Ex-Abim president elected as Bersih chairperson

Former Abim president Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz has been elected as Bersih's new chairperson.

According to a statement by the Bersih election committee, it was a close race between Faisal and Gopalan K Papachan earlier today.

A total of 45 out of 61 NGOs that formed the Bersih coalition participated in the voting process where 23 of them voted for Faisal while Gopalan received 22.

"Based on the results, the election committee declares Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz as the new Bersih chairperson for the term of 2023 to 2025.

"The election committee congratulates the candidate who has been elected and wishes him the best in exercising the responsibilities of leading Bersih for the term," said the statement.

The election for Bersih chairperson was held after its incumbent Thomas Fann tendered his resignation last month.

According to Fann, while he had retained the seat uncontested during the Bersih election in early November, most of the other candidates in his team were rejected by the participating NGOs.

He saw it as a "vote of no confidence" against his leadership and thus decided to resign.

Citing ‘no-confidence’ vote, Fann steps down as Bersih chair

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