Posted on

To mamas who worry about papas going to BERSIH 3.0 Duduk Bantah

by Angie Ng
(from Zorro-unmasked)

It was one fine day. Suddenly, your loving husband who always comes home in time for dinner, a good father who always cares for the kids told you that he will be joining Bersih 3.0. You were shocked! For goodness sake! You said. “Don’t you remember how they shoot people with tear gas, and the chemical laced water? And more than 1000 people were arrested during Bersih 2.0? What if something happens to you? What about me and the kids? The rally will still go on without you; they won’t know the difference… Just don’t go and stay away from trouble!”

We know you love your husband, and you hope he understands your concern, know your thoughts. However, have you try look into his thoughts to find out what is in his mind? Last year’s BERSIH 2.0, you saw him wept in front of his computer. Why? He was touched to see how Malaysians stood up, hand-in-hand, regardless of their status and skin colour. He saw how people stood up as Malaysians to brave the tear gas, water cannon and FRUs. He got goosebumps when he heard people singing “Negaraku” that day. He has been singing “Negaraku” since he first learnt the song. But he never realizes that the lyric is so meaningful and beautiful when we sing it out loud with love for your country. That moment, he wasn’t happy at all for staying at home comfortably in front of his computer. He was sad for not standing there, fighting with fellow Malaysians for a better future!

Those who sprayed by water cannon, they have wives, parents and families too. Some even left a will for their families. If anything happens to himself, his wife or his family shall take care of his business. They were afraid too! But still, they stood proudly in front of tear gas and water cannon. That moment, did you know that your husband was so ashamed for not able to be there?

He decided to join this coming BERSIH 3.0. He did it for you, for your kids, for the place he called HOME. Continue reading “To mamas who worry about papas going to BERSIH 3.0 Duduk Bantah”

Posted on

Perth is ready for Bersih 3.0

— Soon Yee Yap
The Malaysian Insider
Apr 27, 2012

APRIL 27 — No one has shown hesitation about coming out in full force tomorrow; indeed, many are making preparing to face a wet day, not because they are expecting to be met with water cannons and tear gas but because of the forecast of rain. In stark contrast with developments in Kuala Lumpur, the police in Perth, having been notified of our intentions, gave us the go ahead in writing.

In fact, a couple of days ago, the investigative team from State Security invited a few of us out for a catch-up chat, not in a police station but a less intimidating environment of a hotel pub. They warn us of things and elements to watch out for that could tarnish our movement instead of harassing us. Apparently, we are in their good books.

The City of Perth Council has agreed to a suggestion from someone of our community to tie yellow ribbons and messages on a tree just in front of the Malaysian Consulate. In fact, it was suggested to us that it can be left until the next general election in Malaysia! Continue reading “Perth is ready for Bersih 3.0”

Posted on

Bersih then and Bersih now

Patrick Lee | April 27, 2012
Free Malaysia Today

This time everyone who missed out on last year’s rally wants to be in on the action. While the usual suspects in the opposing camp are rather muted.

PETALING JAYA: Though same in demands, the Bersih rally this year will be a different ball game compared to its predecessor.

The eight demands to reform the electoral system, the yellow T-shirts, the boasts of tens of thousands coming and even all the usual suspects are still there.

But a couple of things set 2012′s Bersih apart from the 2011′s Walk of Democracy. Here’s five. Continue reading “Bersih then and Bersih now”

Posted on

Their own worst enemy

— Maha Balakrishnan
The Malaysian Insider
Apr 27, 2012

APRIL 27 — Just when you think the government and police force in this country can’t possibly do anything more ridiculous than the last thing they did, they top it.

Apparently, the police have now allowed Bersih 3.0 to assemble on the perimeter of Dataran Merdeka, but just not ON Dataran Merdeka. Let us take a step back and consider this: The perimeter of Dataran Merdeka comprises public roads.

What the police are saying is that it’s OK for Malaysians, who will probably number in the thousands, to assemble on public roads on a Saturday afternoon, but NOT on a closed-off square away from traffic and built for such assemblies of people.

What was the rationale for banning Bersih’s use of Dataran Merdeka, again? Something about Bersih 3.0 now suddenly becoming a security threat? How is Bersih 3.0 a security threat on a public square but not on public roads?

