Enough of BN - time for an alternative government

Let's us not forget that the primary goal is to end the rule of the Barisan Nasional in Malaysia - it is time for us to have an alternative government formed by the Opposition political parties...

Let's us also be clear that many Malaysians only take the position of being pro-BN or anti-BN....

One argument against ending the BN rule was that our Malaysian Opposition parties just did not have the capacity to govern...to rule... only to be Opposition..BUT now after 2008, we have clear proof that the Opposition parties have the capacity to rule and govern effectively States like Penang, Kedah, Selangor... (despite attempts of 'sabotage' by the BN Federal in the form of money flow, etc ... to States, etc). Kelantan has long been effectively governed by the Opposition but many considered it as 'insufficient' proof of the capacity to govern. Today - it has been proven.

Do we have to worry about who will be the 'new' Prime Minister now if and when Barisan Nasional is defeated - I think not. Should Anwar be the Prime Minister? Should it be Hadi? Should it be Kit Siang? Should it be N Surendran? Again, I say it is not the time to think of such things.... Let Barisan Nasional be defeated first - and then we will decide on who will the PM. (Remember also that a 'bad' PM can at any time be removed - i.e. the moment he loses the confidence of the majority of MPs....)

* Personally, I believe that even when the Opposition wins, maybe it be best that their existing leadership, be it Anwar, Hadi or Kit Siang or others not be the new Prime Minister - I am sure that there will be other more acceptable choices...Remember, what we want is the promised reforms - so hopefully the Opposition parties or personalities understand this and it is not about who gets to be PM?

Overseas Malaysian should be given the real right to vote in the upcoming GEs

Of course, Malaysians overseas have a right to vote --- but alas, this is what postal vote is all about. But in Malaysia, postal vote seems to be only for the EC officials on duty on polling date, police & armed forces personnel (and their families??? - if this is so, it should not be).

And the loss of rights of Malaysians overseas to vote is also because of time - between nomination day and voting, it should reasonably be 30 days - but the EC (under the BN rule ....possibly also under BN advice) have been shortening the period between nomination and voting. After nominations, ballot papers need to be printed - send to the overseas voter...collected back and should be back when votes are being counted - and that needs time...

3 - The period between nomination days and voting must increase, and Malaysian voters overseas and in other states from a particular constituency must be allowed to vote. This was the real intention of postal ballots but today it is only for those who will be working during polling day as Election Commission officers, police and military personnel in the constituencies. With regard to military personnel, one must realize that many of regiments and divisions in Peninsular Malaysia are from Sabah and Sarawak, and rightfully they and their families should be given the right to vote in the constituencies where they choose to be registered as voters. Many would have preferred to vote in the recent Sarawak State elections but were deprived that right. For true postal voting to be effective, the period between nomination and polling must be longer - it takes time to print ballot papers, send them to the registered voter overseas and elsewhere, for them to vote, send back the ballot papers, etc - maybe 30 days would be best. - Who does Anwar think he is? BERSIH is an independent movement for free elections...

Gerakan broke ranks with BN partner MCA today over the overseas voter issue, saying every citizen has a right to vote, “regardless of geographic location”.

In a statement this morning, party deputy president Chang Ko Youn said “our foreign missions must set up a fair and effective mechanism to facilitate this process” adding, “free and fair elections are an inalienable democratic right of citizens”

Chang noted that the electoral system had to keep up with the times “to respond effectively to contemporary challenges facing our election system”.

He added that Gerakan has submitted their position paper to the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) on Electoral Reforms with five recommendations.
Apart from recommending allowing overseas voting, Gerakan also wanted the electoral roll to be “updated and sanitised” to remove duplication and ensure only “living and bona fide Malaysian citizens are registered”.

They supported the use of indelible ink saying, ”We do not believe that the use of indelible ink will impinge on the constitutional rights of any Malaysian.”

The other points mirrored Bersih 2.0’s demands of allowing free and fair access to “state funded media” to all political parties in order to give the voter “complete information”.

Finally, they called for vigorous monitoring of the electoral process and for the EC to be given enforcement powers to take the appropriate actions against election offenders. - Malaysiakini, 13/11/2011, Gerakan: Overseas voting a citizen's right

There are a lot of reforms - every citizen should have an equal or equitable right of representation in Parliament- but alas, people in Kapar, KL and some of the towns do not have this.... In Kapar, 120,000 voters have only 1 MP - and this is not at all right. Every 40 - 50 thousand voters should have the right to one MP... (Of course rural constituents will be having the lower 40,000, an exception maybe for Sarawak or other rural areas where there is still no roads and public transport may be the exception...)

Najib's exceptionall win in 2008 GE may require further inquiry

In the 2008 elections, there was something odd about Pekan. In 1999, Najib won with a majority of 241, and in 2004 this majority grew to 22,922, and in 2008, when the whole country, especially the Peninsular, suffered a loss of support for BN, Najib's majority increased to 26,464. 

In 1999,  26,055 persons cast their votes (and that was 73.2% of all voters), and in 2008, 47,869 (82.2%) voted, and in light of the revelations today - one wonder whether there was some hanky panky. There could have been a change of heart amongst those who voted in 1999, or there may be just too many 'new voters' in 2008, about 21,814 and almost all of them voted for Najib and BN. Why did this happen when the general trend was towards a rejection of BN?

Below, a posting entitled "The Pekan Electoral Miracle", which I found whilst surfing the net which may be interesting readinbg. I have not had the time to check the facts contained therein. I must state that the posting of this blog-post by one 'guansin' in no way should be construed as being my endorsement or support for what is stated therein. It is merely one persons comments and views, and we should always consider different views, comments and analysis and make up our own mind.

