Bersih voices conditional support for Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR: Bersih 2.0 has come out in support of a new government led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic), provided that it upholds the mandate of the people as established in the 14th General Election (GE14).

It said between Dr Mahathir and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersih supports a government led by Dr. Mahathir and added that the government has to be a Pakatan Harapan government.

"The new government's rule must also be based on the Buku Harapan manifesto, as this was the people's mandate in GE14," said the election watchdog in a statement on Saturday (Feb 29).

In the statement, the Bersih steering committee added that any new members of the government must also commit themselves to the Buku Harapan.

It also called for a clear transition plan to ensure that the political crisis that began on Feb 23 does not happen again.

"Dr Mahathir's term should end in November, at the latest two weeks after the Apec summit, and to minimise uncertainty, his successor should be made the Deputy Prime Minister," it said.

Bersih added that this person should be Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as he was the eighth Prime Minister promised by Pakatan in GE14, and that any other candidate must be agreed upon by the Pakatan presidential council.

It also said that responsible and healthy party politics must be promoted through substantial reforms in electoral and wider political system.

These reforms include a term limit for the prime minister and de-concentration of his/her power, strengthening of the Parliament, and the creation of a level playing field in the 15th General Election for all parties to contest.

Bersih added that other welcome reforms included measures to promote the government's viability and curb party-crossing and also said that any reconfigured Pakatan government must recognise its weakness in implementing the reform agenda in its first 21 months.

It said that a new government must focus on managing the economy in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak and the ongoing US-China trade war to alleviate the hardship of the people, especially the marginalised groups.

Bersih also said any new government must deepen institutional reforms to affirm the rule of law, good governance and human rights and improve communal relations and reduce anxiety and insecurity felt by the Malay-Muslims, as well as other communities in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.