Malaysian Citizens Election Watch (PEMANTAU)
Malaysian Citizen Election Watch (PEMANTAU)

The Malaysian Citizens Election Watch (PEMANTAU ) was launched on June 26, 1999 by a coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The PEMANTAU project is aimed at achieving the following broad objectives:

1.    To ensure an electoral process that is free from intimidation and irregularities which is important for good and democratic governance.

2.     To ensure that Malaysians can freely exercise their right to universal suffrage and with the confidence that the electoral process will accurately reflect their choice via free, fair and honest elections.

3.    To promote and facilitate the participation of citizen groups, social activists and the general public in the protection of principles and practice of democracy in our beloved Malaysia.

Currently, the PEMANTAU project is being carried out by eight registered non-governmental organisations (NGOs), either individually or severally, with the Pertubuhan Kebajikan BUDI Malaysia (BUDI) acting as the facilitating or coordinating NGO.

They are as follows:

1. Pertubuhan Kebajikan BUDI Malaysia, No. 6-2 Jalan Abdullah off Jalan Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2. International Movement for Just World, P.O. Box 288, Jalan Sultan, 46730 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia (www.jaring.my/just). 3. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), No. 383, 1st Flr, Jalan 5/59, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia (www.suaram.org). 4. Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM), Lot 300.3, Lorong Selangor, Pusat Bandar Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur (e-mail: jimit1@pc.jaring.my). 5. Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM), No. 3-2, Jalan 46B/26, Pusat Bandar Sri Rampai, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (www.abim.com). 6. Civil Rights Committee (CRC) of the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, No. 1, Jalan Maharajalela, 50150 Kuala Lumpur. 7. National Human Rights Society of Malaysia (HAKAM), No. 29, Jalan Nusa, Taman Duta, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 8. Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN), P.O. Box 1040, 10830 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (www.malaysia.net/aliran).


Our Reasons for Being
Asas-Asas Kewujudan Kami

Memorandums Sent to the SPR
October 27, 1999 (Malay version/English version)

Complaints Bureau Matters:
Complaint Centres - Addresses and Contact Numbers
Complaints Form Now Available! - Use the Malay or the English version
Simplified Complaints Form
Complaints Received (Under Construction)

Media Releases:
Sept. 18, 1999 - Complaints Bureau Launched
Sept. 18, 1999 - Pelancaran Biro Aduan
Nov. 10, 1999 - SPR Leaves Many Issues Unresolved (Eve of Dissolution of Parliament)
Nov. 10, 1999 - SPR Belum Mengambil Langkah-langkah Memuaskan Terhadap Isu-isu Berbangkit (Malam Sebelum Parlimen Dibubarkan)
Nov. 12, 1999 - PEMANTAU Related Aliran Media Release: "Grossly Inadequate and Gravely Disappointing"
Nov. 15, 1999 - PEMANTAU Related JUST Media Release: "In Hope of a Free and Fair Elections"
Nov. 16, 1999 - PEMANTAU Related JUST Media Release: "SPR Provides More Questions than Answers"
Nov. 17, 1999 - PEMANTAU Related Aliran Media Release: "Unfounded Claim"
Nov. 23, 1999 - PEMANTAU Press Statement: "Stop Slanderous Advertisements"
Nov. 23, 1999 - PEMANTAU Press Statement: "Serious Discrepencies Discovered"

General Public Feedback:
Far Eastern Economic Review, Letters, Sept. 9, 1999, "We Don't Cheat" ---- JUST Response
Ibn Umar al-Jawi, In Safeguard of  the Right to Peaceful Assembly
Al-Islah, Surat Terbuka Untuk BUDI & 41 NGO Pemantau Pilihanraya ---- JUST Response
Ibn Umar al-Jawi, Do Only Fools and Anarchists Question the SPR?
Prof. Jomo K. Sundaram, 680,000 New Voters Unconstitutionally Denied Right To Vote On 29
November