In comparison, my views on this matter,as appeared in an earlier posting of mine, relying on information obtained from the SPR website is to be found below.

The Pekan electoral miracle

Posted on January 16, 2009, 11:23 am, by guansin, under Malaysia, politics.

Today I want to be a little academic, by defining a term that I coin: Pekan electoral miracle.

It refers to a phenomenon whereby the incumbent candidate of a parliamentary seat has managed to turn around his fortune from a slim majority of 241 votes in 1999 to a majority of 22,922 in 2004, and eventually to a majority of 26,464 in 2008 (”the extreme peak”).

The phenomenon occurs in, guess what, Pekan, of course, hence the name “Pekan electoral miracle”. The incumbent candidate is none other than the prime minister-in-waiting and the current finance minister Najib Tun Razak.

See details below.

The phenomenon is special in two ways:

1. the upswing of 2004 (from 1999) is extraordinary in scale, usually beyond any practicality in any real electoral campaign;
2. the increase in majority in 2008, even after the extraordinary upswing of 2004, goes against the norm of 2008 general elections.

First point is easy to illustrate, as shown in the chart below:

The upswing of 2004 is 9,500% in 1999 term. The extraordinary scale is partially diluted by the increase in total votes from 1999 to 2004. Factoring this in (by measuring as a proportion to the total votes), the upswing of 2004 is still a staggering 6,494%. In one is to translate this into reality, it means either drastic change of mind in large proportion of the voters in Pekan, or the incumbent was doing extremely well on the campaign, or something unexplained is at play.

To illustrate point 2, I put Pekan into two sets of comparative analysis. In the first analysis, Pekan is analysed along its neighbouring constituencies. The idea here is that if there are large number of people changing their mind, it should not be restricted to people within a particular area. I want to prove this (large number of people changing their mind) is not the case. In the second analysis, Pekan is compared to three other seats held by BN leaders of equal stature to the incumbent of Pekan. The idea here is to test two factors: Malaysia’s elections are generally going by party line and swing of voters are more or less consistent across the country.

According to the electoral map on undi.info below, Rompin, Kuantan, Paya Besar and Maran are its neighbours.

Below is the details of first analysis comparing Pekan to its neighbouring seats:

The trend demonstrated by Pekan from 1999 to 2008 is clearly extraordinary.

In the second comparative analysis, Pekan (Najib Tun Razak) is compared against Kepala Batas (Abdullah Badawi), Pagoh (Muhyiddin Md Yassin) and Johor Bahru (Shahrir Abdul Samad).

Pekan was clearly going against the trend in 2008.

With these extraordinary observations in Pekan, the only conclusion is “miracle”. Hence the phenomenon called Pekan electoral miracle.

Since miracle does not and should not happen too often, we can only hope that Kuala Terengganu, which is holding its by-election polling tomorrow, is not another one. - Source: AirKosong.com Blog

See also an earlier post in 2008, in which I discussed this oddity in the results of PEKAN, an extract from this post is as follows:-

My only concern is the corruption, the threats and promises which may be there in the coming Permatang Pauh Parliamentary election - and beware, Najib may lead the campaign for the BN and there are still questions how Najib did so well in the last GE2008 by winning with a majority of 26,464, compared to a majority of 22,922 (2004) and 241 (1999).

GE2008:

P85 - PEKAN	Turnout : 47869 (82.2%) Spoilt: 1261		Voters: 58217

* Mohd Najib Abdul Razak (BN - UMNO)	36262	Maj: 26464
Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainudin (OPP - PKR)	9798

GE2004 Mohd Najib Abdul Razak (BN - UMNO) 31956 Maj: 22922 Zakaria Dahlan (OPP - PAS) 9034

General Elections 1999
Ramli Mohamed (OPP PAS)			12907
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (BN UMNO)			13148
Total Votes cast	% Votes cast	Spoilt Votes	Majority Votes
26055	73.2	631	241

Well, when results all over the country saw an increase in votes for the opposition and a decrease of votes for the BN candidate - Mohd Najib Abdul Razak saw an increase. Either, the constituents really liked this man OR... Anyway, the involvement of Najib in the Permatang Pauh by-elections must be a concern for Anwar .. - Wan Azizah, Permatang Pauh, Anwar and "arrest'

For them, free and fair elections means ....

For our politicians peace means `a quiet atmosphere which allows them to rob and enjoy the money of their countries'.

For them, free and fair elections means ` success to bring people to the polls in total ignorance of their inherent rights' and of the malicious maneuvers by the candidates.

Politicians believe that being elected means being given the ticket to rob the country.

- H. Exc. Mons. Norbert Wendelin MTEGA, Archbishop of Songea (TANZANIA) - 13/10/2009

Kenyataan Media BERSIH (12/7/2011) : Usaha BERSIH 2.0 tetap diteruskan

Kenyataan Akhbar: 12 Julai 2011

Usaha BERSIH 2.0 tetap diteruskan

Sekali lagi BERSIH 2.0 ingin merakamkan setinggi penghargaan kepada Rakyat di atas keberanian dan sokongan padu demi demokrasi dan pilihan raya yang bebas dan adil yang ditunjukkan pada 9 Julai 2011.

Walaubagaimana pun, Bersih 2.0 ingin melahirkan rasa kesal dan berdukacita di atas pemergian Allayarham Baharuddin Ahmad, yang selamanya akan dekat di hati kita sebagai wira yang sanggup menggadai nyawanya demi perjuangan ini.

Rasa kesal ini juga turut dipanjangkan kepada keenam-enam ketua Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) yang masih ditahan di bawah Ordinan Darurat. Berdasarkan laporan yang kami terima, layanan yang diberikan kepada mereka semasa berada dalam tahanan amatlah membimbangkan. Kami menyeru supaya mereka dibebaskan segera tanpa syarat.

