Bersih 2.0.. Should or Shouldn't It Happpen?

I am a born and bred Malaysian.


Wasn't really proud that I was born in Malaysia as I was fed up by the things were run in Malaysia.


Then I hit a revival and I now belief that my God is in control of Malaysia. and He wants the best for Malaysia.


I am writing this blog post cause Malaysia is in need of prayers with all of the issues that are surrounding Malaysia right now.


I think that Bersih 2.0 is a legitimate organisation to fight for a clean and fair election's as they are not affiliated to any political party be it UMNO, MCA, MIC, PKR. DAP, & PAS... Yet I am perplexed with why Bersih 2.0 is called a political agenda by The Star (A local newspaper owned by MCA); But BERSIH 2.0 need not happen as IF all MALAYSIAN exercise their right to VOTE. They can't rigged the votes.


Let me cut to the chase by quoting the 8 demands of Bersih 2.0 and my subsequent comments:

1. Clean the electoral roll
The electoral roll is marred with irregularities such as deceased persons and multiple persons registered under a single address or non-existent addresses. The electoral roll must be revised and updated to wipe out these ‘phantom voters’. The rakyat have a right to an electoral roll that is an accurate reflection of the voting population.


In the longer term, BERSIH 2.0 also calls for the EC to implement an automated voter registration system upon eligibility to reduce irregularities.


2. Reform postal ballot
The current postal ballot system must be reformed to ensure that all citizens of Malaysia are able to exercise their right to vote. Postal ballot should not only be open for all Malaysian citizens living abroad, but also for those within the country who cannot be physically present in their voting constituency on polling day. Police, military and civil servants too must vote normally like other voters if not on duty on polling day.


The postal ballot system must be transparent. Party agents should be allowed to monitor the entire process of postal voting.


3. Use of indelible ink
Indelible ink must be used in all elections. It is a simple, affordable and effective solution in preventing voter fraud. In 2007, the EC decided to implement the use of indelible ink. However, in the final days leading up to the 12th General Elections, the EC decided to withdraw the use of indelible ink citing legal reasons and rumours of sabotage.


BERSIH 2.0 demands for indelible ink to be used for all the upcoming elections. Failure to do so will lead to the inevitable conclusion that there is an intention to allow voter fraud.


4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
The EC should stipulate a campaign period of not less than 21 days. A longer campaign period would allow voters more time to gather information and deliberate on their choices. It will also allow candidates more time to disseminate information to rural areas. The first national elections in 1955 under the British Colonial Government had a campaign period of 42 days but the campaign period for 12th GE in 2008 was a mere 8 days.


5. Free and fair access to media
It is no secret that the Malaysian mainstream media fails to practice proportionate, fair and objective reporting for political parties of all divide. BERSIH 2.0 calls on the EC to press for all media agencies, especially state-funded media agencies such as Radio and Television Malaysia (RTM) and Bernama to allocate proportionate and objective coverage for all potlical parties.


6. Strengthen public institutions
Public institutions must act independently and impartially in upholding the rule of law and democracy. Public institutions such as the Judiciary, Attorney-General, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC), Police and the EC must be reformed to act independently, uphold laws and protect human rights.


In particular, the EC must perform its constitutional duty to act independently and impartially so as to enjoy public confidence. The EC cannot continue to claim that they have no power to act, as the law provides for sufficient powers to institute a credible electoral system.


7. Stop corruption
Corruption is a disease that has infected every aspect of Malaysian life. BERSIH 2.0 and the rakyat demand for an end to all forms of corruption. Current efforts to eradicate corruption are mere tokens to appease public grouses. We demand that serious action is taken against ALL allegations of corruption, including vote buying.


8. Stop dirty politics
Malaysians are tired of dirty politics that has been the main feature of the Malaysian political arena. We demand for all political parties and politicians to put an end to gutter politics. As citizens and voters, we are not interested in gutter politics; we are interested in policies that affect the nation.

My comments:

1. Clean the electoral roll

- It is very important that cleaning of the electoral roll needs to be done to combat "Phantom Voters".

2. Reform postal ballot

- The postal ballots need to be reformed and also a change needs to be done to allow citizen of Malaysia working abroad are able to vote in the Malaysian Consulate as currently only students or staff in the consulate are eligible to vote but not working citizen of Malaysia (a knowledge know from a conversation with a friend working in China who is a Malaysian)

3. Use of indelible ink

- A need in this time because it's a must and to curb cheating or double votes.

4. Minimum 21 days campaign period

- A longer time to campaign is needed to give the "rakyat" to have a better understanding of both parties involved in the General Election known to the public who will vote in whom to choose as their Representative.

5. Free and fair access to media

- A Free and Fair Access to the media is a must for a better election report as most main newspaper barring The Sun are owned by the main Coalition of the Malaysian Government (This is indeed a unfair advantage to the Opposition as the Opposition will be shown a bad side in the Main Stream articles in the newspaper to the places that do not have internet or television)

6. Strengthen public institutions

- The public institutions in Malaysia is not free of Government Control as most of the Public Institutions like Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) are capable of investigating people or companies but they are unable to lay down the law to the people who are corrupt (which makes them like a Tiger who don't have it's teeth/fang)

7. Stop corruption

- This says it all ain't it?

8. Stop dirty politics
- I have a belief that Politic is not "DIRTY" but the people who are in Politics are the "DIRTY ONE"...


Malaysians need to rise up and fight for their own right's for a fair and clean election.


Just not the what the general public would want the roads to be blocked. I know I wouldn't want to be stuck in the middle of the situation/issue.