its election reports.
He said foreign funding was their final option, as they were still awaiting approval for government funds.
"We had to go through a lengthy procedure and it took a long time for our application to be processed. So finally, we had to rely on other funding,” he said.
Cedibility questioned
In the Dewan Negera last Tuesday, Senator Idris Buang also questioned Mafrel's impartiality, claiming that it was founded by a former PKR Youth leader.
Commenting on this, Syed Ibrahim said: "It is normal for politicians to found companies or NGOs. Besides, we never closed our doors to any Umno, PAS or PKR members who want to become volunteers.”
Earlier, the Mafrel boss also touched on the Election Commission's decision to drop the watchdog as an independent observer due to Mafrel's delay in submitting its reports.
Syed Ibrahim blamed this on the "out of the ordinary" string of by-elections since the 2008 general election.
He said Mafrel will submit its reports on the by-elections to the media today, while its report on the Hulu Selangor by-election has also been completed.
"It is time-consuming because we need to cross-examine the facts so that we can set a high standard for our reports. We also want to ensure that the reports contain truthful and credible information,” he added.
He said Mafrel sent an official letter, dated April 12, to the EC appealing against its decision to drop the watchdog.
"But we have yet to receive an answer,” he said, adding that Mafrel will continue to play an active role, especially in the upcoming Sibu by-election in Sarawak.
.Email us your comments to comment@freemalaysiatoday.com
.
Rain or shine, Mafrel will be in Sibu
http://www.malaysianmirror.com/sabahsarawakdetail/12/39029
Thursday, 06 May 2010 17:09
KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) will go ahead and observe the coming Sibu by-election process despite the Election Commission’s decision to drop it as an independent observer for elections.
Its chairman, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, said Mafrel would carry out observation from the nomination day on May 8 until polling day on May 16.
'Don't tell us what to do'
“The question of whether there is a need for observers or not does not arise. It will not affect Mafrel’s wish to monitor Sibu by-election. Mafrel is an independent organisation registered under the Companies Commission,” he told reporters here today.
“We will continue to carry out our operations without fear or favour. Mafrel does not need permission or sanction of any parties including EC to monitor the process.
“In fact, EC should be encouraging us to work towards the advocacy of democracy and a free and fair election process,” he said.
The EC’s deputy chairman Wan Ahman Wan Omar who said that there was no need for Mafrel or similar NGOs to be independent observers for the Sibu by-election.
He said Mafrel deputy chairman Col (R) Shahruddin Othman and another representative would be in Sibu from May 14 until May 17 to observe the campaigning, polling and post election processes.
“They will assisted by at least 20 local volunteers for the observation and monitoring process during the Sibu by-election,” he said.
Mafrel would focus on bribes offered to voters, abuse of government machinery and public resources and also possiblities of violence and threats during campaigning.
On EC withdrawing Mafrel as an independent election watchdog following its failure to submit reports of nine previous by-elections, Syed Ibrahim said Mafrel had written a letter to EC chairman on April 12 seeking a meeting and to discuss the reports but had yet to get a response from EC.
Reports of nine by-elections ready
He said Mafrel had already completed reports of the nine by-elections held after the 12th general election and a preliminary report of the Hulu Selangor by-election.
He said the delay in preparing reports was due to data scrutiny, fact verification and high standard set by Mafrel as well as the frequent by-elections in the past two years.
He said the problem could be resolved between Mafrel and EC fairly without intervention by political parties or individuals with vested interest.
On Senator Idris Buang from Sarawak who questioned the credibility of Mafrel and Mafrel’s sources of funding, Syed Ibrahim admitted that Mafrel had received funding from Finland Embassy and International Republican Institute from the US, which went towards training of volunteers and observation processes of the 12th general election.
Open about foreign funding
“We are transparent about our sources of funding. We need funding to implement our monitoring work, but it does not mean that we are a foreign agent. We are not under the influence of anybody.
