Malaysian activists who staged a mass rally for poll reforms called on Tuesday for a royal probe into the electoral system after the clampdown on their weekend protest.
Bersih 2.0, a coalition of non-governmental organisations, said it would not abandon its campaign, with Prime Minister Najib Razak widely expected to call elections by early next year. The opposition say voting favours the Barisan Nasional coalition, who have ruled Malaysia for half a century but saw their majority slashed in the previous general election, in 2008.
‘The work for Bersih 2.0 continues. We believe that the best way forward is for the setting-up of a royal commission of inquiry. We have asked for that,’ Bersih head Ambiga Sreenevasan told reporters.
‘The idea is for them to look at the entire electoral system, look at an overhaul of the system… It’s clearly the wish of the people that we move forward with the agenda for electoral reform,’ she said.
She added the commission should consist of experts ‘acceptable to the people’ to study Bersih’s demands, such as allowing Malaysians abroad to vote and introducing indelible ink to prevent voters from casting multiple ballots.
Full Article: Malaysian poll activists call for royal commission.