PETALING JAYA: The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih), together with student and youth movements as well as civil rights groups, are ready to hold a demonstration to urge the government to implement its reform agendas as promised.
Bersih chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz said this was because the latest developments, especially involving the political elite, has given the impression that the pledges and commitments towards reform remain mere promises.
He said the reduction of the prison term and fine for jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, for example, has raised concerns over whether the people's mandate would go to waste without any positive structural reforms.
"The situation means that the people can no longer be silent and allow the institutional and reform agendas to deviate.
"Bersih will not hesitate to mobilise the people to the streets to make those in power understand that they cannot ignore the people's wishes to uphold the reform agenda," he said at a press conference here today.
Last week, the Pardons Board granted Najib a reduction in his prison sentence to six years from the original 12, as well as a reduction in his fine to RM50 million from the original RM210 million.
Najib, 70, was sentenced to prison for his role in the RM42 million SRC International corruption case.
He has been serving jail time since Aug 23 at the Kajang Prison in Selangor.
He had filed a petition for a royal pardon on Sept 2, 2022.
Meanwhile, asked if Bersih would be continuing its agenda to call for the abolishment of Article 42 of the Federal Constitution regarding the power of pardon, Faisal said they are only seeking transparency on the government's justification and recommendation for Najib's case to the board.
"This transparency will provide the answer to the question why the pardon (reduced sentence) was granted (to Najib). If something isn't stated in the Constitution, it doesn't necessarily mean that it cannot be done.
"For example, the Attorney General issued the order for a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) to a politician. There is nothing in the Constitution requiring him to offer an explanation.
"Yet, it doesn't mean that he has no right to accountability as it involves public interest.
"In Najib's or corruption cases, this also involves public interest and funds. As such, the people have a right to know what happened.
"This isn't a question of whether there are provisions or not in the law but more about public interest, which is a moral obligation (by the government) to offer an explanation," he said.