Bersih calls on PM to stabilise politics with more institutional reforms

SHAH ALAM - The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) calls on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to advance an agenda of political transformation that can ensure political stability and accountability after 15th General Election (GE15).

The coalition said the guessing game of GE15 was hurting the nation with the uncertainties that affected decisions making not only in the economic sector and public life, but also distract ministers' attention from governance.

“If PM cannot decide on when to call for an early election, he should just by default lay out the governance and reform plan for the remainder of his term until July 16, 2023.

“He should show leadership and determination in stabilising Malaysian politics,” Bersih said in a statement.

The coalition said they acknowledged that Ismail Sabri issued a statement on May 19, this year which stated that a Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption agreed in principle to the enactment of a Political Financing Bill, which is a comprehensive plan that would institutionalise good governance principles and as the National Good Governance Plan (MyGovernance) at all government agencies, including statutory bodies.

Ismail Sabri had also said that the separation of the Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor would be explored.

“We applaud the willingness of the Ismail Sabri government to consider these reforms and implement those already in the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) for Transformation and Political Stability.

“It's time for the prime minister to restore public confidence in our political and electoral process, a goal that should be supported by all parties, both in the government and Opposition benches.

“Bersih is aware that many structural reforms require constitutional amendments and we call on all parties and MPs, including the PM's own party – Umno – to lend their support to any such reform agenda, and for the government to start a consultation process with all stakeholders to secure their inputs and support,” it said.

Bersih had recently successfully concluded a two-day conference entitled Gearing Up for GE15: What Reforms Do Voters Want with Malaysian Bar Council in which politicians from various parties, experts from academia and civil society commented on urgent reforms needed before GE15.

Among the reforms addressed were Implementing PM's 10-year tenure limit, Introducing Constructive Vote of No-Confidence, Introducing Fixed Term Parliament, Separation of Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor's offices, Enacting Federal and State Laws for Equitable Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Meanwhile, the Formation of a PSSC on Electoral Matters, Expanding Absentee Voting Rights to Out-of-Region Voters, Improving the Postal Voting Process for Overseas Malaysian Voters, Empowering Parliamentary Special Select Committees, Restoring the Parliamentary Services Act, Enhancing the independence, impartiality and representativeness of Speakers and Deputy Speaker, Amendments to the Standing Orders to empower both opposition MPs and government backbenchers, and to enable Private member's Bills were discussed on July 7.

However, other institutional reforms which were not discussed but were equally crucial include Legislating a Political Financing Act which includes public funding of political parties and Implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Plan or its functional equivalent.