A group of mothers have pledged their support for the electoral watchdog's rally and are calling on others to do the same.

 
PETALING JAYA: A group of mothers have pledged their support for the Bersih 3.0 rally slated for April 28 and are urging all mothers to ink a petition for free and fair elections.

Catherine Choon, the main person behind the mama@bersih3.0 initiative, said mothers were also affected by the government’s shortcomings.

“While traditionally, mothers do not care much about politics, politics however deeply affects every family and the future of every child. We always worry that we may not be able to afford our children’s college education.

“We are always puzzled why our police are more interested in suppressing and monitoring citizens rather than chasing criminals so that our children may leave home and return safely,” she added.
Choon said that she was part of a civil society group in Johor called the Johor Yellow Flame which started last year in protest of the Peaceful Assembly Bill.

Admitting that she was reserved before, the mother of one said that she became more outspoken since the second Bersih rally last July.

“I think a lot of people have changed since that rally. Many people think differently after that rally, many people feel that they can do something to make an impact,” she added.

Choon said this was what spurred a group of 30 mothers from Johor to begin this initiative. Since it kicked off last week, 1,500 mothers had pledged their support.

“If we don’t give the other side a chance, we will never know what the alternative can offer. How can the other side win fairly if the elections are dirty?” she asked.

The petition stated that the mothers were in solidarity with Bersih’s eight demands and also demanded that the Najib administration invites international observers to monitor the upcoming polls.

Interested mothers can sign the petition at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mamas_bersih3

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