Bersih 2.0: Police harassment of Ambiga goes against parliamentary democracy

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) is appalled by Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s decision to call former Bersih 2.0 co-chair Dato Ambiga Sreenevasan for questioning under Section 124 of the Penal Code.

Ambiga is being investigated for her call to take to the streets to demand Prime Minister Najib Razak’s resignation.

Bersih 2.0 demands to know how asking for a Prime Minister who is determined to undermine the democratic process through the buying of elections, sacking those investigating him and dismantling parliamentary inquiries is ‘detrimental to parliamentary democracy’.

Instead, Bersih 2.0 stresses it is the harassment of those that stand up for the democratic process that is the threat to democracy. Parliamentary democracy is protected by fundamental rights enshrined in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, including the right to peaceful assembly. To fail to respect this right is a failure to protect the spirit of Malaysia’s democracy.

Bersih 2.0 remains committed to a transparent and democratic government. Despite the threats of arrest made against activists like Ambiga, we will not be deterred from taking to the streets in our struggle for these reforms.

Steering Committee of Bersih 2.0, which consists of –

Chairperson: Maria Chin Abdullah; Deputy Chairperson: Sarajun Hoda Abdul Hassan; Treasurer: Masjaliza Hamzah; national representatives: Assoc Prof Dr Abdul Halim bin Yusof, Farhana binti Abdul Halim, and Fadiah Nadwa Fikri; vice-chairpersons: Jannie Lasimbang (Sabah), Ahmad b. Awang Ali (Sarawak), Abd Halim b. Wan Ismail (East Peninsula), Thomas Fann (South Peninsula), Simon Lee Ying Wai (Central Peninsula) and Dato’ Dr Toh Kin Woon (North Peninsula).

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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