Deliver on promised reforms or face protests, Bersih tells Anwar’s govt

PETALING JAYA: Alleging that the government had not fulfilled its promises on reforms, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Election (Bersih) says it will not hesitate to take to the streets to demonstrate its disappointment.

Bersih chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz said the public had expressed its disappointment and anger regarding the latest developments in the implementation of the reform agenda in this country.

Such development, Faisal said, suggested that the promises and commitments of reform including combating corruption had been just lip service.

“The reward of being discharged not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) in corruption cases involving political elites, including the reduction of sentence and fine by the Pardons Board for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has fuelled the people’s anger.

“For one the government’s failure to be transparent regarding the advice submitted to the Pardons Board indicates a disregard for the people’s right to know the truth,” he said in a press conference on Wednesday (Feb 7).

Faisal said the ongoing situation sent a strong signal that the people could no longer remain silent as the trajectory for constitutional and political reform in the country had veered off course.

“There are various campaigns and activities organised by the electoral watchdog with civil society organisations (CSO), youth movements and students.

“Bersih will not hesitate to mobilise the people to take the streets as this is the language best understood by those comfortably in power, regardless of the various excuses given.

“The people urge the government to implement the 100% Reform Agenda (#Reformasi100peratus), without compromise,” he added.

When asked whether Bersih would pursue a call for a repeal of Article 42 of the Federal Constitution specifically regarding the transparency of the Pardons Board, Faisal said that Bersih only wanted the government’s justification and recommendations regarding Najib’s case from the Board.

He said that transparency would answer why the pardon or reduction of prison sentence was granted to Najib.

“In fact, it is not something that is not stated in the Constitution that cannot be done.

“For example, the Attorney General gave an order to leave without release (DNAA) to a politician, it is not in the Constitution stating that he must provide an explanation.

“However, this does not mean that he does not have the right to accountability because it involves the public interest.

“In the case of Najib or corruption, it involves the public interest and the people’s money. Therefore, the people have the right to know what is happening.

“This is not a question about whether or not there is a provision in the law, but more about the public interest which is the moral responsibility (of the government) to provide an explanation,” he said.

Last week, the Pardons Board in a statement said the former premier’s 12-year prison sentence has been reduced to half and is set to be released on Aug 23, 2028.

In addition to the early release, the fine to be paid by Najib was reduced from RM210mil to RM50mil.

Najib, 70, who had been serving his sentence in Kajang Prison, Selangor since Aug 23, for misappropriating RM42mil in funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd filed a petition to be pardoned by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Sept 2, 2022.

After the press conference, heavy police presence was detected within the proximity of the Bersih headquarters at Avenue Business Centre here on Wednesday (Feb 7).

“Heavy police presence at Bersih office following a press conference on Najib’s pardon and tuntutan #Reformasi100peratus.

“Is intimidation really the message that the Madani government wants to send? Bersih said in a post on the social media platform, X.