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Opinion/Press statement by Dr. Lim Teck Ghee on “Political Paradigm Shattering By Elections Results???

 

On 26 August, just a few days short of Merdeka day, voters in Permatang Pauh went to vote for what they want of a better Malaysia for themselves and their children. The outcome: they voted for the opposition candidate not by a small majority as predicted by many observers but by a resounding majority that shatters once and for all, the many stereotypes held of the Malaysian electorate as fearful, docile, easy to manipulate, and captive to the racial fears stoked up by an opportunistic, cynical and increasingly out of touch and desperate Barisan Nasional coalition.

All Malaysians should salute the Malay voters especially as they were subject to intense pressure to vote for the Barisan candidate so as to safeguard “the future of the Malay race??? and “Malay supremacy???. Rejecting one of the most blatantly racist election campaigns run by the Barisan Nasional – one example was a widely disseminated flyer of a “Babi??? (or Pig) Cabinet coming into power should the PKR candidate win; turning a deaf ear to the smear and fear campaign waged against Anwar Ibrahim, his PKR colleagues and the Pakatan Rakyat parties; ignoring the mainstream mass media which again showed its true colours by largely churning out a torrent of propaganda extolling the present leadership and Government and running down the opposition candidate and opposition parties, the great majority of this semi rural constituency voted for a leader and for the Pakatan Rakyat coalition and their hope that through their vote, decency, good governance and good sense will be restored to our body politics and to the other major institutions subject to abusive and repressive BN control and influence.

All those who voted for the opposition party in Permatang Pauh may not be fully aware of the momentous ripple effects of their decision in the voting booth. The elections result is likely to intensify the infighting within the top UMNO leadership with each faction blaming the other for the devastating scale of defeat. It could also widen the growing rift between UMNO and the non-Malay Barisan Nasional coalition parties – the latter will surely be concerned at how the Permatang Pauh campaign was so much focused on the restoration of “Ketuanan Melayu a–la UMNO??? and the Malay agenda. Other ripple effects are an even larger question mark over the Barisan Nasional’s grip on power in the country with the possibility of a snowballing loss of confidence in UMNO’s ability to reform itself leading to a possible mass exodus of Barisan Parliamentarians to the Pakatan Rakyat side.

Finally, the decisive margin of victory achieved by Anwar - despite a considerable investment of time and personal attention put into the campaign by the Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak to destroy Anwar’s political career – may put a fatal dent to Najib’s hopes of succeeding to the Prime Ministership position when Abdullah Badawi steps down. The key issues pushed by the Barisan election 

machinery did not touch only on race and economy but they also focused on that of character – principally through the sodomy allegation against Anwar. If Permatang Pauh is a gauge of the concerns of the larger Malay population on the character issue, it would appear that there are considerably more concerns with the moral deficiencies and lapses on the Government side that those attributed to opposition figures and parties.

Whatever the larger macro political ripple effects arising from this by election results, Permatang Pauh voters should not be punished for exercising their democratic right to vote. Continued neglect of the socio-economic and livelihood that beset many in the constituency; deliberate delay of development projects or malicious singling out of localities, kampungs, voters and their families for discriminatory action to penalize politically incorrect behavior will not only be counterproductive but it will also reinforce the perception of many voters in Permatang Pauh and the rest of the country that the Barisan Nasional is beyond reform.

 

Dr Lim Teck Ghee,
Director, Centre for Policy Initiative
26 August 2008

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Reject Racial Politicking Tactics in Permatang Pauh By-Elections

Will the coming Permatang Pauh by elections turn out to be the lowest point in Malaysian election history in terms of dirty electioneering, despicable campaign standards and sophisticated election rigging and vote buying?
 
We, the undersigned civil society organizations and all fair minded Malaysians hope not. However feedback from our observers as well as from many others at the ground level is indicating that there is a real possibility of this happening. Party leaders of the contesting parties may claim that they are waging a fair campaign. However the onus is on them to not only exercise full control over their respective election personnel and machineries to compete fairly but also to immediately repudiate whatever unethical behavior or unacceptable activities that are engaged in by their party supporters or proxies.

As civil society organizations that are not aligned to any political party and in our role as the watchdogs of democratic norms, we are concerned that our elections are far from free and fair and conform to international good practice. In particular, we call on - especially to the parties in the Barisan Nasional and to the candidate, Dato Ariff Shah Omar Shah, himself - to dissociate themselves from racially and religiously divisive messages that are appearing in printed form, short message service (SMS) and in private speeches aimed at voters – especially those that play up the fears of one ethnic group against another.
 
