KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal that representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) be appointed to the Election Commission (EC) to improve the electoral system should be considered, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.
He said the government welcomed the proposal but it is up to the independent body to decide whether to accept or reject.
"We are open to suggestions but it is up to EC. If it agrees, then the matter can be discussed with the government," he said after opening the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Conference 2011 here on Monday.
NGO involvement was recommended by the Bar Council after the July 9 illegal rally which saw thousands of people demanding reform of the electoral system.
The Bar Council said the involvement of NGOs was necessary to ensure a cleaner and more transparent electoral system.
Nazri said the country's electoral system had been fair to all and if it was biased as claimed by the opposition, they would not have captured five states in the 2008 general election.
On the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into the death of Teoh Beng Hock, the minister said he did not know when it would be made public as it rested with Chief Secretary to Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.
"An investigation based on pressure from the public will be inconsistent if it is not made public . The Cabinet has approved the report."
On June 22, the RCI panel handed the 124-page report to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Terengganu. The RCI investigation involving 70 witnesses was conducted from Feb 19-May 18.
During the proceedings, some 19,200 evidence notes, 256 exhibits, 750 pages of arguments and 1,000 pages of authority papers were submitted by the Bar Council, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and RCI operating officer.
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