Election Commission (EC) chairman, Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman is reported by Malaysiakini to have said that it is the Cabinet’s decision to scrap the usage of inedible ink in the recent general election.

“I have not told the country about this (before) but what happened was that cabinet rejected our proposed law (on indelible ink) on Feb 13 - the day dissolution of Parliament was done,” claimed Rashid.

However, the Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says although the government in principle decided against its usage, it was delivered in the form of an opinion rather than an instruction, according to a report by Bernama.

Now, who is telling the truth here? Can someone shed light to this issue?

The decision to scrap the use of the ink was announced several days before polling day, citing claims that several irresponsible people have ordered the ink to illegally mark them on the fingers of unsuspecting voters. However, investigations reveal that there is no such truth to the claims!

Surely, there must be some hidden agenda behind the scrap of the usage of the inedible ink! Isn’t the EC suppose to be independent from interference from the Cabinet, even if it is really an opinion?

Bernama reports that a total of 5 express buses belonging to Konsortium Bas Ekspres Semenanjung have been impounded by the Road Transport Department (RTD) for defying the one-month suspension order imposed on all 232 buses owned by the company.

The buses were impounded in Johor, Kedah, Melaka and Kuala Lumpur, including one arriving from Hatyai at the Puduraya bus terminal.

Seriously, it looks like sterner action must be taken against this company! If this is allowed to go on, passengers and other road users will be put at risk!