I step on the square, I’m a security threat; I step off the square, I’m not. Genius. Continue reading “Their own worst enemy”

Posted on

Pemimpin Pakatan juga berhak mendapat liputan

— Aspan Alias
The Malaysian Insider
Apr 27, 2012

27 APRIL — Tuntutan Bersih 3.0 merupakan satu “extension” kepada tuntutan yang dibuat dalam Bersih 2.0. Negara memerlukan undian daripada rakyat siapa yang sepatutnya diberikan mandat apabila habis tempoh penggal pilihanraya, sekurang-kurangnya selepas tiga tahun atau sebelum tamat tempoh lima tahun.

Tuntutan yang dilakukan oleh rakyat melalui Bersih 3.0 ini merupakan tuntutan yang adil dan munasabah dan sepatutnya tidak menjadi halangan untuk dilakukan oleh rakyat yang tidak berpuas hati dengan cara dan kaedah pilihanraya diadakan.

Daripada lapan tuntutan yang diminta oleh rakyat itu saya hanya ingin menyentuh hanya satu daripada kesemua tuntutan itu, iaitu “accessibility” yang “equitable” untuk semua parti yang bertanding dan menawarkan cadangan-cadangan jika diberi kepercayaan oleh rakyat.

Mendapat liputan yang saksama daripada media arus perdana itu merupakan perkara yang paling asas di dalam sesebuah demokrasi kerana melalui media itulah pihak-pihak yang menawarkan diri untuk mendapat kepercayaan rakyat itu dapat dilakukan. Continue reading “Pemimpin Pakatan juga berhak mendapat liputan”

Posted on

Umno’s parenting skills

— Sakmongkol AK47
The Malaysian Insider
Apr 27, 2012

APRIL 27 — In 1927, some 85 years ago, a Malay intellectual named Zainal Abidin Ahmad wrote: “Mereka telah di perabdikan dan kena picit dan perah dan ramas di tangan pemerintah2 yang pada zaman dahulu itu- iaitu pemerintah2 dari bangsa mereka sendiri…”

It’s true. The biggest oppressors turned out to be the Malays who have power among them. The Malays are dehumanised under Umno hegemony. How would you feel, to wake up every day to tell your sons and daughters that you can’t be as good as the Indians and Chinese because you were born Malay? You are less a person because you are Malay? That you are not able to compete because you are genetically and inherently deficient and lacking in so many things? What kind of Malay do your children grow up to become?

What do the Malays look for salvation? In an absolutist Umno very much similar to the absolute monarchy of old — that ruling system to which Zaaba came to ruefully write about.

And what will the Malays turn out to be? They will become underdeveloped beings, imprisoned by false characterisation, dwarfed and stunted because each day your Umno parents tell you, you are not good enough. Your Umno parents will tell you that you are what you are today because the non-Malay forces are conspiring to decimate all things Malay.

What does Umno offer as solution? Absolute dependence on Umno. Continue reading “Umno’s parenting skills”

Posted on

Bersih 3.0 Down Under

— Mary O’Donovan
The Malaysian Insider
Apr 27, 2012

APRIL 27 — As the Australian girl who organised Bersih 2.0 in my hometown of Brisbane, Australia; I have sat back and watched the discussion about Bersih 3.0 with great scepticism.

Among my reasons for taking a step back, I told everyone that my studies must take precedence as I am in my final semester at law school. I told the Australian organisers that I thought it was better to have a Malaysian at the forefront of Brisbane’s Bersih 3.0.

Although this was all true, I think my reasons for taking a step back ran deeper. I couldn’t help but feel cynical about all of us coming together again, when no results conducive to change became readily apparent last time.

What will be different this time, what difference did all that time and energy I put into 2.0 make? Perhaps I feel a bit jaded. Did anything change at all with the world coming together to denounce the government’s actions the last time? I began to question if Bersih was ever going to make change happen?

Fortunately, not everyone else has given up hope. Fortunately, not everyone else thought we wouldn’t be heard. Fortunately, many people believe that we must keep moving forward until these changes become apparent. Continue reading “Bersih 3.0 Down Under”

Posted on

DDOS attacks against Malaysiakini begin, again

Malaysiakini.com
6:49PM Apr 27, 2012

Malaysiakini’s server came under attack as tensions mount ahead of tomorrow’s Bersih 3.0 rally.

