KUALA LUMPUR — Election watchdog Bersih has commended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his openness in addressing the group’s mid-term performance assessment of the unity government.
Bersih chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz said Anwar’s positive response to the criticism, particularly his commitment to improving the government’s “D” grade standing, reflected a commendable willingness to accept and act on feedback.
“Anwar’s willingness to address the report and his pledge to improve the grade in the coming years reflect his openness to constructive criticism,” Faisal said on X.
“This evaluation is preliminary, with three years remaining in the government’s term to implement improvements.”
The report by Bersih evaluated the government’s progress in three key areas: electoral reforms, institutional reforms, and civil liberties. According to Bersih, the 45.8% score signifies minimal progress, with significant gaps between the coalition’s manifesto promises and actual implementation.
Progress acknowledged but falls short
In a stament, Bersih highlighted some advancements under Anwar’s administration, including the passing of the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023, amendments to the Audit Act 1957, and efforts to strengthen parliamentary select committees.
However, the report criticised the lack of progress on core reforms such as the separation of the roles of Attorney General and Public Prosecutor, the Parliamentary Services Act, and equal constituency allocations for all Members of Parliament.
Additionally, Bersih pointed to a continued reliance on executive discretion for key appointments, such as the Attorney General and heads of major institutions like the Election Commission (EC) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The absence of parliamentary oversight in these appointments has eroded public trust in government transparency, the report said.
On Tuesday, Bersih ranked former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as Malaysia’s best leader since 2009, crediting his tenure for advancing institutional reforms.
These include anti-hopping legislation, lowering the voting age to 18, and equitable allocation of funds to all MPs via a memorandum of understanding.
Bersih placed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad second, followed by current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and Datuk Seri Najib Razak. However, Anwar’s administration received a “D” grade for minimal reform progress despite a strong parliamentary majority.
Faisal criticised the lack of urgency in pursuing promised reforms, noting prior governments with weaker majorities achieved more. While Anwar is the first PM to engage with Bersih, Faisal urged him to act decisively on electoral, institutional, and civil liberty reforms.
Civil liberties and electoral reforms in focus
While Anwar’s government has abolished the mandatory death penalty, Bersih noted that other oppressive laws, such as the Sedition Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act, and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA), remain intact. Furthermore, the Peaceful Assembly Act has yet to be amended to protect citizens’ right to protest, with these laws continuing to be wielded against public dissent.
On electoral reforms, Bersih criticised the government’s inaction on crucial issues like gerrymandering, malapportionment, and reforms to the Election Offences Act 1954. Proposed legislation on political financing has also stalled, signalling insufficient commitment to creating a transparent and equitable electoral system.
Opposition performance under scrutiny
Bersih urged both the government and the opposition to shift their focus from political infighting to prioritising the reform agenda. It called for the drafting of clear timelines and resource allocations to implement promised changes, warning that the current lack of urgency risks eroding public confidence.
The report also assessed the opposition’s performance, citing weaknesses in providing alternative policies, presenting a functional shadow cabinet, and engaging effectively in parliamentary debates.
While some opposition MPs remain active, the lack of a cohesive agenda or alternative budget undermines their ability to act as a credible check-and-balance force, the report noted. – November 22, 2024
