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 12th 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!!
