Bersih 3.0: Sit With Me

Looks like Bersih 3.0 began earlier than expected. People had started to throng Dataran Merdeka a day ahead of the event. From the videos, it seems to be a large crowd and from the tweets of various people there, the estimate is about 4000 people and increasing. This is a good sign. People have awoken from their long slumber and have decided to fight against corruption, racism, cronyism, nepotism, mismanagement of funds and whatever that a government should not be. Bersih is about the demand for free and fair elections through the 8 points demand (available in the addendum below). Through a free and fair election, we would be able to make sure that there is no hanky-panky in the electoral process which at least guarantees the rakyat that the elected government is legit and did not win through means of gerrymandering, phantom votes, etc.

Today I will be there at Bersih 3.0 to “duduk and bantah”. I am sick and tired of complaining and I am going to do something about it. No matter how much BN says that the EC is doing a good job and elections are fair and clean, I refuse to believe it. Also, Why should BN be supporting the EC? The EC falls under the Prime Minister's Department and that should not mean it is a tool of BN. If experts have found flaws in the electoral process, then BN should join hands with the opposition and say, "yes, there is a problem and let's fix it" and not defend something that is flawed. 

Let us just take one of the 8 points of Bersih’s demand which is equal air time in the prime media for all political parties. Do you think that the opposition is getting equal air time? It is evident that the opposition only gets air time when something bad goes down such as infighting which also happens in BN but it is not shown on TV nor highlighted in the press. Why doesn’t RTM provide equal air time for PR to air their policies and also for them to share what’s in store for the people if they become the government? Let the people then decide which coalition is better? But no, all they do is glorify half baked policies of the current government and demonise the opposition.

That my friends is just one example of what Bersih is all about. It is to give you, the voter a right to choose, a right to make sure your vote is secured and not outnumbered by potentially fake ballot papers. Also be very clear that Bersih is not an opposition's doing. Bersih is an NGO. The opposition only supports Bersih’s cause. The opposition will not and should not organise a Bersih rally. Bersih’s 8 points apply to the opposition as well. So even if the opposition tries to play dirty in the elections if they form the government, you are rest assured that your vote is safe because we have a reliable Election Commission (should they agree to all the 8 points).

Going for the Bersih 3.0 rally is your right and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You will be protecting the future of the nation; you will be protecting the rights of your children and their future. Let them live in a fair nation where there is equality. Do not make excuses anymore. We need change, we need to stand up for our rights and we need to show our lawmakers who is boss. If you think coming out for Bersih is a waste of time, then you have just wasted your country away and anymore complains about bad governance from you, will be your own doing.

I urge you to sit with me today, I urge you to take a stand, I urge you to make a difference and I finally I plead with you to help make my country a better place at least for my kids to live in.

Addendum:

http://bm.bersih.org/?page_id=2673 (Bersih's 8 Point Demand)