Contradictory decisions and policies are crippling Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's efforts for political liberalisation, says Bersih.
The move, Bersih said, contradicted Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s efforts for greater democracy.
“It seems as though the prime minister is doing something and then someone else is doing something else.
“The decision to ban the video completely opposed the prime minister’s efforts for greater democracy and political liberalisation,” Bersih steering committee member Dr Subraminiam Pillay said.
Subramaniam was responding to a report in the Malaysian Insider today quoting industry sources as saying that MCMC had apparently issued letters asking television stations – Astro and Media Prima – not to air the video featuring Barisan National (BN) Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh “speaking about the country having problems” and also other opposition leaders.
The 4.38-minute PSA public service video announcement asking people to come out and vote was directed by local musician Pete Teo.
It features many politicians, both from the opposition and the BN, lip sync-ing to a song which is sung by Namewee and Afdlin Shauki, among others.
Some of the politicians featured are Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong, Deputy Health Minister Rosnah Abd Rashid, MIC Puteri chief and former senator, J Usha Nandhini, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR), Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad (PAS), Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua (DAP) and Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PKR).
‘Non-partisan’ content
Subramaniam said the ban defied logic because the video was “non-partisan”.
“It did not ask for people to vote for BN or Pakatan. It merely asked for people to go out and vote,” he said.
He added that it was sad when a video such as this was seen as sensitive and threatening.
Another steering committee member, Arul Prakkash, also questioned MCMC’s ban on the video.
He said the video merely voiced a basic right of the people.
“If this is sensitive then when it is election time, even the word ‘vote’ would be banned,” he joked.
Revoke the ban
Maria Chin Abdullah, who is also a steering committee member, said that even the 1Malaysia campaign urged people to vote, so she did not see the harm in this video.
Meanwhile, PKR vice-president and Lembah Pantai MP, Nurul Izzah Anwar, said in a separate statement that the MCMC’s action undermined Najib’s promises of reforms.
She said the video was meant to rouse the democratic spirit of all Malaysians, regardless of political leanings.
“I call on the MCMC to clarify its orders to local broadcasters regarding this PSA, and I urge MCMC to reverse its order and promote the video as a step to strengthen democratic practice in our beloved country,” she said.
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