Syahredzan criticises heightened police presence at Bersih's press conference, deems it intimidation
SHAH ALAM - Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan has criticised the action of deploying a large number of police personnel during a press conference held by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) earlier today as it was seen as a form of intimidation.
He said such practices should not occur under the Madani Government and urged the authorities to reconsider such an approach.
"I do not see the need to deploy so many personnel just for a press conference.
"This will be seen as a form of intimidation and such practices should not become the norm under the Madani Government.
"The IGP (Inspector-General of Police) and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail should review the matter.
“Let’s not waste our efforts in opposing all forms of intimidation from the authority so far,” he wrote in a post on X, today.
He said this in response to a social media post uploaded by Bersih showing the heavy presence of police personnel at its office following a press conference over former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s pardon and the #Reformasi100percent demands.
In the post, Bersih questioned whether intimidation was the real message the government wanted to convey.
Earlier today, the electoral watchdog in a statement, expressed disappointment over recent setbacks in reform initiatives, including the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) in corruption cases and a reduced sentence for Najib.
They demanded urgent structural reforms, stressing the need for progress in electoral reform and anti-corruption measures within the current government's remaining mandate.
“The government's four-year term must not pass without significant reforms. Bersih vows to mobilise people and grassroots movements to demand accountability and full realisation of the Reform Agenda amidst Malaysia's critical democratic transition.
“Bersih stands ready to mobilise the public if necessary, emphasising the importance of holding those in power accountable and pushing for comprehensive structural reforms to address electoral reform and anti-corruption measures during Malaysia's democratic transition,” it said in a statement.
