KUALA LUMPUR: The government is open to recommendations from the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), particularly on improving the electoral process and institutional reform.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this in a social media post after receiving a memorandum from Bersih chairman Mohammad Faisal Abdul Aziz in Putrajaya today.
"Some of Bersih's suggestions have caught my attention. Some proposals in the memorandum are already under consideration and action by the unity government.
"Dialogues and opportunities for exchanging views like this are crucial for understanding the aspirations of civil society and the challenges faced by the government, particularly on the issues raised in this memorandum."
He hoped a more inclusive approach to hearing the views of civil society, such as Bersih, could further enhance synergy between civil society and the government in the country's democratic process.
Yesterday, about 100 participants of the #Reformasi100Peratus (100 per cent Reform) rally organised by Bersih marched to the Parliament building.
The participants urged the government to implement promised reforms, including those related to the Protection of Whistleblowers Act 2010 and the Official Secrets Act 1972, which allows the government to declare any information as an official secret.
They also called for a term limit for the prime minister, the abolition of the Sedition Act 1948 and a moratorium on the granting of discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for corruption cases.