I would like to call on the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Cabinet Ministers and leaders of all Barisan Nasional component parties to come forward to join in the Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9 to support the civil society initiative for free and fair elections.
Let July 9 be a historic day in Malaysia to celebrate the coming-of-age of 54 years of parliamentary democracy where political parties, both ruling and opposition, together with the civil society, can come together to address the major defects of our democratic system of governance – the many serious flaws of the electoral system failing to give real meaning to the principle of “one person, one vote, one value”; a clean, free and fair election process and elected government hich commands unquestioned credibility, legitimacy and authority.
I am sure representatives from Barisan Nasional parties would be welcomed to join the Bersih 2.0 steering committee to ensure that the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally will be an event all Malaysians regardless of political affiliation would feel proud as a Malaysian.
This would be fully in keeping with the open invitation by the Bersih 2.0 chairperson Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan inviting all political parties, including BN and all NGOs, to join the “Free and Fair Elections” rally and to walk with the rakyat.
I would be happy to walk with Najib, Muhyiddin, Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, Datuk G. Palanivel, Tan Sri Taib Mahmud, Tan Sri George Chan, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, James Masing, Willim Mawan Ikom and other BN leaders for the advent of free, fair and clean elections in Malaysia.
The statesmen-like response of the PM, DPM, Cabinet Ministers and BN leaders to the Bersih 2.0 initiative will be a great day for democracy in Malaysia, bringing an end to the negative, divisive and even destructive outbursts by irresponsible quarters and elements in the past month.
Let July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally exorcise once and for all the threat and spectre of May 13 which had been manipulated by extremists and enemies of democracy to stunt full democratic growth of Malaysia
Let July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally exorcise once and for all the threat and spectre of May 13 which had been manipulated by extremists and enemies of democracy to stunt the full democratic growth of Malaysia.
The latest example of such seditious and treasonous brinkmanship was staged only on Sunday when Perkasa Pesident Ibrahim Ali raised the spectre of May 13 in a Bersih 2.0 counter-protest in Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur – not only burning the images of Bersih Chairman Ambiga but also warning the Chinese to stay indoors as “anything could happen”.
Appointing himself “war general”, Ibrahim Ali said if electoral reform coalition Bersih goes through with its July 9 rally, he will not be held responsible for any untoward incidents which may occur.
“Imagine if chaos erupts. If the Bersih rally is not cancelled… I believe the Chinese community will have to stock up on food.
“Yes, anything can happen.”
If such incendiary blood-curdling threats had been uttered by anyone in Pakatan Rakyat, he or she would have been clapped in jail without much ado.
However, two days have passed without any action or response from the police or the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein although they are capable of lightning-speed reaction when alleged infractions of the law are committed by Pakatan Rakyat leaders.
Ibrahim Ali is a clown and utterly irrelevant. What is pertinent is the silence, connivance and/or condonation of Ibrahim Ali’s May 13 antics by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Inspector-General of Police who must explain why Ibrahim enjoys immunity and impunity for such seditious, incendiary and treasonous utterances.
Will the Cabinet meeting this week censure the Home Minister for failing to take appropriate and commensurate action against Ibrahim Ali for such incendiary, seditious and treasonous May 13 threats?
The Bersih 2.0 coalition has formulated eight demands for free and fair elections, viz:
1. A thorough review of the electoral roll
2. Reforms to the postal balloting process
3. Marking voters who have cast their ballots with indelible ink
4. A minimum 21 day campaign period
5. Equitable access to media by participating parties
6. Strengthen institutions which enforces election laws
7. Eradicating electoral bribery
8. Putting a stop to dirty politics.
I will add two more demands for free and fair elections in Malaysia:
9. Renunciation and denunciation of any May 13 threat before or during elections; and
10. A Caretaker Government after dissolution of Parliament and State Assemblies where Federal and State Ministers/Excos cannot misuse or abuse their caretaker functions for electioneering purposes – bearing in mind the classic case of the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandi disqualified as as MP for abusing her caretaker PM functions when using state aircraft for Congress Indian electioneering purpose.
* Media Conference Statement in Parliament on Tuesday 21st June 2011 at 11am