Invite foreign observers to ensure honest vote—Anwar

Anwar Ibrahim, a leading opposition figure in Malaysia, former deputy premier and a current member of the Malaysian parliament, warned Filipinos against the dangers of election automation, and suggested inviting foreign observers to ensure transparency in vote tabulation. “It is important…to be more proactive in monitoring elections. You shouldn’t worry about inviting foreign observers to monitor the elections," Anwar said during his visit to Manila this week, adding that “the Comelec should take [monitoring] in a very positive light." “I would want this done to Malaysia as well," said Anwar, who led Malaysia’s opposition to an unprecedented victory in 2008 after four years of imprisonment and despite a pending sexual offense case. Anwar described automation as “sophisticated," but said that the system is “fundamentally flawed and can lead to a lot of major mistakes." Anwar cited the hotly contested votes in Florida during the 2000 US elections, in which Anwar’s friend Albert Gore, then vice president, lost to then-Texas governor George W. Bush. Philippine politics “more mature" Even then, however, Anwar expressed hopes for the country’s elections. “You are more mature here. You have more experience with relatively free, fair elections. You have a freer media; you are free to campaign. We do not have that in Malaysia. No opposition leader will even be given five minutes on television," Anwar said. On the other hand, former president Joseph Estrada is not confident with the planned nationwide automation, and wants it done only in Metro Manila and other urban cities. Estrada is another of Anwar’s bosom buddies and who was also convicted and jailed like the former Malaysian deputy premier. “This is the first time we will use automation. Ang masama ay kahit sa US nagkakaroon din ng problema sa automation. They have been doing it for 30 to 40 years, [pero] nagkakaroon pa rin sila ng problema. Eh tayo ngayon lang eh (The problem is, even the US has been having automation problems despite doing it for 30 to 40 years. And we’re starting just now)," Estrada said. “Kung maaari dito na lang sa Metro Manila gamitin yan (If possible, let’s employ it only here in Metro Manila)," he said, adding that urban cities like Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro are the only ones apart form Manila where automation should take place. Estrada and Anwar, who had been friends since the late 1980s, consider each other as “brothers" and “great family friends." The family of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, the front-running presidential bet based on poll surveys, also happens to be a close friend of Anwar’s since the time when the late Corazon Aquino was president. Anwar met with the young Aquino on Friday. He described Noynoy as "very civil and respectful." —JV, GMANews.TV