Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 has urged anyone who has information of bribery for political affliation in the two-day Terengganu political debacle to blow the whistle.

In a statement, it said that this is as the “speedy resolution” to the momentarily hung state legislative assembly gave rise to suspicion of underhanded tactics.

“The whole affair stinks of not only dirty politics but also party politics taking precedence over governance...

“Bersih 2.0 urges anyone who knows of any attempt to buy or sell political affliation with monetary gain - especially using public funds or other concessions - to blow the whistle, as corruption of such order will definitely destroy the country,” it said.

Bersih was referring to the resignation of three Terengganu BN assemblypersons from Umno, resulting in a minority government in the east coast state.

It was resolved within 48 hours, with Bukit Besi representative Roslee Daud recanting his resignation from Umno 12 hours after announcing it.

The other two, former MB and Kijal assemblyperson Ahmad Said (right in photo) and Ajil assemblyperson Ghazali Taib are expected to retract their quit letters later today.

'Go back to the polls'

“(This) will not be the last time such a crisis can happen. We must then loudly pressure for the correct recourse to be taken in the event it recurs.

“The menteri besar must seek royal consent to dissolve the state legislative assembly so that they will have a solid mandate to run the state,” it said.

It also stressed that the palace should not determine whether a government still enjoys the confidence of the people simply by summoning lawmakers.

“(This) will drag the constitutional monarch into partisan politics and tarnish its above-the-fray image, as happened in the Perak constitutional crisis in 2009.”

In the Perak crisis, the sultan rejected the menteri besar's request to dissolve the assembly following defections. 

He then instructed the BN to form a new government after determining that the BN commanded the support of the majority of the House.

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