Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan has questioned the government's decision to allow political parties access to  state-owned media only during the next general election campaign.

NONE She asked why this was not being implemented immediately, why conditions were imposed, and why the move was confined to publishing or airing party manifestos only.

"What is free access? Publishing your manifesto is not the free access that we are talking about. All parties should be given free access to the media so they can speak directly through the media and to the people. That is what we mean.

“Publishing the manifesto and imposing conditions is not free access. Why are there restrictions?

“Any government that is genuine in providing free access to the media will not impose limitations and will do this now, not wait until the election approaches.

'Problem not with the report but what is carried'

“All it needs is a phone call. It will also be easier for journalists as I know how hard it is for you in reporting the news fairly. The problem is not with the report but what is carried. If you want to do it (free media access) it can be done.”

Free access to the media for all political parties is one of the eight demands put forward by Bersih, a coalition of NGOs demanding clean and fair elections.

rais yatim wisma berita rtm 060612 On May 22, Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim had said a cabinet paper has been prepared on equal access to the state-owned media, to enable political parties to publicise their respective election manifestos.

Ambiga said the media should be allowed to interview candidates from both sides, and for members of the public to meet and interact with the candidates to understand who they are.

'Why the restrictions to only limit it to manifestos? Why is it so guarded in the way of only some form of access to the media?” she asked.

Although access to the media is one of the requests of Bersih, Ambiga said it was not implemented wholeheartedly and that was why Bersih would not endorse or support the government on its version of  the proposal.

She also put pressure on the government to allow United Nations special rapporteurs to visit the country.

“We (Malaysia) are in the Human Rights Council and we also subscribe to UN procedures. The UN rapporteurs have been writing in, wanting to come and I think it is only right for our government to respond to that request,” she said.

Ambiga also said that Bersih would continue with its voter education campaign to encourage high voter turnout for the 13th general election, which would help overcome the present deficiency in confidence over the electoral roll.

One of the Bersih steering committee members, S Arul Prakash, said Bersih has also set up a system for the people to report election irregularities they come across and for them to volunteer to become election observers.

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