Is Bersih still relevant post GE13?
Narinder Singh, FMT
Has Bersih 2.0 gone into hibernation with S Ambiga and A Samad Said taking leave from the front lines of their struggle? This question seem to be lingering in the minds of the general public ever since their last public stunt in mooting the People’s Tribunal last September.
There was much hype in bringing forward witnesses to this tribunal but the outcome has fizzled out as quick as the tribunal was mooted, convened and executed.
The public is anxiously waiting for their independent findings and recommendations but to-date it has not been forthcoming. It will be three months soon; as they promised it should be out by this weekend. Let us see if there will be any new revelations that can startle the public per se.
Bersih 2.0 has been extremely vocal in their voice and actions calling for a major overhaul pertaining to the electoral process in Malaysia. They have cried foul on the various irregularities; alleging that the ruling government led by Umno has played dirty to the run up of elections in the nation. They have painted the Election Commission as being bias, condoning corruption and gerrymandering to ensure that only Barisan Nasional component parties have the edge in winning an election.
As known, Bersih 2.0 has organised mass rallies to the run up of the last election in the hopes that their concerns and recommendations will be heeded by the Election Commission; calling for a clean, fair and just process.
In calling for a thorough reform Bersih 2.0 has summarised their broad demands into eight vital categories which includes stopping corruption, strengthening public institutions, a clean electoral role, minimum 21 days campaigning period, use of indelible ink, free and fair access to media , reforming the postal votes and above all stop dirty politics.
It is a tough call indeed especially so when they have claimed not to be in association or in affiliation with any political party for the matter. The very fact that Bersih’s initial steering committee comprised members from political parties as well, distancing themselves as not being another political platform is a daunting task. They have long been seen, perceived and accepted as having a strong leaning and biasness towards the opposition alliance made up of the DAP, PKR and PAS.
Can Bersih be neutral?
Accepted that they have strong following and endorsement from various NGOs, running close to a hundred, but we cannot assume that they have been all that innocent and ‘clean’ in championing for a reformed electoral process. The premise of their initiation itself speaks volumes if not in hypocrisy.
An entity does not become neutral in all essence just on mere declaration made in public. Perception is utmost important and provides how an organisation pulses on its mission and vision. Almost all their activities have been overshadowed by the opposition agenda, and that is to take over Putrajaya at all cost.
If indeed Bersih 2.0 wants to live up to its true spirit, it should not entertain any political party from both divides on their platform and even NGO’s that are suspiciously affiliated with them.
