PAS to mobilise thousands of members for Bersih 3.0

PAS today has asked its thousands of members to mobilise to attend the Bersih 3.0 sit-in on April 28 at Dataran Merdeka.

PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu has also called on the authorities to form a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to look into irregularities in the electoral roll and voter registration, especially in syndicates giving out ICs, which will eventually destroy the country’s sovereignty, economy and relations if left unchecked.

He also defended Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar’s allegations that many government officers, including those in the Election Commission, are giving out identity cards to non-citizens so that they could become voters.

“Despite calls for Bersih (cleanliness of the electoral roll), this is the dirtiest we have ever seen as only one of the parliamentary select committee’s (PSC) recommendations has been adopted, that is the use of indelible ink.

“We have evidence that the authorities are operating in syndicates and are giving identity cards to non-citizens so they could vote as alleged by the Pokok Sena MP.

"That is why we are demanding the formation of an RCI into the matter. What Mahfuz has alleged in Parliament is true,” he said.

When told EC deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, one of those named by Mahfuz, had denied the allegation, the PAS deputy president said that is why the RCI was needed.
“H
e can deny all he wants but we have evidence that the National Registration Department is doing this and giving ICs in Selangor, not through the NRD offices but at discreet places.”

Mohamad, or better known as Mat Sabu, said he would not set a deadline for the formation of the commission but said there is time for it to be formed as elections are not due until March next year.

“We will reveal all these discrepancies in the coming weeks as. For example, there is a drastic rise in the number of voters in Selangor,” he said.

In giving an example, he said the Subang parliamentary constituency had seen a 35 percent hike in voters, while nearby Petaling Jaya Utara only saw a rise of seven percent.

“Why such a huge discrepancy?” he asked.

Signatures of army wives forged

Selangor PAS secretary Khairuddin Osman, who was present at the press conference with the state liaison chief Dr Abd Rani Osman, claimed that in the Paya Jaras camp army wives’ signatures were forged in the registration of new voters.

“They have come to meet us saying they have not registered to become voters but yet their names are registered as postal voters. This is not only happening in other areas but also in army camps as well.

“This is a very worrying trend. I have also received similar complaints in Universiti Putra Malaysia,” Khairuddin said.

Dr Abd Rani said PAS, along with DAP and PKR are united in this issue as the trend in Selangor  is worrying.

For this reason, he said Selangor PAS will mobilise thousands of its members to attend Bersih.3.0 rally.

“We hope there would not be any provocation as this is a peaceful assembly,” he added.

Mat Sabu said what is worrying is that Selangor is the focus in winning the election.

He added that the coalition does not mind losing if the electoral roll is clean, but it does not want to win through a dirty electoral roll.

“Our objective is that there must be a clean electoral roll, and Malaysia becomes a role model for changing the government through a fair election where the electoral roll is clean.

“We do not want to change the government through street demonstrations or by use of force.

“If Pakatan captures Putrajaya with a clean electoral roll, we will recommend that Prime Minister Najib Razak who will then become the opposition leader to be given a Noble peace prize.

“This is because Malaysia, a developing country has managed to change its government without the use of street demonstrations or force,” he quipped.

PAS Youth to mobilise thousands

PAS Youth secretary Khairul Faizi Ahmad Kamil said the movement hopes to mobilise thousands, of which 1,000 will be from its Unit Amal wing to control the crowd.

PAS Wanita deputy chief Dr Siti Mariah Ahmad also promised that supporters will turn up in big numbers.

University student Adam Adli (right), who was also present at the press conference, said there will be at least 5,000 to 6,000 university students nationwide attending Bersih 3.0.

“If the government had failed to adhere to calls for reform in the electoral roll who can we depend on except the people to pile on the pressure,” said Adam.

Mat Sabu said Najib had recently visited Burma and hailed the military junta for its democratic reforms.
“However, Najib who has been calling for reforms since his ascension as PM has not been committed in doing so and is doing all he can to remain in power.

“For this reason, Pakatan Rakyat comprising PAS, PKR and DAP is committed in Bersih, the non-governmental organisation seeking electoral reform as the situation is very serious and worse off than before,” he said.