INTERVIEW While engaging the Election Commission in its push for electoral reform, Bersih 2.0 is also working hard to defuse the defensiveness of the ruling coalition, arguing that accepting electoral reform will bring back public confidence in the government, which will be translated into votes in the next general election.

"Absolutely" was the answer given by Bersih 2.0 chief Ambiga Sreenevasan when asked whether implementing the reforms demanded by the coalition would help BN to garner more votes in the next egeneral lection.

"If the government had dealt with the July 9 rally differently, it will get many more votes... I'm afraid it keeps blaming Bersih, but it did it to itself," she said in an interview with Malaysiakini last week.

NONEDespite intense intimidation before and high-handed clampdown by police during the Bersih rally, a multiracial crowd of some 50,000 joined the street demonstration and braced themselves against tear gas and water cannons in their demand for free and fair elections.

Although the government's reaction to Bersih 2.0 had worsened the credibility crisis it already faces, Ambiga is of the view that chances are still available for BN to recover before calling for the next general election.

"Of course it can regain credibility. It is not difficult. Credibility is about being honest and open, and also not being afraid to say 'I'm sorry' when it has done something wrong."

She cited the example of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who apologised during the general election campaign for mistakes made by the government.

"He probably got votes from that," she said.

"If I were a public relations adviser to the BN, I can assure you I wouldNONE have advised them quite differently," Ambiga said with a chuckle, adding that it was daily demonisation by the BN-linked mainstream media that helped to publicise the July 9 rally.

Both Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin have expressed their commitment to free and fair elections. However, no concrete plan, or any detail, has been announced until now.

Asked whether she felt Najib was sincere in initiating reform or whether this was merely a tactic to buy more time for an early polls, Ambiga she saw a lack of political will in the BN.

"I have a concern, yes, that there may not be the political will to bring the changes that are needed," she said solemnly.

"I think if the authority had the political will to resolve these issues, we would have been engaged in a dialogue by now.

'Demands doable, not difficult to deliver'

"My concern is that the 13th general election is around the corner. We have asked for eight immediate demands prior to this election. They are all very doable, they are not difficult to deliver, not at all, provided there is political will to do so," said Ambiga.

Nevertheless, she and her Bersih 2.0 steering committee are still prepared to hold dialogues with anybody in the ruling bloc, including both Najib and Khairy.

"Talk to us. I would like to persuade you that we have good reasons for what we are saying and we are prepared to hear if you say we have no basis," said the former Bar Council president, adding that efforts were being made to engage the duo.

NONEEven if no electional reform was done before the the next general election, which was said to be just around the corner, Ambiga maintained that the people should exercise their voting rights.

"I think every rakyat must participate. All those who can vote must vote. You must exercise your right to vote, and I think it will be very disappointing if the government doesn't pay heed to any of the things that we have asked for.

"But I still think that the number of those who go out and vote is an important factor as well, to mitigate some of the electoral mishaps to a small extent. So I think whatever happens, whether reforms are introduced or not, the rakyat must go out and vote,

"No vote must go to waste. Obviously, a level playing field gives more meaning to one's vote. I'm not denying that. It gives more weight and meaning to the vote, but even without the electoral reform, every vote will count," she stressed.

BN's response: 'Distract, delay and dilute'

After the July 9 rally, some commented that history of first Bersih rally of October 2007 may repeat itself. The rally was attended by some 40,000 people, but it failed to pressure the government to introduce any significant electoral reform before the 12th general election that was called five months later.

BN's tactic to deal with the demands raised by Bersih 1.0 four years ago, summarised by some as '3D' - distract, delay and dilute - has resurfaced again after Bersih 2.0 raised its demands.

Asked about the lessons drawn from Bersih 1.0, and what Bersih 2.0 could do to produce a different result before the 13th general election is called, Ambiga said the people should keep up their pressure on the government and ministers.

This writer then pointed out that there were people waiting for Bersih 2.0 to lead them into another action, but the coalition seemed to be losing its steam.

NONEAmbiga replied that the next action, including the possibility of calling another rally, would depend on the government's response.

"I know... everyone is asking about Bersih 3.0 or the next rally, but let me say this: you don't call for a rally at the drop of the hat, you don't do it every month, because this is a very, very serious matter,

"I think if the responses from the government are positive, then you don't need to look at those options. Ultimately, to me, whether there is another rally or not, is really in the hands of the government.

"This is because if they respond positively, and by positive I'm only asking for engagement at this point and some serious political will to change, then we don't need to look at the option of a rally or a demonstration," she said.

According to Ambiga, the BN still has the last opportunity to resolve the issues on the table, before the people take to the streets again.

"Whether there is going to be another rally or not, is not an answer I can give you now, because I'm waiting for the engagement they have said they will have with us, and I think we need to give them a chance."

VIDEO|7.29 mins 

Tomorrow: Bersih ready to reveal its sources of funds

Yesterday: Ambiga: EC can change if put under pressure