Bersih cries intimidation after cops monitor presser

 

Electoral watchdog Bersih has decried alleged police intimidation after officers were spotted stationed at their headquarters following a press conference today.

Bersih chairperson Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz said about 10 uniformed police officers were waiting around their office area which they only noticed after the press conference ended.

“There were about 10 men and yes they were in police uniform. Those in uniform didn’t come into the office, they just waited downstairs.

“But we are unsure if special branch (officers) came in (to the press conference),” he told Malaysiakini.

Faisal added that there were two police trucks and some police motorbikes spotted in the area as well.

He said the officers left a few minutes after a Bersih representative informed them the press conference had ended.

“Perhaps there was nothing controversial, so they left,” he added.

Earlier, Bersih posted on X that there was a heavy police presence at their office.

In the post, they tagged Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and questioned if intimidation was the message the Madani government wanted to send to the group.

The post was accompanied by two pictures showing a police truck and a group of men in blue.

Nationwide roadshow

At a press conference earlier, Faisal said Bersih will embark on a nationwide roadshow to educate the public on its demands to the government, including for institutional reforms.

Visits to universities around the country would be included in the #Reformasi100percent (100 percent reform) campaign, he added.

“If Bersih is to hold a demonstration, it would be more impactful if the public understood the reason to take to the streets.

“To have a demonstration, planning is needed, and grassroots work is crucial to build momentum and ensure the public is with us,” he said.

“We want to make sure that #Reformasi100percent can be implemented. If the government fails, we will not hesitate to rally, get the momentum running, and give the public a taste of true reformation,” he added.

According to Faisal, Bersih would also monitor the upcoming parliamentary session to see if there are any debates or decisions on structural or institutional reforms.

“We are still being reasonable, so we will monitor the session first,” he said.

Yesterday, Faisal told Malaysiakini that Bersih has not ruled out the possibility of holding a street protest against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s reduced prison sentence.

Citing the Najib case as an example of “failed reformation”, Faisal said Bersih will continue to fight for institutional reforms to prevent “another Najib” in the future.