Usaha-usaha BERSIH 2.0 tetap diteruskan. Kami percaya langkah terbaik untuk terus maju ke hadapan adalah dengan menubuhkan Suruhanjaya Siasatan Diraja di mana ahli-ahlinya dipilih dan diterima oleh rakyat. Tugas mereka ini adalah untuk meneliti reformasi pilihanraya dengan lebih komprehensif sebelum berlangsungnya Pilihanraya Umum ke-13. Kami sekali lagi menyeru agar tuntutan ini dipenuhi oleh pihak kerajaan. 

Dalam pada itu, kami menyeru supaya perkara-perkara berikut dilaksanakan:

a)      Pindaan ke atas proses pilihanraya yang telah dicadangkan oleh Suruhanjaya Piliharaya (SPR) kepada pihak kerajaan yang tidak diluluskan harus diumumkan kpeada orang ramai.

b)      Mengadakan dialog umum dengan SPR berkenaan dengan tuntutan-tuntutan BERSIH 2.0

Jelas sekali ini adalah hasrat rakyat untuk BERSIH 2.0 maju ke hadapan dengan agenda reformasi pilihanraya. Sehingga reformasi pilihanraya tercapai, kami meminta Rakyat untuk menunjukkan sokongan berterusan dan aman dengan memakai warna kuning setiap hari Sabtu.

 

Yang Benar,

Ahli Jawatankuasa Induk

Gabungan Pilihanraya Bersih dan Adil (BERSIH 2.0)

Jawatankuasa Induk BERSIH 2.0 terdiri daripada:

Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan (Pengerusi), Andrew Khoo, Arul Prakkash, Arumugam K., Dr Farouk Musa, Haris Ibrahim, Liau Kok Fah, Maria Chin Abdullah, Richard Y W Yeoh, Dr Subramaniam Pillay, Dato’ Dr Toh Kin Woon, Dr Wong Chin Huat, Dato’ Yeo Yang Poh dan Zaid Kamaruddin.

The Work of BERSIH 2.0 Continues (Media Statement 12/7/2011)

Press Statement: 12 July 2011

The Work of BERSIH 2.0 Continues

BERSIH 2.0 once again thanks the Rakyat for their courage and their peaceful and overwhelming support for the cause of free and fair elections and democracy shown on the 9^th of July 2011.

We once again express our profound regret for the tragic and needless loss of the life of Allahyarham Baharuddin Ahmad who will forever remain in our hearts as a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuing a noble cause.

We further express our regret that the six leaders of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) continue to be wrongfully detained under the Emergency Ordinance. The reports we hear on the treatment they are receiving causes us great alarm. We call for their immediate and unconditional release.

The work of BERSIH 2.0 continues. We believe that the best way forward is for the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry consisting of experts acceptable to the Rakyat, to look into comprehensive electoral reform before the 13^th General Elections and we reiterate our call for this to the Government.

In the interim, we call for the following:-

a)      A public disclosure of all amendments to the electoral process as proposed by the Election Commission to the Government which were not accepted.

b)      A public dialogue with the Election Commission on the demands of BERSIH 2.0

It is clearly the wish of the Rakyat that we move forward with the agenda for electoral reform. Until such reform is achieved we ask for the Rakyat to show their continuing and peaceful support by wearing something yellow every Saturday.

Released by,

Steering Committee

Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0)

The Steering Committee of BERSIH 2.0 comprises:

Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan (Chairperson), Andrew Khoo, Arul Prakkash, Arumugam K., Dr Farouk Musa, Haris Ibrahim, Liau Kok Fah, Maria Chin Abdullah, Richard Y W Yeoh, Dr Subramaniam Pillay, Dato’ Dr Toh Kin Woon, Dr Wong Chin Huat, Dato’ Yeo Yang Poh dan Zaid Kamaruddin.

 -------------------

Kenyataan Akhbar: 12 Julai 2011

Usaha BERSIH 2.0 tetap diteruskan

Sekali lagi BERSIH 2.0 ingin merakamkan setinggi penghargaan kepada Rakyat di atas keberanian dan sokongan padu demi demokrasi dan pilihan raya yang bebas dan adil yang ditunjukkan pada 9 Julai 2011.

Walaubagaimana pun, Bersih 2.0 ingin melahirkan rasa kesal dan berdukacita di atas pemergian Allayarham Baharuddin Ahmad, yang selamanya akan dekat di hati kita sebagai wira yang sanggup menggadai nyawanya demi perjuangan ini.

Rasa kesal ini juga turut dipanjangkan kepada keenam-enam ketua Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) yang masih ditahan di bawah Ordinan Darurat. Berdasarkan laporan yang kami terima, layanan yang diberikan kepada mereka semasa berada dalam tahanan amatlah membimbangkan. Kami menyeru supaya mereka dibebaskan segera tanpa syarat.

Usaha-usaha BERSIH 2.0 tetap diteruskan. Kami percaya langkah terbaik untuk terus maju ke hadapan adalah dengan menubuhkan Suruhanjaya Siasatan Diraja di mana ahli-ahlinya dipilih dan diterima oleh rakyat. Tugas mereka ini adalah untuk meneliti reformasi pilihanraya dengan lebih komprehensif sebelum berlangsungnya Pilihanraya Umum ke-13. Kami sekali lagi menyeru agar tuntutan ini dipenuhi oleh pihak kerajaan. 

