Bersih slams holding GE15 before Budget 2023 is passed

KUALA LUMPUR – Dissolving Parliament before Budget 2023 is passed may create a crisis if a new budget by a new government is voted down, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) said.

It condemned the move to dissolve Parliament and hold the 15th general election (GE15) soon, expressing concern about the budget’s re-tabling and whether it will be passed, thus causing further political instability.

“Bersih is concerned that regardless of whichever parties come to power, they would need to table its budget again, be it the same or a different one.

“This may become a crisis point, resulting in the collapse of the new government if its budget is voted down by its coalition partners,” Bersih’s steering committee said in a statement today.

It also said claims of there being political instability now and thus the need to hold GE15 urgently were irresponsible and dubious.

“It is irresponsible to risk life and property loss for a dubious claim of achieving political stability.

“The authorities, including the Election Commission, may be forced to halt the 15th general election in areas affected, or if too many areas are affected, suspend it nationwide.

Despite the possibility of floods, Bersih said all Malaysians must come out to vote, so as to give legitimacy to the new Parliament and government.

“A high turnout can give legitimacy to the 15th Parliament where the MPs elected are truly representing most of their constituents, and the new government formed can be assured that most eligible voters support them,” it said.

It added that voters must press political parties and candidates for reforms, such as reforms to the Attorney-General’s Chambers and political funding.

Bersih also urged the Election Commission to open postal voting applications to Malaysians overseas, and to give absentee voting rights to East Malaysians living in the peninsula, and vice versa.

These moves could potentially enfranchise up to 2.5 million eligible voters, it said.

Bersih also advised states that are not planning to dissolve their assemblies concurrently with Parliament for GE15 to negotiate with each other and plan a common dissolution date. – The Vibes, October 10, 2022