NST Online: Topnews

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 07:42 PM PDT

2011/08/27
By Azura Abas, Ling Poh Lean and Olivia Peter
news@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Political parties and analysts said they preferred indelible ink over the biometric system to be used in the voting process.

They said the indelible ink option could promote trans parency and avert multiple voting by individuals.

The "Indian experience" was cited as an example of a huge democracy which had successfully used indelible ink.

A day after the Election Commission cited the possible use of both indelible ink and the biometric system in the next general election, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, who is president of United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organ isation (Upko), said indelible ink would be easier.

He said the biometric system might encounter problems if there was a power disruption, while indelible ink would give unique identification and avoid multiple voting by the same person.

Pas information chief Idris Ahmad said the biometric system may encounter technical issues, especially in rural areas.

"We should use permanent ink. It is fast, easy and most importantly, it ensures transparency."

The use of indelible ink is among eight demands by Bersih 2.0. The others are a 21-day campaign period, a clean electoral roll, review of postal voting, free and fair media access, prevention of corrupt practices, putting a stop to
dirty politics and the strengthening of public institutions.

Political analyst Professor James Chin from Monash Uni versity said indelible ink had proven to be effective in other countries like India.

"The biometric system, however, is simply too compli cated," said Chin, when contacted by the New Straits Times.

Association for the Promotion of Human Rights president Tan Sri Simon Sipaun said if indelible ink could work in India — considering its large population — "I don't see any problem to use it here."

MIC secretary-general S. Murugesan did not name the party's preference, but said whichever option should "be the most effective".

Johor Baru member of parliament Datuk Abdul Shahrir Samad said one should not even argue over which system would be more suitable for the general election.

"I always put my trust in my voters and that is all," he said.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the commission should consider improving the existing mechanism instead.

"Once it has studied the effectiveness of the inedible ink and biometric system, the method it chooses should only be implemented after the 13th general election.

Asia’s lightning capital

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 07:41 PM PDT

Asia's lightning capital

KUALA LUMPUR: Global warming has inflicted "more severe" lightning intensity with the recent spate of "lightning strike" deaths in Selangor and Kelantan, bringing to more than 50 casualties since 2008.

Malaysia records the second highest number of strikes in the world and is known as Asia's lightning capital.

Tips have been made available by the authorities and experts who are troubled by the public's general lack of awareness.

When indoors, stay off land lines, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.

If you are outdoors, get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks.

A useful site to visit is www.eng.upm.edu.my/celp

"More thunderstorms have been recorded in the Klang Valley as a result of moisture-laden air masses from the Straits of Malacca encountering the valley and the heat island effect," said Meteorological Department deputy director- general Che Gayah Ismail.

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Asia's lightning capital

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Jumaat, 26 Ogos 2011