Electoral watchdog Bersih is rallying NGOs, civil society movements and other stakeholders to pressure Putrajaya to expedite institutional reforms.
Saying the government has been "sluggish" in implementing the reforms, Bersih chairperson Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz told a press conference today that it is organising a special congress on May 25 to create a framework for Malaysia's democracy towards the next general election.
"This is a people's congress to demand the government implement reforms. Even after 17 months in power, there have been no clear institutional reforms.
"Being a unity government should not be an excuse.
"We want to pressure the government to stop dilly-dallying in implementing the institutional reforms that it has promised," Faisal (above) said.
During the conference, Bersih listed several unfulfilled reform promises, including separating the role of the attorney-general and public prosecutor and involving the Parliament in appointing the head of the Election Commission.
According to Faisal, the congress, which will be held at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) in Kuala Lumpur, also involves local think tanks and activists who will be sharing their views.
Among those expected to be part of the event are former Dewan Rakyat speaker Ariff Md Yusof, former Bersih chairperson S Ambiga, and think-tank group Ideas chief operations officer Sri Murniati Yusuf, among others.
"This congress will discuss important reform agendas that are outstanding.
"The resolutions from this congress will be used as a guideline for implementation of reform until the next general election," he said. - Mkini
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