Ahead of new rally, Bersih 2.0 expands list of demands

KUALA LUMPUR — Polls watchdog Bersih 2.0 today (Aug 10) added “strengthening parliamentary democracy” to its existing demands for free and fair elections, citing Putrajaya’s alleged use of laws to undermine the country’s electoral system.

The demand entails rejection of Section 124B of the Penal Code that pertains to “actions detrimental to parliamentary democracy”, which police have used to pursue public investigators over an alleged conspiracy to unseat the government.

“The Coalition of Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) calls upon Malaysians to reject abuse of Section 124B by joining Bersih 4.

“We must stand up for our embattled parliamentary democracy from further assaults from the Executive,” Bersih’s statement read.

Its previous four earlier demands are for clean elections, clean government, right to dissent and saving the economy.

“BERSIH 2.0 calls upon opinion leaders and supporters of Bersih 4 to help spread the understanding that we cannot save our economy without strengthening our democracy,” the movement further added.

On Wednesday, Bersih 2.0 vowed to hold a fourth rally across three states from August 29 to 30 to demand free elections and protest Putrajaya’s handling of 1 Malaysia Development Bhd.

The exact locations for the August rally have yet to be announced.

The last Bersih rally three years ago ahead of the 13th general election was estimated by its organisers to have drawn some 50,000 participants in the national capital though government estimates placed the figure far lower. THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE