Bersih 2.0s fair and just demands

By Toh Kin Woon | TMI

In new weeks, most negative, astray as good as unreasonable statements have been done opposite Bersih 2.0. Some of these bordered upon infamous personal attacks, in particular opposite a Chairperson, a rarely respected Ambiga Sreenevasan. These attacks arose following a proclamation by, as good as organisation commitment of, a entire Steering Committee to hold a pacific travel to demand for electoral reform as good as upholding of democracy upon 9 July. As a member of Bersih 2.0s Steering Committee, I feel avocation firm to come to a defence.

Allow me initial to echo a altogether objective of a coalition, that is to assistance a Election Commission realise a eminent idea of conducting elections that have been satisfactory as good as clean. All will determine that a achievement of this idea is a must, if Malaysia is to be a entirely grown country. Apart from high income, a just as good as democratic electoral complement is an important establishment of a initial universe country.

Unfortunately, a approach e! lections have been conducted in a nation up compartment right away leaves most to ! be desir ed. Many weaknesses in a process as good as conduct of elections still remain. Some of these embody an electoral hurl that is still full of defects; discuss periods that have been distant as good short to concede all contesting parties to effectively pass out their stands as good as positions upon assorted issues to a voters; unsymmetrical as good as uneven entrance to a media, especially state-owned broadcasting; a refusal to make use of memorable ink in sequence to eliminate a possibility of multiple voting; as good as disenfranchisement of most adults who have been resident overseas. The result is that electoral outcomes might not be a full, transparent as good as accurate expression of open will.

In a bid to assistance move a nation towards origination a elections fairer as good as cleaner, Bersih 2.0 has thus asked around a 8 final that these weaknesses as good as defects be strike as good as measures further strengthening a electoral complement be adopted. Among these have been cleaning up a electorate list, a make use of of memorable ink, a smallest discuss duration of 21 days, automatic registration of voters, reform of postal voting, next to entrance to state owned report as good as a media, wiping out corruption as good as a strengthening of open institutions. Bersih 2.0s idea is simple, that is to assistance implement a complement of elections that is beyond reproach as good as whose outcomes unchallengeable. It is thus a warn to most that this great as good as innocuous idea should meet with so most contest as good as opposition.

Some, however, would explain that they have been not so most contesting as good as hostile a final as a approach you press for their realization around a land of a travel upon Jul 9. All kinds of reasons have been put brazen to stall a walk. It will interrupt business, cause massive trade jams as good as even emanate chaos as good as disorder, so explain a travel oppon! ents. Fo r a start, you have reiterated most a times that a travel will be peaceful. If, in addition, a military come in to lend a palm by controlling as good as handling traffic, I see no reason why any of these concerns will happen. Indeed this was a ca! se with some new events, such as a land of a pacific protest opposite a putting up of a Lynas Advanced Materials plant in Pahang, that was organised in Kuala Lumpur. Likewise, countries such as Hong Kong have witnessed even some-more massive demonstrations as good as nonetheless they have been still prosperous. Besides, there is such a thing called leisure of public that is one of a tenets of a Federal Constitution. Opponents of a travel will do good to respect this basic right, failing that all calls for a origination of a rarely grown nation will come to naught.

Finally, might I interest to all who have been intent in this sermon to look during a core make a difference of clean as good as satisfactory elections. Unfortunately, however, most of those opposed to Bersih 2.0s large convene upon Jul 9 have selected to obstruct from it. Instead they have selected to launch infamous personal attacks opposite a Chairperson as good as even blamed Bersih 2.0 for a new hacking of supervision websites. All these have been clearly off a symbol as good as have been not part of rational discuss that you should be intent in.

Dr Toh Kin Woon is a member of Bersih 2.0s steering committee

Courtesy of Bonology.com Politically Incorrect Buzz & Buzz