That elections should be free, fair and transparent is perhaps one of the most basic requirements of any working democracy, and to demand that elections should be free, fair and transparent is perhaps one of the most fundamental rights of any society. When citizens demand such things it can and should be seen as an act of civic responsibility and they should commended for it. Indeed, it ought to be seen as a test of civic participation and citizenship that all citizens should demand that their state works and functions properly and accountably, to serve the interest of the nation as a whole and not a select coterie of landed elites and entrenched class interests.
That was exactly what happened in the streets of Kuala Lumpur on 10th November and for that reason alone Malaysians should be proud to say that they are in the process of reclaiming the state and demanding their country back. As in the cases of Pakistan and Burma — as well as the pro-democracy movements that swept across Southeast Asia in the 1980s and 1990s which led to the fall of dictators like Ferdinand Marcos and General Suharto — what happened in Malaysia was, in many ways, a landmark moment in the country’s postcolonial history.
Yet ironically elements in the Malaysian government — the very same elements that ostensibly supported the recent pro-democracy campaign in Burma — were at the forefront of demonising their fellow citizens and doing their utmost to prevent the demonstration in Kuala Lumpur from taking place. Leaders of the ruling UMNO party issues a continuous stream of warnings to the general public, warning them not to take to the streets. UMNO leaders and members who were willing to join in the rallies calling for democratic reform in Burma were suddenly taking the opposite side when the very same demands were being articulated in Malaysia by their fellow Malaysians. Malaysians were told that they would be arrested if they attended the rally; that the demonstrators were a nuisance and a security threat; that the demonstration would deter foreign investment into Malaysia. Yet the mind boggles at the logic of such arguments, when it should be clear that what is deterring investment into the country is not public demonstrations but rather mismanagement of the economy, allegations of corruption and abuse of power by the elite instead.
For a nation that has always been cast in a passive light as docile and apathetic, Malaysians defied their own stereotype by coming out in huge numbers and braving the rain from above and the tear gas and batons on the ground. Contrary to the scare-mongering campaign of the government, the rally proved to be ordered and peaceful. What does this say about Malaysia today and where the country is heading?
According to prominent lawyer and human rights activist Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, Malaysia’s ‘civil society coalesced today, in a way that was unprecedented since the formation of Malaya in 1957. Today Malaysians began to learn not to fear’. The same sentiments were shared by Latheefa Koya of the People’s Justice Party (PKR) who opined that ‘despite threats of harsh action by the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the police, the people who rallied clearly defied them and sent a strong message for the need for free and fair elections. Lawyers marched for a free judiciary and the people marched for justice. When is the state going to wake up?’. Haris Ibrahim, the lawyer who was one of the organisers of the rally summed up the event thus: ‘If the Prime Minister is unable to take any criticism of his government, now we see that the Malaysian people will no longer remain passive and accept things as they are.’ The tide, apparently, has changed at last.
That the Malaysian public has been kept docile and submissive for half a century is the result of a host of historically determined factors dating back to the colonial era; which in turn has been compounded by a postcolonial government that has used the very same tools of the former colonial masters — such as the Internal Security Act — to keep them passive for so long. For five decades the ruling elite of Malaysia — led and dominated by the right-wing ethno-nationalists of the UMNO party — have divided Malaysian society along the lines of race and religion; scared off any attempts at reform through the use of repressive laws like the ISA, Sedition Act and others; dominated the press and nearly eliminated all alternative sources of information and news; systematically used the national economy as a patronage machine to maintain its clientelist networks; eroded the country’s intellectual culture via its draconian control of the universities and campuses; while turning the UMNO party into a fiefdom for a increasingly small number of Malay leaders from selected elite families. A cursory look at the leadership of UMNO today will show that it has become like a club for ruling elite families, with at least two senior UMNO leaders — Najib Razak and Hishamuddin Onn — being the sons of former Prime Ministers and party Presidents.
