Ambiga: Select committee must include civil society, No BERSIH, no TALK

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's announcement of a parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms is a “positive move”, but the eight demands raised by Bersih 2.0 must be taken into account, the movement's chief Ambiga Sreenevesan said.

She said that while the government's pledge to pursue free and fair elections is a “welcome” development, Najib must expand the scope of the committee to include civil society representatives.

In a text message from the UK, where she is on holiday, Ambiga said, “I believe that looking at the eight immediate demands of Bersih is (a) priority. We hope to see the involvement of civil society in this process. We are ready to help. There is much to be done before the 13th GE (general election).”

DAP Socialist Youth chief Anthony Loke agreed with Ambiga on the need for civil society involvement in the committee, stressing that public opinion is a necessary part of the its ability to carry out its responsibilities and said the eight demands laid out by Bersih 2.0 should be used as the terms of reference for the select committee.

In a statement, Loke said, “Najib's administration must call for a special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat before Hari Raya Aidilfitri to form this select committee. Without a special sitting, Parliament will have to wait till Oct 3 to form the committee.”

Loke said that Najib should give a three-month timeframe to the select committee to carry out its responsibilities and a full report must be tabled and debated in Parliament after the deadline, stressing that Najib must publicly pledge not to dissolve Parliament until and unless the demands for a clean and fair electoral process are met and implemented.