Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah is puzzled as to why Otai Reformasi 1998 wants to distance itself from Bersih since the electoral reform group did not sign the Citizens' Declaration.

“Actually they (Otai Reformasi) got it all wrong. Bersih never signed the Citizens' Declaration. So, I don't know what they are talking about, they better get their facts right," she told Malaysiakini.

"The Citizens' Declaration is meant for the citizens, not for the organisation," she said.

In announcing today that Otai Reformasi is keeping away from Bersish, its secretary Abdul Razak Ismail claimed that the reform group has deviated from its original struggle.

He said Bersih is now more interested on promoting prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad than fighting for its original agenda.

"I think this Otai Reformasi or whatever it calls itself has got its facts all wrong," said Maria.

"In a democracy, everyone should recognise that different people have different ideas. They should not undermine each other," she said.

"They (Otai Reformasi) should do a better job than this; they should at least issue a right statement,” she said.

Maria had signed the Citizens' Declaration in her personal capacity.

The Bersih steering committee had acknowledged that it faced differing views over the Citizens' Declaration but said the majority backed Maria when she signed the document in her personal capacity.

Three Bersih endorsers – Mama Bersih, Johor Yellow Flame and Sunflower Electoral Education – criticised Maria for her involvement in the declaration on March 11.

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Otai Reformasi distances itself from 'pro-Mahathir' Bersih