BERSIH 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah was expected to resign within the next two weeks to stand for election at the polls, sources said.

She planned to contest a “safe seat” on a PKR ticket, electoral watchdog sources told The Malaysian Insight. 

Maria declined to confirm the claims. “No comment,” she said.

Bersih sources, however, said Maria wished to resign the chair this week.

Discussions had been ongoing for more than a month about her resignation.

Maria took over the chair from human rights lawyer and activist, Ambiga Sreenevasan, in 2013.

Last week, New Straits Times reported that Maria could contest the parliamentary seat of Batu or Petaling Jaya Selatan, while Ambiga could contest Kapar or Segamat. 

Ambiga told The Malaysian Insight she has “no interest” in politics. 

“If Ambiga does not contest, she could return to Bersih after the elections. 

“For now, Shahrul will be acting chair,” Bersih sources said, referring to deputy chairman, Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari. 

For more than three decades, Maria has been a fixture on the Malaysian activism scene, with a focus on women’s movement. 

In 1993, she married fellow activist Yunus Ali, who had been detained without trial under the draconian Internal Security Act in the 1980s. Maria was arrested under a similar law, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, or Sosma, in November 2016. She was held in solitary confinement for 10 days. 

Last week, Wan Saiful Wan Jan, founding chief executive of Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs, announced his departure from the think tank effective February 18.

The prominent political analyst is expected to leave PAS for Bersatu this week. He was seen visiting Bersatu headquarters in Petaling Jaya last week, but has declined to confirm or deny rumours of his defection. – February 27, 2018.