Civil society groups have urged Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to find a way to end the political impasse triggered by the political coup.
In a joint press conference, Bersih, Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM), and the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) called on political parties from both sides of the divide to reach a consensus to reconfigure politics.
"We appeal to them to end the political impasse and machinations with a multi-party consensus to reconfigure politics, whoever the prime minister is and whichever parties are in power," said Bersih chairperson Thomas Fann (above) via an online press conference today.
"In other words, they need to come together and talk to each other, to strike a new deal to bring political stability to the country.
"The reconfiguration of politics must bring about healthy and professional competition between political parties by ensuring fair treatment of all," he added.
The civil society groups raised concern over the political unrest where the crossovers of elected representatives in the past three months brought down the Pakatan Harapan federal government and four state governments.
They acknowledged that talks of a counter-coup may continue to bring down more governments before and even after the next general election.
The groups urged the political parties to push for recall elections as soon as possible in their political consensus.
"This will allow voters the opportunity to sack sitting elected representatives for betraying their election mandate or other reasonable grounds.
"We do not propose anti-hopping laws because this has been proven to be a violation of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution," said Fann.
The groups also wanted the government to end selective prosecution and restore the independence of the judiciary by allowing the public prosecutor's office to be run separately from the Attorney General's Chambers.
They called for public funding for political parties which receive more than five percent of the votes in the general election.
Political appointments to the GLCs and government agencies must also end, they added.
To a question, Fann admitted it is unrealistic for both sides to accept all their recommendations and agree to end the political impasse.
He, however, believed the political parties are open to the notion and should start discussing now.
When asked whether the groups are asking Harapan to abort whatever plan it has to reclaim Putrajaya before 15th general election, Fann said: "We are not taking a position in this.
"We are saying to all political parties to look at the bigger issue before us, and to put national interest above personal or party interest. Look at these areas of reform so that the need to crossover and bring instability is not there." - Mkini
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