Signature campaign launched for Democracy Reform Act

By Athi Shankar

KEPALA BATAS: Pakatan Rakyat today launched a nationwide memorandum campaign to collect at least a million signatures to support a proposed Democracy Reformation Act.

Lembah Pantai MP and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, Rasah MP and DAP youth chief Anthony Loke Siew Fook and Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad from PAS jointly launched the campaign during a lunch break at Pakatan 2nd national convention held at the Millennium Hall here.

Nurul Izzah has already sent a letter dated Dec 14 to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak urging him to hold a parliamentary debate on the proposed legislation in a month’s time.

The campaign aims to convince at least a million Malaysians to support Pakatan’s drive to compel the federal government to legislate the law, which is lauded as being a catalyst for political reform and development.

“The proposed reform can be the fundamental foundation for the growth of an integrated economy benefitting all Malaysians.

“The proposed law is for the betterment of the country,” argued Nurul Izzah.

In the memorandum, which will be submitted to the King at the end of the campaign, Pakatan has called for an abolition of all forms of emergency declarations and undemocratic and draconian laws.

The coalition also called on the Putrajaya administration to fulfill all pledges made in the agreement with Sabah and Sarawak during the formation of Malaysia.

The memorandum also called the government to assure clean, fair and transparent electoral processes, restore the local government polls and uphold media freedom.

To spur the economy

Nurul said the proposed Demoracy Reformation Act shall absorb all these demands to trigger the much desired political reform in the country.

“The proposed Act will not only encourage growth of people’s freedom and civil liberty, but also a fair and high performing economic growth.

“It will stimulate social justice and human development.

“It shall stablise and strengthen federal-state ties and the country’s foreign policies,” added the newly elected PKR vice-president.