Electoral reform group Bersih today shot down claims that it intended to
overthrow the government through its April 28 rally which drew over
100,000 people, the largest since 1999.
"As far as the statement about overthrowing the government is concerned, Bersih rejects it entirely. BERSIH 2.0 wants free and fair elections.
"The
government has not explained how occupying Dataran Merdeka constitutes a
threat to the government, or an attempt to overthrow it," a joint
statement from Bersih steering committee members said today.
The coalition stressed that any change of government should ultimately be done at the ballot box through clean and fair elections.
"Which brings us back to Bersih's demands, are they (government's electoral reforms) going to be implemented before the 13th general election?
"As far as the statement about overthrowing the government is concerned, Bersih rejects it entirely. BERSIH 2.0 wants free and fair elections.
"The
government has not explained how occupying Dataran Merdeka constitutes a
threat to the government, or an attempt to overthrow it," a joint
statement from Bersih steering committee members said today.The coalition stressed that any change of government should ultimately be done at the ballot box through clean and fair elections.
"Which brings us back to Bersih's demands, are they (government's electoral reforms) going to be implemented before the 13th general election?
"Are the Election Commission chairperson and deputy chairperson going to step down if it is confirmed they are Umno members?"
Ignoring the show of force by over 250,000 last Saturday by labelling it as something else, Bersih said, was tantamount to insulting the people's intelligence."
‘Stadium poses greater danger '
Responding to criticism of the coalition's insistence on Dataran Merdeka as its protest venue despite being offered Stadium Merdeka, it reiterated that it had made the right decision.
"In hindsight, we believe it was also a good thing not to have accepted the Stadium Merdeka.
Ignoring the show of force by over 250,000 last Saturday by labelling it as something else, Bersih said, was tantamount to insulting the people's intelligence."
‘Stadium poses greater danger '
Responding to criticism of the coalition's insistence on Dataran Merdeka as its protest venue despite being offered Stadium Merdeka, it reiterated that it had made the right decision.
"In hindsight, we believe it was also a good thing not to have accepted the Stadium Merdeka.
"Given
the conduct and ill intent of some in the police force, the stadium
would have been a trap that would have been wholly unsafe for the
participants."While it did not condone the breach of Dataran Merdeka by protesters, it added that the legality of the barricades at the square was "questionable" but did not elaborate.
"We are also receiving information that much more was happening at the barricades than meets the eye," it said.
Police have since released photographs of 49 individuals believed to have been involved in breaching the barricade as well as attempting to harm the police and their property.
2 comments:
The UMNO government/ruling class agreed to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the large presence of illegal foreigners in Sabah and the widespread issuance of Malaysian Mykads and identification documents. But UMNO has promised several times but has yet to do something concrete. UMNO/ruling class has to do something concrete before the General Elections(GE13). Starting the RCI work after the GE13 is a joke.
The Hindu Malaysians have the same problem. There is a UMNO minister who asked the Hindu Malaysians to have "nambikei" in UMNO. The word "nambikei" means "faith/trust" in Tamil language. The reality is that due cronyism and favoritism, most Hindu Malaysians, Chinese Malaysians and Malays were sidelined. Those who benefited under UMNO rule were the ruling class composed of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and East Malaysians who were cronies of UMNO. Now an UMNO Minister is asking Hindu Malaysians to put faith/trust in him. It means that if the Hindu Malaysians vote for UMNO in GE13, then UMNO will respond by helping to uplift the Hindu Malaysians out of poverty. But faith/trust can be given to the Almighty, not human beings because human beings do err all the time. It is dangerous to put faith/trust in human beings because they may betray you too. What Hindu Malaysians need is equal rights and meritocracy; what all the poor underclass Malaysians need is equal rights and meritocracy. The ruling class in Malaysia is opposed to equal rights and meritocracy. The ruling class favors cronyism, nepotism, and favoritism. The underclass in Malaysia favors equal rights and meritocracy. This is a class struggle.
There is UMNO with a 2/3 majority in Parliament and UMNO without a 2/3 majority in Parliament. Let's now discuss UMNO with a 2/3 majority. UMNO (with a 2/3 majority in Parliament) would be remembered for using cronyism, nepotism, and favoritism for many of her actions. UMNO, with a 2/3 majority in Parliament, would be remembered for putting itself even above the judicial system. As a result of cronyism, nepotism, and favoritism, it created a ruling class composed of Malays, Chinese, and Indians. As a result of cronyism, nepotism, and favoritism, the majority of the population of all races and religions became the underclass and had reduced opportunities. It would be difficult to separate cronyism, nepotism, and favoritism from electoral fraud: that is, cronyism and electoral fraud may be interdependent.
There is UMNO with a 2/3 majority in Parliament and UMNO without a 2/3 majority in Parliament. Let's now discuss UMNO with a 2/3 majority. UMNO (with a 2/3 majority in Parliament) would be remembered for using cronyism, nepotism, and favoritism for many of her actions. UMNO, with a 2/3 majority in Parliament, would be remembered for putting itself even above the judicial system. As a result of cronyism, nepotism, and favoritism, it created a ruling class composed of Malays, Chinese, and Indians. As a result of cronyism, nepotism, and favoritism, the majority of the population of all races and religions became the underclass and had reduced opportunities. It would be difficult to separate cronyism, nepotism, and favoritism from electoral fraud: that is, cronyism and electoral fraud may be interdependent.
At some point in time Sabahans must draw the line somewhere. Waiting for GE13 to be over before the RCI can do what they should do may not be a good idea. Any way, its up to Sabahans to decide. Should the RCI do its work before GE13 or after GE13 is the burning question. If the Sabahans continue to tolerate and have faith/trust in UMNO, then it is their own problem. It is for Sabahans to wise up. It is for Sabahans to realize that they have been shortchanged. It is for Sabahans to decide their own future. Sabahans cannot and should not wait and wait for the RCI to do its work. I say that the RCI should do its work before GE13; and this should be the ultimatum. I say that RCI should complete its work before GE13; and this should be the ultimatum. I say that RCI starting its work before GE13 is insufficient. Starting its work and completing its work are not the same. Starting is only starting. Starting and completing are different. Sabahans have waited too long for RCI. There should be no more delays. The RCI must complete and finish its work before GE13. RCI must complete and finish its work to the satisfaction of the Sabahans before the GE13. It is important that the Sabahans be satisfied with findings of the RCI before the GE13 is held. This should be the ultimatum.
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The political history of Malaysia can be divided into two chapters: that is, chapter one and chapter two. Chapter One is about UMNO rule with a 2/3 majority in Parliament. Chapter Two is about UMNO rule without a 2/3 majority in Parliament. We are now in Chapter Two. The beginning of Chapter Two is the end of Chapter One. Similarly, the end of Chapter One is the beginning of Chapter Two. Is it a class struggle? Is it a class struggle between the ruling class and the underclass? Is it similar to Bastille? Is Chapter Two a result of the rise of the underclass in Malaysia? May be the underclass are becoming bolder in Malaysia to demand equal rights and meritocracy. May be. We will wait and see.
Chapter One had its social, political, and economic effects for the nation. Chapter Two has just begun and its social, political, and economic changes are something we have to wait and see.
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