Why I am going for Bersih


by T H Liew

I believe that IF our nation practices TRUE democracy, then our citizens will be better off.

However, I feel that our nation has gradually become a one-party state, with the ruling political party having a hold on virtually ALL of the bodies which are supposed to be independent in a true democracy, but are not.

The mass media (printed, electronic) are controlled; the police and anti-corruption agency do not seem to act impartially; the judiciary appears tainted esp at the upper echelons. Under these circumstances, how are we to practice true democracy?

Had these bodies been truly independent, then the ruling government will be more just, and more sensitive, to the needs and rights of the citizens.

The one-party system which has thus evolved since Merdeka, now has become too powerful, and with such great power, comes the opportunity for great corruption. It would seem that those in power have not let such opportunity slip by. This has led to a situation where our country is headed for a fall – economically, socially, and morally.

Policies which benefit cronies at the expense of rakyat; uncountable financial scandals; VKLingam judge-fixing; Teoh Beng Hock death; allegations against AG & IGP; Altantuya murder; religious discord; racist officials; unrighteous detentions and deaths in detention – all these are mere examples of a nation gone wrong but yet nothing is done by those in power to resolve them. I can only foresee things getting worse rather than improving.

In seeking a change of government, I am NOT recommending any violent overthrow of such a government, but instead am for a peaceful legal rejection of such a government at the ballot box.

Unfortunately, it seems that the election system, and even the Election Commission, seems to be biased in favour of the ruling coalition.

So how are we to even remove such an unfair government at the polls?

It is only through a truly free and fair elections that this can be achieved.

And if my participation in Bersih is one tiny step in this direction, it is something I want to do. It is something I need to do.

I feel that I am also doing it for the good of those others who also need it, but do not understand it yet. There are many who are too interested in short-term comforts, or have been ingrained through years of scare-tactics, to realise that the long term ramifications of prolonging this one-party system in power, is much worse.

So, if you read this, and understand the need, perhaps you too, will join me in Bersih this Saturday 28th April 2012.

  1. #1 by yhsiew on Thursday, 26 April 2012 - 9:16 pm

    ///I can only foresee things getting worse rather than improving.///

    Yeah, we will soon become another Zimbabwe.

  2. #2 by negarawan on Thursday, 26 April 2012 - 9:56 pm

    Bersih 3.0 will show to the whole world what UMNO is really about – corruption, dishonesty, incompetency, inhumane. The people of Malaysia urge the leaders of foreign nations to condemn UMNO leaders and impose sanctions on them e.g. travel ban.

  3. #3 by negarawan on Thursday, 26 April 2012 - 9:56 pm

    Election spending risks credit downgrade, say S&P and Moody’s

    By Shannon Teoh
    The Malaysian Insider
    Apr 26, 2012

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — The federal government’s record spending binge ahead of elections expected within months may result in Malaysia’s first credit-rating downgrade in 15 years.

    Bloomberg reported today that several top rating companies say Putrajaya must bring down its debt, the second highest in Asia at 53.8 per cent of GDP or face a ratings cut.

  4. #4 by monsterball on Friday, 27 April 2012 - 1:59 am

    The main reason for thousands wanting to participate the BERSIH 3 are that they want to tell ALL Malaysians to sacrifice for country and people and vote for a CLEAN GOVERNMENT.

  5. #5 by dagen wanna "ABU" on Friday, 27 April 2012 - 8:26 am

    Yup I shall be in town tommorrow. Will take a walk to sultan street. Chat chat a bit here and there. Hang around for some time and then proceed to dataran (oops city hall declared the place out of bounds for 48hrs!!?? WTF).

  6. #6 by monsterball on Friday, 27 April 2012 - 1:15 pm

    I am going to support Bersih 3… for country and people….for my children and grands …not to go through what I have gone through…live like hypocrites and can succeed ..ONLY through…. whom you know …and not what you know.
    Not to live to see race and religion dirty politicians …keep governing the country….and use that success to steal billions…declaring they are champions for their own races.

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