Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s announcement of a parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms is a “positive move”, but the eight demands raised by Bersih 2.0 must be taken into account, the movement’s chief Ambiga Sreenevesan said.

NONE While the government’s pledge to pursue free and fair elections is a “welcome” development, Najib must expand the scope of the committee to consult civil society representatives, she said.

“I believe that looking at the eight immediate demands of Bersih is (a) priority. We hope to see the involvement of civil society in this process. We are ready to help.

“There is much to be done before the 13th GE (general election),” Ambiga said in a text message from the UK, where she is on holiday.

DAP Socialist Youth chief Anthony Loke agreed with Ambiga on the need for civil society involvement in the committee, stressing that public opinion is a necessary part of the its ability to carry out its responsibilities.

Loke said the eight demands laid out by Bersih 2.0 should be used as the terms of reference for the select committee.

NONE “Najib’s administration must call for a special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat before Hari Raya Aidilfitri to form this select committee. Without a special sitting, Parliament will have to wait till Oct 3 to form the committee,” he said in a statement.

“(Najib) should give a three-month timeframe to the select committee to carry out its responsibilities... a full report must be tabled and debated in Parliament after the deadline.”

Loke also stressed that Najib must publicly pledge not to dissolve Parliament until and unless the demands for a clean and fair electoral process are met and implemented.

'Extend parliamentary working days'

The Association of Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) urged the government to extend the third and final sitting of the current session of Parliament to accommodate the select committee’s work.

Proham secretary Michael Yeoh said adequate time should be given to Parliament to come to a resolution on election reform concerns before the next general election.

“Proham firmly believes returning public discussions and debates through parliamentary select committees is an ideal way to enhance the parliamentary process and democracy in Malaysia," he said.

"This mechanism also provides the general public and civil society with a formal opportunity to participate in matters of public concern."