Ken
People’s hopes are modest. No matter what race, region, religion and class we come from, most of us believe that every child should have a genuinely good education. And those children should be able to go to college even if their parents aren’t rich.
We want to be safe from criminals. We want the assurance that the taxes we pay are spent well. We want clean air, clean water, and the ability to retire comfortably at some point.
And although we don’t expect our government to solve all our problems, and we certainly don’t like seeing our tax dollars wasted, it’s only fair to expect that government should help.
We’re all sick of the dead zone that Malaysian politics has become – where backbiting and character attacks have become part of our daily news routine. We’re all aware that the nation’s most significant challenges are being ignored.
Everyone talks about reforms and transformation and plans and programmes and manifestos. But how much of that are we really seeing?
Let’s face it. We all talk about it. We’ve all played the armchair critic role at some point or another. Any of us can and have pointed out the flaws so apparent in our government.
We all talk. Ask anyone on the street what they’ve done about the situation our nation is facing lately and chances are you’ll get a blank stare. But walk into a coffee shop and suddenly you’re surrounded by veteran politicians discoursing the latest injustice/scandal/expose etc.
Maybe the time for talk has passed. As the saying goes, talk is cheap.
I believe the first step towards changing the face of Malaysian politics/government is getting involved, simply by registering to vote and exercising that right to vote.
I wonder how many skeptics out there have decided to forgo that right simply because “my 1 vote won’t make a difference”. True, in Malaysia you can win 90% of the seats with 60% of the votes, but that only serves to emphasise the importance of each vote. We need to be absolutely clear about one thing – transformation can never be birthed from apathy.
The next step is reinforcing the need for free and fair elections.
Does the fact that 30,000 people walking someplace change anything?
Not explicitly perhaps. But it inspires defiance against a broken system, engenders a willingness to stand up for change and above all, represents the audacity to hope and to believe that our nation can be transformed.
I didn’t give 2 cents about Malaysia or its politics before 2008. But seeing the first Bersih rally on TV in 2008 awoke something in me. I realised for the first time that I could not leave it to someone else to fight my battles for my nation on my behalf. For the first time, I dared to believe that things could change.
I’m not writing this to ask anyone to join the rally. It’s risky business indeed, what with the prospect of getting water cannon-ed, tear gas-ed or if you’re extremely unlucky, arrested.
I write this because I feel it’s my duty and obligation to speak out as a young person to say we all have to care enough and believe that change is possible when we exercise our votes and EC is playing fair.
Wear yellow on July 9 to show that you care.
Do you remember how we used to be taught in school that the young people are the future of the nation? Well, we can only be that if we care enough.
They say – a weak leader is no leader!
They say – a weak leader is better then HAVING NO LEADER!
I SAY A WEAK AND POOR LEADER DOES NOT DESERVE THE JOB!
This country has many more capable leaders then this fat slob with a terrible flom!
Comment by cdo — July 1, 2011 @ 7:58 AM |
Jibby says last nite in Sabah :- “if he just blows his HORN – 3 Million UMNO loyalists will come out in full force to be in the rally for HIM! ”
YES, he said it Live on the TV3 prime time news bulletin at 0800pm !
But he says he won’t do IT.
He says becos it defeat its purpose!
MY-my how kind of him the Pee Mmmmmmm!
So now we have a do-or-die situation!
His days are numbered…
He will be Forced to leave the office..
Just a weakling, duckling & crying….
He just do not know what to DO….
Comment by cdo — July 1, 2011 @ 7:55 AM |
THE UMNO MALAYS ARE SCARED SHIT
Becos the Majority of other Malays outside UMNO is against them!
If the others were not Malays it would be a different story!
They do not want to rot & die in JAIL!
If PKR wins – it is the END for UMNO robbers, murderers & thieves!
Their hides will be banged!
Some even Hanged!
SEE now why they are so scared SHIT…..
Comment by cdo — July 1, 2011 @ 7:50 AM |
THE HUMAN RACE IS JUST one
WE WANT JUSTICE
EQUALITY
FAIR PLAY
& NO DIRTY TRICKS
Is that too much to ask from this DIRTY GOVERNMENT?