In a typical case of arrested postcolonial development, Malaysian politics — and UMNO politics in particular — has been reduced to a feudal clannish cosy arrangement where the sons of leaders can mingle and wait for their turn to power. Is this what the founders of Malaysia dreamt of when the country was created? To create an authoritarian state where what passes as governance is little more than a dressed up version of a typical postcolonial guardkeeper state with power increasingly concentrated in the hands of fewer and fewer (Malay, Muslim, Male) leaders?
Despite all the talk of reform and promises of openness and change since he came to power, the administration of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has hardly served up any of the promises he made. The numerous allegations and cases of high-level and high-profile corruption remain unresolved, while increasingly there are serious allegations of mismanagement, elite manipulation of the judiciary, abuse of power by the police. Is it a wonder then if the Malaysian public has had enough, and will now take to the
streets to make their voices heard? The leaders of the opposition parties in Malaysia were the first to tap into the anger and frustration of the public, and to echo the clamour for change. As Lim Kit Siang, leader of the Malaysian Democratic Action Party (DAP) noted: ‘Malaysians have spoken loud and clear for electoral reform and for free and fair elections. Now will Prime Minister Abdullah listen and act, or will he remain blind and deaf?’
There is no telling how the Malaysian government and the UMNO elites will react to this clear demonstration of public disquiet in the once-sleepy streets of Kuala Lumpur. But what is clear is that Malaysia at least is no longer the kingdom of the blind that it was once made out to be.
i am glad to see that finally we are as brave as the burmese monks
End of the day they will strive to keep the people blind. Keep in mind that not everyone knew about Bersih, no doubt something the ruling Government will be proud of, and that they will continue keeping the lights out until the GE. It’s true – Malaysian society has come a long way from the days “eh buat tak tau saja la” when truly despicable actions / statements are committed by irresponsible leaders – by the sheer numbers of the Bersih rally alone, we know that there is a huge group who want change.
But then this is where the BN’s media mechanism comes in. They will picture Bersih as an Opposition idea / rally / demonstration, and hope that normal bystanders will take it as “just another disturbance caused by the Opposition”, and not even take notice of what Bersih strove for. The challenge now is to match the BN’s media mechanism, however difficult, especially to rural areas in Malaysia – where arguably it’s easier to control what people hear and see the ruling party as.
Farish argued that the reason why the people have been docile and submissive in the past is because of the colonial tools (i.e. ISA, Sedition Act etc) being used by the post-colonial Government. I think this is a very valid point, and that is something that people ought to realise. Despite slamming the Western influence in most aspects (conveniently mentioned as “Budaya Kuning”), and imposing “thought control”, in the form of an arguably skewed History textbook (not to mention subjects like Pendidikan Moral that create a rose-tinted view of the country), it is clear that the process to “domesticate” the people is not limited to merely heavy handed law based approaches. I feel it’s the new generation who should also be exposed to this kind of issues, though I accept that there are risks; as those are the risks we run when politics is introduced to people at a young age (who are “not mentally ready” to see things logically fully and evaluate appropriately, no offense to anyone here), such as 15 and below.
End of the day, I would think that many things can be done to improve things further in our country, and that although this is a very positive sign for the year (certainly makes a great mark for the 50th year of Malaya independence), we have to take things one step at a time.
MCA is already conducting house-to-house visits in Port Klang, is DAP planning to do the same? Show your faces to the public, the people need to know who they are voting for. This coming election is going to be the most crucial one so DAP must buck up their efforts.
Burmese can have a rally in KL without permit. The chief beruk KJ also joined them.so why can’t we malaysian have a rally in our own country? That is why I was there. The burmese can’t have more rights than we Malaysians in our own land!!!
Zam you are well come to highlight the above. BTW what is your qualification? MCE? How can you call the AJ reporter actor, he was trully in pain. You are not an actor but a joker for saying that on AJ which made you look stupid to those who watched AJ’s interview of you. Piiiilah!!!
