Oh my god! The so-called indelible ink that was used during the general election was really food colouring and does not contain the needed chemical for it to be indelible.
This is if what Minister in the PM’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said in the Dewan Rakyat (as reported by The Malaysian Insider) recently is true.
He continued to say that it was the fault of the voters that the ink wasn’t permanent because they purposely tried to wash the ink off.
This reminds me of an impromptu press conference given by Election Commission Deputy Chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar on election day in Lembah Pantai.
I was there when he put the blame on the voters, just like Datuk Seri Shahidan did, and said that if you scrub hard and with intention of removing the ink, of course it will come off.
He also added that voters should not make a big fuss if they found that the indelible ink on their fingers could be washed off.
There were many more steps that were in place to ensure that people could not vote more than once, such as the IC, physical appearance, etc.
Now wait just seminit right there!
I think these two individuals are missing the main point. They both seem to think that the indelible ink being delible as the main issue that everyone is so concern about.
Here’s how my non-parliamentarian intellect tries to analyse and comprehend what the people really mean when they stir up a fuss about the indelible ink.
If the indelible is actually removable, then it clearly shows that it is a flaw on the side of the Election Commission.
And if there is a possibility of a single flaw, then there could be a possibility of many more flaws on the side of the Election Commission.
(This reminds me of something another journalist whispered in my ear during Datuk Wan Ahmad’s election press conference in Lembah Pantai.
“We’re not questioning the right of people who have IC’s to vote. What we’re concern about is how those ICs were issued in the first place,” he said.
Why he decided to just whisper that statement to me instead of pointing it out to Datuk Wan Ahmad openly baffles me.)
Ok, fine. If their argument is that there are so many other steps in place to make sure that the flaws can be minimised, then why be so defensive about that one flaw?
I also think that one of the major reasons why people try so hard to wash off the indelible ink and to intentionally point it out is because they have no faith in the EC.
This could be because they either have proof that the EC is biased, or just simply because of a perception that they have after all these years.
Instead of being defensive, the EC needs to address these issues. Why do they have to attack the voters for making a fuss when the fuss they are making is a legit fuss?
And now to make things worse, the minister in charge (the EC being under a minister opens a whole different can of worms) states that they used food colouring instead.
So what’s the next step for the EC? Should the body’s top management resign? Should they admit their mistake and apologise? Should they call for fresh elections?
I’m not one to say because if I do say my piece, I would just be accused of being anti-establishment for the sake of being anti-establishment.
But what I really do want to say at the end of it all is that I really wonder how come the ink on my finger stayed on for almost a week.
Zan Azlee
Wed Jun 26 2013
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.