Bersih: Is Adenan against free and fair elections?
Electoral reform group Bersih has questioned whether Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem is against free and fair elections after he imposed a ban on one of the NGO's activists from entering the state.
Bersih secretariat member Mandeep Singh was on Feb 15 informed that he is barred from entering Sarawak and that the ban had been imposed since Jan 28.
"Does Adenan's ban on Mandeep and Bersih mean he does not support an electoral process that is free and fair?
"If not, Adenan must explain why he imposed the ban," it said in a statement today.
Bersih said while it acknowledges Sarawak's autonomy on immigration matters, Section 67 of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 clearly disallows the exercise of such autonomy against people entering East Malaysia for political activities.
"The purpose of Bersih and Mandeep going to Sarawak is to set up a group of independent observers for the upcoming state election.
"The independent observation process is internationally recognised as an important step in ensuring a transparent and fair election," it said.
Bersih said the ban came as a surprise because Adenan had in December agreed to meet with the NGO after multiple requests.
"However, the meeting failed to materialise despite two motnhs of follow-ups by Bersih.
"Bersih was later informed by an officer of Adenan's that he will only meet Bersih after the election," it said.
The NGO said it had wanted to meet the Sarawak government in order to forge cooperation to ensure the Sarawak election expected in April will be clean and fair.
Bersih noted that several of its past and present leaders have also been barred from Sarawak, including Ambiga Sreenevasan, Maria Chin Abdullah and Wong Chin Huat.
It urged Adenan to demonstrate his commitment to reform, including being more open and accepting of criticism.
Bersih added that its plans to monitor the Sarawak state election remains on course and urged Sarawakians keen on volunteering for the project to sign up with the NGO.
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