Bersih’s Sarawak chapter said it was “baffled and perturbed” by Asfia’s remark as the EC must be free from political influence in carrying out its responsibility of conducting elections, Borneo Post reported.

“Securing an EC that enjoys public confidence means that the commissioners must first and foremost be neutral, and not partial to any party.

“The speaker must refrain from making statements that can alter public perception of the integrity and impartiality of EC members and, ultimately, undermine the independence of our election management body

“(Asfia’s remark) further implies that in the past, a member of the Sarawak ruling coalition might have sat as one of the commissioners in the EC,” Sarawak Bersih said.

On Saturday, Asfia said Sarawak would prepare for its state assembly elections this year using the existing 82-seat structure while awaiting the EC’s action on 17 additional seats approved by the state last year.

While the EC is constitutionally within the timeframe to complete its work, the Sarawak speaker urged the commission to be mindful of the state’s preparations for elections this year.

He also said that the lone EC commissioner from Sarawak is not from GRS, and remarked that “GPS is the voice of the voiceless”.