Civil rights activists and pressure groups scoffed at the Election Commission's offer to meet the Bersih 2.0 rally organisers, if the planned demonstration was scrapped.
"It is not for the Election Commission to dictate terms. Their job is simply to clean up irregular practises," Batu MP and prominent civil rights activist Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle. Tian is also a PKR vice president.
Bersih chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan had stressed July 9 rally was "purely a civil society initiative", although they have invited other organisations including political parties from all sides of the divide to join them in upholding democracy and calling for electoral reform.
At the launch of the rally on Sunday night, PKR, DAP, PAS, PSM and SAPP had all pledged to support the BersihWalk for Democracy, with PAS promising 100,000 members to attend the peaceful march to the King's palace.
Najib using EC to sniff out negotiations with Bersih?
While, most activists expect Ambiga to accept any opportunity to discuss reforms with the EC, none believe she would cancel the rally first, as demanded by EC chairman Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.
There is some speculation that Aziz may have been put up to it by Prime Minister Najib Razak, who sees the rally as a slap in the face to his leadership.
The general view is that Najib should speak up and deal directly if he was sincere and not send a "lackey" to do the job. Aziz does not draw much respect from the activist and NGO crowd as he is seen as subservient to the powers-that-be even though his job empowers him to be neutral.
At a press conference on Monday, Aziz had warned Bersih not to make the EC a scapegoat.
He said the EC was prepared to meet Bersih over issues, on the condition that they abandon their planned "illegal" street demonstration slated for July 9.
“We can discuss on that condition, but if they Bersih want to hold the illegal street demonstration and meet us just as a rubber stamp or an excuse, it is meaningless," Bernama reported Aziz as saying.
"To me, a street demonstration will not solve any problem. Amendments to the law will not happen or their demands accepted by staging a street demonstration. No way."
Street demo no use
Abdul Aziz was asked to comment on Bersih's insistence to hold an illegal street demonstration on July 9 despite the strong condemnation by several quarters who are opposed to the idea.
The group has made eight demands to ensure a clean and transparent general election, namely, to clean up the electoral roll, reform the postal voting system, use indelible ink for voters, allow campaigning for at least 21 days, free and fair access to the media, strengthen the public institutions, and to stop corruption and dirty politics.
Abdul Aziz said the EC had met Bersih chairman Ambiga Sreenevasandan and some of its members at the end of last year where they accepted the EC's explanation on the issues raised.
He said he had also explained, through the media, the eight issues including the need to amend the law first.
“Bersih wanted to see me again in March or April this year, but at that time I was very busy with the by-elections and Sarawak state election.
“So, I proposed that we meet another time. After that it was quiet and now suddenly they want to hold an illegal demonstration,” he said.
Accuses Bersih of political motives
Abdul Aziz thinks Bersih has a different agenda. “It's not just over the issue of EC's transparency, and the EC has been made the scapegoat,” he said.
This group is not behaving like other non-governmental organisations. I think they have been influenced by certain political parties.
“They are no more neutral and no more independent. Without the support of these political parties, Bersih is nothing.”
He said if Bersih was really championing democracy, they could still discuss the issues with EC and forward their requests the proper way.
“This is not the way. Don't make EC the scapegoat, which they have accused of not being democratic and not clean, and of helping and supporting the government. But the past general elections and by-elections have proven otherwise.
“If the voters like the opposition, they will win seats and there has been proof. So, what is Bersih's real intention? I think we are fair and just,” he said.
However, few Malaysian would agree with him.
“What Bersih wants is a higher standard of elections. We want clean elections. Now, is that too much to ask?” asked Ambiga.
Related Story: Bersih 2.0 launched, on track for July 9 despite Umno-Perkasa threats
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.
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