The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) is no longer sincere in its motives, said Election Commission chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, as its agenda pushing for electoral reform has turned "upside-down".

"Our doors are open for discussions but I find that the objectives of NONE Bersih 2.0 sudah lari (have deviated)... It is like, they have become a tool of certain quarters," said Abdul Aziz.

The EC is currently facing a standoff as Bersih prepares to rally against the government on Saturday for refusing to take measures to clean the election process, which the group claims is marred with various irregularities.

"When we met them (Bersih) November last year, the meeting was so cordial and friendly. I never saw this (the demonstration) coming. We never said we will never meet with them for discussion again," said Abdul Aziz, looking shocked.

Abdul Aziz repeated that after Bersih's first rally in November 2007, they never officially met with the EC to address their concerns.

The second chapter or Bersih 2.0 only sought the EC for a meeting late last year, he said, and the parties were suppose to meet again, however, the timing clashed with the April Sarawak state election, which the EC was busy preparing for.

Tensions and apprehension continue to peak with Bersih keeping to its plan of holding its rally on Saturday at 2pm at the Merdeka Stadium in defiance of the authorities.

Time is not a concern

According to Abdul Aziz, the EC sat with Bersih last November and heard its 17 recommendations presentation to the statutory body with each member allowed the opportunity to speak.

The 17 were then reduced to eight now... (but) out of the eight, four are not (directly) under the purview of the EC,” he told reporters, without elaborating further.

Expecting  EC to perform like a “super agency” in handling elections laws and graft related issues were also unnecessary at this juncture, said Abdul Aziz, as there are other government agencies in-charge of those areas.

EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar also took a wipe at Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan for vowing to proceed with the rally despite the EC’s call for negotiations. 

“Lawmaking in the country is in the hand of the Attorney-General Chamber, likewise matter concerning corruption is handled by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission,” he pointed out.

"If she (Ambiga) is truly concerned about political democracy then time is not an issue.

"Even if two out of the eight demands are recognise it is a big thing but clearly she has been influenced by certain parties," he added, after attending the launch of a campaign to check the electoral rolls this morning.