Zahid, Hisham top picks for name-and-shame campaign

Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein have been named as top candidates for Bersih’s name-and-shame campaign for appearing to condone political violence.

The pro-electoral reform coalition took issue with Zahid’s tweet yesterday saying, “We shall move to the warzone to kill all adverse political intruders”.

They are also unhappy with Hishammuddin for failing to condemnBN Youth supporters in Gombak who shouted, “Chop off his (PKR vice-president Tian Chua’s) head” in his presence during a function on March 24.

However, the Bersih steering committee told reporters at a press conference today that they would first form an independent committee to handle the blacklisting in the coming weeks, and give both Zahid and Hishammuddin (below) the right of reply before blacklisting them.

The blacklist is part of Bersih’s campaign to ensure that participants in the upcoming general election would adhere to their election and caretaker government's code of conduct, both of which were launched today.

“A name that has gone on the blacklist doesn’t have to stay there. The person concerned can come back and explain or rectify the situation.

“I think this would make this campaign much, much more pleasant for everyone, especially for the people,” said Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan.

[More to follow]