Press statement by Maria Chin Abdullah, Chairperson of the Coalition of Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) on 7th August 2015 in Putrajaya.
With COA decision, huge turnout for Bersih 4 a must to save GE14
1. BERSIH 2.0 is disappointed by the Court of Appeal (COA) decision which is a great setback in the Malaysians’ effort to correct electoral manipulation especially gerrymandering and malapportionment of constituencies.
2. The COA decision frees the Election Commission (EC) from the constitutional requirement that it must show in the display ‘the effect of their proposed recommendation.’ (Section 4(a), the 13th Schedule)
3. Ordinary voters’ ability to scrutinize and object to the EC’s recommendations is severely undermined by the COA decision, making the display and objection process a mere formality without real check and balance to the EC’s recommendations.
4. The COA decision has virtually given the green light to the EC to carry out more outrageous acts of gerrymandering and malapportionment as it did in the past.
5. Consequently, the COA decision may allow the EC to make the GE14 outcome a foregone conclusion.
6. While appeal would be filed at the Federal Court, BERSIH 2.0 calls upon all Malaysians who want to keep their right to elect their government, rather than having it chosen by the EC, to come out in full force for Bersih 4. We must show public outrage and unwavered determination to protect our democratic right.
7. And with predetermined election outcome, clean governments are absolutely impossible and Malaysians can expect more prime-ministerial corruption cases like 1MDB and PKFZ, and bleaker economic outlook.
Stand up and be counted in Bersih 4 before it is too late.
Maria Chin
Istana Kehakiman.
7 August 2015