‘Bring on the third force’

The recently-launched Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM), seen as a ‘third force’ in the country’s political arena, has evoked both support and indifference from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) politicians.

It was launched on Dec 12 with a mission of reforming the nation’s political landscape and to get society to be more actively involved in politics.

This has raised the possibility of a three-way fight for Putrajaya between BN, PR and MCLM.

Selangor Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman and Klang Member of Parliament, Charles Santiago, said MCLM should be welcomed by the society, including PR, whose members were from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Pas) and DAP.

“MCLM intends to field their own candidates in the next general glection, but this will not disrupt PR’s selection of candidates or ruin our chances of winning,” he said.

“We must allow the public to choose the best candidate to represent and serve the rakyat.”

So far, MCLM had announced that two human rights lawyers, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar and Sreekant Pillai, would be among their candidates for the next general election.

However, PKR information chief and Batu MP, Tian Chua, said the movement needed to be clear on their agenda.

“It is hard for PR leaders to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to MCLM as the situation now is still confusing. But if MCLM wants to work with PR, we could sit down and discuss matters.”

Umno Johor Baru MP, Datuk Seri Shahrir Samad, said MCLM had not expressed any interest in working with BN or PR. “It would be better if MCLM candidates contest as independents,” he said.

MIC information chief and Hulu Selangor MP, P. Kamalanathan, said the formation of MCLM reaffirmed the weaknesses of PR.

“For a third force to come into the picture, it just shows there are uncertainties within the PR coalition,” he said.

“At the end of the day, it’s up to the voters to decide which party can better serve the rakyat.”