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NGO proposals to complement Bersih 2.0 efforts
Written by PY Wong Friday, 21 December 2012 10:18
Press Statements
The Malaysian Elections Reform Programme (MERP) is a citizen initiative for the promotion of free and fair elections.
During an interview with ntv7 on 9 Apr 2012, Prime Minister Najib Razak assured us that elections will be free and clean. We have followed up with his assurances and a coalition of NGOs is putting forward a package of electoral reforms aimed at restoring the spirit and intention of the original Federation of Malaysia Constitution. To achieve this, we are proposing more than 204 amendments to the enactments and regulations related to the election systems and processes as well as to the relevant articles of the Federal Constitution.
In view of this, the electoral reform programme of Tindak Malaysia – which began as an implementation of the eight demands put forward by Bersih 2.0 – has expanded this to cover a comprehensive review of the entire electoral system and process. These reforms are intended to bring Malaysians back to the democratic aspirations of the original Federation of Malaya and Federation of Malaysia Constitutions. These reforms will take us beyond the 13th general elections and set the tone for the future of democracy in our nation.
This initiative will challenge the politicians on both sides of the divide to work towards the restoration of the democratic stature. While some of the proposals will require the endorsement of a simple majority in Parliament, others only need to be approved by His Majesty the Yang di Pertuan Agong. Constitutional amendments will require a 2/3 majority vote. It is important that the politicians and their parties state their stance on these proposals before they go to the polls in GE13.
The Bersih 2.0 coalition successfully mobilised more than 200,000 Malaysians to demonstrate their concerns about the lack of free and fair elections. Issue-focused groups like Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force), SMSL (Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas), Sadia (Sarawak Dayak Iban Association), SABM (Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia), SCANE (Sarawak Conservation Alliance for Natural Environment), ABU (Asalkan Bukan Umno), electoral watchdogs (Mafrel & Sibu Election Watchers) and think-tank CPI (Centre for Policy Initiatives) have joined Tindak Malaysia to launch these proposals.
We support Bersih 2.0’s efforts on mobilising voters to achieve 100% turnout at the elections as well as to become monitors to observe and report on electoral irregularities during GE13. Our proposals are meant to complement Bersih 2.0’s efforts and we look forward to gathering even more support from organisations and individuals to make this call for electoral reform a reality.
For further information or to schedule an interview with Tindak Malaysia initiator P.Y. Wong kindly contact: 012-214 9322.
The ‘1 Juta Rakyat Malaysia menyokong Reformasi Sistem Pilihan Raya’ Facebook page can be viewed at http://on.fb.me/VPmxdp.
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21-12-2012 | najib manaukau - najib manaukau
The mere fact that Najib is assuring all Malaysians that a fair and clean election will be held, is further proof that a fair and clean election will NEVER happen as long as the present Umno lackeys the EC is around and most of all when the warlords of Umno are still around. The only one way to get rid of that is to give the scumbags and parasites the kick that will send them all back to where scums and parasites belong. So make sure all right thinking Malaysians will come to cast your votes during the coming GE !
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We should channel our efforts and limited resources to what can be achieved before the election – not after. What is the use of all the beautiful plans for reform for the future if BN were to be returned to power again, knowing full well that it will never implement measures to restore true democracy to the country?
A better strategy would be to identify the minimum electoral reforms that we consider as absolutely essential and practical to be achieved within the short period between now and the coming election, and put maximum pressure on BN and EC to have them done now – before the election. By doing so, even if we fail to get the reforms we want, we would have rallied the people behind us and shift the middle ground further to the side wanting change. Bersih 4.0 is clearly on the cards. If Bersih 2.0 doesn’t want to take the lead, Pakatan Rakyat should.
Minimum reforms that come to my mind are: cleansing the electoral roll, tighten the rules and mechanism on postal votes and fair access to the media.