JUST A DAY after holding a demonstration outside Parliament to call for full reforms, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) was given the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at his office in Putrajaya this afternoon.
Its steering committee said that Bersih’s representatives led by chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, submitted a memorandum containing almost 30 pages and ten attachments to Anwar following an hour-long discussion.
The attachments featured detailed studies on recommendations that came about from Bersih's research and surveys on strengthening the initiative to make democratic aspects real in Malaysia.
“A discussion on the content of the memorandum went on for more than an hour with the prime minister,” the committee said in a statement issued later.
The memorandum made references to latest developments, particularly those involving improvements needed in the country's governance system, which are taking place at a slow pace.
They pointed out issues and incidents that have led people to feel restless and apprehensive about progress made in the regard.
One example of the disappointment, they noted, was the granting of DNAA (Discharge Not Amounting to an Acquittal) by the attorney-general to political leaders.
“More importantly, Bersih's biggest concern is that the people's mandate for the current government has only four years left, and there are no positive structural changes on aspects like elections, the anti-corruption agenda, as well as other institutional reforms," the committee said.
They cautioned that people may lose faith in the power of voting to bring about change as has been trumped about before this.
This would lead to public disenchantment as people expect the government to act to being about democratic improvements.
Some voters would even become cynical, potentially causing voter turnout to fall in the next election.
In a Facebook post later, Anwar said that the Unity Government is open to recommendations or suggestions from Bersih, especially regarding improvement to be made to the electoral process and institutional reforms.
He said that several of Bersih’s recommendations were under the government's consideration.
“Some of the recommendations in the memorandum are already under consideration and action by the Unity Government,” he said.
The prime minister emphasised the need for dialogue and open discussion to grasp the aspirations of civil society and the challenges faced by the government, especially on the issues raised in the memorandum.
“An inclusive approach in hearing the views of civil society such as Bersih is hoped to enhance the synergy between civil society and the government in the country's democratic process,” he said.
Anwar also said that during the meeting with Bersih he had highlighted the importance of strengthening political education and increasing political literacy among the public towards a better Malaysian political landscape.
About a hundred demonstrators had marched from the National Monument to the entrance of the Parliament complex yesterday.
The rally was promoted with the social media hashtag #Reformasi100Peratus.
The police later announced that they had opened an investigation paper on the rally as the organisers had not submitted advance notice as required by the law.
The investigation is being conducted under section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. – The Vibes, February 28, 2024
