Be more sophisticated in fight for human rights, Suhakam chief tells Bersih 2.0

(MMO) – Instead of taking to the streets to defend human rights, Bersih 2.0 should take a “bit more sophisticated” approach, the new chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Tan Sri Razali Ismail said.

The former diplomat who was president of the United Nations General Assembly between 1996 and 1997 told The Star in an interview published today that the electoral reform group had the right to demonstrate, but questioned the efficacy of street rallies to get its point through.

“Bersih should be a bit sophisticated. It doesn’t want to be part of what some of the opposition political parties with all its infighting are trying to do to get rid of the government.

“But if you want to make a point why do you want to go to the streets? You damage a lot of property and all that. We are not that desperate in Malaysia and all that like Tunisia or Tahrir Square,” he was quoted saying, referring to the street rebellions in several Middle Eastern countries that began in 2010 demanding a regime change.

Razali said the authorities “have to weigh what is the best interest” and added that past street rallies before the Public Assembly Act was enacted had resulted in chaos which disrupted public order, which was undesirable.

Bersih 2.0 has been mulling holding the fifth instalment of its street protests after the US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit seeking to recover more than US$1 billion in assets bought with money allegedly embezzled from state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Past Bersih rallies had sought to pressure the government to step up its pace for institutional reforms and included calls for free and fair elections, transparency and good governance as well as the right to dissent.

The overnight Bersih 4 protest held in August last year also called for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s resignations.

Bersih 2.0 chair Maria Chin Abdullah said the group has yet to decide on Bersih 5.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has said the coalition of civil societies can proceed with a street demonstration as long as it follows the law and does not call for the Najib to step down.