BERSIH 2.0 refers to a statement by the Malaysian Medical Association that police are investigating doctors involved in the Code Black campaign, including the Black Monday push.
We condemn police’s action to investigate the doctors, and reiterate our stand that police and the government should respect freedom of speech and expression.
The campaign voices out the concerns of doctors who are demanding only a few things, particularly on the issue of a two-year contract for them and the working conditions of those who do not receive allowances and leave as permanent staff.
The Code Black campaign is one of solidarity by doctors for their fellow doctors still on contract, and who do not have job security and welfare.
They launched this campaign on social media while continuing to uphold their responsibilities to their patients.
Is it wrong for doctors to demand that the government meet their needs, as well as provide better welfare guarantees?
The government, especially police, needs to be more rational and mature in addressing the people’s demands. In fact, what the doctors are doing does not contravene Article 10 of the federal constitution that protects freedom of speech and expression.
We reiterate our statement on July 2 that crackdowns on dissenters who are simply exercising their constitutional rights to express their views are a symptom of a failed democracy.
The method of intimidation by investigating them is outdated and does not solve any problems; it only denies existing ones. The government needs to be democratic and wiser, more so, when it comes to crisis management during the Covid-19 pandemic. – The Vibes, July 14, 2021
Bersih 2.0 is a non-governmental coalition campaigning for free and fair elections in Malaysia
