Tag: Election

Thank you Bersih Thank You Ambiga


For a while, due probably to the end of semester exams and essay submission due date, I wasn’t following events in Malaysia all too closely. I then discovered, about 2-3 weeks ago, the planned activities of Bersih 2.0 and thought “wow, this should be great”.

I haven’t been disappointed.

For over 2 weeks I have jumped on the usual websites (Malaysiakini, Malaysia Today etc) and have picked up reports concerning 9 July 2011. More importantly, I have picked up vibes about the how people feel, leading up to the event.

I haven’t been disappointed.

The responses of the authorities have been expectedly empty gong loud noises. There haven’t been any substantive responses to the cause of Bersih. The cause is very clear, and it is made up of the following:

       1.      Clean the electoral roll

       2.      Reform postal ballot

  1. Use of indelible ink
  2. Minimum 21 days campaign period
  3. Free and fair access to media
  4. Strengthen public institutions
  5. Stop corruption
  6. Stop dirty politics

 Instead of addressing the matter in substance, it has branded the movement in a number of ways, none of which demonstrate that Bersih is anything other than what it claims it is fighting for. Like I said, Ambiga Sreenevasan is fair dinkum. You cant fault her. She may be nice – after all she was a dutiful rakyat who heeded her Agong’s call – but she is also clean and has nothing to fear or lose, except her personal liberty maybe. I expected Ambiga Sreenevasan and her team to hold steadfast to the cause and I haven’t been disappointed.

It is such an exciting time to be in Malaysia, particularly in KL. It wouldn’t be pretty. It would be tense. But it is exciting, because you could sense change coming. Maybe Najib Razak did too. Maybe that is why he has run away for now. Maybe intelligence tells him (not his, Najib doesn’t have a lot of intelligence I don’t think – I meant that of the Special Branch) it isn’t safe to be in the country as this could lead to anything. Maybe the actions of the authorities, especially the police, leading up to 9 July has been such that the people would at long last, say enough is enough and they would rise and take no more of this rubbish the hopelessly finished BN government continues to dish out.

I will participate by remote presence. I will be in the Melbourne chapter. Tomorrow is expected to be a little cold, and even wet. But it is an opportunity to be part of something special. Federation Square will be Merdeka Square for me tomorrow. Thank you Bersih. Thank you Ambiga Sreenevasan. 

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Ambiga Sreenevasan stares down sorry UMNO


I was just catching up on Malaysian news this morning (given I am relatively free now) – on 9 July a big rally is planned for free and fair elections, by a movement known as “BERSIH” (Coalition for Free and Fair Elections).

The main champion for this is Ambiga Sreenevasan, an ex Skrine lawyer who now has her own firm. She was the one who received the US Secretary of State‘s Award for International Women of Courage Awards presented by Hillary Clinton. She is a much respected lawyer in Malaysia.

As usual, PERKASA is making very bad noises to threaten the rally. They have organised their own march against the rally. As usual, the government warned against the BERSIH rally but police has given permit for the PERKASA march – usual rubbish by Malaysian police and government.

It doesn’t require someone of Ambiga’s stature to show up the intellectual and moral pigmies who make up UMNO, the ruling Coalition that is BN and the hangers on who line their own pockets in keeping these morons and bandits in power.

But when she does appear on the scene, the UMNO and BN look downright pathetic.

Its henchmen in PERKASA sound even more stupid and oafish, the sort of fools who are dangerous for thinking they aren’t.

I am thrilled with the efforts of Ambiga and those who stand with her, and BERSIH. I hope my friends who will be in Malaysia on 9 July, take caution but be courageous and stand against the folly, thievery and moral contempt that UMNO and BN wallow in.

That a person like Ambiga should stare down the cretins in UMNO will be particularly riling.

In this brave, intelligent and honourable woman is an amalgam of elements twerps like Ibrahim Ali and others in his pack cannot stand, and certainly do not expect to be a formidable foe.

She is an Indian, a woman and a lawyer. Together, these elements embody the definition of a nemesis for the brand of hackneyed form of bigotry which has been tiresome and should have been gotten rid off with the C4 their master is wont to resort to.

Most of us are sick of them and would sooner spit them out and flush them out of our lives altogether. My disdain for their ilk is such that when I cease to loathe them I would safely claim victory in my personal strife in my journey as a Christian. It would be a miracle of Lazarus proportions for me to cease despising this lot with utter abomination. They are my cross.

For now, I am quietly enjoying the moment when someone like Ambiga Sreenevasan quietly and with dignity, give these gnats the flick.

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