Civil Society

BERSIH set to elect new Chairperson on 15th Dec following Thomas Fann’s resignation

The Malaysian electoral watchdog BERSIH is scheduled to elect its new Chairperson on 15 December, following the recent announcement of the incumbent, Thomas Fann, resigning from the post.

Mr Fann earlier said his newly elected deputy chairman, Wong Yan Ke, aimed to restore BERSIH as a people’s movement.

In response, Mr Wong believed that a people’s movement and a people’s institution need not conflict with each other.

M Ravi appeals to Singaporeans for support in settling S$10,000 AGC cost order by 6 Dec

Singaporean human rights lawyer Mr M Ravi, who recently completed a 21-day imprisonment, is now facing a S$10,000 cost order for court contempt. In response, he has reached out to the Singapore community for support, making an appeal on Facebook for assistance to fulfill the Attorney General’s demand to pay in full by 6 December.

BERSIH Chairperson resigns, citing divisions within Steering Committee

The chairperson of the Malaysian electoral watchdog BERSIH has tendered his resignation.

He cited a ‘vote of no confidence’ as the majority of the endorsing NGOs of BERSIH rejected his leadership and efforts to evolve BERSIH into a People’s Institution.

BERSIH in a statement on Tuesday confirmed that a by-election be held as soon to fill the vacancy of the Chairperson.

UIA-IROL stresses Singapore Law Society’s duty to support legal professionals in M Ravi Case

International lawyers group UIA-IROL voiced grave concerns over Mr Ravi’s “disproportionate and unfair” 21-day imprisonment in a letter to LawSoc on Monday.

UIA-IROL urged LawSoc to ensure Mr Ravi’s access to chosen legal representation and advocated for mental health support due to his acknowledged illness.

Mr Ravi was recently released from imprisonment on Wednesday (22 Nov).

Online petition urges suspension of Singapore Parliament till President Tharman resigns from foreign appointments

An online petition urges suspension of Singapore Parliament until President Tharman resigns from foreign roles per the Constitution.

Initiated by Ms Iris Koh, the petition argues that conflict of interests exist due to Tharman’s incompatibility with the Constitution’s provisions in regards to having foreign appointments, and questions his authority to affirm the bills passed in Parliament.