Maria Chin Abdullah may have announced her jump from civil society into politics, but she has vowed to remain an independent MP should she be elected in the 14th general election.

The newly-resigned Bersih chairperson has offered herself as an independent candidate to Pakatan Harapan, but maintained she does not plan on joining any political party.

This is to avoid being embroiled in party politics and to enable her to focus on bringing a “reform agenda” to the Dewan Rakyat.

"I have to be an independent. If I carry a reform agenda, I have to stay focused.

"Being independent isn't so much about (contesting with an independent) logo itself, but more about keeping to an agenda that matters most to me. I must have the space to present my own position if there are controversial issues.

"Being in Parliament will be a tough fight, not just within a party, but you have to deal with BN... I don't want to get too involved in party politics. As an independent, I hope I don't have to do that.

“I will not join a party,” she told a packed press conference in Petaling Jaya today.

This reform agenda includes Bersih’s struggle for electoral reform and also gender equality, Maria added.

Her insistence on remaining independent notwithstanding, Maria said she chose to contest under the Harapan flag to prevent three-cornered fights with the opposition coalition.

Plus, she agreed with their manifesto, which she has perused ahead of its launch this Thursday.

“You cannot ask me to join BN because they are the violators (of free and fair elections),” she said.

Maria has yet to be offered any seat to contest in GE14 by Harapan component parties, but PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin has welcomed her to the coalition.

Changing the narrative

With her 40 years of experience in civil society, Maria hopes to work with other opposition MPs to bring about a “new narrative” to Parliament – one that is about good debates and laws rather than shouting matches.

“There are so many laws that have been rushed through without much debate.

“It's about time we bring up quality debates. We want good policies and good laws to be tabled at Parliament and state level.

“I we try out to work together (with Harapan MPs) to change the narrative of Parliament,” she said.

Also present at the press conference was former Bersih chairperson and lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan (photo), who voiced her support for her successor’s move into politics.

“I think it is worthwhile to take the fight for free and fair elections, as well as human rights, into Parliament.

“As an activist, I know Maria will do this honestly.

“She will not be a pushover, she will speak her mind (in Parliament),” said Ambiga.