The country has been hijacked and clearly now is on the wrong road………legislations are just hatched with ulterior motives and rubber stamped in parliament……crime has risen dramatically….police have no qualms beating up Malaysians who protest but allow even Burmese to protest right in the middle of Ampang…….we are a nation hopelessly lost………..and this disease started during Mahathir’s tenure. No one is going o help anyone in this country…unless they help themselves first…..
Saturday’s demonstrations revealed a painful fact for the folks risking harm to bring change…..where were the minority groups, the non- Malays…..the group that was hardest hit by this government’s lop sided policies……the numbers were greatly disappointing……..is the next GE going to be a another Machap and Ijok show……if it is…..then Malaysians truly deserve this government…..there cannot be any further complaints……
Mr. Farish, just too add a few things (not that your comments lack anything). The PM is characterestically blinded by the power the premiership affords him. He had experienced the privileges and his attachment is no different from what the Myanmar Junta has. Unfortunately, his stand is the reflection that UMNO as the dominant ruling party has.
Therefore the challenge now Mr PM, is beyond political or even moral. It is survival. No nation with tinted rules and laws, be it electoral or otherwise, can survive.
That challenge is squarely in front of you Mr PM. Do you have the resolve to see Malaysia as a nation survive? Do you have the resolve to see Malaysia going beyond your generation, a nation built on the foundation of rules and laws, fairness and transparency where every one, regardless of skin colour has equal opportunity to contribute to this nation?
Or are you quick to say that those who walked did not challenge you but the “people?” And who are the “people” if not those who braved the rain last Saturday? Don’t you see them as Malaysians having the same rights to this nation?
Nobody gives you this challenge Mr Prime Minister. It is just yours.
Methinks one of the reasons for the lack non-Malays at the rally is because they are not the majority race and a lot of them migrated already. But of course, the main reason is obviously because not many want to risk jail time and would rather study hard and earn enough money to get the hell out of this country.
My parents didn’t allow me to go either, so I just told them I’m going to Petaling Street to do some shopping and I just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time wearing the wrong shirt haha.
The idiots now say we can raise “4,000 people”, they can raise an even bigger rally. Of course you can beat the figure of 4,000 or the more likely figure of 40,000 because you can ask the schoolchildren to show up, you can declare a public holiday and ask the civil servants to show up. Heck, you can even ask all the mat rempits to show up. Look at North Korea….look where they are now. There is no substitute for the truth and for justice.
Every time there is a reason to rally, we will organise one. Soon they will increase petrol prices, they will increase toll rates, they will increase electricity prices…..all good reasons to stage some more rallies of 40,000 people or more.
If I am a govt leader and had been corrupt I will be peeing in my pants now. A change in govt would be catastrophic for me, I could be thrown in jail and at my age I would not survive. Then there’s the issue of my relatives and in laws who have benefitted from my position, what would become of them?
For this reason alone the ruling party cannot afford to lose this election nor any election. They must win by hook or by crook. This Bersih rally could be the start of the downfall of their party therefore it has to be stopped.
So folks, is it any wonder why even a peaceful rally is not allowed? It’s a matter of life and death for some, especially those very corrupt ones.
How many Malaysian are aware of the march?
Imagine if Umno leader do not make comment at newspaper on the march.
The newspaper as usual will only report all the Raya and Depavali gathering.
And I remember someone commented somewhere that the Star newspaper is compulsary to publish MCA activities with LLS picture everyday.
Probably by now some of the ppl at Felda, rubber estate, kampung are not aware of the march.
Of course, BN can always get more people to attend their rally, by paying people to be there.
But those who were there on 10.11.07 went there on their own accord – they had to pay for their trips there, to overcome all the difficulties created by our police, and to suppress fear created by all the threats and negative statements from our government.
They went there with the clear conscience and commitment that they wanted to do something good for the nation and for Malaysians, current and future generations. No hidden agenda.
Of course, BN can always get more people to attend their rally, by paying people to be there.
Not to mention by tempting them with free food like Zakaria.
I am in my kampong for a short break now. Many (majority of them) kampong folks are fooled by the mainstream medias to believe that Bersih gathering was only attended by 4,000 people. Also they are clueless on what is Bersih gathering.
In future, organiser shall use four languages in their campaign to communicate their message deep into rural area.
I do not see DAP in my kampong “alive” to bring message to kamping folks.
We love this country but the Country doesn’t love You!!
We want transparency over what the government is and
about to do over All the projects…
We want Fairness and Justice done to All the Peoples of
Malaysia of over 10 Races…!!
We want Clean and Efficient Government, Not just having
some Government Idiots chanting Empty Promises and
Mislead the Countrymen!!
We want rallies to Voice up our Dilemma, Not to be just
Blind Followers!!
The government is not just a little corrupt or unjust in the course of doing its otherwise-important work, but in fact, the government is primarily an agent of corruption and injustice. Because of this, it’s “not too soon for honest men to rebel and revolutionize.
I was caught in the traffic jam for more than an hour on that morning. But, i don’t blame Bersih at all. They are just fighting for justice. They have the right to voice out their cause but could not obtain police permit. When you want to tell the truth, they do not want to listen and even refuse to grant police permit for peaceful rally. The deliberate traffic jam caused by police would caused people to be angry, but not on Bersih..
A reply to malaysiatoday.com:
Why can’t you just be the “DAP” in your kampung? DAP and other parties who are non-BN does not have unlimited funding, unlike BN and UMNO. I challenge you to stand up for truth and justice. Do your part for your kampung and our country.
I am not guru to politics, i am one of the younger generations that has been kept in the dark by our so called “Government”.
However, the gathering of the opposition parties on the 10/11/07 has spark a Hope for the people. NOW is time for ALL the opposition parties to join hands regardless of their OWN agenda.
A Spark has started, now, fan it to become a flame.
justice88 Says:
November 12th, 2007 at 14: 14.00
A reply to malaysiatoday.com:
Why can’t you just be the “DAP†in your kampung? DAP and other parties who are non-BN does not have unlimited funding, unlike BN and UMNO. I challenge you to stand up for truth and justice. Do your part for your kampung and our country.
===
Don’t use nonsense no fund excuse. DAP grassroots cannot even compare with PAS commitment is a no secret.
I am not a person blindly supporting BN or opposition.
I have my own way to seek justice and your challenge is useless for me.
malaysiatoday.com Says:
Don’t use nonsense no fund excuse. DAP grassroots cannot even compare with PAS commitment is a no secret.
I am not a person blindly supporting BN or opposition.
I have my own way to seek justice and your challenge is useless for me.
——————————————————-
then may i know what is your way seeking justice? be realistic a bit..lack of fund is a problem to opposition…PAS once control Terengganu and now Kelantan..so the they have fund and the ppl…
here i want to say to Mr PM if he unable to rule this country please step down, Economy is getting worse and worse during he became a PM, This is the lousy PM in this 50 years of independent. He should be shamefull with what he had make to this country.
Eventually when things change for the better, this BERSIH rally will be seen as the best present to Malaya/Malaysia during its 50th/44th year of existence.
malaysiatoday.com Says:
Don’t use nonsense no fund excuse. DAP grassroots cannot even compare with PAS commitment is a no secret.
I am not a person blindly supporting BN or opposition.
I have my own way to seek justice and your challenge is useless for me.
