They've taken turns to make their points known and levelled accusations against each other through the media. One has led demonstrations - and got arrested - over the set of demands on the other.
Come July 26, Malaysians will get a chance to watch Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan face off with Election Commission (EC) deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar in a debate on the country's electoral system - its merits and demerits.The event - organised by Kumpulan Karangkraf, which publishes Malay language daily Sinar Harian and a score of popular magazines, will also see the participation of UKM professor Shamsul Amri Baharuddin.
In an Utusan Malaysia report today, Wan Ahmad confirmed he would be taking part in the programme entitled 'Apa Selepas 9 Julai...' (What after July 9...), which is scheduled to take place at Kompleks Karangkraf in Section 15, Shah Alam.
Ambiga to attend
Meanwhile, Ambiga who is presently overseas, when contacted confirmed she will attend the debate with Wan Ahmad and Shamsul Amri.
“More importantly, the ultimate aim is that we do eventually see a positive move towards 'real reform',” said Ambiga, who was formerly a Bar Council chairperson.
Ambiga, along with the steering committee members, represent more than 60 non-governmental organisations, is seeking electoral reforms and calling for a clean and fair elections.
The peaceful protests on July 9, which they claimed attracted 50,000 demonstrators taking to the streets of Kuala Lumpur, were to demand electoral reform.
There are eight demands sought by Bersih 2.0 namely to clean the electoral roll, reform postal votes, use of indelible ink, minimum 21-day campaign, free and fair access to the media, strengthening public institutions like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, judiciary, police and the Attorney-General's Chambers, stop corruption and a halt to dirty politics.
DAP: Televise it live
In a related development, the Perak DAP Youth director of political education, P Sugumaran, has called on the authorities to air the debate live.
“The government should take the initiative to give all Malaysians a chance to witness the debate live. The question is whether the Putrajaya government would react openly and transparently to this demand.
“If this is not met, the government would be seen as as too weak to follow the demands of the people. If it is aired live, those who did not attend the peaceful gathering can judge or interpret themselves on whether the Bersih 2.0 demands, the EC attitude and the BN government's action were proper,” he said.
Sugumaran said it is a win-win situation for all parties if given the proper platform and it would depend on the Information, Communication and Culture Ministry to react to this demand.
“Hopefully all this will be answered on July 26. Ambiga is brave to take the debate challenge and this shows her integrity of being transparent in seeking the rights of the lonely voices and demands of the voters.
“Ambiga does not only represent Bersih but the aspiration of all Malaysians wanting to see electoral reform and a clean campaign. Malaysians have much respect for Ambiga for being consistent and steadfast in facing the challenges by the authorities,” he said. - Malaysiakini
1 comment:
What so difficult about having fair election??? unless the ruling gov has many things to hide from rakyat.....like phantom voters,postal votes(speaking of postal vote,many of these crooks are in bn due to postal votes;man! yet they talk biggg???)
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