Samad Said to be Bersih co-chair: Another sign of cracking Malay support for Umno

It is said that the hopes, hearts and the longings of a nation are forever embedded in the ballads, songs, poems and literary works of its poets, writers and folksingers.

In the latest blow to the ruling BN government, elections reform movement Bersih received an added accolade when no less a personality than national laureate A Samad Said agreed to be named co-chairman to lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan in the fight for free and fair elections.

For the Pakatan Rakyat, led by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, this is a most welcome development, with leaders adding that the national laureate will give Bersih an iconic symbol to rally around the movement.

"Samad will be a great icon for Bersih. He can represent the intellectual, cultural and art workers, very appropriate for Malaysian civil society," PKR vice president and Batu MP Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Malaysia's intelligentsia rally around free and fair elections

DAP’s Senator S Ramakrishnan added that appointing Samad was a “good move because it sent the message that the literary community of Malaysia was behind the election reform movement and that ordinary folk are clamouring for justice and fair go.”

Samad, who is easily recognised by his legendary silver-hair and beard, drew widespread attention after his poem "Unggun Bersih" was read at the launch of Bersih 2.0 last year. However, it also got him a free trip to the police station for questioning.

Samad's work for Malay literature and language is well admired and respected by the Malay community, and to agree to become Bersih co-chairman will send exactly the type of strong signal of endorsement that is bound to dismay Prime Minister Najib Razak's government.

So far, BN leaders have declined comment, but Samad's willingness to be officially associated with Bersih is another display of the cracking support from a Malay community, fed-up with Umno's overly oppressive and politically manipulative ways.

Until now "all talk, no action"

Bersih drew national and international recognition last year for carrying out a peaceful protest, despite savage threats from the Najib administration resulting in demonstrators being brutally attacked by members of the police force.

It has been clamoring for electoral changes to ensure free and fair elections, which Najib must call by April 2013.

According to former US ambassador , John Malott, a long-time Malaysia watcher and political analyst , despite all noise by the government about reforms, its been just that, noise.

“I don’t think anything has been done yet. All talk, no action. The point is, these reforms need to be put in place before the general elections are held, or the results will not be credible,” Malott told the Malaysia Chronicle recently.

Only 4 out of 41 recommendations adopted!

Indeed, out of the 41 recommendations made by Bersih for its 8 key reform demands, a Parliamentary Special Committee in its interim report has fully adopted only four of the recommendations.

These are the thorough and independent audit of the electoral roll; allowing eligible voters living overseas to vote as absent voters; adopting advance voting for service voters; and using indelible ink.

A formal announcement of the writer and poet's appointment will be made on Tuesday at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall later in the day.

Malaysia Chronicle