Bersih and the illogical replies from the Election Commission

Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has called on the media to term the Bersih Rally as an illegal gathering in all their news casting. But it is technically not really correct to call Bersih that. Furthermore, most Malaysians do not think it is illegal either. But for this article, let's play along with MCMC and YB Rais Yatim. We won't call it illegal because technically we can get sued by the Bersih organisers if we did so. But we also want to 'bodek' or butter Rais a bit, so let's call it the"Not Kotor" or "Not Dirty" Rally.

So ladies and gentleman, this planned peaceful gathering has given the government horrible nightmares, and they are determined that Malaysians should not go through with it. The BN says it is not Arab Spring, Tahreer Square, Tunisia or Libya that it is worried about. It is about physical violence and fighting that can break out if a gathering of Malaysians from all walks of life take place.

Tyranny

Isn't that insulting. That if Malays, Chinese, Indians, Iban, Kadazan, Murut and others were to get together, they would straightaway fight. No? Then what is giving the GOM a big headache.

If Malaysians of all races unite, it will pose a very big problem for BN to solve. If Malaysians realise that unity can force the government to bow to the wishes of the people, it will spell the end of race-based Political Parties. Isn't this Arab Spring and Tahreer Square to a tee? No doubt, the fight there wasn't about racial politics and it was violent. But the feeling and emotions are the same. Of uniting for a common cause, to transform. And this scares the BN silly.

The very idea of unity is giving me cold shivers. Not because of fear, but the realization that one day, we can be proud citizens of this country, standing together holding hands and declaring the end of apartheid rule. There will be no more, first and second class citizens and everyone is free to befriend everyone, without feeling the least bit peculiar.

The walls of tyranny will crumble, and our fairly elected leaders will lead us to greater heights.

Rising proud

Corruption will be a thing of the past. Racial conflicts will disappear, and there will be peace and prosperity as Malaysians play their part to contribute to the nation. As the wealth of the nation is equally distributed among the people, a general optimism will ensue to encourage Malaysians to venture further where they have not gone before. As Malaysians wake up from their deep slumber to take on their rightful role in all levels of society and contribute to the success of the nation, we shall soon overtake Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea.

As our economies improve, we will implement full automation and deporting the cheap foreign labour back to their countries of origin. Malaysians will start to enjoy a high income nation status along the ranks of first world nations. Many will have to discard their lackadaisical attitude to seek further knowledge to improve their economic status or they will be left behind.

But until now, it still remains a dream. Even a ‘Not Dirty’ Rally has been totally opposed by the authorities. The Election Commission has called on ‘Tak Kotor’ Organizers to give up their fruitless struggle for the sake of national stability, although it will not budge an inch to reform the Electoral Roll.

The deputy director of EC – has made a very “rational and smart” statement dismissing several key reform demands of the ‘Tak Kotor 2.0’

1. Implementing automatic voter registration contravenes the “spirit of democracy”, and would involve amending Article 119 of the federal constitution which would be an “arduous” task. The constitution was designed to place importance of freedom of choice whether or not to vote. We don’t practice mandatory voting in this country.

“Democracy also requires intelligent people. Automatic registration would enable even a mad man to cast his vote which will not contribute anything to the process. Most eligible unregistered voters are “lazy” quoting a UTM survey to support the claim. Those surveyed said they were either lazy or indifferent...So if these people are automatically registered they won’t take the election process seriously at all.

2. The use of indelible ink during voting is “regressive” and only third world countries like Africa and Indonesia practises it. “Not everyone wants to have indelible ink on them. This will create problems on voting day as there is a possibility of voters not wanting their fingers inked. “Disqualifying them would go against their rights. “What if voters ink their fingers themselves before casting their vote? Can you imagine the chaos that will erupt when they are barred from voting?”

3. ‘Bersih's demands for a 21-day campaign period for political parties is “unnecessary” as Malaysia is a small country and its people are politically-informed through the media. The current seven or 14 day timeframe is reasonable as we are a developed country and even voters in the rural areas are aware of the policies of each political party. No voters have asked for a longer campaign period.

I leave it to ‘intelligent’ readers to digest slowly his rationale on the electoral role and to judge for your-selves, whether what he says make any sense! My respect for these so called Guardians of Democracy is really at an all time low. Never knew that we have so many ‘two times five’ leaders in the government.

And lastly to comment any further on the call by pro-Umno scholars that ‘Islam bans illegal Rally’ is a total waste of my time. I really cannot see the Rationale behind it as to what Religion has got to do with a ‘Not Kotor ‘ Rally.

- Malaysia Chronicle