MEDIA STATEMENT (31 July 2014)

 

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) is appalled that the idea of delineating according to race and religion is being considered by PAS.

 

This was revealed in a leaked extract of a Whatsapp discussion among top PAS leaders regarding the Selangor Menteri Besar crisis, and the thought was attributed to the party’s research centre operations director Dr Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki.

 

BERSIH 2.0 condemns race-based delineation; it is against the spirit of the Federal Constitution, whose ultimate aim is the promotion of peace and harmony among all peoples in Malaysia.

 

BERSIH 2.0 would like to remind PAS that this ideal was also reflected in the PAS election slogan – “PAS for all”. Even in merely entertaining race-based delineation, PAS has betrayed this ideal. The party appears to have forgotten the interest of the voters who chose them.

 

Race-based delineation also violates the letter of the Constitution, which sets out the conditions for delineation towards facilitating smooth administration of all constituencies as well as maintenance of local ties—with no mention of race.

 

Malaysians are identified as Malaysians not by the colour of their skin. PAS, and any other racial political parties, should stop dividing us based on race just to further its own political agenda.

 

Issued by,

 

The Steering Committee of BERSIH 2.0, which comprises:

Maria Chin Abdullah (Chairperson), Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa (Deputy Chairperson), Masjaliza Hamzah (Treasurer), Farhana Abdul Halim, New Sin Yew, Jannie Lasimbang (Sabah Vice-chair), Ahmad b. Awang Ali (Sarawak Vice-chair), Abd Halim b. Wan Ismail (East Peninsula Vice-chair), Thomas Fann (South Peninsula Vice-chair), Simon Lee Ying Wai (Central Peninsula Vice-chair) and Dato’ Dr Toh Kin Woon (North Peninsula Vice-chair).