Dalam pada itu, kami menyeru supaya perkara-perkara berikut dilaksanakan:

a)      Pindaan ke atas proses pilihanraya yang telah dicadangkan oleh Suruhanjaya Piliharaya (SPR) kepada pihak kerajaan yang tidak diluluskan harus diumumkan kpeada orang ramai.

b)      Mengadakan dialog umum dengan SPR berkenaan dengan tuntutan-tuntutan BERSIH 2.0

Jelas sekali ini adalah hasrat rakyat untuk BERSIH 2.0 maju ke hadapan dengan agenda reformasi pilihanraya. Sehingga reformasi pilihanraya tercapai, kami meminta Rakyat untuk menunjukkan sokongan berterusan dan aman dengan memakai warna kuning setiap hari Sabtu.

 

Yang Benar,

Ahli Jawatankuasa Induk

Gabungan Pilihanraya Bersih dan Adil (BERSIH 2.0)

Jawatankuasa Induk BERSIH 2.0 terdiri daripada:

Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan (Pengerusi), Andrew Khoo, Arul Prakkash, Arumugam K., Dr Farouk Musa, Haris Ibrahim, Liau Kok Fah, Maria Chin Abdullah, Richard Y W Yeoh, Dr Subramaniam Pillay, Dato’ Dr Toh Kin Woon, Dr Wong Chin Huat, Dato’ Yeo Yang Poh dan Zaid Kamaruddin.

PEACE means `a quiet atmosphere which allows them to rob and enjoy the money of their countries'.

For our politicians peace means `a quiet atmosphere which allows them to rob and enjoy the money of their countries'.

For them, free and fair elections means ` success to bring people to the polls in total ignorance of their inherent rights' and of the malicious maneuvers by the candidates.

Politicians believe that being elected means being given the ticket to rob the country.

- H. Exc. Mons. Norbert Wendelin MTEGA, Archbishop of Songea (TANZANIA) - 13/10/2009

Conduct unbecoming of a Prime Minister of Malaysia - 'comments about Ambiga and Mat Sabu'

Watching the news on RTM yesterday, I was totally disappointed with the behaviour of Prime Minister Najib. These are my opinions and views based on what I saw and heard on TV yesterday - my own perception of what was said, how it was said and what could have been in Najib's mind when he said it. 

With regard to Bersih, he questioned how come Mat Sabu (Pas Deputy President) was willing to be led by Ambiga (former Bar Council President)?

Was it a sexist remark? Can't a woman not lead? And the fact that Mat Sabu and many others allowed this speaks about the progressiveness and openness of PAS and others - but the comment does not fare well for Najib and BN.

Was it a racist remark? Can a non-Malay a non-Muslim lead? Many Malaysians do not see 'ethnicity' or 'religion' or 'sex' when they choose their leaders - only leadership qualities, personality and capacity matters. Again PAS and others comes out looking good and progressive - and certainly more acceptable to Malaysians as an alternative political party - but not so for Najib and the BN.

“Who doesn’t know Ambiga. She’s the one who threatened Islam. And below her is Mat Sabu,” Najib (picture) told a 20,000-strong crowd, referring to the Bersih chief who once took up a case involving the faith and the new PAS deputy president Mohamed Sabu. 

For one, I do not think she ever threatened Islam or challenged its position in Malaysia. 

As a lawyer and human rights defender, it certainly is the right of every Malaysian to take up issues concerning religious freedom - rather than quietly sit by silently expressing no opinion for fear of being branded. 

Tell us, Najib,  the details of the case that Ambiga took up and  all we see that it was certainly not anti-Islam. For Najib, it seems that anyone that takes up the issue of freedom of religion is anti-Islam. Again, PAS has come out  being more progressive and more Malaysian - more 1Malaysia

We recall one of  the issues on Islam:-

Najib & UMNO (or was it also BN by default) - Only Muslims can use the term 'Allah', 
PAS - Muslims have no exclusive right to the usage of the word 'Allah' - all can use

Some pending issues, still not resolved, (in my opinion)
* When a spouse converts to Islam - what then are the rights of the other spouse? Custody of children? Right to matrimonial property? Alimony?
* When a person converts to Islam - what happens after he passed away? How will his property be distributed, especially with regard his non-Muslim parents, siblings, children, spouse, ___?  Or will all non-Muslim parents, siblings, spouses and children not receive anything because they are non-Muslims?

It is good that this movement is not led by politicians or political parties - but by an independent Malaysian, which is right. This is not Pakatan Rakyat's movement - but a Malaysian peoples' movement - and the government just declared it unlawful, and seem to be also behaving as though the T-shirts are also illegal - or is it 'yellow T-shirts/clothes' that have become illegal.

Before this, the other time a colour was made 'illegal', it was saffron or 'orange' during the HINDRAF action. So, now in Malaysia, wearing yellow is also bad. Red was also a colour that was not OK - as it was associated with the Communist party - but now Najib and BN is using it.

Now, Najib, as Prime Minister of Malaysia - is the Prime Minister of all Malaysians irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation - and must always be be seen to be truly 1Malaysian and democratic. He must be an advocate of human rights and freedoms. He must never be seen to be a sexist, racist or an extremist of any sort.

One may have expected such remarks from some minor BN politician but certainly not Najib, our Prime Minister. Much more is expected from Najib..

I wonder, if Malaysia was like the US, and people had the right to vote for the Prime Minister whether he will be chosen as the leader of this nation.

His present stance against a movement, which is multi-racial and multi-religious in nature, calling for free and fair elections is certainly disappointing.

Is he against free and fair election? 

As Prime Minister, certainly he is the one in control of the police and their actions - and whatever the police has done and will do will be his own doing. 

Sadly, in Malaysia still there is not enough openess and transparency - and forums for one to express one's view, that is those views different from Najib's and the BN government's. 