“We have to prepare reports but they are not exclusive for the parties just because they had funded us,” he said in The Star report.
On Idris’ claim that Mafrel was funded by a former PKR youth leader for Selangor and Federal Territory, Syed Ibrahim said : ”Many organisations are founded by politicians but it has to be clearly understood that the role of Mafrel is as an independent professional observer.”
Rife with offences
In its preliminary report on Hulu Selangor by-election, Mafrel highlighted that the campaign for the by-election was marred by incidents of vote buying attempts and blatant election offences committed by both candidates.
It stated that party big-wigs from both Barisan Nasional and PKR went around promising millions of ringgit in development and aid money to voters that might be construed as election offences and infringements of the provisions of the election law and result in the whole election process being declared null and void.
It said there were no serious attempts by the authorities to curtail or stop such practices.
Thursday, 06 May 2010 17:09
KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) will go ahead and observe the coming Sibu by-election process despite the Election Commission’s decision to drop it as an independent observer for elections.
Its chairman, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, said Mafrel would carry out observation from the nomination day on May 8 until polling day on May 16.
'Don't tell us what to do'
“The question of whether there is a need for observers or not does not arise. It will not affect Mafrel’s wish to monitor Sibu by-election. Mafrel is an independent organisation registered under the Companies Commission,” he told reporters here today.
“We will continue to carry out our operations without fear or favour. Mafrel does not need permission or sanction of any parties including EC to monitor the process.
“In fact, EC should be encouraging us to work towards the advocacy of democracy and a free and fair election process,” he said.
The EC’s deputy chairman Wan Ahman Wan Omar who said that there was no need for Mafrel or similar NGOs to be independent observers for the Sibu by-election.
He said Mafrel deputy chairman Col (R) Shahruddin Othman and another representative would be in Sibu from May 14 until May 17 to observe the campaigning, polling and post election processes.
“They will assisted by at least 20 local volunteers for the observation and monitoring process during the Sibu by-election,” he said.
Mafrel would focus on bribes offered to voters, abuse of government machinery and public resources and also possiblities of violence and threats during campaigning.
On EC withdrawing Mafrel as an independent election watchdog following its failure to submit reports of nine previous by-elections, Syed Ibrahim said Mafrel had written a letter to EC chairman on April 12 seeking a meeting and to discuss the reports but had yet to get a response from EC.
Reports of nine by-elections ready
He said Mafrel had already completed reports of the nine by-elections held after the 12th general election and a preliminary report of the Hulu Selangor by-election.
He said the delay in preparing reports was due to data scrutiny, fact verification and high standard set by Mafrel as well as the frequent by-elections in the past two years.
He said the problem could be resolved between Mafrel and EC fairly without intervention by political parties or individuals with vested interest.
On Senator Idris Buang from Sarawak who questioned the credibility of Mafrel and Mafrel’s sources of funding, Syed Ibrahim admitted that Mafrel had received funding from Finland Embassy and International Republican Institute from the US, which went towards training of volunteers and observation processes of the 12th general election.
Open about foreign funding
“We are transparent about our sources of funding. We need funding to implement our monitoring work, but it does not mean that we are a foreign agent. We are not under the influence of anybody.
“We have to prepare reports but they are not exclusive for the parties just because they had funded us,” he said in The Star report.
On Idris’ claim that Mafrel was funded by a former PKR youth leader for Selangor and Federal Territory, Syed Ibrahim said : ”Many organisations are founded by politicians but it has to be clearly understood that the role of Mafrel is as an independent professional observer.”
Rife with offences
In its preliminary report on Hulu Selangor by-election, Mafrel highlighted that the campaign for the by-election was marred by incidents of vote buying attempts and blatant election offences committed by both candidates.
It stated that party big-wigs from both Barisan Nasional and PKR went around promising millions of ringgit in development and aid money to voters that might be construed as election offences and infringements of the provisions of the election law and result in the whole election process being declared null and void.