Readers and subscribers, especially those using international routing such as Blackberries phones, have been unable to access Malaysiakini since 5.30pm this evening.

azlanThe attack known as a – distributed denial of service (DDOS) – involves using a large number of computers to flood Malaysiakini’s servers with ‘dud’ traffic, causing a traffic jam which denies access to legitimate users.

The attack is normally carried out by international syndicates paid to disrupt targeted websites.

A similar attack was carried out against Malaysiakini in April and July last year, in tandem with the Sarawak elections and Bersih 2.0 respectively.

Malaysiakini’s technology team is currently studying the attack patterns and will take measures to overcome the attacks. Continue reading “DDOS attacks against Malaysiakini begin, again”

Posted on

Call on Najib to reverse course last-minute – direct Home Minister, police and DBKL to partner/facilitate successful and peaceful holding of the Bersih 3.0 “sit in” for clean elections at Dataran Merdeka tomorrow

The question all Malaysians and the world are asking is: What “Malaysia as world’s best democracy” is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak talking about when his government is so mortally afraid of Malaysians peacefully gathering at Dataran Merdeka for a two-hour “sit-in” calling for free, fair and clean elections?

The volte face by the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein from the earlier position of Bersih 3.0 not being a national security problem to its becoming “a security issue”, the threat of police harassment and other actions including mass arrests tomorrow, the locking-down of Dataran Merdeka and the court order secured by the police barring Bersih 3.0 from the vicinity of Dataran Merdeka for four days, are not symptomatic of an administration brimming with confidence that “the era of the government knows best is over” and wants to usher in a political transformastion to make Malaysia “the best democracy in the world” but the very opposite.

If the Najib premiership had fully learnt from the lessons of the gross and disastrous mishandling of the Bersih 2.0 peaceful rally for free, fair and clean elections on July 9, 2011, which dealt body blows to Najib and Malaysia’s national and international image, the government would have facilitated the successful holding of the Bersih 3.0 peaceful “sit-in” protest at Dataran Merdeka tomorrow. Continue reading “Call on Najib to reverse course last-minute – direct Home Minister, police and DBKL to partner/facilitate successful and peaceful holding of the Bersih 3.0 “sit in” for clean elections at Dataran Merdeka tomorrow”

Posted on

High stakes for Bersih 3.0 rally

By Bridget Welsh | 8:08AM Apr 27, 2012
Malaysiakini

COMMENT As the buzz surrounding Bersih grows louder, the stakes are rising. As the week began, many wrote off Bersih 3.0, suggesting that the outrage and momentum did not echo the sentiments of last July. They suggested that the playing the rally card again would backfire.

Yet, as the week unfolded, and with the DBKL’s (City Hall’s) response to the occupation of Dataran Merdeka and students calling for free tertiary education, the tide slowly began to turn. It was BN which appeared to be playing a bad hand.

While there was a decentralisation of who was on the frontline for the BN this time, local authorities rather than national leaders, the end result was the same – a failure to address deep-seated concerns about electoral integrity and unwillingness to accept the protest that has arisen by the failure to address these concerns.

While many remain undecided, the ground is moving. Like the earlier two rallies, Bersih 3.0 has evolved into an event that captures a broad range of concerns, from the environment, religious rights, 1Care health insurance scheme and corruption to electoral reform and free education.
Continue reading “High stakes for Bersih 3.0 rally”

Posted on

Concerned citizens call on PM Najib Razak to allow Bersih 3.0 to go ahead peacefully at Dataran Merdeka on April 28

Friday, 27 April 2012
Press Statement

We the undersigned wish to express our profound disappointment at the numerous obstacles that have been put in place by government agencies, especially the Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) and Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), to prevent the planned peaceful gathering of Bersih 3.0 on 28 April 2012.

We recognise that these agencies are either under the direct control or influence of your government but we are sure that you, as Prime Minister, concur that they should strictly observe and practice administrative neutrality and not be seen to serve the partisan interests of the ruling parties.

It is disheartening and unacceptable to see these agencies behave in a way that is in direct contradiction to your promises of a more open democratic space for Malaysians.

We wish to emphasise that the right to assembly is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution. The only limitation is that such assembly must not be a threat to national security or to public order. There is nothing to suggest that Bersih 3.0 will be such a threat.

