PETALING JAYA, July 2 — News that the Election Commission (EC) had spent RM400 million to run the recent polls — with a large sum of it going towards payments for its workers — was met with criticism and questions by election watchdogs.
The payments totalling RM204.1 million were marked as services and bonuses for all election workers, overtime payment, payment for transport services, utility bills, ICT equipment and telecommunications service payment.
Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) CEO Wan Saiful Wan Jan said the news of the bonus would add to the current negative perception of the EC.
"Revelations like this are not helpful to the EC, especially when they are already on the receiving end of various criticisms,” said Wan Saiful.
He said scandals such as the ineffective indelible ink used in elections were still fresh in the minds of voters.
He called on EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof to explain the figures behind the bonus to Malaysians. “There needs to be a breakdown in the figures, as well as an explanation on the percentage of bonuses. Maybe even a probe on the numbers,” he said.
“While I agree that all workers should be paid, it is not the right time to be given bonuses. Bonuses should only be given based on a worker's performance,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bersih 2.0 president Datuk S. Ambiga raised her concerns about the EC's transparency.
“There must be transparency about this payment. We should be told who is receiving what,” she told The Malay Mail.
She urged the EC to open up its accounts. “We need to know exactly how the people's money is being used to reward people who are responsible for elections which are flawed,” she said.
"I did not expect Abdul Aziz and deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar to be rewarded for their efforts.
“There are many officers on the ground who may deserve a bonus for the work done ... at this point, I will assume the EC commissioners are getting nothing,” Ambiga said.