It said there were no serious attempts by the authorities to curtail or stop such practices.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Mafrel akan memantau pilihan raya kecil Parlimen Sibu
Mafrel akan memantau pilihan raya kecil Parlimen Sibu
April 18, 2010, Sunday
KUCHING: Malaysian for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel), akan meneruskan peranan sebagai pemantau bebas dalam pilihan raya kecil Parlimen Sibu.
Pengerusinya, Syed Ibrahim Alhabshi berkata, peng-iktirafan oleh Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) tidak diperlukan untuk proses pemantauan luar.
Bagaimanapun, proses pemantauan hanya merangkumi kawasan luar penamaan calon, kempen dan luar pusat mengundi berbanding pada masa lepas.
SPR pernah memberi kebenaran kepada Mafrel untuk memasuki tempat-tempat tersebut, termasuk pilihan raya kecil Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Batang Ai pada April 2009.
“Tidak mendapat pengiktirafan daripada SPR bukan bermakna Mafrel terus tidak dapat melaksanakan kerja-kerja pemantauan,” katanya ketika dihubungi di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.
Menurut beliau, Mafrel akan mengadakan mesyuarat khusus bagi membincangkan perkara berkaitan pilihan raya kecil Parlimen Sibu selepas pilihan raya kecil Hulu Selangor.
Pilihan raya Parlimen Hulu Selangor diadakan pada 25 April ini, manakala semalam merupakan hari penamaan calon.
Bagi Parlimen Sibu, SPR menetapkan 16 Mei sebagai hari mengundi, selepas penamaan calon pada 8 Mei.
Mesyuarat Mafrel di Sarawak katanya, antara lain akan membincangkan jumlah petugas diperlukan.
Para petugas itu menurut beliau akan ditempatkan di beberapa kawasan tumpuan yang dikenal pasti kemudian.
“Kawasan tumpuan yang dimaksudkan kami ialah kawasan dijangka wujud persaingan sengit, kawasan panas dan jangkaan timbul keganasan,” katanya.
Sementara itu, Pengarah Pilihan Raya Negeri Datu Takun Sunggah berkata, Mafrel tidak diberi kebenaran untuk memasuki tempat penamaan calon, pengundian dan penjumlahan undi.
“Di Hulu Selangor pun mereka tidak dibenarkan. Begitu juga pilihan raya Parlimen Sibu kelak,” katanya.
April 18, 2010, Sunday
KUCHING: Malaysian for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel), akan meneruskan peranan sebagai pemantau bebas dalam pilihan raya kecil Parlimen Sibu.
Pengerusinya, Syed Ibrahim Alhabshi berkata, peng-iktirafan oleh Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) tidak diperlukan untuk proses pemantauan luar.
Bagaimanapun, proses pemantauan hanya merangkumi kawasan luar penamaan calon, kempen dan luar pusat mengundi berbanding pada masa lepas.
SPR pernah memberi kebenaran kepada Mafrel untuk memasuki tempat-tempat tersebut, termasuk pilihan raya kecil Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Batang Ai pada April 2009.
“Tidak mendapat pengiktirafan daripada SPR bukan bermakna Mafrel terus tidak dapat melaksanakan kerja-kerja pemantauan,” katanya ketika dihubungi di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.
Menurut beliau, Mafrel akan mengadakan mesyuarat khusus bagi membincangkan perkara berkaitan pilihan raya kecil Parlimen Sibu selepas pilihan raya kecil Hulu Selangor.
Pilihan raya Parlimen Hulu Selangor diadakan pada 25 April ini, manakala semalam merupakan hari penamaan calon.
Bagi Parlimen Sibu, SPR menetapkan 16 Mei sebagai hari mengundi, selepas penamaan calon pada 8 Mei.
Mesyuarat Mafrel di Sarawak katanya, antara lain akan membincangkan jumlah petugas diperlukan.
