Another round of publicity campaign by Bersih 2.0 "Implement the ‘8 Demands’ before GE-13"

Another round of publicity campaign by Bersih 2.0

"Implement the ‘8 Demands’

before GE-13" 

4/11/2011

Media Statement by Friends of Suaram Johor

The recent 709 rally was organized and led by Bersih 2.0 for submitting to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, a Memorandum on the “8-point demand for electoral reform”, expressing the common aspirations of the Malaysian people for clean and fair elections. However, the BN government disregarded such justified and legitimate demands of the people, and resorted to brutal repression by making mass arrests and barricading the city centre of Kuala Lumpur. But the repressive actions by the BN regime back-fired when a populace of 50 thousand strong were forced to take to the streets, turning the peaceful rally into a huge public demonstration.

Appointing Parliamentary Select Committee to hoodwink the people

As a result of the repressive action by the BN government, the Memorandum on the electoral reform could not be submitted to the Yang Di Pertuan Agong on the same day. Nevertheless, representatives of Bersih 2.0 managed to hand over the Memorandum to the private secretary of Yang Di Pertuan Agong in the afternoon of 15 July. It has been 3 months since the Memorandum was submitted. Yang Di Pertuan Agong and the BN government have yet to respond positively to the “8-point demand for electoral reform”. Instead, the BN government appointed a Parliamentary Select Committee on electoral reforms as an attempt to hoodwink the people in the hope of preserving their ruling power.

Hard time ahead, Najib contemplates early election

The ruling clique headed by Najib concocted the so-called “1Malaysia” slogan.  Pursuant to the slogan, and hyped about the so-called political, economic and social “transformation programs” to be implemented. But, for two reasons shown below, these promises, for sure, will not be honoured:

The first reason is the external factor. Global capitalism (especially the Western Europe and the United States) is facing an unprecedented economic crisis with possible financial collapse in the West. Such financial crisis in the West will certainly jeopardise the financial and economic systems in many other countries, including Malaysia.

Triggered by the economic crisis, the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, organised by the majority of 99% of the American population, decries the concentration of wealth in the hands of

a tiny minority of 1%. As the movement spreads across the globe, the ruling class in the West is facing an ever more difficult time ahead. The Najib regime at home too will have to face ever-rising popular dissatisfaction and resistance from the population.

The second reason is the internal factor. The decline of BN’s political power and the escalation of internal conflict within UMNO constitute the internal factor. Najib took over the helm at the time when BN suffered the loss of two-thirds majority in Parliament, together with the loss of ruling power in 5 states, namely, Selangor, Perak, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan.

The component parties of the Barisan coalition, namely, MCA and MIC have been abandoned by the people, especially by the communities they claim to represent. Similarly, the SUPP leaders in Sarawak suffered the same fate when the various communities in Sarawak discarded them.

As the ruling power of UMNO diminished, so was the pork barrel available to UMNO. This inevitably leads to the intensifying of internal conflict among the various factions within UMNO. The possibility of Najib being unseated in such internal strife cannot be ruled out. ”！

Although Najib’s administration will expire within a short span of ove a year, the internal and external difficulties it is facing prompt him to seek general election as soon as possible. However, that is only Najib’s own subjective wish.

The “8-point demand for electoral reform” are justified, legitimate and appropriate

Now the Parliamentary Select Committee has been appointed for the purpose of  “reforming the electoral system”, but Najib shows keen interest in holding an early General Election,  while the BN government  does not seem to evince any genuine intention to implement the electoral reforms to be introduced. In the circumstances, Bersih 2.0 Steering Committee has decided to launch a new round of publicity nation-wide. Bersih 2.0 hopes to organise a group of volunteers in each state to assist Bersih in carrying out the publicity drive, for the purpose of acquainting the people of each state with the following facts:

1. The memorandum submitted to the yang Di Pertuan Agong suggests the following: (1). Clean the electoral roll; (2). Reform postal ballot; (3). Use of indelible ink; (4) Minimum 21 days campaign period; (5). Free and fair access to media; (6). Strengthen public institutions; (7). Stop corruption; and (8). Stop dirty politics.

