The newly elected chairperson of elections watchdog Bersih has pledged that the coalition will continue to hold the government and civil servants accountable.

Thomas Fann said a vibrant and mature democracy needed a level playing field for all political actors and opposition parties must be allowed to compete and be an effective check-and-balance on the ruling government.

“The new Bersih 2.0 steering committee and I will do our level best as a watchdog organisation to be a voice of conscience for New Malaysia by always speaking up without fear or favour and to aim for international best practices in procedural democracy.

“With the historic change in government in the 14th general election, Bersih 2.0 remains relevant, if not more so.

“As the new government has promised wide-ranging reforms, Bersih 2.0 will continue to monitor the process and engage with all relevant bodies and authorities to ensure that our country’s democratic institutions are truly independent and empowered.

“Bersih is still Bersih!” he said in a statement today.

The electoral reform movement had announced its new steering committee line-up earlier today with Fann being elected to replace his predecessor Maria Chin Abdullah who is now the Petaling Jaya MP.

Other members of the new committee are:

Deputy chairperson: Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz

Vice-chair for Sarawak: Ann Teo

Vice-chair for Sabah: Beverly Joeman

Treasurer: Ngeow Chow Ying

Committee members: Ng Geok Chee, Alex Johnson

The coalition said it had received one nomination for each post. Hence, all nominees won unopposed.

“With all candidates winning unopposed, therefore, our elections, which was originally set Nov 10 is now no longer necessary and duly cancelled,” it said.