Such attempts at crude racial politicking and the use of inflammatory and racially distorted content to win votes need to be condemned by not only the contesting parties and candidates but also by other stakeholders. In this respect, the mainstream mass media has an important role to play in reporting on the election action and developments on the ground in a fair, unbiased and neutral way. Not only should equal and balanced coverage be extended to the campaigns of the two candidates but the press should also be a scrupulously accurate and honest monitor reporting any unethical or unacceptable form of electioneering and exposing the use of dirty tricks or extremist manipulation of racial and religious issues, whether this comes from the PR or BN camps.
 
It is not only the people of Permatang Pauh that are watching to see if a fair and honestly conducted elections will take place: one that focuses on real and substantive issues of local economic and social development and on
the best choice of candidate and party to address the many issues of poverty, rising cost of living and lack of opportunities for upward mobility that many voters face. All Malaysians and a large interested international community are also watching.

*Endorsed by:*

1.      All Women's Action Society (AWAM)
2.      Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)
3.      Center for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
4.      Institute for Research and Social Advancement (REFSA)
5.      Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)
6.      Labor Resource Center (LRC)
7.      Malaysia Youth And Student democratic movement (DEMA)
8.      National Institute of Electoral Integrity (NIEI)
9.      Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)
10.    Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)
11.    Pusat Khidmat Pekerja Tanjung (PKPT)
12.  Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
13.    Youth for Change (Y4C)

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Dewan Perhimpunan China Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor

The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

Joint Press Statement on 12th August 2008


Malaysians must affirm free speech and denounce religious intolerance
 
We the undersigned organizations call upon all Malaysians to categorically express their disapproval of the actions of a small minority that resorted to intimidatory action to stop the forum on "Conversion to Islam: Art 121(1A) of the Federal Constitution, Subashini & Shamala Revisited" organized by the Bar Council on August 9.
 
While it is necessary for all Malaysians to be mindful of religious sensitivities, such respect must not extend to the condoning of extreme acts which are aimed at curbing legitimate public discussion. 
 
In the specific case of the Bar Council seminar, we are given to understand that it was primarily an effort aimed at helping to clarify various legal and administrative provisions on religious conversion issues.  The forum could have provided useful inputs on helping resolve recent controversial developments had it not been unfairly misrepresented by various quarters, including the Government. 
 
In fact, the organizers had taken the initiative to invite distinguished speakers from the Federal Territory Religious Affairs Department and Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKMI).  Both speakers however declined invitation apparently after the forum was demonized by some quarters
 
We uphold the right of our fellow Malaysians to exercising their freedom to dissent and even to engage in peaceful demonstration in defence of their concerns.  If the protest outside the Bar Council had been civil and dignified, it would have been fully acceptable. 
Unfortunately this turned out not to be the case. Although no violence ensured, the resort of rough action and abusive shouts of "babi" (pigs), "pengkhianat" (traitors) and "balik China" (return to China) indicate an alarming level of religious intolerance by this small minority.  This is completely unacceptable to us and all right thinking Malaysians.
 
We also note with dismay the police submission to the pressure of the protesters and their "advice" to the organizers to bring about a premature end to the meeting.  This guidance follows closely on the government's own earlier reaction to the planned event and its attempt to compel the organizers to call off the event.  The blatant double standards employed by Government and police in dealing with the protestors and the forum subject raises questions about the even handed and fair treatment accorded to all religions that the Government and authorities claim is happening in the country.
 
In this connection too, we would like to express our disappointment with the participation of the members of three political parties, UMNO, PAS and PKR as well as two parliamentarians, Zulkifli Nordin (Kulim-Bandar Baru) and Sallahudin Ayob (Kubang Kerian) in the abusive group of demonstrators. The top leadership of these three parties must instruct their members to avoid looking out for opportunistic or narrowly partisan political and  religious advantage at the expense of national interest. PKR leaders' prompt censure of Zulkifli Nordin's abusive behaviour is therefore commendable and exemplary.
 
Finally we note with concern and condemn the petrol bombs attack directed at the previous house of Bar Council President Dato' Ambiga Sreenevasan. We hope that there is no connection between that act and the role of the Bar Council in organizing the seminar and call on the authorities to fully investigate that action and bring the perpetrators to book
 
The Undersigned Organizations:
 
1.      Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
2.      Civil Rights Committee of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CRC-KLSCAH)
3.      Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI-Parliament)
4.      Council of Malaysian Indian Trustee
5.      Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram)
6.      Malaysia Youth and Student Democratic movement ?DEMA?
7.      Persatuan Kebajikan Cahaya Wawasan Selangor
8.      Persatuan Kebajikan Bharatham Selangor
9.      Persatuan kebajikan Vanniar Klang
10.  Pertubuhan Belia Hindu Pelabuhan Klang
11.  Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
12.  Youth Section of Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH-YS)

This signature campaign is initiated by Civil Rights Committee of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CRC-KLSCAH) and Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI).
 
