Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) from Malaysia was honored Dec. 10 with the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award for promoting systemic electoral reform in the Southeast Asian country, according to award organizer Taipei City-based Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.
 
During a special event in Taipei, Legislative Yuan President Su Jia-chyuan, who doubles as TFD chairman, bestowed the award and a prize of US$100,000 on Bersih 2.0 Chairwoman Maria Chin Abdullah.
 
According to Su, the award, presented annually on Human Rights Day, highlights the Taiwan people’s commitment to democracy and the protection of human rights.
 
Fair and clean elections are the cornerstone of democracy, Su said, adding that over time, Taiwan implemented a raft of reforms and regulatory amendments that successfully resulted in an equitable electoral system and helped transform the country into a model for emerging democracies around the world.
 
Su praised Bersih 2.0 for its efforts to expand political participation in public affairs beyond the act of casting a ballot. It is hoped that the award will inspire Bersih 2.0 to remain resolute in achieving its objectives and serve as a beacon for organizations promoting fair elections, he added.
 
In her acceptance speech, Abdullah expressed her sincere gratitude for the honor. Bersih 2.0 helped increase voter turnout to 85 percent in 2013, she said, adding that the people of Malaysia will continue fighting for institutional reform.
 
Initially founded in 2006 by political parties and nongovernmental organizations with the objective of pushing for electoral reforms, Bersih 2.0 was relaunched in 2009 by 93 NGOs with a wider agenda of monitoring all sides of the political divide and representing the diversity found in Malaysian civil society, according to the TFD.
 
The first national-level foundation aimed at promoting democracy in Asia, TFD established the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award in 2006 to honor individuals or groups for their efforts in promoting fair and just societies. (SFC-E)
 
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