Monday, May 13, 2013

139. Corrupted Rolls need to be address before any fresh polls

To clean up the Electoral Rolls we need IGGG Malaysia for two years and concerned independent people to assume this role now.  Joshua

 

 

France-based M’sians in black protest ‘electoral fraud’


Some 30 Malaysians, all dressed in black, held a protest at the Trocadero in Paris, France, yesterday against alleged irregularities in the 13th general election concluded on May 5.
They came with banners demanding fresh polls, as well as messages against racism and denouncing the Election Commission (EC).
NONEBersih France coordinator Dr Selva Pillai called on leaders of other countries to understand why such protests are being held and not to blindly endorse the BN-led federal government.
She blamed the EC for not having acted on calls for a revamp of the electoral system, despite massive rallies and petitions calling for change over the last two years.
“Because of the EC’s blatant arrogance and disregard to amending those irregularities …, we can conclude that the glaring irregularities are a confirmation of the EC’s failure to dispense its duty,” she said.
“We as Malaysians call for the immediate resignation of the EC. Its refusal to allow international electoral bodies and certified organisations to be observers further affirms its poor grasp of democracy.”
NONESelva said she is appalled at the “highly irresponsible” post-polls statement by BN head Najib Abdul Razak in having attacked Chinese Malaysian voters for the ‘swing’ to Pakatan Rakyat.
“Democracy is a right to choose your government freely. The BN has breached that code of conduct. Bersih France also reprimands the (BN) for the use of race-based insults and instigations,” she said.
She lauded the creation of a People’s Tribunal by Bersih, but noted that the “politically tempered judiciary system, just like the EC”is another hurdle Malaysians will have to overcome.
She stressed that Malaysians are not racially divided, as the BN has made it out to be “to divert global attention from its corrupt practices and racial policies since Independence”.
Bersih coordinator Charis Quay said she was at the protest to show support to Malaysians at home, and hoped that more people will come forward to provide evidence of electoral fraud.
“We hope that these rallies overseas will draw attention of the international community to the fact that there are serious allegations of fraud and that these should be addressed,” she said.
She stressed that the international community should not recognise the result of the election until all the allegations have been examined and cleared.
Rejection of outcome
Yap Choon Ping, a missionary, said the EC has not done its part in ensuring a free and fair election.
NONE“It seems like the EC decides arbitrarily who it wants to win,” he said.
“When the EC was questioned about why the indelible ink is easily washed off, it said the (formulation) had to be changed to make it halal. Then it said there is a high level of mercury, so it had to be made safe for the people. These excuses are not acceptable! We are not gullible children.”
Theatre artiste Ling Tang refused to acknowledge the election result as well.
“I think that there were a lot of dirty tricks. There was so many evidence (of wrongdoing),” she said.
NONELing explained that she joined the protest “because it is time to do something for the country and not be afraid any more”.
“My friends asked why Anwar (Ibrahim) has been holding rallies and protesting against the results. They think that he should just accept it and move on. But I don’t agree. We used to be silent all the time. And silence means consent. It means you agree with everything (electoral fraud) that was done,” she said.
“Even if we know that we are fighting against the devil, we should still fight for what is right. We are trying to do this with peace and love. We have not won but, throughout the journey, we have created some beautiful moments.”
Poon Kok Leong, who has lived in France for over 30 years, feels that the allegations of fraud should be addressed.
“Although I am not in Malaysia, I can see through Facebook and online media that there were a lot of issues and fraud during the election. I hope that there will be a re-election so that there is some justice.”
He added that he supports the Bersih initiative for a real democracy and for clean and fair elections.
“I hope that (Pakatan) will win the next time, because we have had the same government for far too long. Why have so many people left the country? Why did I leave? Because it doesn’t feel like home when there isn’t equal opportunity,” he said.
NONERetired engineer Yap Choon Chong bemoaned the state that Malaysia has fallen into under the BN.
“The current policy is akin to a family where the parents are the government and treat the first child (the Malays) as favourites. This is not good. We need to change the policy so that the country will be more harmonious. We should have special rights for the poor not just for Umno members,” he said.
Student Loh Pooi Kwan said the electoral fraud has violated her rights as a voter.
“It’s my right to choose my government and I hate to see the election being sabotaged,” she said.
She said a fresh election would be the ideal recourse and hoped that only Malaysians are allowed to vote and not foreigners holding temporary identity cards.
NONELim May Wing, a student in Lyon who had protested with fellow-students there, said she is playing her part to make a difference because she cares for the country
“Even today there are still stifled voices among us, unable to make themselves heard for fear of ‘repercussions’,” she said in an email interview.
“So we stand here, at the heart of Lyon, humbly representing the silent majority who want to see real election reforms, level-headedness and accountability from our newly-elected leaders. Salam Ubah from all of us at Lyon!”

CHRISTINE CHAN, a former member of the Malaysiakini team, is based in Paris.
Short URL: http://www.freemalaysiakini2.com/?p=80188

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