This comes after an audience member suggested that the electoral watchdog should be a political party, albeit one that does not contest elections until reform progress becomes exceedingly sluggish.

“At least for now, we think that Bersih should remain as a social movement, a pressure group (that’s) apolitical because our ultimate aim is to implement the reform agenda,” Faisal told reporters after the Bersih congress today.

“That’s the reason why when we talk about the reform agenda, we are always open to communicating with the government MPs, opposition MPs and also independents,” he said.

The Bersih congress today approved 19 of 20 proposals for the group to continue advocating for government implementation.

Ten of the proposals were on electoral reform, eight on institutional reform, and two were related to the rights of university students. However, one proposal was rejected as it was unrelated to the reform agenda.

Faisal also reiterated that if the government fails to implement the reform agenda, Bersih will “try to be as ready as possible” to mobilise people back onto the streets.

He acknowledged the difficulty in mobilising people for large gatherings post-Covid, as many have become accustomed to online platforms and social media.

“That is why we try to (keep up) with the momentum (that we have now),” he said.