Lajim made poll observer by EC

SANDAKAN - The appointment of politician Datuk Lajim Ukin as an observer for the Sandakan byelection nomination last Saturday was made under the category for eligible government agencies, the Election Commission (EC) said yesterday.

It came under the Electoral Reform Committee and was not connected to his political party, the EC chairman Azhar Azizan Harun said in a statement.

He said EC had taken note of a statement by Bersih 2.0 on Sunday questioning whether an active politician like Lajim could remain neutral as an observer in the nomination process.

Azhar said EC has set certain criteria for appointing observers, like appointment from among qualified government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGO) or eligible organisations registered with the Registrar of Societies or Companies Commission of Malaysia (only nonprofit-oriented companies).