Bersih sees red with EC, PSC
Bersih 2.0’s ‘report card’ still shows that many of its recommendations to the Parliamentary Select Committee and Election Commission have been ignored
(Free Malaysia Today) – Bersih 2.0 today lambasted the Election Commission (EC) and the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) for electoral reforms over their failure to make the necessary changes to improve the election system.
“The EC’s apparent lack of commitment and pro-activeness in implementing not only Bersih 2.0’s recommendations but also the PSC’s recommendations indicates a serious lack of political will in facilitating deeply needed reforms in the electoral system,” the Bersih 2.0 steering committee said in a statement.
Bersih 2.0 said despite the EC being the constitutional institution entrusted to manage electoral procecess and uphold the rights of voters, it seemed “unwilling to fulfil its constitutional duties”.
“Bersih 2.0 reminds the EC that it is not answerable to any political master but to all citizens of Malaysia. The EC has therefore abandoned its constitutional role and responsibility to ensure electoral reforms and good governance be practised and implemented before any elections can take place,” added the pressure group.
Jan 12 marked the final public hearing for the PSC. Bersih 2.0 has compiled a table to compare its recommendations with the PSC’s recommendations in its interim report and the areas which the EC had committeed to implement.
Bersih 2.0 said it was disappointed that overall, the PSC’s interim report had only made a few recommendations despite having heard substantial recommendations from Bersih 2.0 and other groups and individuals.
“The PSC’s interim report should have included all substantial recommendations to ensure that key reforms are implemented by the EC immediately.”
‘We are disappointed’
Bersih 2.0 noted that out of the 41 recommendations in its eight demands, the PSC in its interim report fully adopted only four of its recommendations:
