Almost every day, Malaysians are provided with fresh proof that there is just no level playing field for free and fair elections in Malaysia and that the Barisan Nasional government is still a very long way off from fulfilling Bersih 2.0 Eight Demands for free and fair elections highlighted in the July 9, 2011 rally, let alone the Further Three Demands of the Bersih 3.0 “sit-in” on April 28 last month.
The Eight Demands of the Bersih 2.0 rally were:
1. Clean the electoral roll 2. Reform postal voting 3. Use of indelible ink 4. A minimum campaign period of 21 days 5. Free and fair access to mainstream media 6. Strengthen public institutions 7. Stop corruption 8. Stop dirty politics
The Further Three Demands of the Bersih 3.0 “sit-in” are:
1. The Election Commission must resign, as it has failed in its responsibility and has lost the confidence of the public. 2. The electoral process must be cleaned before the 13th General Elections. 3. Invite international observers to observe the 13th General Elections.
The latest proof that Malaysia is still a long way off from a level playing field for the holding of free and fair elections are firstly, the wild and baseless allegation by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that Bersih 3.0 was an attempt by the opposition to topple the Barisan Nasional government; and secondly, the blind and baseless support given by three former Inspector-Generals of Police to Najib’s wild allegation.
In a front-page report by UMNO-owned Berita Harian today, three former IGPs, Tun Haniff Omar, Tan Sri Rahim Noor and Tan Sri Musa Hassan lent credence to Najib’s wild claim that the “428” Bersih 3.0 “sit-in” was an attempt to topple the government by calling on the police to act against the “alleged coup attempt”.
It would appear that the three former IGPs are being used to justify a major crackdown reminiscent of Operation Lalang mass arrests in 1987!
Is there any iota of evidence that there was indeed an attempted coup by Bersih 3.0 “sit-in” to topple the elected government as alleged by Najib and supported by the three former IGPs so as to justify a major crackdown?
No, there is none whatsoever, as evident from Haniff’s own admission. This is what Haniff said:
“There has to be a basis because the prime minister cannot simply make claims. It could happen and there are always people bidding their chance to do it for their own interest.”
This is the height of ridiculousness and the first time in the nation’s 55-year history that there is any claim that a Prime Minister’s words, however wild and far-fetched, are themselves proof of their truth and sufficient basis for government action.
Never before had the previous five Prime Ministers, including Tun Dr. Mahathir during his 22-years as fourth Prime Minister, had ever laid claim that his words themselves are evidence of their veracity.
This is not only a ludicrous and dangerous attempt to make the Prime Minister’s words the law of the land, but also to constitute the evidence as well – regardless of however wild, ridiculous or baseless the claim or allegation.
Two of Bersih 2.0 Eight Demands are for a “free and fair access to mainstream media” and “stop dirty politics”.
Malaysians are seeing “dirty politics” at their worst in the nation’s 55-year history in the run-up to the 13th General Elections, all given full and free rein in the mainstream media, which is denied free and fair access to all contestants and stakeholders of a free and fair elections.
The irresponsible antics by the Prime Minister and the three IGPs are the latest and most vivid examples why the Eight Demands of Bersih 2.0 remain relevant, pertinent and unfulfilled – and why Bersih 2.0 and all justice-and-freedom loving Malaysians must continue to demand a level playing field for the holding of the 13th General Elections.