Veteran opposition MP Lim Kit Siang has called on all members of the cabinet to march alongside Bersih 2.0 come July 9, in support of electoral reform.

He also asked the inspector-general of police (IGP) to facilitate Bersih’s march to Istana Negara on the day.

NONE “Let July 9 be a historic day in Malaysia to celebrate the coming-of-age of 54 years of parliamentary democracy where political parties, both ruling and opposition, together with the civil society, can come together to address the  major defects of our democratic system of governance,” Lim told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

 

“The many serious flaws of the electoral system fail to give real meaning to the principle of ‘one person, one vote, one value’; a clean, free and fair election process and elected government which commands unquestioned credibility, legitimacy and authority.

“I am sure representatives from BN parties would be welcome to join the Bersih 2.0 steering committee to ensure that the rally will be an event (that) all Malaysians, regardless of political affiliation, would feel proud of.

“I would be happy to walk with Najib (Abdul Razak), Muhyiddin (Yassin), Dr Chua Soi Lek, Koh Tsu Koon, G Palanivel, Abdul Taib Mahmud, George Chan, Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Bernard Dompok, James Masing, Willim Mawan Ikom and other BN leaders for the advent of free, fair and clean elections in Malaysia.”

NONE Lim said participation across the political divide would help “exorcise” the alarm raised by Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali against the Chinese Malaysian community.

“If such incendiary (and) blood-curdling threats had been uttered by anyone in Pakatan Rakyat, he or she would have been clapped in jail without much ado,” he said.

Although several days have past since the comments were made, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has yet to take any action.

“Ibrahim is a clown and utterly irrelevant. What is pertinent is the silence, connivance and/or condoning of Ibrahim’s May 13 antics by the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, the home minister and the IGP who must explain why Ibrahim enjoys immunity and impunity for such seditious, incendiary and treasonous utterances.

“Will the cabinet meeting this week censure the home minister for failing to take appropriate and commensurate action against Ibrahim ...?”

Emergency motion filed

Another opposition MP has filed a motion to debate the Bersih 2.0 rally and Ibrahim’s threat against the Chinese.

NONE The DAP's Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa (right) , who was at the press conference, said he filed an emergency motion under Standing Order 18(1) as Bersih’s intention is not cause violence.

It is Ibrahim, said Er, who intends to strike fear among the public.

“His words were uttered with the specific intention of causing fear among the people. This is not the first time the Perkasa president has made such racially-charged statements, urging the people to fight among themselves.

“However, the police have taken no action to deter him from making more of these statement... since independence, no individual has been given this much leeway without facing legal action.”

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