Bersih 3.0: The Real Unity and Humanity to Save Malaysia

A small ant is no match for a big elephant. Yet, there is a Chinese proverb saying that plenty of the former can bring down the later. Three people rallies prior to the 12^th General Election, namely Reformasi, Bersih and Makkal Sakhti have brought down the mighty Barisan Nasional (BN). Unfortunately, that evil elephant is just down, not out and determined to hold on to power by hook or by crook.

Longevity is not bad as long as the government is clean and the people have their rights as granted under the Constitution of Malaysia. Sadly, this is not the case.

Corruption, misused of power and inefficiency in government have became a norm, yet high profile culprits never been successfully charged. These prompt the people to doubt the independence of police, anti corruption (MACC) and local council authorities. Highest officials from those mentioned authority bodies are appointed through the advice of Prime Minister. Thus, who would those officers serve – the people or the Prime Minister?

Corruption in Malaysia can be dated back to historical Operasi Lalang (literally “Weed Operation”) and the “1998 constitutional crisis”. Years after years nowadays, the Auditor General’s Reports detailing more and more mismanagement of public fund but where is the charges?

Have we forgotten the Lingam case? Will the Scorpene case open a can of worms on Malaysia’s corruption? Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal? How about Zakaria’s and Khir Toyo’s “palace”, corruption cases against Taib Mahmud, the alleged Rosmah’s diamond ring and NFC cow scandal? Big waves unveiling the BN government’s wrong doing being closed case by the authorities without satisfying investigation. Not to be missed are the triple mysterious death of Altantuya Shaariibu, Teoh Beng Hock and Ahmad Sarbaini.

Article 10 of the Constitution of Malaysia guarantees Malaysian citizens the right to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of association. However, all these years, Malaysian live like caged birds; being feed just enough to survive but intimidated if they demand further freedom beyond the BN cage.

Every aspect of Malaysian’s life is programmed with propaganda. Through mass media, education and Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung system, Malaysian are being brain washed on the goodness of the ruling government in contrast to the dangerous of the rebellious opposition. Racist politics are played to perfection to break-and-rule. In simple, the BN regime does what the British did to us during colonial period.

Most of us may have the ability to meet basic needs for everyday living such as food, shelter, health and protection. Yet, with increasing cost of living, housing price bubble and radioactive threat to health from Lynas operation, can our sustenance be sustainable? What has BN done to ease people burden? Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia and the one-off RM500 allowance are clearly election gimmick. Making things worse, economic crisis seem likely in European region. Malaysia’s external debt is trending upwards to about US$81.5billion in 2010 and more by now.

Fresh graduates are burdened with education (PTPTN) loan. They cannot afford to buy a house. The poorer ones may have a family to support. After graduation, the next plan could be getting married and have their own family. With competitive job market (low salary) and education debt burden, can they have comfortable living?

Thus, what wrong for students to ask for free education and waiver of PTPTN for the poor? Government spent needlessly on National Service program, sponsoring football and Formula One team. Ministry of Tourism even paid millions to set up Facebook page that can be done easily for free. Racist Perkasa and Utusan Malaysia as well as race-based parties of UMNO, MCA and MIC are conflicting images to the “1Malaysia” unity campaign, thus wasting millions spent to promote it. Those amounts of money are better channeled towards free education. 

The Occupy Dataran participants are harmless but concerned citizen fighting for a better future for current and future graduates. The powerful but heartless DBKL and police harming them is a great shame and should be condemned. Hope they and the government realize that the people will not take the risk of suffering from police brutality and other types of intimidation to join Bersih rally if they enjoyed their living and have their rights. These rallies will naturally fail if the government is good and election is fair. Hence, BN can stop them by being a good government, not by unconstitutional forces or unethical threat. If they barred Lynas from operating in this country, why would the people want to have Himpun rally?

From the Buddhism perspective, everything has its cause and effect. Corruption and suppression by the BN government are the causes. The people rallies are only the effect. Islamic teaching also condemns corruption (e.g. Al-Hadid 57: 25 and Al-Baqarah 2: 188). So do other religions or moral teaching.

Therefore, those who have peacefully joined the Bersih 3.0 are the true hero. At Bersih 3.0, participants from all races and even European mixed around in a festive atmosphere. Despite running for their live after tear gas and chemical water were fired harmfully at Bersih 3.0 participants, they keep their humanity value high by helping out each other. For instant, I was being help few times by Malays. They asked for salt for me and help me walk away as I was suddenly very weak. Later on, two very old Malay pakcik gave me salt water to wash face/eye – feeling much better after that. To my surprise, one of them is retired policeman who is now PAS member.

At the second round of police assault, those who are running away still care enough to stop to ask us to go inside. “Masuk, masuk, gas, tembak gas”, they shouted briefly but the appreciation for their concern is huge. We (many people included two reporters) were then at near Sogo on the upper floor of a hotel lobby for shelter. At that time, I thought all is over. Many just loitered around. Some look tired and rested at road side. No provocation from protesters. Before and after the tear gas, police are seen catching and scolding people around there. At there, a Chinese gal (friend of a reporter) took the initiate to find salt, then go floor by floor up the hotel to give to those who inhaled the gas. Children were crying too.

Thus, who is violent? The Bersih 3.0 shows us true unity, friendship and integration. People there do care to help each other in trouble time, which were mostly caused by police’s tear gas/chemical water. We were not only from many races, but different in age, state and background.

Let us show to the evil elephant that millions of ants CAN bring change. Let’s clean (BERSIH) the dirt of corruption. Let’s make it clear that we do NOT want Lynas in Malaysia. Let’s us change (UBAH) for a better future. Together we can save Malaysia!!