BERSIH’s gathering, what’s next?
Monday, November 12th, 2007 | 12:12 am @ SK
Before the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) delegation led by Anwar Ibrahim succesfully handed the memorandum to the King’s representative at the Istana Negara, the rally was broadcast live worldwide by BBC, CNN and Al-Jazeera where one of its broadcasting center is based in Kuala Lumpur.
Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin jumped into the live interview opportunity by Al-Jazeera and thrust himself into a very bad limelight, which I don’t think he cares anyway as his credibility and dubious reputation among the international eyes has tarnished so badly ever since his appointment as a minister.
Not only he was on his usual active-denial mode and heard arguing with the anchor, Bernama reported that he refuted Al Jazeera’s claim that police had used force on hundreds of protesters and hit out at Al Jazeera for having the wrong perception when posing questions.
Earlier, the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who said he pantang dicabar (hate to be challenged), condemned the rally as an attempt by the Opposition to drag royalty into their politics.
"I believe the King is mature, and the royalty will not be trapped into their (the opposition’s) politics," he said.
Having said that, we must bear in mind this is merely 4 years into Pak Lah’s administration and the dissent level among the people is arousing and seems to be irreversible.
Previously, the lawyers marched, now the rakyat march too.
It’s a wake up call to the Government that we’re very unhappy with what’s taking place in this country yet the Government is not there to work with us as promised, hence we turn our plea to the rakyat’s constitutional partner in governance: the Yang DiPertuan Agong.
It’s also a wake up call to many of us who’re ignorant and has access to know what’s going on that if the Government doesn’t act on behalf of the rakyat who put them into power, we must retaliate in the manner which hurts them the most, which is to vote them out through the precious ballot papers and deny them the two-thirds majority in the Parliament.
It’s true that individual vote doesn’t make much difference, but what if thousands of us, million of us?
Now it’s time for us to put our act together. We must not allow this massive effort goes in vain.
Do the right thing in the next election, will you?
November 12th, 2007 at 9:01 am
[...] BERSIH’s gathering, what’s next? [...]
November 12th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Great post! What is it that the rakyat - the great masses who did and didn’t take part in Bersih - want the Government to do?
Just the four demands as listed? Would that make the rakyat happy and continue voting for BN?
Me? I want a one man, one vote system,
And I think Anwar did hijack Bersih just to prove his relevance and strength.
The choice is in our hands, I agree with you.
Let’s see what all these politicians can offer us in the next elections.
Let’s be as discerning as the Terengganu voters who have no qualms throwing out governments like yesterday’s garbage.
Vote Siber Party of Malaysia (M)! We promise fun.
November 12th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Too true we will.
The truth has been hidden for tooooooooooooooo looooooooooooooooong.
Now is the time, the wind of change is blowing, let’s just do it!
November 12th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
"Previously, the lawyers marched, now the rakyat march too."
Lawyers marched sebab takut periuk nasi mereka terjejas, yang parti pembangkang buat kacau ini apa pula pasal? yang paling kesian, "rakyat" yang betul betul tak suka kacau kacau ini-lah yang terjejas.
please-lah….street demonstration is not our way of life. tak-der jalan lain ker? nampak-nya opposition dah running out of idea out of idea. thats the fact, i just count malaysian unlucky not to have a strong opposition which can really represent "rakyat"…
Oh rakyak-ku, open your eyes please….
November 12th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
What next? I suppose perhaps the BERSIH can declare Friday to be Yellow day to keep this event fresh.
November 12th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
i was really surprised to read about the ‘dragging royalty into politics’ thingy… incredible…
November 13th, 2007 at 11:31 am
The pressure, overt and covert ,must continue.
Apathy, a blinkered narrow minded outlook and dumbing down are not options.
Threats of using the ISA and other oppressive measures will not work, the people are fed up with the BN arrogance, lies, plundering and propaganda.
Now is the time to stand and press ahead, the future of Malaysia depends upon.
At the GE each and every voter should exercise their right.
Vote wisely, vote for a true democracy, freedom, human rights and equitable distribution of wealth.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
[...] « BERSIH’s gathering, what’s next? [...]
November 13th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Well, first of all, we need to ask/persuade/beg everyone to register as voter! There is no point fighting for a fair election if there are 4 millions of people who doesn’t even care to register themselves as voters.
November 14th, 2007 at 1:18 am
[...] Remember ZAM on Al-Jazeera? [...]
December 14th, 2007 at 7:52 am
[...] with those arrested in various events for exercising their basic human right to assemble such as Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH), Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) and Human Rights march, a candlelight vigil was [...]