2. The Memorandum on “8-point demand for electoral reform” is endorsed by 88 registered non-government organizations. The 8 demands reflect the common aspirations of people of all walks of life for a free and fair elections.

3. The “8-point demand for electoral reform” was put forward through an open and peaceful constitutional process, in line with spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Federal Constitution. To demand for a free and fair election is a just and reasonable action, in the interests of the people and in accord with their aspirations.

Implement 8 demands before GE-13 - not to be duped any more

Bersih 2.0 hope to effect coordination among Bersih support groups in each state. A “non-partisan coordinating committee” ought to be formed in each state. The “8-point demand for electoral reforms” should be widely publicized in all the states.

More importantly, the people should remind Najib and the BN government to implement the 8 demands and to fulfill the basic requirements of free and fair elections before GE-13 is held. In other words, “Implement 8 demands before GE-13” should be the common stance taken by all Bersih support groups.

The people have been deceived by the Alliance (now the BN government) for more than half a century. This should not happen again. The people now demand free and fair elections, so that a government truly representing the interests of the people will come to power.

In conclusion, “Implement 8 demands before GE-13” is the serious common stand of the people.

Let us be united. Let us mobilize and strive to realize the goal of free and fair elections - “Implement 8 demands before GE-13”!

This Statement is issued by the Friends of Suaram (FOS) Workding Committee Johor on 4 November 2011. FOS Johor is the grassroot organization of Suaram. Suaram is one of the members  of Bersih 2.0.

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*Press statement released by BERSIH 2.0 on 30 September 2011. Please click here to read the press statement. 

Press Statement: 30 September 2011

BERSIH 2.0: Tunaikan 8 Tuntutan, Barulah PRU-13

BERSIH 2.0 officially launches our latest campaign “Tunaikan 8 Tuntutan, Barulah PRU-13” (Implement the 8 demands before GE-13). The success of Perhimpunan BERSIH 2.0 on 9 July 2011 is a strong indication that Malaysians believe that reform of the electoral system is crucial.

As such, the “Tunaikan 8 Tuntutan, Barulah PRU-13” campaign sets out to remind the government, particularly the Election Commission (EC), that the 8 demands for electoral reform must be implemented immediately before the 13^th General Election (GE-13) is held.

BERSIH 2.0 will be conducting similar events in various states to bring the message “Tunaikan 8 Tuntutan, Barulah PRU-13” to all Malaysian citizens.

With the possible formation of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) for Electoral Reform at the upcoming Parliament session, BERSIH 2.0 would like to reiterate the deadlines we have outlined for the implementation of the 8 demands.

Upon its formation, the PSC must release its first report by the next Parliament session in March 2012. The first report must be based on the issues of short term electoral reforms as raised by the 8 demands of BERSIH 2.0. Following the release of the report, the EC must implement the recommendations of the PSC report without delay.

The second report by the PSC should cover longer term electoral reforms which should be released by end of 2012 and implemented by the EC and relevant government agencies and ministries.

It is crucial that all Malaysians take upon themselves to demand for electoral reforms by presenting them to local EC offices, State Assemblypersons (ADUNs), and Members of Parliament. We call on Malaysians to pressure them to take on the 8 demands and ensure that no election takes place until the demands are implemented.

Salam BERSIH 2.0!

Steering Committee

Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0)

The Steering Committee of BERSIH 2.0 comprises:

Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan (Chairperson), Andrew Khoo, Arul Prakkash, Arumugam K., Dr Farouk Musa, Liau Kok Fah, Maria Chin Abdullah, Richard Y W Yeoh, Dr Subramaniam Pillay, Dato’ Dr Toh Kin Woon, Dr Wong Chin Huat, Dato’ Yeo Yang Poh and Zaid Kamaruddin.

BERSIH 2.0’s 8 immediate demands:

1. Clean the electoral roll
2. Reform postal ballot
3. Use of indelible ink
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
5. Free and fair access to media
6. Strengthen public institutions
7. Stop corruption
8. Stop dirty politics

Posted in: 1.政治, 1.政治-选举改革, 6.声明与文告, English