Amid threats and burning of effigies by UMNO-backed groups, opposition parties reiterated their support for the Bersih 2.0 rally slated for July 9.
"Political parties PSM, SAPP, DAP, just gave speeches supporting Bersih 2 Rally for free and fair elections," Subang MP Sivarasa Raisah said on Twitter.
Syed Azman from PAS also pledged 100,000 members to support the Rally, while PKR vice president Nurul Izzah affirmed her party's commitment to the rally.
"Wah, happening crowd! Kudos to Ambiga," said Nurul.
Citizen's movement
Bersih 2.0 is a coalition of 62 NGOs and is a citizens’ movement for free and fair elections. Its steering committee consists of 14 individuals who are representatives of their respective NGOs.
"The initial Bersih coalition which organised the rally in 2007 consisted of NGOs and political parties as members of the coalition. However, Bersih 2.0 which was launched on 10 November 2010 consists purely of members from civil society organisations," the movement said in a statement.
"Bersih 2.0 emphasises once again that the Perhimpunan BERSIH 2.0 is purely a civil society initiative and we have invited other organisations including political parties from all sides of the political divide to join us in upholding democracy and calling for electoral reform."
Bersih launched its July 9 rally on Sunday night at the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.
The 14 members of the steering committee are Ambiga Sreenevasan (Chairperson), Andrew Khoo, Arumugam K, Dr Farouk Musa, Haris Ibrahim, Liau Kok Fah, Maria Chin Abdullah, Richard Y W Yeoh, Dr Toh Kin Woon, Dr Wong Chin Huat, Yeo Yang Poh, Zaid Kamaruddin, Dr Subramaniam Pillay and Arul Prakkash.
If Najib agrees, I will ask Ambiga to cancel : Anwar
It has made 8 demands that include calls to stop corruption and dirty politics.
Earlier on Sunday, at the PKR general election convention, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim had challenged Najib to accede to the reforms.
"If the prime minister can guarantee this and a clean electoral roll as well, we don't need to hold a mass procession," the Star reported Anwar as saying.
Anwar was being sarcastic as the chances of Najib agreeing are nearly zero. Earlier on the day, UMNO's sister organization Perkasa burned effigies of Ambiga and threatned to a reprisal of the May 13, 1969 racial riots if Bersih refused to cancel the rally.
The rally is seen as a slap in the face for Najib's leadership.
Malaysia Chronicle appends below the 8 demands made by Bersih
1. Clean the electoral roll
The electoral roll is marred with irregularities such as deceased persons and multiple persons registered under a single address or non-existent addresses. The electoral roll must be revised and updated to wipe out these ‘phantom voters’. The rakyat have a right to an electoral roll that is an accurate reflection of the voting population.
In the longer term, BERSIH 2.0 also calls for the EC to implement an automated voter registration system upon eligibility to reduce irregularities.
2. Reform postal ballot
The current postal ballot system must be reformed to ensure that all citizens of Malaysia are able to exercise their right to vote. Postal ballot should not only be open for all Malaysian citizens living abroad, but also for those within the country who cannot be physically present in their voting constituency on polling day. Police, military and civil servants too must vote normally like other voters if not on duty on polling day.
The postal ballot system must be transparent. Party agents should be allowed to monitor the entire process of postal voting.
3. Use of indelible ink
Indelible ink must be used in all elections. It is a simple, affordable and effective solution in preventing voter fraud. In 2007, the EC decided to implement the use of indelible ink. However, in the final days leading up to the 12th General Elections, the EC decided to withdraw the use of indelible ink citing legal reasons and rumours of sabotage.
BERSIH 2.0 demands for indelible ink to be used for all the upcoming elections. Failure to do so will lead to the inevitable conclusion that there is an intention to allow voter fraud.
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
The EC should stipulate a campaign period of not less than 21 days. A longer campaign period would allow voters more time to gather information and deliberate on their choices. It will also allow candidates more time to disseminate information to rural areas. The first national elections in 1955 under the British Colonial Government had a campaign period of 42 days but the campaign period for 12th GE in 2008 was a mere 8 days.
5. Free and fair access to media
It is no secret that the Malaysian mainstream media fails to practice proportionate, fair and objective reporting for political parties of all divide. BERSIH 2.0 calls on the EC to press for all media agencies, especially state-funded media agencies such as Radio and Television Malaysia (RTM) and Bernama to allocate proportionate and objective coverage for all potlical parties.
6. Strengthen public institutions
Public institutions must act independently and impartially in upholding the rule of law and democracy. Public institutions such as the Judiciary, Attorney-General, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC), Police and the EC must be reformed to act independently, uphold laws and protect human rights.
In particular, the EC must perform its constitutional duty to act independently and impartially so as to enjoy public confidence. The EC cannot continue to claim that they have no power to act, as the law provides for sufficient powers to institute a credible electoral system.
7. Stop corruption
Corruption is a disease that has infected every aspect of Malaysian life. BERSIH 2.0 and the rakyat demand for an end to all forms of corruption. Current efforts to eradicate corruption are mere tokens to appease public grouses. We demand that serious action is taken against ALL allegations of corruption, including vote buying.
8. Stop dirty politics
Malaysians are tired of dirty politics that has been the main feature of the Malaysian political arena. We demand for all political parties and politicians to put an end to gutter politics. As citizens and voters, we are not interested in gutter politics; we are interested in policies that affect the nation.
- Malaysia Chronicle
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.