Defend independence by upholding rule of law, clean govt: Bersih

PETALING JAYA – Bersih, also known as the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, today called on all political parties and elected representatives to defend the country’s independence by upholding the rule of law and a clean government.

In a statement, Bersih also pushed for an inter-party peace deal to prevent political blackmail by partners in the coalition government.

“We also urge the unity government and the attorney-general to give the public assurance that a moratorium be imposed on applications for high-profile cases involving politicians to be discharged.

“We also urge that Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi be charged again as soon as possible following a new investigation into the case of Yayasan Akalbudi,” read the statement.

It said the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ credibility has been greatly tarnished by its serial decisions to apply for DNAA (discharge not amounting to an acquittal) or DAA (discharge amounting to an acquittal) for so many government politicians and officials.

“As we celebrate Malaysia’s 60th birthday, let us remember independence is always a work in progress, never a finished business.

“Independence is not about merely getting rid of foreign rulers, but about people being the boss of their government and master of their own destiny.

“We can be recolonised internally when our democracy is disabled and externally when our government sells out to foreign powers.

“Hence, independence requires the rule of law, where everyone, including the head of government, is equal before the law, and a clean government, where public funds cannot be plundered, and power cannot be bought”.

Bersih also welcomed Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said’s announcement to establish two task forces for cross-national and technical studies on the separation of powers between the AG and a public prosecutor.

“We think that the separation should be completed within a year, and that it should not be delayed on technical or financial ground,” it added. – The Vibes, September 16, 2023