Para petugas itu menurut beliau akan ditempatkan di beberapa kawasan tumpuan yang dikenal pasti kemudian.
“Kawasan tumpuan yang dimaksudkan kami ialah kawasan dijangka wujud persaingan sengit, kawasan panas dan jangkaan timbul keganasan,” katanya.
Sementara itu, Pengarah Pilihan Raya Negeri Datu Takun Sunggah berkata, Mafrel tidak diberi kebenaran untuk memasuki tempat penamaan calon, pengundian dan penjumlahan undi.
“Di Hulu Selangor pun mereka tidak dibenarkan. Begitu juga pilihan raya Parlimen Sibu kelak,” katanya.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sibu by-election: Nomination May 8, polling May 16
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
News
Sibu by-election 2010-04-16 13:27
SHAH ALAM, April 16 (Bernama) -- Nomination for the Sibu parliamentary by-election is on May 8 and polling on May 16, in the event of a contest.
Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, in announcing the dates today, said the by-election was being held following the death of incumbent Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew, who was deputy transport minister, last Friday.
The EC received the notification of death from the Dewan Rakyat Speaker on April 12 and determined that the seat fell vacant on April 10.
Under the Federal Constitution, a by-election had to be held within 60 days of the vacancy, he told a news conference here today.
http://www.mysinchew.com/node/37806
Earlier, he presented the letter of appointment as returning officer to Sibu distrit officer Wong See Meng who would be assisted by four assistant returning officers from the government department in Sarawak.
He said the master election roll for 2009, updated until April 9 this year, would be used for the by-election.
Sibu has 54,695 registered voters comprising 52,158 normal voters and 2,537 postal voters made up of 1,910 military and 627 police personnel.
Abdul Aziz said the nomination and tallying of the normal ballots would be held at the Dewan Suarah, Sibu, while the issuance and counting of the postal ballots would be done at the Sibu district office.
Forty-five polling stations would be opened at 39 schools, two kindergartens, a training centre, long house, public library and public recreational centre with 110 streams and 1,149 workers would be involved.
The electoral role for the by-election would be on sale from April 26 and voters could check their polling station through the EC website or the short messaging service from April 24 or call the state EC and Putrajaya.
The EC would set up six election campaign teams to monitor the activities of the candidates, he added.
http://www.mysinchew.com/node/37806
News
Sibu by-election 2010-04-16 13:27
SHAH ALAM, April 16 (Bernama) -- Nomination for the Sibu parliamentary by-election is on May 8 and polling on May 16, in the event of a contest.
Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, in announcing the dates today, said the by-election was being held following the death of incumbent Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew, who was deputy transport minister, last Friday.
The EC received the notification of death from the Dewan Rakyat Speaker on April 12 and determined that the seat fell vacant on April 10.
Under the Federal Constitution, a by-election had to be held within 60 days of the vacancy, he told a news conference here today.
http://www.mysinchew.com/node/37806
Earlier, he presented the letter of appointment as returning officer to Sibu distrit officer Wong See Meng who would be assisted by four assistant returning officers from the government department in Sarawak.
He said the master election roll for 2009, updated until April 9 this year, would be used for the by-election.
Sibu has 54,695 registered voters comprising 52,158 normal voters and 2,537 postal voters made up of 1,910 military and 627 police personnel.
Abdul Aziz said the nomination and tallying of the normal ballots would be held at the Dewan Suarah, Sibu, while the issuance and counting of the postal ballots would be done at the Sibu district office.
Forty-five polling stations would be opened at 39 schools, two kindergartens, a training centre, long house, public library and public recreational centre with 110 streams and 1,149 workers would be involved.
The electoral role for the by-election would be on sale from April 26 and voters could check their polling station through the EC website or the short messaging service from April 24 or call the state EC and Putrajaya.
The EC would set up six election campaign teams to monitor the activities of the candidates, he added.
http://www.mysinchew.com/node/37806
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