Look at RTM (Radio Television Malaysia) and the other mainstream media and television/radio - they do not give others sufficient time and/or space (if any) to express different views.  Maybe, we should just rename RTM to RTBN (Radio Television Barisan Nasional). We should be having more 'debates' like the one between Shabery Cheek and Anwar - maybe an Ambiga-Najib debate.

Parliamentary proceedings in Malaysia is also not broadcasted live to every home in Malaysia. The live from Parliament programme now is a 'joke' where most of the time we have to sit and watch interviews - not the actual proceedings. 

Even in Parliament, MPs are denied the right of free choice - if they are BN, they are prohibited from supporting views of the Opposition. Recent 'minimum wage' Bill also was rushed through the Dewan Rakyat in less than 10 days - with about 4 hours only for debate. People just never got the choice to communicate their views to their MPs or to the government.

That is why...people believe that they have to resort to peaceful assemblies - to show also to the government that their views are not just the views of a few but many. One person can hand over the memo - well, it can happen but then there maybe possibly no (or very little coverage) in the media the government has influence over or the government could easily dismiss it as the view of a few.

Najib and the BN government can change, and here are some of the things that they could do to make Malaysia more democratic...

What are some of these available options?

1) Allow more space for differing views and opinions to be aired in the radio, TV and mainstream media. In fact, freely give licenses to people to operate radio and TV station, newspapers, etc. [The Opposition is given the permit to have their own publication - but then conditions are imposed, i.e. 'for members' only]

2) Allow permits for public forums & allow the usage of public halls for this. [It is a joke, when we hear that permits are given for political parties to hold dinners - but on condition there be no 'political' speeches]

3) Have public consultations - better still referendums where every Malaysian can express their view and choices.

4) Bring democracy to every level - kampungs, kampung barus, taman, kampung orang asli, local council - let the people participate and choose their own leaders. Stop the practice of 'appointing' - let people choose. And after people have chosen, respect this choice - and not create alternative structures to by-pass peoples' choices.

5) Stop discriminating people who exercised their rights and choose people/parties other than BN. As Prime Minister and Federal government, you should serve all people equally... Promising people development and benefits only if you vote for BN is so undemocratic - after all the money and resources belong to all Malaysians - not the UMNO,...not the BN.

6) Openly broadcast live Parliamentary proceedings fully (not edited)

7) Allow members of Parliament/Senators freedom to vote as per their conscience - not as dictated by the political party.

8)

9)

With the dawn of ASTRO, Malaysians finally got access to other media - not just the 'controlled tailored' RTM - and this has opened the minds of Malaysians, and now many desire true democracy - not a democracy where one only has a choice to vote once every 4-5 years...

Malaysians today, no more 'frogs under a coconut shell' (katak di bawah tempurung), no longer ignorant, no longer 'blindly loyal', no longer happy with just what the PM and government 'hand down' to them - they desire true democracy, human rights, freedoms, equality, justice...  and, if Najib and the current BN government does not get this and believe that the old methods of 'fear tactics', 'keeping people ignorant', 'patronage', etc will still work - they are wrong and outdated and will not survive politically much longer in Malaysia. 

No longer will people fear governments - but, as in every democracy, governments must start to fear the people - and make sure that they do serve the people, or face the risk of being 'kicked out' come next elections.

The myth that was propagated by the BN before, i.e. that no others other than the BN can effectively and efficiently rule and govern Malaysia, went out of the window after GE2008 and DAP, PAS and PKR has shown Malaysians, that given the opportunity, they too can rule and govern. 

The next General Elections would be interesting as it could see people of Malaysia, after 50 over years, giving a chance to other than BN, to rule and govern Malaysia... [And, if and when the Opposition wins, I hope that they will immediately implement the recommendations of BERSIH...]

Is this the real fear of Najib and the BN? Don't worry, this is democracy at work.  It is never up to you - it is always up to the people to decide whether they choose you or some other.

Najib blasts Ambiga, PAS over Bersih rally

July 02, 2011

PASIR PUTIH, July 2 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak lambasted Bersih chief Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and PAS for the planned July 9 rally, telling people here the Islamist party will do anything to capture Putrajaya.

The electoral reform movement has called for a rally to press for free and fair elections but the Najib administration is taking all measures to stop the demonstration which is a repeat of a 2007 rally that drew some 50,000 people in Kuala Lumpur.

“Who doesn’t know Ambiga. She’s the one who threatened Islam. And below her is Mat Sabu,” Najib (picture) told a 20,000-strong crowd, referring to the Bersih chief who once took up a case involving the faith and the new PAS deputy president Mohamed Sabu. The prime minister is in Kelantan for a day-long visit.

Najib’s remarks were carried by Radio Malaysia news at 1pm. The station also played public service clips against the rally and praising the prime minister as leader of all Malaysians.

Najib said Mohamed was willing to be deputy to Ambiga as a means to get power for PAS, which has ruled Kelantan since 1991.

The PAS No. 2 is no longer in Bersih although the party supports the movement.

Bersih, comprising 62 groups, has vowed to continue with the rally although police has said it will not issue permits.

The government has also issued a special sermon for Friday prayers yesterday to criticise the rally apart from state-run media castigating the protest without specific reference to Bersih or the rally date.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said yesterday there would be no more room for discussions, and warned the organisers — Bersih, Perkasa and Umno Youth — to be prepared to be arrested if they did not abort their respective rallies.

Bersih has asked the police to suggest different routes and directions for the three groups on July 9 to ensure that its rally goes off without a hitch.

Among others, the group is demanding that the government ensure a clean and fair general election, reforms in the postal voting system and an extended campaign period of at least 21 days.

