PD POLLS | Pakatan Harapan candidate for Port Dickson Anwar Ibrahim said today that the Election Commission and Bersih should go beyond looking out for electoral offences, and also facilitate ongoing campaigns.

In a Facebook post, Anwar said this would be to ensure that both candidates and electorate are able to access each other seamlessly during the campaign period.

"In this respect, perhaps for the future, we need to discuss if there are certain flexibilities that may be considered to enhance the accessibility of candidates to the electorate during the campaign period, without breaching any regulations, or, if certain aspects of existing regulations are too constricting on the movement of candidates and prohibits the people's access their own leaders and those aspiring to lead them," said Anwar.

The PKR president-elect also clarified that his remarks on the role of Bersih and EC in the ongoing by-election should be viewed in the right context.

"I respect the role and authority of the EC, and I have nothing but admiration and appreciation for the work of Bersih, whom I credit for Malaysia achieving a modern electoral democracy through reforms they initiated and the sacrifices of its founders and leaders," he said.

In his speech at the Regent Hall in Lukut last night, Anwar explained to the crowd of over 1,500 that he rode in Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu’s official car on Oct 3 because they did not have enough time to talk to each other.

He said the brief car ride was the only opportunity he had to talk to the minister at the time. 

"We have to follow the rules and laws, we respect the operation of Bersih, and respect the EC, so we cannot abuse our power. But, don’t be too much," he had said.