Mafrel is Opposition mouthpiece says Noh Omar

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Noh Omar has labeled the election watchdog known as Malaysians for Free Elections (Mafrel) as the opposition's mouthpiece.

"Mafrel's statement shows it is no longer independent...it is becoming a mouthpiece for the opposition,” said Noh, the Barisan Nasional Hulu Selangor by-election director.

He was referring to Mafrel's statement in Malay-language daily Sinar Harian that "BN has broken election rules" through early campaigning and by distributing allocations from the federal government.

Various ministers have been making the rounds of Hulu Selangor, leading their political rivals to claim that this is an attempt to 'buy' voter.

Noh, however, claimed that the programmes had been planned well before the by-election was announced.

Furthermore, he said Pakatan Rakyat politicians, including those in the Selangor government, have been doing the same thing.

He questioned Mafrel's impartiality as it has not chastised Pakatan.

"Is it being fair when it only criticises what the federal government has done. The Selangor (menteri besar) gave out land grants. Why didn't Mafrel say anything about the state government?

“It listed the allocation given by the federal and state governments. If it is truly independent, why not question the (state) allocations?

"Is it fair when it only criticises what the federal government has done? Whatever done by BN is all wrong. Whatever done by the opposition cannot be reprimanded."

Noh said the Election Commission should reconsider Mafrel's role as an independent observer.

"(Mafrel) is not qualified to be an independent body to monitor elections. It is not given full power, yet it is reprimanding (us). When it is given full power, it won't be independent, it will (take the) side (of) the opposition."

'Room in district office'

Noh also claimed that Pakatan may be improperly making use of state government facilities for its Hulu Selangor by-election campaign.

"I have been informed by a district office staff that (Selangor MB) Khalid (Ibrahim, left) has asked for an office to be made ready for him in the district office.

“Is this okay? If Mafrel is truly independent, it should go down to the district office to find out."

Pakatan had earlier pledged not to involve state government machinery in campaigning.

courtesy of Malaysiakini