Deputy Minister in PM’s Dept: Bersih’s demands are old issues

KUALA LUMPUR: The issues that the outlawed group, Bersih, are demanding should not be raised as they are old ones which had already been answered at the Parliament sitting as well as by the Election Commission (EC).

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said the EC, as the body which was responsible for the general election, had carried
out its task well and had been accepted by everyone in carrying out each poll.

"The clearest proof was the victory by the opposition in controlling five states in the 2008 general election...so the issue demanded by the outlawed Bersih can be said to be old ones which had already been answered in this august House which also shows the democratic system and the constitutional monarchy
being practiced in the country.

"Bersih, which sent a memorandum containing 17 demands to pressure the EC to implement changes in the system and processes of the general election in October last year, had received a written reply from the EC in November (last year) and had met with the EC," he told the Dewan Negara sitting, here on Thursday, July 9.

Liew said this when replying to Senator Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor who wanted an explanation by the government on the issues demanded by the 'new and illegal organisation' which planned to hold a gathering on Saturday and then move to the stadium after it failed to get the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

The eight demands made are that the EC clean up the electoral roll, reformation of postal voting, using permanent ink, access to independent and
fair media, a campaign period of at least 21 days, strengthening the public institutions, eliminating corruption and a stop to dirty politics. - Bernama