Bersih: Clock ticks down on the BN

The minutes are ticking away. Time is indeed so precious by the minutes with the Bersih 2.0 citizens’ quest verses the BN government’s hard-line stance. So far, even the DYMM SPB YDP Agung’s intervention which lighted up a ray of hope for Malaysia is being attempted to be sidelined.

Yes. Mahathir’s infamous ‘managed’ democracy in Malaysia is under attack. It is on the edge of being tested by the final lethal blow of the citizens’ call for free, fair and clean elections which are the cornerstones of true democracy as the world understands and aspires to uphold.

If the BN government lambasts its way through by sheer brute and highly intimidating actions in the name of protecting public order, we would have succeeded in defining another new meaning of democracy. This then will have to be debated by the world community as what is being spearheaded by the developed world is contrary to Malaysia’s success.

Is the BN government prepared to pay that inevitable and eventual price just to stay in power? Or will it ever be able to withstand the global tide of attack on its governance with ‘managed’ democracy?

But as Malaysians have always been a hopelessly hopeful lot, maybe, at the very last minute there may be a sense of relenting on the part of BN. And that would pave the way for Malaysians to overthrow the ‘managed’ democracy and set the climate for the development of true democracy.

Malaysia would then be enabled into bringing a new wave of dynamism into the world just like how India won its independence. Despite being a third-world nation we would have ignited a vibrant democracy without violence but by sheer civil society awakening.

If BN is capable of transforming itself and raising the quest for true democracy to higher levels, then Malaysians will be easily converted. But if the PR coalition proves to be the most savvy and genuine in its intent in bring true democracy to new levels and at great speed, then BN must prepare for the dusty corners of history.

Now, as the clocks ticks away, who will do what will determine the nation’s democratic future. The trump card is of course in the hands of the government. Will wisdom prevail within the ranks of BN?

The onus is also now heavily resting on all leading professionals, religious figures, learned and experienced politicians and every technocrat who has reaped from the nation to come to the rescue of the nation's rakyat and constitutional monarchy.

Tick tock, tick tock, it is not the time for political supremacy but one of redefining the type of democracy the nation should have.

- J. D. Lovrenciear is a reader and contributor to Malaysia Chronicle