More than a month after the 9th July Rally, the PM has taken the first step to respond to Bersih's demands. Najib has propose the formation of a bipartisan parliamentary select committee for poll reforms.
Is this proposal of his a response to Bersih 2.0 mulling legal actions against the EC (Election Commission). Recently, Universiti Malaya dean of social sciences, Redzuan Othman, said that the EC's response to the Bersih 2.0 8 demands were "intellectually shallow", embarassing and not reflecting reality. Was this one of the reasons for Najib's proposal?
Recently, Pakatan requested for an emergency parliamentary sitting to discuss "Mismah-Gate". Till today, Nazri nor the PM has responded positively to this request. Could this proposal of a select committee be a diversionary measure? Pakatan MPs are still demanding for a public inquiry into what they say is a core issue - alleged fast-track citizenship for permanent residents in exchange for votes. Pas claims that it has found another "phantom voter centre".
Whatever, it appears that Najib has not been well advised or he has not consulted or analysed well the situation he is in, as far as electoral reforms are concerned. After having declared Bersih 2.0 and its yellow T-shirts illegal and that there is nothing wrong with the electoral system, he has once again exhibited his flip-flop stance. Is he moving to the right or trying to get back to being a reformist and heading back to the centre. Whatever, he has walked into a minefield of his own making.
While Bersih 2.0 and the alternative parties are going to support this proposal of his, his deputy, the Malay first and Malaysian second deputy PM, is having none of it. Muhyiddin insists that there is no real problem with the electoral system and that only some minor tweaks are required. Muhyiddin is quoted as having said ;; "If you insist that you do not have a disease, then why see a doctor". Once again, the PM appears to be out-of-sync with his deputy. Why, might we ask?
Even, the EC has been taken by surprise and was reported caught off-guard, with the turn of events.
Apart from having the BN and Pakatan in the said parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms; NGOs, especially Bersih 2.0 (PM, remember, you declared it illegal), the Bar Council, concerned rakyat from civil society must be included. The 13th election should only be held after reforms have been instituted. A time frame must also be set for the reforms to be instituted. Would it be expecting too much to press for the 3rd vote at this time? It looks like Najib has lots to think about and do apart from waiting for an inspiration to call for snap elections. Remember, there is also Tajuddin and the GLCs to think of too.
There are plenty of related articles ::
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