KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 25, 2025 – A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs), including BERSIH, C4 Center, IDEAS, Projek Sama, Pusat Komas, and Transparency International Malaysia, has called for a renewed commitment to institutional reform, responding to recent statements by Opposition Leader YB Hamzah Zainuddin. In a joint press statement issued today, the groups clarified their stance amid plans for the “Turun Anwar” rally scheduled for July 26, following a meeting with the Opposition Leader on July 1.
The CSOs acknowledged the right of citizens to assemble but expressed concern over Hamzah’s remarks during a parliamentary media session on July 24, where he cited their organizations as justification for the upcoming rally. The July 1 meeting, held at Hamzah’s office with several opposition MPs, was intended as an open forum to propose critical institutional reforms to be championed by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, particularly its leader.
The CSOs emphasized that comprehensive, robust, and meaningful institutional reform is essential to advance Malaysia toward a fairer political and judicial system. Such reforms serve as a safeguard for the public to check and balance the government, preventing the misuse of power for political or personal gain. The groups have actively engaged with MPs across party lines, including the Madani Government, to push this agenda, stressing that collaboration, transparency, and honesty are foundational to meaningful change.
The statement underscored that institutional reform requires support from both the government and the opposition, drawing lessons from political shifts since 2018, including the Sheraton Move, multiple prime ministerial changes, and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Malaysian Family Government and Pakatan Harapan. The CSOs urged the Madani Government to accelerate reforms and called on the opposition, including PN-led states, to compete constructively in advancing these efforts. True reform, they argued, can only thrive when all parties strive to outdo each other in offering solutions.
However, the CSOs warned that political instability could derail reform efforts. They rejected mid-term government changes through backdoor maneuvers like the Sheraton Move, which destabilized the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new government, they cautioned, might lack the clarity or strength to pursue reforms, potentially leaving the country vulnerable. Instead, the focus should be on creating a level playing field for all parties ahead of the 16th General Election.
Reiterating their commitment, the CSOs called on both the government and opposition to prioritize genuine reform, with the opposition bearing a responsibility to hold the government accountable for the nation’s benefit. Malaysia, they noted, has significant potential on the international stage, which can be realized through upholding human rights, good governance, and high accountability. At the grassroots level, the CSOs pledged to remain a united front advocating for institutional reform as a key demand of the people, serving as a critical check-and-balance mechanism against any political coalition.