The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) steering committee members were not allowed to make submissions today under the coalition's name to the parliamentary select committee for electoral reform.
He had repeatedly stressed this when the five members, including chairperson Ambiga Sreenevesan, said that they were speaking for the banned coalition.
The minister was also questioned by committee member Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) for apparent double standards as he had yesterday allowed unregistered Human Rights Party to present their views in its name.
"This is a matter of consistency - you said Bersih 2.0 cannot be allowed as it is unregistered, although it is made up of about 60 registered NGOs," Azmin said.
'Offending' Bersih 2.0 removed
Ongkili, who had initially asked the coalition's memorandum be amended to have the title Bersih 2.0 removed from its cover sheet, however, allowed almost two hours for all five representatives to present their views.
"You can register me, whatever way you want but I am here to represent Bersih," Ambiga said referring to the memorandum.
"Arguing on these semantics won't help either of us... You can scratch out the word Bersih 2.0 or tear out the cover sheet."
Speaking to reporters later, the Kota Marudu MP denied he was not "fearful" of Bersih, and claimed that he did not practice double standards.
"HRP was allowed as it came as a pro-tem committee, while Bersih 2.0 is a coalition," he said, noting that he was very generous with the time provided.
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