A wake-up call to all politicians

History has been created in the country when on July 9, 2011 over 60,000 people lent their support to Bersih’s call for clean governance in the country. These patriotic citizens thronged the city despite all the hard work put in by the incumbent government to thwart the event. If only the stadium was offered for the Bersih rally – as promised – the event would not have turned out to be a mess and an ignominy to the government.

Malaysians living overseas rallied in more than 20 countries around the world to show their support for Bersih’s call for reforms. The momentous rallies – local and overseas – were flashed in the media all over the world. Never in the history of our beloved country have that many people showed their zeal for a mundane democratic cause – pushing for electoral reform and a clean government that all democratic societies would cherish.

This show of dissent by our responsible citizens has shredded the image of the incumbent into downright disgrace for the government. News throughout the world highlighted the imperious ways the zealots were clamped down and this further mottled the image of the country. Despite the authorities “not owning up” to their harshness as portrayed by online news and foreign media and downplaying the rally by the main stream media within the country, the people have already made up their minds – they are not happy with the way the rally was mangled by them.

Suppressing people’s right to express their displeasure through peaceful rallies over the governance of the country is against democratic practices. Thus, the crushing of the July 9 rally by the authorities has incurred the wrath of leaders in many developing and developed countries, including the US. Numerous international human rights bodies chided the government of Malaysia for its tack-hammer approach on those who participated in the peaceful rally.

The feudal mindset in governance will soon have no place in Malaysian politics. The people will remonstrate and demand for a government that will listen to the people’s voice. The days when the government is always right are fast diminishing and the dawn of a new populace with a wised up mindset will prevail over the feudalistic approach to politics and governance.

July 9 made race-based politics irrelevant

It was indeed a blessing in disguise that the Bersih rally took place on that auspicious day. The people gathered not to demean any race or religion or political group but to push for clean governance and true democracy for the country. The rally has hence become an emboldened symbol of sort – the fortitude of which will continue to despise unbridled political corruption and democratic inequality in governance of the country.

It has become an esteemed symbol for justice and fairness for all disgruntled Malaysians who look forward to have a clean electoral process – an electoral reform - where the 200, 000 army and police personnel should not be taken as a “fixed deposit vote bank” to help the incumbent government stay in power. Besides, the electoral roll must be verified to be genuine and the electorate unsoiled with phantoms. The rally has become an impetus for the country to give a flavour of neutrality to the present “off-centred” police force, judiciary and the MACC - due to the uncanny and unwarranted political impositions.

The rally has made race politics become irrelevant in the context of contemporary Malaysia. It saw people of all races hand-in-hand walking, carrying the Malaysian flags and singing the Negaraku – our national anthem. It was indeed a multi-racial rally as opposed to other groups who were earnestly aspiring to do the same. When the Bersih rally garnered thousands of supporters, one other group only managed to rope in less than 100 supporters and another “noisy” group failed to turn up. Only the sincere and truly patriotic citizens were daring enough to be in the city after it went into lockdown on that day. Many more would have turned up if not because of deliberate stalking and rumour mongering by the main stream media.

Malaysians were willing to face the thousands of armed personnel to show their displeasure for the incumbent government. And they were doing this in support of Bersih’s cause for a clean governance of the country. It was indeed a wake-up call for all Malaysians to appraise the wrongdoings of the government and immediately demand for radical change. As what Bersih leaders kept on reiterating, they want a better Malaysia for the people and their future generations – irrespective of which political party rules the country.

Mainstream media and uncouth words

The use of the main stream media to spin and jolt the people failed to work. It has always been the mind-conditioning of the people through the media that the incumbent government is apt to. Seemingly, reporting by the main stream has never been fair to all. It has essentially become an implement to demonise the people who are against the incumbent - even if the dissent is for some apposite reasons - and for those who want to seek the truth. Yet, the so many “threats” spewed out out by some incumbent leaders via the main stream media did not deter the people from appearing on the streets on that propitious day.

The many uncouth words used by some individuals and groups – those afflicted with some inferiority complex in them - to smear the name of Bersih Chairman backfired as the more cultured individuals and groups of Malaysians gave her all the moral support she needed. The cool, insightful and charismatic lawyer – Bersih Chairman - never responded to the bark-and-yell mode of attack of these xenophobic individuals and groups. This reflects on her polished upbringing - nurtured in many refined ways by her parents – to outshine many others in life.

The majority though abhorred the chauvinistic approach adopted by some political aficionados and they stood beside this lady of deference and integrity all through. While she was detained by the police just before the rally could begin, it was her lofty spirit of combat that walked the rally with great pride, much to the chagrin of those who damned her.

Suppression of democratic voices would never survive long in any society. Sooner or later, it’s the people’s power that will determine who should lead the masses. People are now awakening from their slumber and they are now demanding for a government that is competent, transparent and accountable. Politicians should not stay in power forever using an assortment of feudalistic tools to rip-off the people.

The present populace of the country, fortunately, are becoming more enlightened and they are demanding for a better system of governance for the country – a clean government devoid of rampant corruption, fraud and injustice.

- Malaysia Chronicle