Comment by cdo — July 1, 2011 @ 7:45 AM |
BERSIH 2
SHARING OF THOUGHTS BY AN OTHER GENERATION
Full marks Ken!
May I share some thoughts as a young student of the 1970s – er.. about 40 years ago– so I could be your grandpa!
Many years ago in the 1970s most young students shared a common fear of speaking out against the injustices corruption and things that were just not right in the way the UMNO gov’t was running the country. Guess they still do nowadays.
From Ken’s description it can be said things have not really changed in terms of basic democratic rights and social justice. In fact it has got worse because now we have a full fledged Apartheid system. We are still restricted by the same repressive laws (enhanced). The Special Branch will still be sent along and knocks on the door if the Government cannot tolerate your politics or political affiliations. Usually after midnight.
The fear of speaking out and getting involved to change one’s socio-political situation fed on itself. Many students, parents and friends who were afraid to make comments put the fear in others not to speak their thoughts. As is happening right now, events around them did not encourage free speech and thoughts. There was widespread Gov’t suppression of political activities and thoughts throughout the country using the emergency laws and ISA university and press laws restricting free speech.
This UMNO repression was excessive even though seen in context that at the time there were 2 guerrilla wars being fought on mainland Malaya and in Sarawak by the 2 communist underground anti-government forces. It is necessary to explain to the younger generation the background so they get an new perspective of the forces that struggled for a democratic and independent society.
In Malaya is was called the “Malayan National Liberation war” – a name which was self-explanatory. The Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) had fought the Japanese and then British for Malayan independence since WW2. In 1957 the British sidelined the CPM and handed state power to UMNO which was formed after WW2 and none of its members had been involved in the anti-Japanese struggle (but may have collaborated with the Japanese and certainly the British) and they were from the ruling elite. The CPM continued its armed struggle to liberate Malaya. “Liberate” is an ideological term- which is basically to free all citizens from the repressive rule of UMNO and to change society. Readers may wish to go into the details but here it is mentioned in passing.
In Sarawak a struggle for national independence was in full progress since 1962 following the Brunei anti-Malaysia Uprising and the declaration of a “unitary North Kalimantan State” comprising Brunei Sabah and Sarawak. This area has a different history from Malaya and was never part of the Malayan sphere of influence until the British exercise direct colonial control after 1945. Brunei was an independent “protectorate” of Britain and Sarawak evolved from being part of the Brunei Kingdom into its an independent State under Brooke rule for 100 year before Malaya was a federal idea. Sarawakians are very proud of their history and country and therefore the opposition to the British idea to incorporate the territories under Malayan UMNO rule is still very strongly. They saw it as an imposition of Malayan colonial rule- an exchange of the old colonial master for a new one in1963. They still oppose the UMNO plan to directly rule Sarawak very strongly from PBB to the opposition parties.
It is a testament to the determination of the independence fighters that despite decreasing numbers they fought till 1990. The real version of the Sarawak independence struggle and of those who made the supreme sacrifice for their country Sarawak is yet unwritten.
This is in nut shell is the historical context to the current events.
Unlike today with instant Internet news and views, in those days it was not easy to access information on the real politics. We relied on news magazines like the “Far Eastern Economic Review” which carried reasonable critical reports of the events (heavily censored) and to lesser extent the Time or Newsweek magazines which were very mild or even friendly to the UMNO government. There were other British papers available but again they were more user friendly towards UMNO. Things started to change after the 1969 UMNO May 13 Massacre.
This aroused many students to become more questioning of the what had happened and questioning why it happened. Being at university was a privilege as it opened up access to more other views on our society.
The 1970s was a blossoming of “democratic thoughts” among students which led to a major questioning of the root cause of poverty in society and the ownership and control of the country by foreign multi-nationals. Student demonstrations in KL and crack downs with mass arrests became common. One of the historic events was the Baling March in 1974 where some 70.000 Malay peasants staged a demonstration march in Baling Northern Malaya. This event like Bersih 1, seriously shook the UMNO government. It could arrest some leaders but not all the demonstrators.
Now the multi-nationals been largely replaced or owned by the minority UMNO ruling elite and cronies, This small class has exploited all the avenues to greatly enriched itself and neglect the majority especially Malays (it is supposed to represent) despite its proclaimed intention to “eradicate poverty”.
