Pakatan Rakyat's electoral successes since 2008 disprove the Bersih 2.0 movement's claim that the electoral system is flawed, says Kedah Gerakan chairperson Cheah Soon Hai.

Cheah said the rally was a tool to create an "illusion" to foreigners, to give them a false impression about the state of politics in Malaysia.

NONE"If Pakatan feels that the Election Commission of our country is unfair, then how did Pakatan manage to win political power in five states in 2008 general election?

"Pakatan has even achieved one of the best successes in the record of history in the latest Sarawak state election.

"All these are solid enough to prove that the Election Commission (EC) is absolutely fair and unbiased in all its proceedings," Cheah (left) said in a statement today.

As such, he added, the rally was a "complete slapstick comedy which is totally meaningless".

Petition calls for electoral reform

The Bersih 2.0 movement, led by several prominent NGO personalities, is scheduled to hold a major demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on July 9.

The aim is to hand over a petition to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to intervene in instituting reforms in the electoral system.

The petition will carry seven demands:

  • Automatic voter registration at the age of 21;
  • Reforms to the postal voting system for out-of-town voters;
  • Use of indelible ink to avoid repeat voting;
  • Access to mainstream media for opposition parties;
  • A minimum campaign period of 21 days;
  • Independence of enforcement bodies on election offences; and
  • Stamping out electoral graft.

The movement's leader Ambiga Sreenevasan said the rally was a "last resort" after various attempts at engaging the authorities had failed.

In recent years, allegations of vote-buying have become more pronounced, but prosecution of such practices has been limited to only a handful.

There are also suspicions as to why the EC refuses to offer accreditation to foreign or local election observation teams.

Umno Youth lodges police report against Bersih

Penang PKR to send 1,000 to Bersih rally