KUALA LUMPUR – Bersih 2.0 is set to launch a campaign aimed at strengthening voter rights and returning power to the people amid the political instability rocking the country.
The #KetuananPengundi, or #VoterSupremacy, push seeks to create public support for, and drive political parties to adopt in their election manifestos, key reforms to bolster democracy.
The polls watchdog’s steering committee in a statement today said the impetus for the campaign is last year’s Sheraton Move, which led to the chaos that has seen the people’s interests sidelined and the country’s parliamentary democracy eroded.
“Politicians continue their power grabs while the public struggles under the lockdown to stay safe from Covid-19 and to provide for themselves and their families.
The rakyat are disillusioned and feel hopeless as they witness this political ‘sandiwara’ (drama).”
The committee said the campaign will be launched on September 15, in conjunction with the International Day for Democracy.
In the run-up to the launch, there will be a series of campaigns on various social media platforms and news portals with the hashtags #KetuananPengundi and #VoterSupremacy.
The effort will run until the next general election is called, said the panel.
It also laid out six demands to political outfits to ensure a robust democratic system and allow for a level playing field.
The demands are: not suppressing the people’s votes, end party-hopping, make the Parliament process work efficiently, allow the public the right to dissent, not practising double standards, and giving taxpayers a voice.
“It is time to restore our democracy by putting the interests of the rakyat first.
“The rakyat are the boss. We need to shift from racial supremacy to #VoterSupremacy.”
This comes after Bersih in June rolled out a simulated recall polls campaign for constituencies whose elected representatives party-hop in between general elections. – The Vibes, August 10, 2021
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