Ambiga: Bersih can’t be part of PSC

Bersih says that it cannot be part of the PSC but can be consulted. It will, however, welcome a seat if offered.

PETALING JAYA: Bersih 2.0 chairperson, Ambiga Sreenevasan, today said that the movement cannot be part of the recently proposed parliamentary select committee (PSC) for electoral reforms but it can be consulted on the issues.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak caught various quarters by surprise yesterday when he announced the establishment of a PSC to end allegations of the government manipulating the country’s electoral system.

Najib said that the committee would consist of members from both sides of the political divide but the opposition has also called for Bersih’s involvement in the PSC. Members of the PSC have not been announced.

However, Ambiga expressed doubt that this call would be heeded as a select sommittee does not include the civil society.

“I know we can be consulted,” she told FMT via text message. “But a select committee comprises only parliamentarians.”

Bersih steering committee member, Wong Chin Huat, also confirmed this but added that if offered a seat, Bersih would welcome it.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Nazri Aziz, told FMT that Bersih would be given the opportunity to contribute its input when the PSC goes down to the ground to seek public opinion.

“Bersih can put forth any further recommendations when the committee engages with the public,” he said.

When asked if Bersih would be allowed to be involved in the review and discussions following the public engagement, Nazri said, “That’s up to the select committee to decide.”

Show commitment

Meanwhile, Ambiga, who said she was pleasantly surprised by this development, also urged the government to show its commitment by having the PSC ensure reforms before the 13th general election.

“We would like to see consultations with civil society and our eight reasonable demands implemented because they are very achievable in the short term,” she said.

But PKR supreme council member, Elizabeth Wong, earlier cautioned that it would take at least one year to oversee electoral reforms and processes. This sentiment was also echoed by Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

Asked whether the PSC is an early indication of victory for Bersih 2.0′s July 9 rally, Ambiga said that remains to be seen.

“But if it is, then kudos goes to the rakyat and their commitment to free and fair elections,” she said. “And honestly if it works, it is victory to the government as well.”

At a press conference today, Bersih gave the nod of approval over the formation of the PSC and asked that it be required to submit two reports.

The first is for immediate reforms that must be carried out before the next general and state elections and the second is for reforms that must be carried out within two years after the PSC’s formation.

“To show sincerity, the government must place the establishment of the PSC as the first business for the Oct 3 parliamentary session,” it said in a press statement.

To counter negative publicity

“The government must not for a moment think that it can pacify the public by using the proposed PSC as a delaying tactic to stall electoral reforms.”

Bersih also stressed that the PSC’s proposal for the first report must be completed and implemented before any elections can take place.

Another Bersih steering committee member, Andrew Khoo, described the PSC as a move to counter the negative publicity that befell the government in the aftermath of July 9 rally.

“There is a certain public relations element to it,” he said. “It’s a good idea but we need more details before we can evaluate its effectiveness.”

He pointed out that the government has had a bad track record where a PSC is concerned following the fizzling out of the PSC on Integrity that was set up in 2009.

“It’s August 2011 and nothing has been done yet,” he said. “So my personal concern is whether this PSC is a gimmick that will be a repeat of the previous PSC.”