The first rally, also organised by Bersih, was held in 2007 and saw some 50,000 people take to the capital’s streets. The gathering eventually descended into chaos when the police deployed tear gas and water cannons on demonstrators. - Malaysian Insider, 2/7/2011, Najib blasts Ambiga, PAS over Bersih rally

 

Who does Anwar think he is? BERSIH is an independent movement for free elections...

Who does Anwar think he is? Does he think that BERSIH is an opposition entity that will obediently listen to him? I do not think so - I do not hope so. Like Najib, Anwar can tell - but I do not believe that BERSIH or the Malaysian people will ever stop calling for a free and fair elections in Malaysia.

BERSIH is a peoples' movement, independent of political parties, fighting for free and fair elections in Malaysia, and any person including those in BN or Pakatan Rakyat or other political parties, should come out in support of a call for free and fair elections. People should not be participating in BERSIH's activities for a free and fair elections because their political party or organization told them to but because they as individual Malaysians believe in the cause and want to personally. Political parties can express support for BERSIH - but not force members to go and support. The choice is and must be an individual Malaysian's choice.

There is much reforms that are needed. 

1- Constituencies need to be re-defined, so that there will be no more constituencies that have 100,000 over voters and others having tens of thousands only. This really is, I believe, an against the constitutional guarantee of equality of persons in Malaysia. If a constituency of 50,000 has a right to vote in 1 MP, then a constituency of 100,000 should rightfully have the right to vote in 2 MPs. Certain differences are permissible - but the difference in numbers in voters per constituencies must be not more than 10,000 in my opinion. 

2 - Those parties in government must certainly stop using government officers, departments and resources during election campaigns. Taking the recent Kuala Krau by elections, I do not see why certain Ministries and government officers suddenly had to come open new temporary officers and work in the area for a month or two in the area when elections were called. This certainly must stop, and it was a waste of the people's money. Government money must not be used for campaigning...Use your own money, your political party money, your friends and donors money - but never the government's money, which is the peoples' money.

3 - The period between nomination days and voting must increase, and Malaysian voters overseas and in other states from a particular constituency must be allowed to vote. This was the real intention of postal ballots but today it is only for those who will be working during polling day as Election Commission officers, police and military personnel in the constituencies. With regard to military personnel, one must realize that many of regiments and divisions in Peninsular Malaysia are from Sabah and Sarawak, and rightfully they and their families should be given the right to vote in the constituencies where they choose to be registered as voters. Many would have preferred to vote in the recent Sarawak State elections but were deprived that right. For true postal voting to be effective, the period between nomination and polling must be longer - it takes time to print ballot papers, send them to the registered voter overseas and elsewhere, for them to vote, send back the ballot papers, etc - maybe 30 days would be best.

4 - The need to get police permits for election campaign periods need to be abolished. The requirement may be to just to inform the police - and not get permission from the police. 

5 - Reports of election offences must all be investigated, even after the polling date, and action taken against those who committed them - charge them, try them, if guilty convict and sentence them. Election Petitions is only bothered whether the allegations involves sufficient numbers to affect the final outcome of the election in a particular constituency. EC must be seen to act on all complaints.

I am sure BERSIH would have much more points about what we need to ensure truly free and fair elections in Malaysia.

Anwar: I'll tell Ambiga to call off Bersih rally if...

Hazlan Zakaria
Jun 19, 11

 

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said that he would tell Bersih 2.0 chairperson S Ambiga to call off the July 9 rally if Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak can assure tomorrow that elections will be free and fair.

"I will call Ambiga and tell her to call off Bersih, if Najib can promise free and fair elections tomorrow," he told over 2,000 PKR members at the party's election convention in Shah Alam today.

Anwar (left) said this in his concluding speech at the convention, that aimed to educate and energise the party's grassroots election machinery who were mostly present at the event.

The Permatang Pauh MP was trying to make a point, arguing that the BN regime will not dare to allow free and fair elections because the ruling coalition knows that it no longer has the favour of the voters and thus has to resort to dirty means to cling on to power.

Former Bar Council chief Ambiga was however not amused, and in an immediate response ticked Anwar off for overstepping his role.

"It is not up to him to decide,” the activist quipped.

“We have decided to hold the rally and it is we who will decide on whether or not to hold it," she told reporters prior to the official launch of the Bersih 2.0 rally in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

Ambiga: 'It's not about me'

Ambiga also refuted right-wing pressure group Perkasa's allegations made in the latter's launch of their anti-Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur earlier today.

"Bersih is not about the individual; it is not about me. I will not respond to their character attacks," she said.

The lawyer added that she will neither respond to Perkasa nor lodge police reports on the group burning her photo and making threats against her during their event.

"Free and fair elections is our message, and our means is peaceful. If there is violence on that day it will not be from our side," assured the Bersih chief.

The Berish 2.0 coalition for free and fair elections comprising over 60 NGOs and political parties is planning a mega rally on July 9 to press for electoral reform.

The organisers aim the event to be even bigger than the first Bersih rally in November 2007, that saw 40,000 turning Kuala Lumpur into a sea of yellow shirted protestors demanding changes to the electoral system that critics say is favouring the ruling party.- Malaysiakini, 20/6/2011, Anwar: I'll tell Ambiga to call off Bersih rally if...

Sarawak: Overcoming personal fear and making BN fearful for the betterment of Malaysia

One of the problems with the Malaysian voter has always been fear...when it comes to voting in the Opposition, and this fear have been propagated by the ruling coalition, and the time has come that people overcome this fear and vote for the best interest of Malaysia and the peoples of Malaysia.

