MCLM Condemns the Hatred and Cowardice behind the Death Threat to BERSIH 2.0 President

The Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) condemns the cowardly death threat made against Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan, Chairperson of BERSIH 2.0 (Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections). This threat also included her colleagues and supporters of BERSIH 2.0.

BERSIH 2.0 was formed with a singular noble objective, that is, to bring about electoral reform that will safeguard democracy in Malaysia. The demands of the upcoming BERSIH 2.0 rally, “Walk for Democracy”, which will be held on 9 July 2011, are:

   1. Clean the electoral roll

   2. Reform postal vote

   3. Use indelible ink

   4. Free and fair access to media

   5. Minimum 21 days campaign period

   6. Strengthen public institutions

   7. Stop corruption

   8. Stop dirty politics

Every effort has been made to prevent this rally from taking place. Threats to disrupt the rally with violence have been made. However, this death threat goes beyond the pale. We urge the Polis Diraja Malaysia to take this threat seriously and provide Dato’ Ambiga, her colleagues and all the supporters of BERSIH 2.0 every protection.

We are extremely saddened to see that such deep-seated bigotry and hatred exists in Malaysia. This situation is the result of ignorance born of a skewed economy, flawed education system and the absence of social justice, which are the consequences of five decades of Barisan Nasional rule.

We call on all reasonable Malaysians who are the Third Force in this country to join us in condemning not just this cowardly death threat but also the many different efforts to prevent us from exercising our constitutional right to free speech and a free democracy.

 

HARIS M. IBRAHIM

PRESIDENT