Bersih will remain a non-partisan group, willing to work with all parties to make the country a better place, the election reform movement said today.

It said this following media reports quoting jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as saying that Bersih and other NGOs will be part of a “strengthened” coalition.

Anwar's statement has since been rectified to say that the coalition will work with NGOs such as Bersih.

"That clarification explains that Bersih will be a cooperating partner, and will not be directly involved in a partisan manner in the new coalition..

"Bersih welcomes the inclusiveness of this new coalition, but stresses that it does not side with any political party," Bersih added in a statement.

Anwar, in a message released by his lawyers yesterday, announced the formation of a "strengthened" coalition.

Besides Bersih, Anwar said, the coalition would also work with Abim, Ikram and the PAS splinter group, Gerakan Harapan Baru.

The jailed PKR de facto leader's announcement follows the break-up of Pakatan, after PAS cut ties with DAP.