Zaleha | May 3, 2012
Malaysiakini

For those who think Bersih 3.0 is about Najib Razak, Anwar Ibrahim, Mahathir Mohamad, S Ambiga, you’re missing a point.

I am a Malaysian, rightly proud of my country’s achievements in economic and social progress. I am proud that in this unique multi racial Malaysia, peace and harmony can be maintained.

But now I ask myself – have I been hoodwinked all this time? I asked myself these questions:

•Is my country truly free from hatred, deceit, selfishness and injustice?

•Is Malaysia today free, clean, refined and proactive?

•How do we, Malaysians, measure civilised society?

•Do we measure it by how much we abide by standards of law, behaviour and value systems

•How much do we value freedom?

After much reflection, I am inclined to believe that throughout time my values and social beliefs have been built on a mental persuasion drawn up by the ruling elite, that desires only material gains and status.

These people have no conscience in planting seeds of doubt and fear in me so that I no longer recognise the truth and the reality of things. This systematic indoctrination has desensitised me into not exercising my rights as a citizen, so much so that I willingly give up my natural freedom to question the integrity of the ruling elite.

I have been moulded into becoming a dutiful citizen and would gullibly believe my interests will always be protected by my government.

Alas, I have been very naive not to recognise that the ruling elite have created their own legislation according to their own definition of good governance. All laws and policies have been consciously written to sustain their clench of power.

In the growing trend of gutter politics, embarrassing political and corporate scandals, police brutality at peaceful rallies, media censorship and a non-independent judiciary system, I now believe that my government poses a threat to my individual rights and freedom. If left unchanged, the future of the next generation will be robbed.

I now want to do the right thing at the right time for the right reasons.

•I want to exercise my right to change or reform the government through the next election because I want to live in a society that is not afraid to voice dissent.

•I want the lawmakers to have the political will in effecting democratic reforms that will ensure a just social order.

•I want the politicians to focus on addressing issues, proactively and not reactively, in a goal oriented manner and always ready to have open and direct dialogue.

•I want a responsible and independent media to tell me how the government has spent the taxpayers’ money and to alert me of corruption and the ill effects of bad policies.

•I want the media to make me see and hear right.

•I want an independent judiciary system because it is essential to democracy. It manifests freedom, equality and peace.

•I want a government that stays in touch with citizens to plan for the shape of the nation.

•Most of all, I want to abide by laws and policies drawn up based on the principles of fearing God and for the goodness of all. The nation’s wealth belongs to its people and must not to be routinely plundered by the privileged politicians, legislators, civil servants, police, judges and corporate thieves.

Why now have I asked myself these questions?

It is because I have witnessed the courage of people from all walks of life, young and old, healthy and the sick marching in solidarity at the peaceful Bersih 3.0 rally.

They chanted in defiance demanding to be rightfully reinstated as masters of the land. They demanded to regain the empowerment of creating government.

No tear gas or spiked water can wash away their rights to choose the protectors and guardians of their land in total freedom and with no fear. The time is right to defend the masters.

You see, Bersih is not about “who”, it is about “how” I want Malaysia to be ruled.