Bersih and a coalition of NGOs have called for the current government to serve its full term until Dec 18, 2027, arguing that the remaining period should be used to push through key institutional and electoral reforms.
In a joint statement, the groups said an early dissolution should only take place if the government loses confidence, adding that a full term would give Malaysia more time to deepen democratic reforms and strengthen governance.
They also urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to convene a cross-party leaders’ summit involving both government and Opposition parties to agree on a common reform agenda for the remainder of the parliamentary term.
Among the proposed reforms are the separation of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor roles, a 10-year term limit for prime ministers, an Ombudsman Act, a Freedom of Information Act, and mandatory and equitable constituency development funds for all MPs regardless of party affiliation.
The groups also called for updates to the Election Offences Act 1954, stronger parliamentary committees, wider absentee voting for overseas and out-of-state voters, and a clearer avenue for Private Members’ Bills to be tabled and debated.
They further urged all coalitions and political parties, particularly those hoping to form the next federal government, to support reforms that would create a more level playing field.
At the state level, the statement called for all 13 states to introduce equitable constituency development funds for assemblypersons and proposed electoral reforms, including statewide proportional representation seats to address malapportionment and improve representation.
