Bersih and Gerakan Engage in Heated Exchange over Corruption
Bersih Chairman Faisal Abdul Aziz Fires Back at Gerakan President Dominic Lau’s Criticism
PETALING JAYA: The reform group Bersih has hit back at Gerakan’s criticism, saying it is Gerakan that has lost its way from its initial aim of eradicating corruption. The heated exchange comes after Gerakan president Dominic Lau accused Bersih of having lost its focus.
Gerakan’s Loss of Direction
According to Bersih chairman Faisal Abdul Aziz, Gerakan’s involvement in the January 6 rally in solidarity with Najib Razak has led many to believe that the party has stopped supporting the fight against corruption. "I don’t see (the fight against corruption) driving Gerakan to be an opposition force serving as a check and balance in raising new ideas of reformation against corruption," he said.
Bersih’s Ongoing Criticism of the Government
Faisal also highlighted that Bersih has remained a vocal critic of the government, particularly in its call for structural reforms against corruption. "Bersih has always and will continue to criticise the wrongdoings of any government, no matter who the prime minister is," he emphasized.
Comparison with Barisan Nasional’s Time in Power
Lau’s criticism of Bersih was based on the assumption that the NGO was no longer as active as it was during Barisan Nasional’s time in power. However, Faisal countered that Bersih has continued to speak out against government wrongdoing, including during the January 2 rally in front of the Parliament building.
Bersih’s Grade for the Unity Government
In November, Bersih gave the unity government a grade of "D" for its performance in the two years since its formation in December 2022. Faisal explained that the grade reflected the government’s limited progress in implementing reforms, as well as the gap between its rhetoric and actions.
Conclusion
The exchange between Bersih and Gerakan highlights the ongoing debate about the role of civil society groups in holding governments accountable for their actions. While Gerakan may have lost its way in the fight against corruption, Bersih remains committed to its mission of promoting transparency and accountability in Malaysian governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the main issue between Bersih and Gerakan?
A: The main issue is Gerakan’s criticism of Bersih’s alleged loss of focus, which Bersih denies, claiming that Gerakan has lost its way from its initial aim of eradicating corruption.
Q: What is the context of the exchange between Bersih and Gerakan?
A: The exchange is in response to Gerakan president Dominic Lau’s criticism of Bersih, which Bersih sees as an attempt to deflect attention from Gerakan’s own lack of progress in the fight against corruption.
Q: What is Bersih’s stance on the unity government’s performance?
A: Bersih has given the unity government a grade of "D" for its performance, citing limited progress in implementing reforms and a gap between its rhetoric and actions.