One time Pakatan ally threatens street protests to get reforms moving

The Bersih movement might go back to the streets with protests, but this time against the Pakatan Harapan government to push for speedy reforms in the police and on other rights issues.

“We may have to take to the streets if this government does not have the courage to do the right thing for human rights,” said Ambiga Sreenevasan to the applause of the audience.

Ambiga who is head of Bersih said today (Dec 11) that she wants to know why some Pakatan Harapan MPs are objecting to the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

“I would like to know what is the objection (about)? I would like to know because the delays are unacceptable,” she to the media on the sidelines of a Human Rights Day forum.

She said the government had enough time to look into any objections after the bill was tabled in Parliament.

She voiced out her disagreement over the delay in passing the IPCMC bill, repealing of the Sedition Act and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 – Sosma.

She said so far the government has only repealed the anti-fake news law, and this is the only ‘reform’ they achieved.

Speaking of the Sosma, she said there are 12 people sitting in jail waiting for justice. Under Sosma the police have the right to arrest people and detain them without trial.

Sosma replaced the draconian Internal Security Act and Pakatan campaigned in 2018 on a platform promising the repeal of Sosma altogether.

Bersih is a Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections grouping non-governmental organisations which seeks to reform the current electoral system in Malaysia.

It is also a rights group fighting for all sorts of freedom in Malaysia.

Bersih has organised a number of huge rallies in Malaysia.-/TISG