We also note with concern that various groups have been making threats against this planned peaceful gathering. Recent events in Dataran Merdeka where students engaged in a peaceful demonstration have been attacked by thugs show that such threats are not to be taken lightly.

You have promised a reformist agenda and we expect you to uphold your pledge. Continue reading “Concerned citizens call on PM Najib Razak to allow Bersih 3.0 to go ahead peacefully at Dataran Merdeka on April 28”

Posted on

Deja vu as no lessons learnt

— The Malaysian Insider
Apr 27, 2012

APRIL 27 — Those who forget history … well, you get the picture.

Electoral reform group Bersih decides to hold a protest and the government gets into a huff. Plays nice for a bit and then acts tough. Locks down the city. Possible chaos if there is police action. And then the government spends time and money again to be good to the people.

Tomorrow, thousands of Malaysians have promised to stand up for their right to clean and fair elections by sitting down for two hours. In 11 cities in Malaysia and 72 cities across the world.

Most Malaysians will get a chance to do that if they are abroad. And perhaps some city authorities in Malaysia are enlightened enough to allow that and not repeat the mistakes that happened in Bersih 2.0.

The question is why haven’t the authorities learnt anything from the past two Bersih rallies? Why offer alternative venues, play nice and say that Bersih has no traction and then outsource the muscling to the police and the city authorities? Continue reading “Deja vu as no lessons learnt”

Posted on

Election Commission: Apparent Bias

by Malik Imtiaz Sarwar

The Chairman of the Election Commission and his Deputy must resign immediately. In the wake of accusations by the Opposition that they are members of UMNO, they have admitted the same.

It is self-evident that they can no longer hold their positions as the head and deputy head of the Election Commission, a body established by the Federal Constitution for the sole purpose of ensuring that the general elections of the Federation and States are run in a manner that ensure public confidence. Put another way, as has been consistently emphasized by the Coalition on Free and Fair Elections, the Election Commission must act in a manner that is seen to be impartial.

That the perception of impartiality is of crucial significance is underscored by Article 113 of the Federal Constitution, the provision which establishes the Election Commission. 113(2) provides:

“In appointing members of the Election Commission the Yang di- Pertuan Agong shall have regard to the importance of securing an Election Commission which enjoys public confidence.” Continue reading “Election Commission: Apparent Bias”

Posted on

Let’s take back our votes

— Nagappan Karuppiah
The Malaysian Insider
Apr 26, 2012

APRIL 26 — I read Yolanda Augustin (“Why Malaysians overseas are joining Global Bersih 3.0”, Side Views, April 24) and found myself nodding at each line.

I left Malaysia in 2003 to study in Australia. At the end of the first semester, I’d decided I’d make Australia my home. I’d had no interest in Malaysian politics to start with, but in that first semester, Australia opened my eyes to what freedom of speech is about. What multiculturalism — living with people of various races — is all about. How you can write to the newspapers and criticise the prime minister and the government for their policies. How on prime-time television you can voice your opinion. In Australia, I found the meaning of being part of a free, democratic and civil society.

I received my permanent residency in 2007 but to date I am not able to make or call Australia home. Malaysia is still where I cherish the best memories of my life, my school days and friends. I still find myself calling Malaysia home. I am still very much Malaysian at heart. Continue reading “Let’s take back our votes”

Posted on

Today’s headlines

— Lucius Goon

The Malaysian Insider
Apr 26, 2012

APRIL 26 — To the editor of The Malaysian Insider, I hope you can indulge me and publish my synopsis of today’s main news.

1) Chua Soi Lek says that he welcomes Lim Kit Siang and DAP to make Johor their battleground and then goes on to say a whole bunch which betrays his true sentiments.

Anyway, since the winnable candidate is looking for a safe seat outside Johor, he is not qualified to talk about the southern state. He should focus on helping his brother who is currrently being investigated by the Securities Commission and police for the disappearance of some RM70 million from a public listed company.

At the same time, he should try and extricate his party from the PKFZ mess. But don’t use blogs like stop the lies, try more credible news sources.

2) Muhyiddin Yassin today challenged Lim Guan Eng to show what were his concrete achievements for Penang. For a start, the Penang CM has not been sued by foreign investors who were cajoled and strong-armed in a shady land deal also known as the Stamford Hills case. Continue reading “Today’s headlines”