Bersih: Reject early polls as means to interfere with judicial process

Electoral watchdog Bersih has called for the rejection of an early 15th general election to save "kleptocrats" from justice in court, as certain quarters in Umno have been pushing for.

Bersih urged all parties to instead support a new convention of a “fixed-term Parliament” by allowing the 14th Parliament to only be dissolved on July 15 next year.

The group is also alarmed that the tabling of Budget 2023 has been brought forward by three weeks to Oct 7, fuelling speculation that Parliament will be dissolved the day after, to fish votes with generous but unguaranteed offers in an undebated budget.

Bersih condemned those who unashamedly instructed Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to seek pardon for former premier Najib Abdul Razak and for an early dissolution of Parliament.

"They have made clear that they want a new government that seeks pardon for Najib, pressures judges and perhaps withdraws charges in other corruption cases.

"If the supporters of kleptocrats get their way, then the 'two-class' (dua darjat) phenomenon would be institutionalised – government politicians would be spared from any legal consequences for breaking laws and robbing the people, as long as they can win elections," it said in a statement today.

Bersih warned that institutionalised protection for kleptocrats would destroy not just the law and society, but also the economy as honest businesses and investments would leave the country in droves, sinking Malaysia into catastrophe.

Implement key reforms

Bersih urged Ismail Sabri to stand firm on his promise to not interfere in the judiciary by rejecting the call for an early general election.

"He must remember his mandate comes from Parliament, and not from Umno.

"To protect Malaysia from kleptocrats, the prime minister must implement key reforms.

"First and foremost is the separation of the Public Prosecution Office from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), to eliminate selective prosecution and impunity by the attorney-general who is a political appointee and whose decision may be influenced by political considerations," it said.

The group claimed that if after the 15th general election, the attorney-general withdraws all charges against Najib in his remaining four cases, nothing can be done by the judges. This would result in Najib walking free if he receives a royal pardon on the SRC International case, it added.

Other pressing reforms Bersih listed include a political financing law that would provide sufficient public funding to political parties to reduce their dependence on slush funds, the appointment of standing select committees to scrutinise every ministry, and reform in absentee voting for out-of-region and overseas voters to raise turnout rates.

Fixed-term Parliament

As all these reforms would take months, Bersih said if all stakeholders are given ample time to offer their input, the 14th Parliament should last until July 15, 2023, and this would start a new constitutional convention of a fixed-term Parliament.

With a fixed term, Bersih said every Parliament should last for its entire term, and early dissolution should be sought in only two circumstances:

• When the government loses the confidence of Parliament; and

• When two-thirds of parliamentarians resolve to seek early dissolution

"With a fixed-term Parliament, an election date would be largely fixed. This would contribute to political stability by discouraging political adventurism and short-term calculations.

"It also allows ordinary people, especially police personnel, teachers and other civil servants involved in electoral administration, and journalists, to plan their family holidays or even wedding reception," the watchdog added.

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