Post-GE chaos theory 'dirty politics', says Bersih

The conspiracy theory on likely post-general election chaos ‘to be instigated' by Pakatan Rakyat and Bersih are glaring examples of "dirty politics".

The Bersih steering committee said the theory - expounded by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and current deputy premier Muhyiddin Yassin - is both malicious and misleading.

"We question their intentions in hurling such wild allegations against Bersih and attempting to instigate fear among the public," it said in a statement yesterday.

"Such mudslinging and slandering is considered dirty politics, which is why Bersih's eighth demand is ‘Stop dirty politics'."

The committee stressed that Bersih is a non-partisan movement whose only aim is to help the democratisation process by advocating improvements to the electoral system.

Dr M: Bersih 3.0 a 'trial run'

Muhyiddin should rightfully focus his attention on ensuring that the upcoming general election is free and fair, rather than concocting conspiracy theories, said the committee.

"We remind the deputy prime minister that his role as an elected representative and minister is first and foremost to serve the needs of the people ..., and not to advance his personal or his party's political agenda."

The theory was first explored by Mahathir in a blog post, in which he postulated the possibility that the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28 had been a ‘trial run' before a bigger protest against the election outcome should BN win.

Mahathir said Pakatan would attempt to create an Arab Spring-style protest to topple BN.

Muhyiddin later said he agreed with Mahathir, describing the Bersih 3.0 rally as a form of psychological warfare.