May 13 1969 was the watershed where UMNO embarked on consolidating all state power in its hand through fascist laws and suppression of opposition forces. This was reinforced by the rigging of the electoral system in Malaya and the Sabah and Sarawak colonies. This most recent example being this year when CM Taib won the elections by the rigging the polls.
So the Bersih 2 programme for electoral change comes from that time and is a part of the overall movement for a democratic society. That UMNO is so fearful and against Bersih 2 only show that it is against democracy. In fact you hardly hear UMNO talk about “democracy” in a meaningful way as it goes against what they are doing in an underhand dishonest by cheating, stealing and robbing the people.
The 1970s represent the birth of an awakened student movement. The events unfolded with local university student questioning of the problems of society (and still do). This also happened in Singapore. A number of students like Anwar Ibrahim, Juliet Chin, Hishamuddin Rais, were among many student leaders arrested and detained at various times. One of the events that involved students was a major local and international campaign to free Khoo Ee Laim a returned overseas New Zealand student under subversion charges. some of the charges were that he read “communist publications”. Students in the UK, Canada USA Australia and New Zealand were active in this campaign for democratic rights and it lasted into the late 1970s.
The arrests of the PSM members reminds us of the 1970s when communism was used as “red scare” to suppress any ideas challenging the system or UMNO rule. Perhaps an open discussion of the merits and demerits of communist ideology will help everyone to understand this political ideology which is so feared by UMNO and cronies. The internet should make this much easier.
UMNO has issued warnings to overseas student not to be involved in any Bersih 2 demonstrations. This is a very significant event and it remains to be seen if there will be large numbers of students involved which will be reminiscent of the 1970 Spring of student politics!
Free and fair elections is just part of the fabric of a democratic transparent society. There is more we need to know. So Bersih 2 is opening up the channels of thoughts and questioning in the minds of thousands of students as in the 19070s. Thanks to UMNO! It will be the fresh air of Bersih Spring even if the repression is widespread. Times have changed. Only UMNO has not.
In the meantime UMNO will unleash more repression and arrests to stop Bersih 2 .
Let’s hope students will nevertheless join in to show their desire to change their society for the better.
Comment by Democritik2011 — June 30, 2011 @ 4:26 PM |
We all share the same sentiments as Ken.
We must all exercise our votes to make change possible.
Comment by Rasyidi — June 30, 2011 @ 12:33 PM |
This article shows maturity and character in the writer. Fear is the overwhelming reason we have such poor governance and some illegitimate MPs in power. Bersih has already helped some Malaysians stand up to such fears. We’re making slow progress, but we’re moving nonetheless. See SKY’s excellent essay on fear at http://hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com/2009/06/11/1803/
Comment by Analist — June 30, 2011 @ 11:38 AM |
Last night someone ask me whats Bersih trying to achieve? I thought that was clear… Free and Fair Elections period. He persisted asking how it would work for the opposition and insisted that it was for “LOSERS”, Ken – you are right the general concept of politics in Malaysia has been reduced to character assasinations, back biting & sodomy – This guy I was talking to obviously thought that there must be an “angle” from his warped political viewpoint. From my point of view, even if Bersih cancels the walk (which I am hoping they wouldnt) they would have sparked of intellectual discussions such as yours throughout Malaysia -that my friend is already a WINNING position for all Malaysians.
Comment by homeboy — June 30, 2011 @ 9:42 AM |
” Without freedom there is no real democracy and without the guarantee of economic and political rights there is no real freedom. The best way to resolve corruption, unfair income distribution and other ills that harm the people’s interests is to firmly advance the political structural reform and socialist democracy under the rule of law.” says Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in a speech in London.
Comment by Mata Kuching — June 30, 2011 @ 8:14 AM |
Ken, that wwas brilliant. I wish more young people and those who are old enough to vote and have not in the past will do so now. We know the government will not back down from keeping the old system of using long-dead voters names and cheating in elections but they need to know we wont let them get away with it.
You are acredit to the nation. you dare to speak up when others keep quiet or lambast without doing anything. I would be proud to be your mother. Good luck for july 9…I amd my family will be marching in our country on your and the rest of Malaysians behalf. i hope the world is watching!
Comment by Kpopmum — June 30, 2011 @ 7:08 AM |