——
Sorry if you misunderstood me. “DAP” was just a metaphor. Not literally asking you to start a branch or anything. I am merely asking you to stand up for truth and justice. You can create your own ideas on how to stand up on these areas. Creating awareness is one of it. Who is going to stand up for you if you don’t start from yourself? Generally, I’m quite discouraged seeing a generation suffering from an “apathy epidemic” which is causing all this. Casting indifference aside can only bring change to the situation. That is why I’m proud of the BERSIH demonstration. This country started out as a democratic country and I’d prefer to keep it that way. If you say my challenge is useless, I’m sorry to say that you are one of those pitiful apathetic ones. Don’t get me wrong, no hurt was intended…
I’m not too sure if the government has woken up from their deep slumber….they’re still counting gold in their sleep
Sorry if you misunderstood me. “DAP†was just a metaphor. Not literally asking you to start a branch or anything. I am merely asking you to stand up for truth and justice. You can create your own ideas on how to stand up on these areas. Creating awareness is one of it. Who is going to stand up for you if you don’t start from yourself? Generally, I’m quite discouraged seeing a generation suffering from an “apathy epidemic†which is causing all this. Casting indifference aside can only bring change to the situation. That is why I’m proud of the BERSIH demonstration. This country started out as a democratic country and I’d prefer to keep it that way. If you say my challenge is useless, I’m sorry to say that you are one of those pitiful apathetic ones. Don’t get me wrong, no hurt was intended…
===
You are behaving like UMNO suckers. Rakyat must aligned to opposition for them to be labelled as fighters for justice??
I at least convince people I know in kampong that BN is brainwashing them through the main stream medias.
DAP grassroots in Kampong level at least can do house to house walking to disseminate Bersih gathering to kampong folks. No fund is needed in this walk around activity if DAP is committed to their struggle.
DAP is solely depending on LKS’ s personal charisma for survival. That is too pathethic for a party like DAP.
Daniel Quah Says:
November 12th, 2007 at 15: 29.10
malaysiatoday.com Says:
Don’t use nonsense no fund excuse. DAP grassroots cannot even compare with PAS commitment is a no secret.
I am not a person blindly supporting BN or opposition.
I have my own way to seek justice and your challenge is useless for me.
â€â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€-
then may i know what is your way seeking justice? be realistic a bit..lack of fund is a problem to opposition…PAS once control Terengganu and now Kelantan..so the they have fund and the ppl…
============================================
Before you simply say lack of fund is the reason for PAS lost grip in Terengganu.
Can PAS get an independent third-party to conduct a survey on why Terengganu voters rejected PAS?
I don’t have the correct answeer, but I guest PAS Islamization policy is no accepted by the majority of Malays and non-bumis.
To counter BN disinformation through malaysiatoday.com website since 1998 is my little way of seeking justice.
What did you do so far?
A 50 year slumber is too long a sleep. Wake up before you can’t!
Did anyone of you notice this picture in theStar newspaper(12th Nov)
or
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/12/nation/19444566&sec=nation
zakaria was pointing middle finger
i love this country…but i dun love the idiots running this government.i love my fellow malays,indians,chinese,siks,eurasians and other races of kawans.a fair and just government with leaders who will only see qualities of individuals in the administration instead of seeing colors.only those who deserve to serve the people will be elected by the people not by ur favouritism.a lot of good malays,chinese or indians who can run this government better than this present administration.too much money hv been swindled by people in administration.those u caught are only kacang putih.the big suckers are still running around aplenty.those are ur own people that u dare not touch or wont touch.if ur so sincere in proving urself mr pm….prove to us what really happened to the rm4b klang case and the purchase of those submarines by this stupid minister of urs.and wat really happened after that to that mongolian woman.
p/s: i am going to buy a few yellow t-shirts tomorrow.
Who does not want the NEP?
http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=869&Itemid=31
The Malays in the kampungs, or rural villages, despite their affections for the nine sultans, remain largely unaffected by the political scene in Kuala Lumpur and tend to vote with the ruling parties, which have delivered decades of economic progress despite the widespread allegations of corruption. So despite the numbers Malays in the crowd on Saturday, they were largely from the Islamic party, Parti sa-Islam Malaysia, or PAS, and from Anwar’s party.
“Democracy the Malaysian way” was seen last weekend in a peaceful rally for freedoms and justice.
It’s a real shame to our nation speaking of equality, speaking of faith, speaking of justice, speaking of freedom…
We have been living in comfort of fear for too long. It’s high time for the rakyat to do something.
No sacrifice, No Glory! Time for a change! Change the BN govenment! Bring down those “genouis (not genious)” off the parliament. It’s a shame on us.