First-past-the-post electoral system remains relevant, says Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR: The first-past-the-post electoral system remains relevant and suitable for use in the country's elections, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said the system is also practised in several democracies, including India and the United Kingdom.

She said the system is easy to understand and allowed voters to maintain a close relationship with their elected representatives.

Azalina said this was among the findings of a study on alternative electoral systems conducted by the Special Select Committee on Improving the Electoral Process in December 2011 and April 2012.

"The government is always open to and welcomes any proposals to improve the country's electoral system as part of its ongoing efforts to undertake comprehensive institutional reforms.

"However, any proposal requires thorough consideration, taking into account policy, legal and administrative aspects, as well as its impact on the country's political landscape," she said in a written reply published on the parliament portal today.

She was responding to a question from Oscar Ling Chai Yew (PH-Sibu) on the government's position and plans for electoral reform, including the possibility of adopting a semi-proportional representation system.