Issued by
Mr Ser Choon Ing, (Chairperson, Civil Rights Committee, KLSCAH)
Mr Wong Chin Huat (Chairperson, WAMI)
 
For any details, please contact:
The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
NO. 1, Jalan Maharajarela,
50150 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-22746645
Fax: 03-22724089


The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) is the umbrella organization of over 400 various Chinese community-based organizations in Klang Valley. The Civil Rights Committee (CRC) is a subsidiary committee of the KLSCAH specially tasked with the advocacy of civil rights.


WAMI is a group of writers for the Chinese media in Malaysia, which aims to defend and promote media independence for freer public discussion and wider democratic space. It was formed by about 90 writers who quit writing for the mainstream Chinese media in  May 2001, in protest of the coerced takeover of the non-partisan Nanyang Press by the  Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a ruling coalition member party.  For further information please visit www.wami528.com
 

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Dewan Perhimpunan China Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor


The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall


To:

8 August 2008


Dear Sir/Madam,


Invitation to Attend Civil Society Award ceremony


The KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) will be having its Civil Society Award ceremony on 28th August 2008. The NGOs, activists and the public are invited to attend in order to acknowledge individuals and organizations on their contributions to civil society and to open up the democratic space.


The promotion and strengthening of freedom and democracy depend on the growth of civil society. The first Civil Society Award to be given away by the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) starts from 2008.


The purpose of the award is to acknowledge individuals and organizations on their contributions to civil society and to open up the democratic space and at the same time encourage such participation by more individuals and organizations.


Individuals who are Malaysian citizens or organisations in Malaysia are eligible for nomination. The Award is given once a year, which can be conferred on up to three individuals or organisations in no particular order.

The winner of the civil society award will be announced by the award committee. All nominees will be granted testimonials as recognition and encouragement of their contribution to the civil society while the winner will be awarded RM5000, trophy as well as testimonials. Two thematic speeches will be delivered at the ceremony as to analyze the concept of civil society and the current situation of the country. The speaker will touch on the relationship of ethnic identity and civil society so as to promote dialogue and understanding among different communities.

Details of the event:

Organizer : The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

Data : 28 August 2008 (Thursday)

Time : 7.30 p.m.

Venue : Auditorium of KLSCAH


Agenda :

07.30pm registration and dinner

08.30 pm promulgation ceremony and speeches


1. Greetings by Tan Yew Sing, Deputy President of KLSCAH

2. Introduction by Ser Choon Ing, Chairman of the Civil Society Award

3. Brief history of the Malaysian civil society

4. “Ethnic Identity and Civil Society??? by Mr Lee Ban Chen, veteran political commentator

5. Social movement and music performance by Mr Amin Iskandar, artist and writer

6. Civil society in today’s Malaysia by Mr Haris Ibrahim, human rights lawyer

7. The judges' note

8. Closing (Music: Wind of Change)


KLSCAH hopes that this initiative will encourage more individuals and organizations to participate in pushing for social progress and to establish a civil society. The growth of civil society requires participation of all ethnic groups and all segments of the society. We thus invite all to join us in this activity and welcome feedback so that we can move forward to a more open and progressive society.


Should you have further enquiry, please do not hesitate to contact the assistant secretary of the KLSCAH, Chan Kim Ming , 03-22746645.


Thank you.


Cordially,

Ser Choon Ing

Chairman of the Civil Rights Award Organizing Committee

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JOINT PRESS STATEMENT ON POLICE DETENTION OF BLOGGER BAKAQ

The National Alliance of Bloggers and the Centre for Policy Initiatives view with dismay the detention of another Blogger Bakaq (Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar) aka Penarik Beca, which indicates a worrying trend of the government's lack of commitment to open, public discourse. This latest detention followed the repeated police harassment of Malaysia Today editor and blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin before formally charging him with sedition and then defamation. As civil society members, we view such developments with great concern.

Bloggers in general have proven themselves useful in providing feedback to both the Government and Opposition on issues of national importance, and the Fifth Estate members do play a significant check-and-balance role in national affairs. This is well acknowledged by the opposition leaders and some in government.

The present administration must strictly adhere by and honour the Multi-Super Corridor (MSC) Bill of Guarantees conceptualised in 1996 which includes a provision that the government will not institute Internet censorship.

Any breach of the Bill of Guarantees will not only hamper the promotion of rational discourse using the Internet medium but also set back the government's efforts to draw in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). More important, the government’s action will adversely affect international opinion on Malaysia’s commitment to basic freedoms.

We, the undersigned, therefore urge the authorities to immediately release Saudara Bakaq unconditionally, and that the government practises what it preaches about freedom of speech and the respect for human rights for all Malaysian citizens, whether they choose to agree with or beg to differ from the government's views and policies.

Kuala Lumpur
August 8, 2008


Ahirudin Attan
Interim President, National Alliance of Bloggers (AllBlogs)

Dr Lim Teck Ghee
Director, Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)

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