Political ploy or genuine democratisation?

2. The undemocratic clampdown on July 9 peaceful Bersih 2.0 rally for fair, free and clean elections.

Democratic and political transformation must be furthest from the mind of a government which could mount the undemocratic clampdown on the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally for free, fair and clean elections, launching mass arrests, locking down the Federal Capital and irresponsibly, indiscriminately and recklessly firing tear gas and chemically-laced water cannon at peaceful and patriotic demonstrators, including Pakatan Rakyat and Bersih 2.0 leaders.

The weeks before and after the historic Bersih 2.0 rally were undoubtedly the worst period for Datuk Seri Najib Razak since becoming the sixth Malaysian Prime Minister 27 months ago in April 2009 – his greatest failure of leadership which made him the object of ridicule and scorn not only in the country but also internationally, and forcing him to cut short his overseas trip.

Are Malaysians to believe that it was during this period that Najib had a sudden change of heart as to be converted to the agenda to democratisation and political transformation resulting in the establishment of the Parliamentary Select Committee on electoral reforms and the announcements on the repeal or amendment of repressive undemocratic laws like the Internal Security Act?

Or are these political ploys to recover lost political and electoral ground as a result of the gross misjudgement and mishandling of the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally – without any real political intention or will to set in motion a full democratisation process in the country?

Time will soon tell. If the next general elections is held without far-reaching changes to the electoral laws and system in the country by ensuring that there would be a clean and comprehensive electoral roll where every eligible voter whether inside or outside country is able to vote on polling day, an end to phantom and illegal voters, eradication of electoral frauds and abuses especially postal ballots and money politics, the acceptance of the concept of a caretaker government between dissolution of Parliament and Polling Day and end to misuse of government funds, resources and personnel for electioneering purposes, fair access to media by contesting candidates and parties, the Barisan Nasional government will stand exposed as being insincere and dishonest in wanting a free, fair and free elections system for the 13th General Elections.

This applies also to the removal of the arsenal of arbitrary and repressive laws which deny Malaysians their fundamental liberties and human rights – not just repeal of the Internal Security Act, but also draconian legislation or provisions whether Printing Presses and Publications Act, the Police Act, the Official Secrets Act, the Sedition Act, the Universities and University Colleges Act, etc.

Speech (3) in Parliament on the 2012 Budget on Monday 17th October 2011