FEAR 1 - fear that the Opposition do not have the capacity to rule effectively - and all that they can do is to highlight the wrongs, injustices and rights violations that happen. This fear, however, may no longer be justified following the victory of the Opposition in the States of Penang, Selangor and Kedah which they have shown they could effectively govern. Let's not forget that it has been the Opposition that have been effectively governing the state of Kelantan for many many years. They have also effectively governed states of Trengganu and even Sabah(at one time)

FEAR 2 - the fear that there will be repercussions and 'problems' , even violence, if the BN loses, and the racial riots of May 13 is brought up. Malaysians, generally are a peace loving people happy to live (or rather survive) 'peacefully' even in a situation where there is injustice and discrimination.

There is also the threat that 'development' and the flow of funds will be reduced and/or 'stopped' if the constituency votes for the opposition. In the people's memory, they have seen this happen before. For example, development in Seremban seemed to be stagnated until the BN won this constituency back. We remember also how the Opposition State government had difficulty getting the oil royalties. We see also today, how Federal funds for State development seems to slow down when Opposition wins States. Pakatan also indirectly justifies this by saying that they have to win at the Federal government if there is going to be real 'reformasi'. The problem, I believe is in the State-Federal relationships, where the Federal government still do retain too much power preventing State's more autonomous rule and governance. States just have too little power and say - especially when it comes to the States of the Peninsular of Malaysia.

Then, there is the fear that people will be discriminated with regards to scholarships for students, other benefits, the fear of civil servants getting transferred to some 'rural' area or being 'overlooked' when it comes to promotions, etc,...There is a belief that those who vote against the BN will suffer such discrimination at all levels...

No Equitable distribution of wealth - but sufficient to pacify the disatisfaction of most people

Malaysia is a rich country, blessed with many natural resources - but unfortunately, the BN government failed in ensuring that there be an equitable distribution of wealth not just amongst its people, but also with regard to geographical areas. Some areas have received so much of the benefits of  the countries wealth, compared to other areas. The people, who generally did not get their just share - but did get sufficient little to be able to live and survive comfortably, and this has calmed them down a bit. Poverty and abject poverty is low in the country.

Democracy - but a dictatorial/feudal style of governance

Malaysians generally do not feel that they are the 'bosses' with the power, but generally believe that they cannot get anything without the support of politicians and political parties of the rural coalition. 'People's Representatives' become 'bosses' not 'servants' of the people and promote dependency and patronage rather than empowerment - sadly, this kind of behavior has also been adopted by many a opposition politicians. 

Even when it comes to claiming justice and compensations for an industrial accident, people are encouraged to go get a letter of support from the politicians and political party to get their claim processed. This really is not at all necessary - but this 'belief' has been cemented into the minds of people, and they believe that if they do not this support, their claims will not succeed.

Even when it comes to allocations to assist the poor and elderly provided by Federal Government, State or local government, what happens is that even the letters are sent not by post to the recipients but through members of political parties, and these monies are given at a function officiated by the politician, which people are forced to attend personally to get their allocations. There really is no need for this as letters could be send, with the enclosed monies directly to the people concerned or with instructions that they could present at the relevant offices of the said departments to get their allocations. We also see that not all in the category that is entitled gets the said letter and/or the allocations propagating the myth of the necessity of having political patronage or the need to be a supporter of the ruling political parties.

If there was only a public notification vide banners, etc that there is such allocation identifying the class of beneficiaries, at least all those who did not get the letters who are entitled can also go receive their benefits from the relevant offices of the relevant departments/ministries. But alas, all is done in a 'secretive' manner, that communicates a very wrong message, i.e. only those supporters will get it and it is the political parties that decide who gets and who does not.

The power and the ability to reward (or promise to reward) those loyal to the ruling political parties have also been seen during by-elections and elections, when suddenly so much are given to the people to get their support for the ruling parties.

For the poor, the promise of a low-cost house in the future, or the continued presence in a low-rent premises, has always ensured great support for ruling parties. For the small business person, the possibility of getting a small shop premise, or a spot in the market/night markets, etc.,...

It is this dependency culture, not a culture of rights and justice, that have kept the BN in power for many many years...but again sadly, many people believe that a similar culture seems to be practiced by the Pakatan Rakyat especially in the states they now govern.

Many say that in Selangor today, what has changed is only the political parties in power, and now it is their cronies that reap the benefits no more the BN cronies - and guess what, many have become 'lallangs' shifting alliances depending on who wins and who does not - a practical option for survival. For them, there is really no loyalty to the party or its ideologies, their support is very much based on practical solutions for the sake of personal/business survival and profits. Most affected of the Pakatan Rakyat parties, have been the new PKR party and that is why we have seen so many of their 'elected reps' and even party 'strongs' so easily jumping ship to other political parties. DAP and PAS do not seem to have much of this problem.

These 'party hoppers' betrays the people, who did 'sacrifice' a lot overcoming their fears to vote for the Opposition, and will have an impact on whether they will again vote for the Opposition the next time around.

Overcoming personal fear and transfering that fear to BN and politicians
But, the people are smart, and they know it is better to keep the 'political coalitions' who want to rule and govern insecure and uncertain of the people's support, and this will ensure that the people get more benefits and rights either way. BN, who have been totally confident of winning everytime in the past 50 over years, is now worried and is 'dishing' out more benefits and wealth to the people compared to past years, and thus for the better good of the people of Malaysia, it is good that the BN (or the Opposition Coalition) be always  'kept on their toes' with the realization that if they do not behave justly .e. be more just and equitable to the people, the people will reject them and choose another.

To maintain this, it is time that the BN loses more (even maybe States and the Federal governments they currently control) this coming elections.

 

The outcome of the Sarawak State elections is thus very important - and if BN continues to lose more and more seats, maybe even the right to rule, it will not only benefit the people of Sarawak but all Malaysians. 

