Referendum - how people can have their say..

We know that the UMNO-led BN has created a 'culture' of government deciding for the people without the people being consulted.

Did you consult the people of this town about whether they wanted this mega project?

BN will answer 'Yes'. We consulted with the Local Council. We consulted the JKKKs. We consulted the Penghulu - the problem is that all these persons are not peoples' representatives but political appointees. And, sadly one pre-condition is that they be members of the party... Malaysians, as a matter of practice are never consulted on anything. Not only that, they are also not provided with all the information, including differing views/opinions. In an internet age, this is really unacceptable.

The culture of 'secrecy' and 'government knows best' must be ended, and Malaysians deserve real democracy now, 50 plus years after we got independence from the British.

Referendum - that is what we must start having. It is a process of allowing the people to participate in the decision making process.

A referendum (also known as a plebiscite or a ballot question) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of direct democracy.

A referendum could be binding, or persuasive.

Maybe, Malaysia needs to start having referendums...

It can be done at all levels...national, state, districts, Parliamentary Constituencies, State Legislative Constituencies..

But before any referendums are done - there must be avenues for people to have their say and for all others to hear their views and opinions. We do not want 'government' getting a memorandum/views from this group and that group, and deciding without the rest of us even knowing what the other had said. It should all be open...