Najib's behaviour and poor handling of the situation involving BERSIH 2.0, the movement for free and fair elections is one thing - but his inability to even get UMNO's youth wing to listen to him is indicative that he has also lost the confidence of even UMNO. Maybe time to call an EGM in UMNO to see whether Najib still enjoys the support of the majority in UMNO?
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth will reapply to gather at Stadium Merdeka but members will gather at Jalan Bukit Bintang at 10am Saturday even if police deny them permission, its chief Khairy Jamaluddin said Friday.
“This afternoon, we will make an application to gather at Stadium Merdeka. We have applied. We were the first to apply for a police permit on June 24. It was rejected on July 6,” the Rembau MP told reporters and showed the appeal letter submitted at the Dang Wangi police station on Friday.
Umno Youth would meet on Jalan Bukit Bintang and might march to the stadium even without permission, he said.
Khairy said Umno Youth was marching on behalf of the “silent majority” who did not agree with Bersih's stand.
Bersih has insisted that it will hold its rally in Stadium Merdeka. - Star, 8/7/2011, Umno Youth to march Saturday to Stadium Merdeka with or without permission
What disturbs me about UMNO Youth is that they are not so much interested in freedom of assembly or expression - but they seem to be interested in a 'clash' with one who hold a different viewpoint.
First, you should not have decided to have the assembly or rally on the same day and time (and place?).
Even now, they talk about marching to Stadium Merdeka, the new avenue of the rally.
And, the claim that they represent the 'silent majority' is absurd...
The 'silent majority' also do have an opinion, and most likely it is similar to those of BERSIH 2.0, i.e. a demand for a more 'free and fair elections in Malaysia'
The 'silent majority' is "silent" not by reason of choice but by reason of 'coercion, threats, fear, etc' .... do a national referendum on the various points advanced by BERSIH 2.0 where people will freely be allowed to express their choice/vote and I am sure that the majority (if not all) would want a more 'free and fair elections for Malaysia'. Who would say that they do not want it to be more and more free and fair?
There certainly is always room for improvement, and even the Election Commission has admitted to this - so really, what is the reason for Najib's government's over-reaction to BERSIH 2.0? Why? - maybe, we need to analyze the 'why?' a bit more.
Faced with mounting pressure that a rally will be held this weekend, the Public Services Department (PSD) has issued a circular barring civil servants from participating in an illegal assembly or any movement which may hurt the security of the nation. - Malaysiakini, 7/7/2011, PSD orders civil servants not to attend rally
However, an Education Ministry circular similarly dated June 30, signed by the director-general Abd Ghafar Mahmud, was more blunt in specifically stating the electoral reform group Coalition of Free and Fair Elections Bersih 2.0. - Malaysiakini, 7/7/2011, PSD orders civil servants not to attend rally
In a note posted on the Universiti Malaya Student Affairs Department Facebook page on June 24, deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs) Rohana Yusof said the university would act against students who take part in the Bersih 2.0 rally.
"Taking part in an illegal assembly is an offence under the University and University Colleges Act 1971 and can lead to suspension or expulsion.
"As such, students are reminded not to be involved in the rally, be it directly or indirectly. If any students are found to be involved, disciplinary action will be taken by the university," she said.- Malaysiakini, 1/7/2011, Gov't anti-Bersih drive hits mosques, campuses
The official campaign against Bersih 2.0 entered the mosques today, with the July 9 rally becoming the topic of Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim)-issued sermons today.
In sermons read out in mosques in Kuala Lumpur before Friday prayers today, the congregations were reminded that the Bersih 2.0 rally is haram (forbidden) as it promoted the wants of individuals at the peril of society.
"Of late, we are worried about a group of extremists who call themselves the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0, which)... is a struggle for the sake of individuals or beliefs, without considering public interests and sensitivities.
"In reaching for their goals, these groups... will converge to cause violence, destruct public amenities and break laws and are willing to go as far as injuring safety personnel," the sermon published on the Jakim website reads. - Malaysiakini, 1/7/2011, Gov't anti-Bersih drive hits mosques, campuses
Twenty-four hours before the planned rally for clean and fair elections, the government appears to be attempting a last ditch effort to influence Muslims against coming out in droves.
Throughout Kuala Lumpur mosques today, the government-issued sermon called on the congregation to be wary of "those who try to undermine (Muslim) unity".
Unlike last week's sermon, also published on the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) website, which mentions Bersih 2.0, the sermon today obliquely warned of "traitors to religion, race and country".
"We would like to state that these people are actually the ones who had caused anger among the Muslims (by) questioning the rights of Muslims as well as using Muslim leaders who have been blinded by their lust for power.
"They incite dissatisfaction and hatred against leaders... behind the mask of fairness and transparency, using the rakyat as human shields when their main agenda is to cause chaos, undermine unity and make us believe that the nation is no longer peaceful," the sermon reads.- Malaysiakini, 8/7/2011,On rally eve, Friday sermon warns of Islam's 'enemies'
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