SURAT KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN KEPADA THE ECONOMIST

SIR – Malaysia’s general election passed off peacefully, with the biggest-ever turnout in our history. The election process was monitored by independent NGOs that have called on all parties to accept the result. Contrary to your report (“Tawdry victory”, May 11th) and accusations by the opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, there has to date not been one shred of evidence to substantiate any claims of electoral fraud or irregularity.

Allegations that foreign nationals were paid as “phantom voters” have proved to be false, with not even one recorded case on polling day. All votes were cast and counted in front of representatives from all the contesting parties who signed off on the results. If any evidence of fraud does emerge the government encourages the relevant party to file an election petition in the courts to allow due process to take course.

Mr Anwar refuses to accept the election result because of his own personal, lifelong ambition to become prime minister. The deputy president of his own party as well as his legislative partners have called on him to accept the result. They have even sworn in the heads of state governments where they won.

Najib Razak, the prime minister, has come forward to call for national reconciliation. He will be prioritising key reforms promised prior to the election to ensure Malaysia becomes a developed nation by 2020 with a mature and liberal democracy.

Khairy Jamaluddin

Minister for youth and sport

Putrajaya, Malaysia