I take an issue when being clean is declared illegal.
I love my country, I really do.
If you've been living here a while (or all your life), you will know that the level of corruption is intensely high and the government is known for parading cronyism, hypocrisy and spouting ridiculous statements. The latest "issue" going on around here is the Bersih 2.0 rally, which calls for free and fair elections.
And it's illegal.
Let me rephrase that for you.
A coalition, advocating justice, fairness, and transparent elections is illegal.
And what is even funnier?
The movement against Bersih (supported by the government and the ruling party) is legal.
I cannot, for the life of me, fathom why that is even possible. It defies all laws of logic - unless, of course ... I'm sure you know where I'm heading. If you incite a movement against fair elections, you have got to be the one who've always been winning the elections and are afraid to lose it. And if you don't practice corruption and backhanded means to win those elections, WHY ARE YOU SO GODDAMNED AFRAID OF BERSIH?! When the Election Commission comes out and says that Bersih is an opposition movement to gain power, you question their supposed objectivity.
To the extent of banning all things yellow - somebody please tell me what the hell this achieves considering the fact that my surname even means yellow - and arresting people for wearing yellow outfits. This violates basic human rights, violates what little freedom of speech and assembly Malaysians have. As Aung San Suu Kyi writes, "To view the opposition as dangerous is to misunderstand the basic concepts of democracy. To oppress the opposition is to assault the very foundation of democracy."
Authorities (mainly UMNO -related people, no surprise there) are painting Bersih as a movement for several things. Watch them try and use pathos in their rhetoric - and being entirely ridiculous - I'm pretty sure the international community will be laughing their asses off at them. So far, they've been calling Bersih supporters communists, trying to incite pre-Independence sentiments against communists Then, inciting racial and religious tensions by saying that Bersih is funded by foreign Christians, calling Bersih (and its chief) anti-Islam. It always boils down to the race/religion card when the government is struggling to maintain its desperate clutches on power.
For the record, Bersih's 8 Demands are:
Nowhere does it mention race, religion, or anything its attackers are using against it. And it's a peaceful rally. It does not advocate violence, or riot etc. Funniest thing is that anti-Bersih rallies by UMNO supporters and such are the ones making riot and being violent, threatening to burn down buildings etc. Yet, the authorities are only going after Bersih and its organisers.
Justice and fairness present? I think you can strike that out.
Any wonder why people are campaigning for it?
I'm glad that Penang's CM has openly supported it, although by doing so, he has been criticised by the federal government. The state police has gone to the judiciary to ban the state-supported roadshows for Bersih to be held yesterday, so we all know who the police and judiciary sides. Definitely not the people.
The fact of the matter mains; the way the government is reacting to this entire thing is evidence of their losing grip on power. I can only hope that Malaysia is not heading where it seems to be heading - down the toilet.
If you've been living here a while (or all your life), you will know that the level of corruption is intensely high and the government is known for parading cronyism, hypocrisy and spouting ridiculous statements. The latest "issue" going on around here is the Bersih 2.0 rally, which calls for free and fair elections.
And it's illegal.
Let me rephrase that for you.
A coalition, advocating justice, fairness, and transparent elections is illegal.
And what is even funnier?
The movement against Bersih (supported by the government and the ruling party) is legal.
I cannot, for the life of me, fathom why that is even possible. It defies all laws of logic - unless, of course ... I'm sure you know where I'm heading. If you incite a movement against fair elections, you have got to be the one who've always been winning the elections and are afraid to lose it. And if you don't practice corruption and backhanded means to win those elections, WHY ARE YOU SO GODDAMNED AFRAID OF BERSIH?! When the Election Commission comes out and says that Bersih is an opposition movement to gain power, you question their supposed objectivity.
To the extent of banning all things yellow - somebody please tell me what the hell this achieves considering the fact that my surname even means yellow - and arresting people for wearing yellow outfits. This violates basic human rights, violates what little freedom of speech and assembly Malaysians have. As Aung San Suu Kyi writes, "To view the opposition as dangerous is to misunderstand the basic concepts of democracy. To oppress the opposition is to assault the very foundation of democracy."
Authorities (mainly UMNO -related people, no surprise there) are painting Bersih as a movement for several things. Watch them try and use pathos in their rhetoric - and being entirely ridiculous - I'm pretty sure the international community will be laughing their asses off at them. So far, they've been calling Bersih supporters communists, trying to incite pre-Independence sentiments against communists Then, inciting racial and religious tensions by saying that Bersih is funded by foreign Christians, calling Bersih (and its chief) anti-Islam. It always boils down to the race/religion card when the government is struggling to maintain its desperate clutches on power.
For the record, Bersih's 8 Demands are:
- Clean the electoral roll
- Reform postal ballot
- Use of indelible ink
- Minimum 21 days of campaign period
- Free and fair access to the media
- Strengthen public institutions
- Stop corruption
- Stop dirty politics
Nowhere does it mention race, religion, or anything its attackers are using against it. And it's a peaceful rally. It does not advocate violence, or riot etc. Funniest thing is that anti-Bersih rallies by UMNO supporters and such are the ones making riot and being violent, threatening to burn down buildings etc. Yet, the authorities are only going after Bersih and its organisers.
Justice and fairness present? I think you can strike that out.
Any wonder why people are campaigning for it?
I'm glad that Penang's CM has openly supported it, although by doing so, he has been criticised by the federal government. The state police has gone to the judiciary to ban the state-supported roadshows for Bersih to be held yesterday, so we all know who the police and judiciary sides. Definitely not the people.
The fact of the matter mains; the way the government is reacting to this entire thing is evidence of their losing grip on power. I can only hope that Malaysia is not heading where it seems to be heading - down the toilet.