Bersih 2.0 - Understanding CLEAN (Bersih)

I also got this from email circulation - too bad I don't have the author's name. But what he/she wrote speaks for majority Malaysians on Bersih 2.0.
Let us continue to uphold this nation continually in our prayers, that all these wickedness and evil will be purged.

1. Datuk Ambiga did not conceive this movement. It was born out of a civil society movement to which I am proud and happy to be part of since 2007. Ambiga was invited to be Chairman for Bersih 2.0 (2007 being Bersih 1.0), to keep the movement going and the first thing she did was to seek resignation of all members of the Committee who are also leaders of political parties. She correctly wanted the movement to be bi-partisan. Invitations were given to BN political parties to endorse the movement. But it seems only the Opposition parties agree with the 8 demands of Bersih - which safeguards our constitutional rights in ensuring that we have a healthy democracy.

2. It is a rakyat driven movement - the ideals of democracy - by the people, for the people, of the people. It is not led by Anwar Ibrahim, PKR or any foreign bodies. It is led by Ambiga and her 13 fearless committee members - but in reality - the movement is by the people and for the people and about the people. You should check the number of the endorsees/NGOs and volunteers for Bersih 2.0. They are upstanding people - retired patriots who servedthe nation before Merdeka to young voters/volunters - university students who have their places in uni at risk.

3. Bersih 2.0 is not just a street protest. The street protest is only one of the its many activities. What should be the focus is the 8 point demands. No sane rational person will find fault with the 8 points. The other activities held were to gain support from many groups and to impress on the Election Commission on the import of the 8 points for the past 2 years. It is for everyone to see how the EC was not receptive to the 8 points. In fact, EC has closed its eyes on the rampant abuse of the electoral process in all the byelections since 2008. Look at the 8 points:

1.that the EC clean up the electoral roll,

2.reform postal voting,

3.use indelible ink,

4.introduce a minimum 21-day campaign period,

5.allow all parties free and fair access to the media,

6.strengthen public institutions,

7.stop corruption,

8.put an end to dirty politics.

They have advocacy as well as educational programs to educate the public on their constitutional rights. Why? Because the government we have today needs the education too. Look at the PM, the Cabinet, the AG, the Police, the Universities, the Judiciary and the mainstream Media (Judiciary and Media lumped with government, though in a ideal world these 2 institution shd be independent).

4. BN did not lose badly in the last elections. It still managed to gain majority but at a laugh since the electrorate roll and the boundaries for constituencies were very questionable. Tens of thousands of new registered voters were not allowed to vote even though it is well within their constitutional right as registered voters.

5. The by-elections for the past 2 years have been heavily tainted with money politics - using tax payers money. I am more appalled at the head of BN,the current PM making a direct offer - "you help me and I will help you..." . Amazing how shameless! BN's generosity during the past elections (hahaha with my tax payers money) is disgusting. And the very same leader of BN saying he will protect Putrajaya at all cost. Putrajaya does not belong to him. It does not belong to BN. It belongs to the rakyat.

( see the PM - 10 seconds into the video uploaded at http://www.youtube.com/watch?EUKMi6U4xY&feature=related )

6. What makes me want to be out there on 9 July 2011 - is the not just the 8 points, not just because I believe it is timely for Malaysians to come united to protect their basic democratic right, the very foundation of our nation, our democracy - it is now fuelled by the anger and disgust I have - that the government that is for the people is attacking the people - telling us that it is not legal to exercise my constitutional right to peaceably assemble, arresting people for exercising their constitutional rights in freedom of association and expression. Wearing Bersih Tshirts is a threat to national security? Attending a community gotong royong wearing tshirts saying "Negara Bersih, Rakyat Bertuah" is a threat to national security? Waging war against the King? Seriously?!!!

7. Tell me what force is at play - foreign or local - aside from the discontent of a people who is ashamed of the government we have today. Ambiga met many foreign bodies - you will know Bersih 2.0 have moved beyond Malaysian shores. There are chapters in Japan, Korea, Australia, England and the US led by Malaysians and friends of Malaysia. So what if there are foreign bodies involved, if at all? The question to ask- what does Bersih stand for that it has sparked a solidarity across the globe?

8. Tell me what threatens our national security? Tell me why my government is robbing me of my constitutional rights? Tell me why the PM had also threaten to bring out 3 million UMNO memebers to rally agaisnt Bersih when his home minister is quick to ban Bersih 2? Ambiga has asked for a safe route for people to peaceably assemble. How difficult is that? Every few months our government closes public roads for hours - to hold marathons, cycling events, national day parades. Bersih 1.0 whith 50,000 people in 2007 (official mainstream firgures) (unofficial 80,000 to 100,000) went about rather peacabley until the police moved in with their water cannons and batons and tear gas.

Why don't the government take action against or the police arrest the likes of Perkasa's Ibrahim Ali and the editors of Utusan Malysia who spew racial slurs? The PM threatens to bring 3 million street protestors? Ambiga is defamed as being anti-Malay, anti-Islam,anti-Malaysia - choses not to defend herself and rightly so - it's plain to see. She's a hero in our midst. We dont need the USA to honour her as an international woman of courage. She is a National Hero. (And yes, she is a personal friend, one will not defend her own honour because she is honourable).

9. Tell me how you can disagree that something is seriously wrong with the government we have today. Tell me how you can disagree with the 8 points that makes Bershih 2.0. Tell me what avenues the people have to safeguard their constitutional rights when the very governement in place is the robber?

10. Since we are friends, I suggest perhaps you spend more time in Malaysia and see how we can have a government who told us the nation will go bankrupt is we do not cut subsidies, yet have money 63 million to refurbish (not even build a new palace) the PM's home, 35million for a pavillion at the World Expo, 1.8million for facebook, 100 million for a new tower, not to mention the costs overrun for all national projects? A government that can afford to give Lynas, a foreign company, 12 years tax free benefit when it brings radioactive materials into our country and leaves radioactive waste behind but projects an earning of hundreds of millions for the next few years- for rare-earth processing which no developed nation no matter how rich in rare-earth materials supply or how high the demand would not even consider building such plants? (China has its planst in outer mongolia, we have ours 25kms from Kuantan, 250 km from KL).

The list of my disgruntled discontent is long. I want a change not just for me but for the next generation - and change is possible through the electoral process. I just want a fair and free electoral process, my very basic right as a Malaysian.