KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — There should be open space for civil societies in Malaysia to hold the government accountable, the President of the United States Barack Obama said today.
“Democracy doesn't just stop with elections,” Obama told a townhall event at the University of Malaya.
Obama added that there should be tolerance for people who are different, regardless of their gender, ethnic background, religious affiliations, and sexual orientation.
The president made his remarks while addressing hundreds of the audience in the event organised by Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative.
He repeatedly stressed the need to give equal opportunities to women, and those from religious and ethnic minorities.
Obama will meet representatives from 10 local civil societies later today, including elections reform watchdog Bersih 2.0.
The meeting will take place behind closed doors.
Represented by chairman Maria Chin Abdullah, the group is expected to speak on concerns over freedom of speech and the transparency of elections in the country.
Meanwhile, Tan Sri Hasmy Agam will represent the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), and prominent lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan will represent the Malaysian Human Rights Society (Hakam).
Moderate Muslim group Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) and Muslim women’s group Sisters in Islam (SIS) are also among the 10.
The meeting has been slammed by opponents of civil society movements, including Islamist group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) which labelled the groups “proxy of the liberals”.
