Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
| Posted: 07 Jul 2011 10:59 AM PDT
By Shamini Darshni Let's get one thing right — Bersih 2.0 has already won.JULY 8 — The whole political drama surrounding Bersih 2.0's planned rally on Saturday has reached historical proportions — but at which end, whether incredibly ridiculous or incredibly ingenious, still begs decision. On one hand, we have Bersih 2.0, with a committee made up of respected citizens with a deep understanding of electoral issues, bent on rallying for one cause: free and fair elections in a country that has been ruled by one multi-party coalition for over 50 years. On the other hand, I know I am not the only who feels that there is a tactical game plan being rolled out to disable Bersih 2.0 and build anxiety among the general population. Recently, as my dad, his German friend and I talked about Malaysia's politics, my father pointed out that governments should realise that the people today have something that they might not have had 50 years ago: education. When the country's politicians were in their 20s, things were a lot different. Yet, the answer is not in trying to woo young people over Twitter and Facebook, not when their generation knows you mess around with PSD scholarships. Plus, there are "Ignore", "Block" and "Unfollow" options. Those in their late 20s and above are a lot more educated than some of the country's politicians will ever be. With this level of education comes better-paying jobs, and with that, comes exposure, evolving viewpoints, information exchange — all the traits of a developed country. But we cannot be a developed country and try and suppress people for having an opinion. And what IS being a "developed country"? Bigger buildings? GST? Sky-high property prices? More FDI? Less FDI? We must remember that there is no "developed country" without a developed people. Our people (and yes, this means non-Bumiputeras too) are our biggest asset. The government must realise this in some way or why keep screaming about brain drain? Trying to woo people back to "serve their country" and yet call them "pendatang" is not going to win any votes, for goodness sake. Which is one of the many reasons why the brain-drain "problem" will never be solved. In the meantime, organising a big bunch of motorcyclists to circle the opposition's headquarters while waving Umno flags was too obvious an attempt at intimidation. Furthermore, we have been struggling with Mat Rempit hooligans for years and it was almost sad to see the obvious irony lost on the organiser(s). And now, here we are. The claws are out. The law is being bastardised and used as a whip. "Waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong"? Seriously? The police have been amazing. Their swift action in detaining hundreds under emergency laws in a few weeks has been impressive. Meanwhile, the acid splasher who injured over 20 women is still at large although months have passed and police have a photo-fit of the man. Cue: Shamini throws her hands up in the air. As the government and its allies clutch at straws, desperately wielding every "weapon" in their arsenal — from silat to rationing bus permits — we watch part in anger, part in amusement, and all in irritation. Through all the politicking over the past few weeks, one message has prevailed: people power. When a group of ordinary folk band together for a cause, the grace with which it faces its adversaries yet remains steadfast, is something political parties (BN or PR) can gain pointers from. Let's get one thing right — Bersih 2.0 has already won. |
| Najib Flees When Consumed By The Yellow Peril Posted: 07 Jul 2011 10:18 AM PDT
By Mariam Mokhtar Instead of engaging with the rakyat, Najib has ordered the city closed to NGOs and political reformists. He has conveniently flown to Europe, like a coward. Malaysia's leaders are afraid that the country will experience its own Tahrir Square. The Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is threatened by the Bersih demand for electoral reform and the rakyat has been energised. Najib's plans to outsmart Bersih have come to nothing. His idea to include the Agung in averting tension, has not endeared Najib to the public. Najib's co-conspirators have accused Bersih of a possible bloodbath. So called evidence has been planted to implicate Bersih in an uprising. Several people in Malaysia, including social activists and opposition politicians, have been arrested and the government is now claiming that the 'Bersih 2' March for Democracy is being financed by foreign elements, with the intention of toppling the government. The crisis is so deep that the government has declared that the wearing of yellow T-shirts is illegal, as it represents support for Bersih. Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians are prepared to march peacefully to support clean and fair elections on 9th July. On that day, solidarity marches in America, Australia, London and Korea, will also be held. After the first Bersih march in 2007, the performance of the Opposition at the 2008 general election saw them take over five of the thirteen Malaysian states and reduce the two-thirds majority of the government. If Najib and the Election Commission have nothing to fear, why will they not engage with Bersih? Western governments look away whilst the government of Malaysia declares the pro-democracy march illegal and the police arrest people wearing yellow T-shirts bearing the 'Bersih 2' logo and detain social activists and opposition politicians. Umno / BN is in meltdown and reacting out of panic. The Arab Spring in the middle-east managed to remove despotic and corrupt leaders from power. Encouraged by this show of public strength, Malaysians are determined to change their autocratic government. No one in Malaysia is asking for a military intervention from the west, but there has been little international condemnation of Razak's government. The Obedient Wives Club is seen as more newsworthy than the corrupt and scandal ridden government of Malaysia. This is probably because Malaysia is seen as a moderate Muslim country and so the west is courting Malaysia in the fight against Islamic terrorists and fundamentalist Muslim nations. There are no suicide bombings or fighting in Malaysia, and western governments are prepared to turn a blind eye and ignore the injustices and human rights abuses of the Malaysian government towards its own people. Perhaps the west sees Malaysia as a cheap source of much needed commodities like crude oil, timber and electrical components. Malaysia is also a voracious purchaser of defence equipment and is eager to set-up twinning arrangements with British universities. Furthermore, companies linked to the Malaysian government have made significant investments in real-estate in the United Kingdom. Ever since independence was granted by the British in 1957, the Malays have held the upper hand in Malaysian politics, as agreed in the constitution. Since the term of office held by Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, race and religion have been used as weapons to divide the people. The non-Malays are not normally granted scholarships and places for them in the civil service and armed forces are limited. On the other hand, the Malays enjoy many privileges, including a generous subsidy when they buy houses. Malaysians of Chinese and Indian descent are termed illegal immigrants, and their contributions to the birth of the nation, overlooked. In elections, there has been massive vote rigging, gerrymandering, abuse of postal votes and phantom voting including the buying and manipulation of votes. The Electoral Commission has not been able to discharge its duties and none of the complaints have been acted upon or investigated conscientiously. The military budget increases annually but has not been spent wisely. Armed forces personnel, who speak in confidence, have expressed incredulity that millions have been squandered on military hardware from America, Britain, France and Russia, thus making maintenance and spare parts a logistical nightmare. The purchase of three Scorpene submarines in 2002 has attracted international attention only because money politics and the murder of a Mongolian model were linked to the defence minister, Najib Abdul Razak, who is now Prime Minister. Comparisons of the lavish spending, from the public purse by Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, have been made with the former President of Tunisia, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and his wife Leila. Malaysians are aware that the west only sees the good side of the country; it has beautiful beaches and exotic food. Few foreigners know the 'other' Malaysia. Bersih's leaders have been subject to death threats and abuse. Many face arrest. The scale of panic and incredulity is such that even a poet laureate was brought in for questioning because of a few lines in one of his poems. A circular was handed to the Malaysian students department in Adelaide, Australia, warning students that if they were to join the rally on 9th July, they would face severe punishments. Malaysia is under siege from its own government and its citizens worldwide, are being threatened with reprisals if they support the call for democratic and electoral reform. The rakyat is wholly behind Bersih and is prepared to defend their rights to proper governance, in a peaceful manner. Najib on the other hand, is nowhere to be seen. Next week, the Pope should refuse to grant Najib an audience for running away from Malaysia and for abandoning her citizens at this crucial point in her history. The colour yellow suits Najib to a 'T'. |
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