KUALA LUMPUR – Though unhappy with the sentence reduction for convicted former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Bersih will not take to the streets just yet, and will further monitor implementation of the government’s reform agenda.
The reforms coalition’s leaders today said it would also work at mobilising the public and raising awareness about the reforms needed.
Bersih chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz has said they will be monitoring the coming Parliament session in March to see if the government will present any bills or take action that indicates it is still on track with its reform agenda.
Simultaneously, Bersih will conduct projects to spread awareness about the situation to rally support for future protests to ensure street rallies are more impactful in bringing about change.
“But not now (protest). We are building momentum with our tagline ‘Reform 100%’.
“We will conduct campaigns for the people to understand why the reformation agenda is important; why there must be a separation of power between the attorney-general and the public prosecutor; why the government must be transparent regarding the advice submitted to the Pardons Board (that led to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s prison sentence reduction), among others,” Faisal said at a press conference here today.
The press conference was also attended by other civil society organisations, students and representatives from youth movements, and saw reporters attending repeatedly ask Bersih leaders about plans for a street rally following the Pardons Board’s decision on Najib.
However, Bersih said the reforms needed in Malaysia were larger than Najib’s issue, although it also slammed the board’s decision, while decrying selective “gifting” of discharges not amounting to acquittals (DNAA) in corruption cases involving political elites.
“The government’s failure to be transparent regarding the advice submitted to the Pardons Board indicates a disregard for the people’s right to know the truth.
“This seems to suggest that promises and commitments to reform, including combating corruption and its perpetrators, have been mere lip service.
“This situation sends a strong signal that the people can no longer remain silent, as the trajectory for institutional and political reform in the country veers off course”.
Bersih and supporting non-governmental organisations said they were concerned that the remaining four-year mandate of the current government would elapse without the implementation of any meaningful structural reforms – including electoral reform, anti-corruption measures and other institutional changes.
“Malaysia is currently in a critical period of democratic transition, requiring the collective participation of all parties to fully realise the Reform Agenda 100%.
“Bersih will not hesitate to mobilise the people to take to the streets if this is the language best understood by those comfortably in power, regardless of the various excuses given. The people urge the government to implement the 100% Reform Agenda, without compromise!” they said.
The press conference was held today after Bersih received no response from the government from its previous statement issued on Monday.
In that statement, it urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to impose a moratorium on any application by the attorney-general for DNAA for all ongoing high-profile cases, until the separation of the AG from the public prosecutor has taken place.
Bersih also called for DNAA cases to be re-opened and charged when involving politicians charged with corruption. – February 7, 2024