Umno minister Nazri thanks Bersih for promoting healthy democracy

Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz says last weekend’s Bersih 4 rally has shown the world that Malaysia has a healthy democracy. The tourism and culture minister (pic, right) said the rally had also earned free airtime for the country on global television networks. "It shows that democracy is healthy in the country. The whole world knows about Malaysia... Thank you to Bersih for this," Nazri said sarcastically to a news conference at the media launch of the 2015 International Craft Festival in the capital today. He added that news stations like CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera were among those who had given the rally prominence and by extension created publicity for the country. “So I would like to thank Bersih for advertising that Malaysia enjoys a healthy democracy," he said. On former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s appearance at the rally, Nazri said it was within his right. "He was only exercising his democratic right. He has changed. Previously he said it wasn't in our culture to demonstrate... Now that he's old, he has realised that this is a new culture and he wants to join in. Okay, no problem," he said. – September 1, 2015. MORE TO COME