Bersih holds off protests, waits for reform action in Parliament

SHAH ALAM - The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) expressed deep disappointment and frustration over recent setbacks in the country's reform efforts, warning of street protests if no progress is made.

The steering committee, in a statement, expressed its profound disappointment and frustration regarding recent setbacks in Malaysia's reform efforts.

"The decision to grant DNAA (discharged not amounting to acquittal) in corruption cases involving political elites, alongside the reduction of sentences for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has flared renewed public outrage and heightened concerns about the government's commitment to genuine reform," the statement read.

Bersih said the current situation sends a strong signal that the people can no longer remain silent as the country's trajectory for institutional and political reform veers off course.

"The primary concern lies in the prospect that the current government's remaining four-year mandate will elapse without any meaningful structural reforms including electoral reform, anti-corruption measures, and other institutional changes.

"Bersih stresses that Malaysia is currently in a critical period of democratic transition, requiring the collective participation of all parties to realise the Reform Agenda 100 per cent fully.

"Therefore, Bersih, together with Civil Society Organisations partners, youth movements, and students, will reinvigorate the people and the grassroots to shed light on the progress of this reform agenda through various actions and activities," the statement added.

Meanwhile, at a press conference earlier, Bersih chairperson Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz said his organisation would embark on a nationwide roadshow to educate the public on its demands to the government, including for institutional reforms.

"Visits to universities around the country would be included in the #Reformasi100percent (100 per cent reform) campaign.

“If Bersih is to hold a demonstration, it would be more impactful if the public understood the reason to take to the streets.

“To have a demonstration, planning is needed, and grassroots work is crucial to build momentum and ensure the public is with us,” he said.

According to Faisal, Bersih would also monitor the upcoming parliamentary session to see if there are any debates or decisions on structural or institutional reforms.