ELECTORAL watchdog Bersih 2.0 is a pro-reform group, not a neutral one, acting-chairman Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari said in response to criticisms following the entry of its former chairman Maria Chin Abdullah into opposition politics.

“We have always been not neutral, but pro-reform. We are willing to work with anyone or any individuals that are pro-reform,” Shahrul said at a press conference today.

Maria Chin recently announced her resignation and her intention of contest as an independent candidate under a Pakatan Harapan ticket in the 14th general election.

Critics have said her move goes against claims by Bersih that it is a non-partisan movement which is free from political influence.

Among her most vocal criticis was former Sungai Benut MP Tawfik Ismail, who said Barisan Nasional had been “right all along” about Bersih being a tool of the opposition.

Responding to Tawfik, Maria told The Malaysian Insight that it was an individual decision, adding that she was certain that Bersih will continue to act as a check-and-balance for all politicians, including herself if she is voted into parliament.

“It is me that is joining the political arena, I am not bringing the whole of Bersih.

“Bersih has not been a political party, and this kind of accusation works very well to tarnish the image of Bersih,” she said.

“Leadership in Bersih will continue being non-partisan. I’m very confident that Bersih will rise above the criticism against me.”

Former Bersih 2.0 chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan earlier said that Bersih has always remained a pro-reform group which has been supported by the opposition.

“It is not that we support the opposition, it is the opposition that supports us. Barisan Nasional does not support us. We work with everyone that supports us,” she said.

Maria, a long-time women’s rights activist before helming Bersih, took over the chairmanship from Ambiga in 2013.

In 1993, she married fellow activist Yunus Ali, who was detained without trial under the Internal Security Act in the 1980s.

Maria was arrested under a similar law, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, in November 2016, when she was held in solitary confinement for 10 days before being released. – March 6, 2018.