The tiny posting I did on 10-Eleven: Why We Walked ruffled some feathers.
Amidst the congratulations and the well-wishes and tiny, but promising movements of change (more than 15 of my friends are off to register to vote!!!), were voices that continue to insist that we were used as “tools of the Opposition,” that Sarah and I, were nothing but mindless, wayward youth that had nothing better to do on a Saturday than to propagate in a circus of the masses.
This of course, comes as no surprise. We Malaysians are a passive aggressive lot from my own observations (especially, perhaps our elected). The moment someone does not agree with a similar viewpoint, we refuse to engage them, and immediately call foul, and get defensive and arrogant – because of a simple difference in opinion. Heading this cloud of misinformation and ignorance, is none other than Nazri Aziz, our oh-so-eloquent Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
After the 40,000 strong rally (where the government was definitely forced to eat humble pie, after approximating far less than that), he continued to berate the Opposition by saying: “The opposition has won seats in the previous elections, especially in Kelantan, why are they calling for the Election Commission (EC) to be freer and fairer?” (Malaysiakini.com), and told Parliament, “…it would be pointless to try and understand the reason behind the rally as the brains of opposition members do not function well…the wires in their heads are severed. I don’t understand why they claim that the EC is unfair.”
Nazri had also said this: “We all know that we have the EC Act. If you take that into account, the EC is bound to the legislature and it is also tied to what we would approve…So, don’t get too excited when discussing the EC’s independence because it cannot act freely – it is tied to the legislature.”
Contrary to what the Minister claims, the EC is given a distinct mandate by the Constitution (as is the office of the Auditor General, as I recently learned), meaning that both these bodies are only answerable to the Constitution and the law (if any such violations occur), but not to the Executive and the Legislature. Yes! There are specific bodies like these, endorsed by the Constitution – that handle important aspects of our country like public funds and the elections which are not to be touched by any State organ.
Which means not only is he an angry little man who doesn’t understand democracy, but also extremely inept in his official position of de-facto Minister of Law.
The question I then pose is, “Is Barisan Nasional read for democracy?”
I, for one, am beginning to think they aren’t ready for it at all. Then again, after 50 years in the position of power, their minds may need refreshing. One of the key components of a democracy is the ability to have competitive elections as allowed by the rules of this country, no? So why is it, the ruling coalition continues to get so incensed whenever the Opposition appears anywhere? Why the unfair and blatant covering up of facts? The important pillars of any democracy are freedom of speech, freedom of the press and rule of law.
Clearly, the components above aren’t being practiced properly and are being used instead to sully the options that any citizen in a democracy is entitled to. If, they truly believe that the Coalition is the best choice for Malaysians, then let us make that choice, and let us make an informed choice. Expose the Opposition with intelligent, well-thought out arguments that are infallible with evidence collected to prove them not worthy of our vote. The constant media blackouts and rude and inappropriate language when dealing with the Opposition members in and out of Parliament is a direct lead into them being unable to accept a democracy.
And that, is completely unacceptable to me.
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On another note, please spend some time reading the lucid points presented in blogger and human rights lawyer, Malik Imtiaz’s blog on the Auditor-Generals Report at the recent forum organised by Empower (Pusat Janaday) on “90 Days After The Auditor General’s Report-What Next?”
As I am on their mailling list, I will inform interested individuals about the steps that can be taken in getting the government interested in actually addressing the issue through writing letters, and other such efforts.
Also, watch him tonight on Al-Jazeera with Nazri and Khairy Jamaluddin, all discussing the BERSIH rally of 10-Eleven, with the illustrious host of 101 East, Teymoor Nabili.
1 Comment
November 17, 2007 at 10:56 am
BN is not ready for democracy nor is quite a few Malaysians who “poopoohed” the BERSIH march.
In a democracy, everyone is entitled to their say, yes, even if you don’t want to have a say at all. That’s the beauty of democracy.
In a democracy, the Opposition has a place and being part of the Opposition or their activities does not equate to being disloyal to your country. Nor should it make you a social pariah.
In a democracy, you can have your say by marching, petitioning, voting, lobbying, and protesting as long as you don’t hurt other people. Causing traffic jams is not considered as hurting other people. In a democracy.
Unfortunately, Nazri does represent a substantial segment of Malaysia. The kind that aren’t ready for democracy.
Just announce your political opinion in a random group of people a few times, especially amongst 20-30somethings, and watch them move away. Or witness a few people proudly declare themselves as apolitical.
I guess this is the best thing to happen to BN. Apathy. It makes it easier for them to screw us over.