KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — The Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (Centhra) last night lauded the Pakatan Harapan coalition’s stand of not seeking revenge and instead restores the rule of law.
Centhra chief executive officer Azril Mohd Amin in a statement said the civil society organisation was encouraged by the stand taken by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Pakatan Harapan government.
“This must continue as the basis of our government’s initiative to uphold human rights without fear or favour. Centhra wishes to congratulate the Malaysian people for exercising their democratic franchise, and determining the direction of the nation’s future.
“To the newly installed but familiar figure occupying the office of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad: Welcome back,” he said.
Dr Mahathir, 92, was sworn in as the seventh prime minister of Malaysia following Pakatan Harapan’s historic win in the 14th general election. He had previously served the same position for 22 years under Barisan Nasional before stepping down in 2003.
Azril also said Centhra welcomes the formation of a dynamic government that reflects Malaysia’s diverse society in which all views may be heard and represented in due proportion.
He said Centhra was encouraged that the new administration would safeguard Malaysia’s sovereignty and independence in defining its role in the region and in the world, and in relation to its approach to domestic issues.
Azril hoped the new government would usher in a more balanced approach to domestic affairs, greater transparency, and the impenetrability from external agendas.
“We have seen over the past several years, attempts by self-appointed advocates of minority segments of the society to impose their agendas by circumventing the democratic process, in disregard of the views of the broader community.
“But May 9 proves that every constituency in the Malaysian society has a voice and can utilise the democratic mechanism available to all; and the democratically reached consensus of the society must be respected by all,” he added. — Bernama
