Bersih 2.0: Support This Movement for a Better Malaysia

I would like to congratulate the steering committee members of Bersih 2.0 and the founders of the first Bersih movement for their lasting commitment to see a fairer and better electoral system in Malaysia.

A functional democracy alone is not enough for Malaysia. Elections, public institutions and civil society organisations have been used by autocratic regimes to justify a 'democratic rule'. We need a thriving democracy which is fair, just and expanding.

Former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan who now helms Bersih 2.0 was right to note that public institutions especially the ones which have been guaranteed their independence and existence through the federal constitution must not only be seen to be fair but act fairly as well. Unfortunately, the Malaysian Election Commission has often been seen as a tool of the regime.

During her speech, Ambiga listed down Bersih 2.0's 11 demands for electoral reforms, two of which are new:

1. Complete revision of the electoral roll.
2. Use of indelible ink in elections.
3. Reform of postal voting.
4. Free and fair media access for all contesting parties.
5. Minimum campaign period of 21 days.
6. Fair and professional constituency redelineation.
7. Automatic registration of all eligible voters.
8. Reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18 years old.
9. Reform in electoral financing rules to ensure transparency.
10. Administrative neutrality of all levels of governments.
11. Affirming the political right of all students of 18 years and above.

I support her call for active and healthy political debates between contesting candidates in the next general elections. At present, elections are won through developmental promises which can be seen as political corruption or money politics. Worse, some political parties have raked up assets worth billions. How is this situation possible?

I would like to urge responsible Malaysians to go out, join forces and unite to do a few things:

1) Get your friends or family members above 21 years of age to register as voters;
2) Persuade your friends especially those around the region to come to vote every four or five years;
3) Help to educate them about the responsibility of a good government and the relationship between government and society;
4) Campaign against corrupt politicians, racial politics and religious bigotry;
5) Reject politicians who are useless, senseless and knowledge-less

Politicians who are too free and are spending a lot of time going around the country trying to gain support for themselves should spend some of their valuable time to promote these messages to the public especially those who are living in the rural, semi-rural and semi-urban areas.

True people patriots do not care about position or power. They care more about their people and their well-being. Nelson Mandela was a reluctant president of South Africa and he had reached out to his captors to lay a united and better future for his country post-apartheid.

Here, we have a Defence Minister who shoots himself on the foot by suggesting that non-Malays were less patriotic for not joining the armed forces. The patriotic minister should tell us more about PKFZ financial scandal and how to nab the culprits if he is really so patriotic himself.

With silly politicians all around, it makes a movement like Bersih 2.0 very meaningful and timely. Another setback, Malaysian voters are going to grow more apathetic towards the voting process if they do not see any possible change through the ballot boxes.

Then, we can all enjoy a year round and perpetual racism, racial rhetoric, arrogant political speeches and nut case members of parliament who are only interested in trivial issues. No wonder Malaysia is losing out to Singapore soon in GDP (projected USD210 billion to USD205 billion in 2010) and long lost out in brain gain.

Straight Talk