'They have no experience and have no capacity to rule' - is no more an argument that the BN can use anymore, as we have seen that the Opposition have managed to quite effectively and efficiently rule in Penang and Selangor ...with not too much problems or 'scandals'

So, we now have a choice - BN or Pakatan Rakyat (Opposition)

Making the Malaysian Election Commission more independent and transparent

REFORMS THAT WE NEED

a) An more independent Election Commission

Composition : - a chairman, a deputy chairman and five other members

The Election Commission shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after consultation with the Conference of Rulers, and shall consist of a chairman, a deputy chairman and five other members. (Art 114(1), Federal Constitution)

To protect their independence


* There is security of tenure until age of retirement, and early removal is difficult

A member of the Election Commission shall cease to hold office on attaining the age of sixty-six years or on becoming disqualified under Clause (4) and may at any time resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, but shall not be removed from office except on the like grounds and in the like manner as a judge of the Federal Court. (Art 114(3), Federal Constitution)

* There is security of salary - paid from the consolidated funds 

Parliament shall by law provide for the remuneration of members of the Election Commission, and the remuneration so provided shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund. (Art 114(5), Federal Constitution)

What about reasons for removal of members of the Election Commission? 

(4) Notwithstanding anything in Clause (3), the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall by order remove from office any member of the Election Commission if such member -

(a) is an undischarged bankrupt; or
(b) engages in any paid office or employment outside the duties of this office; or
(c) is a member of either House of Parliament or of the Legislative Assembly of a State.

(4A) In addition to any disqualification provided under Clause (4), the chairman of the Election Commission shall be disqualified from holding such office if after three months of his appointment to such office or at any time thereafter he is or becomes a member of any board of directors or board of management, or an officer of employee, or engages in the affairs or business, of any organization or body, whether corporate or otherwise, or of any commercial, industrial or other undertaking, whether or not he receives any remuneration, reward, profit or benefit from it:

Provided that such disqualification shall not apply where such organisation or body carries out any welfare or voluntary work or objective beneficial to the community or any part thereof, or any other work or objective of a charitable or social nature, and the member does not receive any remuneration, reward, profit or benefit from it. (Art 114(4 & 4A), Federal Constitution)

Maybe, what we need is an amendment so that Art 114(4A) not just apply to the Chairman of the Election Commission but is extended to all members of the Election Commission.

Maybe, it be best that the proviso in Art 114(4A) is removed and there be no exceptions. Why? Because, many such 'organisation or body carries out any welfare or voluntary work or objective beneficial to the community or any part thereof' are politically affliated, and/or may have members of political parties also sitting in some of these boards and committees...maybe participation in activities as a volunteer may be permissible, but not the sitting in the Board, Committees and/or even receiving any awards, etc

We really should insist that, like Judges, members of an independent Election Commission should refrain from socializing with person/s from political parties, and/or the Government.

Election Commission Act 1957( revised 1970)

1)  Communications within the Election Commission may be kept 'confidential' but certainly not any other communications, but even then it should be revealed if the court so orders... [CCTV recordings, etc...].Now, the current law ousts the courts - giving only the Yang Di-Pertuan Agung (the King) the power to order disclosure. I believe that maybe this power should practically be given to our courts and Judges, for after all Judges are appointed by the King. If this is done, then there will be clarity in terms of procedure...and the King's power could be best exercised through the King's Judges at the High Court.

2)  An independent Election Commission should really not be having 'secret' communications with the government of the day, and/or any Minister - because they are at the end of the day from certain political parties, irrespective of the fact that at the material time they may be Government and/or some Minister, and if they do so, then there must be transparency and accountability. What was the nature and content of the said communication must be revealed? 

In fact, it be best that all such conversation always be recorded - so that, in the event that there is allegations... then this could be revealed ...even if it is for the courts to make an assessment as to whether it should  remain 'confidential' or not.

5.  Certain communications to be privileged.
No person shall in any legal proceedings be permitted or compelled to produce or disclose any communication written or oral which has taken place between the Election Commission or any member of the Commission and the Government or any Minister or public officer or any communication between members of the Election Commission in exercise of or in connection with the exercise of the functions of the Commission unless the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall in writing consent to such production or disclosure.

Therefore, this section 5 need  to be repealed - if not amended.

People should be encouraged to provide information to the Election Commission, and this should be all information that they have personal knowledge of, information that they heard about, etc - There should be no obligation placed on the informant to verify whether it is true or false... On receipt of the said information, the duty of the Election Commission is to investigate the complaint. Hence, sec.8 of Election Commission Act need to be repealed. (Or maybe amended, to clearly encourage the public to come forward with information ...not the other way around.)

8.  Giving false information to Commission.
Any person who, in connection with the exercise by the Election Commission of any of its functions, wilfully gives to the Commission or to any member thereof or to any person or body of persons appointed by the Commission to assist in the exercise of its functions any information which is false or misleading in any material particular shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding two thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.

* There must be clear protection given to the complainant, i.e. from civil or criminal liability, including any other forms of discrimination.

* There must be an obligation placed on the Election Commission to also keep informed the complainant as to what is happening to the complaint, the result of their investigations, etc - People need to know that their complaints are taken seriously - and not just 'put aside'. 

* There must be clear procedures set out with regard to how complaints received are dealt with, investigation procedure (will EC meet with the complainants and take a more detailed statement, get other evidence, etc..., , will there be some other follow-up investigations, Will there be a final conclusion made by the EC with regard the complaint? Will the complainant be informed? Is there a right for a Judicial  Review to the courts?) The voting may be over - but still persons who did wrong can be penalized for an Election Offence.