PRESS STATEMENT

12 AUGUST 2015

‘Hackers’ have nothing to do with Bersih 4. Do not misuse the campaign’s name

The Coalition of Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) has been made aware that there is apparently a ‘cyber war’ threat against certain targets related to the government under the guise of ‘Anonymous Malaysia’.
BERSIH 2.0 is also aware that said threat has been issued in conjunction with the date of the Bersih 4 peaceful assembly, scheduled on the 29th to 30th of August, and that the people behind this threat has claimed support for Bersih 4.
We however do not condone, and must condemn the threats issued by this so called group of hackers who have misused Bersih 4’s campaign in order to further their own agenda, whatever that may be.
BERSIH 2.0 does not agree nor tolerate with vicious attacks, either physical or virtual, towards a democratically elected government, however flawed the electoral system might have been.
We therefore ask that this group of computer enthusiast to immediately cease and desist from misusing the Bersih 4 campaign, and advise them to not carry out their threat which will only jeopardize the peaceful assembly that will take place at the end of the month.
Otherwise, BERSIH 2.0 has no other choice but to believe that such act of unknown individuals unaffiliated to us, is merely a stunt to put the campaign towards institutional reform in jeopardy; orchestrated by those who might be affected by the success of our campaign.
We therefore urge the police, to take immediate action, in order to stop this act of terror from taking place and jeopardizing the constitutionally entrenched right of the people to assemble and express whatever displeasure they might have for the sake of a better parliamentary democracy in our beloved nation.
BERSIH 2.0 reiterates that we demand clean elections, clean government, right to dissent, strengthening parliamentary democracy, and saving the economy; without resorting to violence or extortion, either physical or virtual.
Issued by
Maria Chin Abdullah, Chair, BERSIH 2.0
BERSIH 2.0 Steering Committee, –
Timbalan Pengerusi: Sarajun Hoda Abdul Hassan; Bendahari: Masjaliza Hamzah; wakil kebangsaan: Prof Madya Dr Abdul Halim bin Yusof, Farhana binti Abdul Halim, Fadiah Nadwa Fikri dan New Sin Yew; naib pengerusi: Jannie Lasimbang (Sabah), Ahmad b. Awang Ali (Sarawak), Abd Halim b. Wan Ismail (Semenanjung Timur), Thomas Fann (Semenanjung Selatan), Simon Lee Ying Wai (Semenanjung Tengah) dan Dato’ Dr Toh Kin Woon (Semenanjung Utara).