POLLS watchdog Bersih wants the Anwar Ibrahim-led unity government and the opposition to sign an inter-coalition peace deal to ensure political stability as soon as the August 12 six-state elections are over, regardless of the outcome of the polls.

It said such a deal can dispel talk of any midterm change of government, which only undermines political stability and market confidence.

Bersih pointed to the previous inter-party agreement signed by the Ismail Sabri Yaakob administration and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in September 2021.

That MOU had enabled 13 months of political stability, including the passing of the anti-party hopping law and some measures of parliamentary reform.

Bersih also said parliament can play a key role to ensure sustainable political peace for a full term – till 2027.

“This would require the empowerment of opposition MPs and government backbenchers in exchange for the opposition’s promise to not plot for the government’s collapse.

“Respect for the outcome of elections and government formation must go hand and hand with a level playing field that allows the opposition to compete constructively and professionally. 

“Only then can the government and opposition compete on policy and governance, and not harp on identity politics such as race, religion and royalty (3Rs),” Bersih said in a statement today.

The group said that the proposed peace deal should incorporate, among others, a Fixed Term Parliament Act (FTPA) for the 15th parliament to go full term until December 18, 2027, and for the Election Commission (EC) to pre-announce the default election dates. 

It also wants the re-introduction of the Parliamentary Services Act to make parliament more independent, so that the august house can have its own budget to fund its own staff, research department, as well as select and special committees.

Bersih added that the deal should also allow for an equal constituency development funding for all MPs.

“We hope that both the federal government and PN would welcome this call positively, in part to overcome political fatigue and apathy found among many voters, which will likely result in a dangerously low turnout in the state elections,” it said.

The political heat has increased in the run-up to the state polls with PH, Barisan Nasional and PN accusing each other of incompetence and of playing up race, religious and royalty issues to win support from the voters.

There has also been constant talk of the current federal government collapsing later this year. – July 16, 2023.