Basic Reading:
Benchmark: Free & Fair Elections
Democratic Elections Defined
The "Loyal Opposition"
Why Must I Vote?
Some of the Possible Fraud/Irregularities During Elections

Diary of Activities

Selected Press Clippings on PEMANTAU
Nanyang Siang Pao, Oct. 23, 1999 (News at A11)
Nanyang Siang Pao, Nov. 3, 1999 (Editorial at A10)
Nanyang Siang Pao, Nov. 4, 1999 (News at A11)
The Sun, Nov. 9, 1999 (coverage on PEMANTAU forum in Shah Alam, Selangor)
The Star - "Keeping a Close Watch on Election News",Nov. 16, 1999 at 11
SPR - "No Need for Foreign Observers - Local Homegrown Watch Enough", Nov. 17, 1999
AFP Report - "Malaysia's Polls Watch Dog Claims Irregularities in Voters' List", Nov. 23, 1999
Malaysiakini.com Report - "Keluar Mengundi Tanpa Kesangsian", Nov. 28, 1999
Malaysiakini.com Report - "Go Vote Despite Poll Irregularities", Nov. 28. 1999

Selected Election News
AFP Report - "Malaysian election fixed for November 29", Nov. 12, 1999
Bernama Report - "SPR MINTA LIPUTAN SAKSAMA UNTUK SEMUA PARTI", Nov. 12, 1999
AP Report - "Malaysian Election Commission Sued", Nov. 17, 1999
AP Report - "Mahathir and Opposition Both Warn of Violence During Election", Nov. 17, 1999
Bernama Report - "PM Tells Jomo to Quit UM", Nov. 18, 1999
Bernama Report - "Poling Day to be a Public Holiday", Nov. 18, 1999
Reuters Report - "Malaysian Election Battle Has Angry Start", Nov. 21, 1999
Bernama Report - "Last Election Result Expected by 4 AM", Nov. 22, 1999
Reuters Report - "Malaysian Ruling Coalition Keeps Up Offensive", Nov. 22, 1999
AFP Report - "Malaysian Ruling Coalition Steps Up "Riots" Warning in Media Blitz", Nov. 22, 1999
The AGE Report - "Ruling Party in  Media Barrage", Nov. 22, 1999
Malaysiakini.com Report - "Press Rejects BA Ads", Nov. 22, 1999
AFP Report - "Malaysian Opposition Term Riot Predictions 'A Revolting Lie'", Nov, 23, 1999
Reuters Report - "Malaysia's Opposition Starved of Media Access", Nov. 23, 1999
BBCReport - "Malaysian Newspaper Apologises for Doctored Photo", Nov. 23, 1999
Reuters Report - "Malaysia Alleges Foreign Meddling in Polls", Nov. 24, 1999
AFP Report - "Malaysian opposition slams 'doctored' campaign adverts by ruling party", Nov. 25, 1999
AFP Report - "Biased press puts fair Malaysian poll in doubt, says journalist group", Nov. 25, 1999
Inter Press Service (IPS) Report - "Poll Campaign Gets Dirtier by the Day", Nov. 25, 1999
AP Report - "Malaysia Tells Envoys to Butt Out", Nov. 25, 1999
Bernama Report - "Bekas Pegawai Tentera Dakwa Boleh Mengundi Di Tiga Tempat", Nov. 25, 1999
Malaysiakini.com Report - "New Voters Frustrated", Nov. 28, 1999

Comparative Election Systems Studies
New Zealand Electoral Enrolment Centre (NZ-EEC), "Still Time for the People to Enrol for the Election". (TQ to Jason Cheah)
Edward Masters, Indonesia's 1999 Elections A Second Chance for Democracy ------- (time table for the Elections)
 

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If you would like to contribute, respond to or comment on any of our writings or activities, write to us at
grinner@pd.jaring.my

 UPDATED: Nov. 26, 1999