KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 27 civil society organisations have condemned the move to form a backdoor government, saying such an action was not only undemocratic but was also a betrayal of voters in the 14th General Election (GE14).
The organisations said they were also distressed with the break-up of the ruling Pakatan Harapan government.
“We, the undersigned civil society organisations (CSO) are extremely distressed by the break-up of the elected Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition that was voted in on 9th May 2018 during GE14 through the departure of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and the defection of 11 PKR members of Parliament,” they said in a joint statement.
The joint statement was signed by Bersih 2.0; Kryss Network; Monsoon Malaysia; Suara Rakyat Malaysia; Amnesty International Malaysia; Persatuan Ikram; Tindak Malaysia; Tenaganita; Global Bersih; Action for Justice and Unity Foundation; Engage; Gerak; Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia; All Women’s Action Society; Gerakan Pembebasan Akademik; TI Malaysia; Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia; Asylum Access Malaysia; and IDC.
Others who inked the statement are Article 19; Center for Independent Journalism; Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth; Persatuan Sahabat Wanita; Foreign Spouse Support Group;
Freedom Film Fest Network; North South Initiative; Sisters in Islam; Empower; Umany; Women’s Aid Organisation; Community Action Network; Pusat Komas; Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism;
Patriot; LLG Cultural Development Centre; Baram Kini; and the Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy
The civil society organisations viewed the attempted formation of a backdoor government as being undemocratic and a betrayal of voters who voted for change.
“The Rakyat voted for Pakatan Harapan and its coalition parties based on their promises and policies in their respective manifesto.
“Such reconfiguration of the component parties mid-term through the shifting of alliances and defections has nullified the election manifesto of PH, the Buku Harapan,” they said.
They added that voters were utterly disgusted by such political machinations by both the government and opposition MPs who defied democratic norms of responsible party politics.
The civil society organisations said parties were to compete with each other to offer the Rakyat meaningful choices, not to sabotage each other after elections and form a government that the people did not vote for at the general election.
They also want all PH MPs who won under the pact’s ticket, but have changed alliance, to resign immediately as they no longer have the mandate of the Rakyat and, failing which, they will call for a dissolution of Parliament and fresh elections to be held to seek a fresh mandate from the Rakyat.
“We urge the YDP Agong to give his consent for such a dissolution.”
The civil society organisations also called upon all citizens to voice out their anger and disappointment and make the two demands together with the civil society at this betrayal and abandonment of the mandate given to the PH government.
“They could express this through social media, writing to their MPs and even organise peaceful assemblies wherever they are
“The formation of any backdoor government must not be tolerated and cannot go down without any form of protest,” they said.
Bersih 2.0 which issued the statement said it would call for Bersih 6 if their demand on MPs changing alliance or a fresh general election was not called.