No hope for reforms, but Bersih says no protest yet

Government inaction, supposed delay tactics by the Election Commission (EC), lack of development in inviting foreign observers and escalating political violence have all but convinced Bersih 2.0 that no electoral reforms will take place soon.

"Can we expect reforms before GE13? No" said Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

In particular, she lamented that the EC is still dragging it feet in finalising mechanisms for overseas voting.
She said she doubts the transparency of the special unit the commission has set up to 'clean' the electoral roll.

She also repeated concerns over the commission's independence as its chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof was ambivalent when some senior officers were revealed to be Umno members.

"All this shows that there is no commitment to real reform, that GE13 will be one of the dirtiest elections ever and that we should not anticipate any change in the near future", she claimed.

However, the pro-electoral reforms group will not take to the streets again as yet, she said.

Bersih will instead work on its ongoing campaign - JomPantau to train citizens electoral observers, and Jom100 to ensure as many voters as possible cast their ballot to nullify any electoral hanky-panky.

Ambiga said more volunteers are needed as citizen electoral observers to help ensure a clean election.

Co-chairperson, national laureatte A Samad Said (right), who was at the press conference, also appealed for all registered voters to come out in force.

"I stress that all citizens who can vote (should) do everything they can to go out to vote. This is the only way to stop any hanky-panky by the EC."

Bersih to meet regulary

Pressed as to whether the movement, well known for organising massive rallies, will do so again, Ambiga said the committee will update the media if there are any changes.

"For the moment it's this - we will tell you as it moves along."

She explained that the Bersih steering committee will meet on a regular basis as GE13 looms and will decide - on as, when and is - basis, describing the situation like a "moveable feast".

Formed to champion clean and fair elections, Bersih had organised massive rallies in 2007, 2011 and again last year to pressure the EC and government to enact polls reforms.

All the rallies were met with heavy police action that saw some participants injured and many more arrested.

The government had formed a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms soon after last year's Bersih rally, though it denied that the move was because of Bersih.

The PSC subsequently come up with many proposed reforms, including those that mirror Bersih's demands.

However, Bersih is claiming that the government and EC are only paying lip service to the PSC proposals as almost none has been effectively implemented, even with GE13 just around the corner.