These are the 8 immediate demands for Perhimpunan BERSIH 2.0:
1. Clean the electoral roll
The electoral roll is marred with irregularities such as deceased persons and multiple persons registered under a single address or non-existent addresses. The electoral roll must be revised and updated to wipe out these ‘phantom voters’. The rakyat have a right to an electoral roll that is an accurate reflection of the voting population.
In the longer term, BERSIH 2.0 also calls for the EC to implement an automated voter registration system upon eligibility to reduce irregularities.
2. Reform postal ballot
The current postal ballot system must be reformed to ensure that all citizens of Malaysia are able to exercise their right to vote. Postal ballot should not only be open for all Malaysian citizens living abroad, but also for those within the country who cannot be physically present in their voting constituency on polling day. Police, military and civil servants too must vote normally like other voters if not on duty on polling day.
The postal ballot system must be transparent. Party agents should be allowed to monitor the entire process of postal voting.
3. Use of indelible ink
Indelible ink must be used in all elections. It is a simple, affordable and effective solution in preventing voter fraud. In 2007, the EC decided to implement the use of indelible ink. However, in the final days leading up to the 12th General Elections, the EC decided to withdraw the use of indelible ink citing legal reasons and rumours of sabotage.
BERSIH 2.0 demands for indelible ink to be used for all the upcoming elections. Failure to do so will lead to the inevitable conclusion that there is an intention to allow voter fraud.
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
The EC should stipulate a campaign period of not less than 21 days. A longer campaign period would allow voters more time to gather information and deliberate on their choices. It will also allow candidates more time to disseminate information to rural areas. The first national elections in 1955 under the British Colonial Government had a campaign period of 42 days but the campaign period for 12th GE in 2008 was a mere 8 days.
5. Free and fair access to media
It is no secret that the Malaysian mainstream media fails to practice proportionate, fair and objective reporting for political parties of all divide. BERSIH 2.0 calls on the EC to press for all media agencies, especially state-funded media agencies such as Radio and Television Malaysia (RTM) and Bernama to allocate proportionate and objective coverage for all potlical parties.
6. Strengthen public institutions
Public institutions must act independently and impartially in upholding the rule of law and democracy. Public institutions such as the Judiciary, Attorney-General, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC), Police and the EC must be reformed to act independently, uphold laws and protect human rights.
In particular, the EC must perform its constitutional duty to act independently and impartially so as to enjoy public confidence. The EC cannot continue to claim that they have no power to act, as the law provides for sufficient powers to institute a credible electoral system.
7. Stop corruption
Corruption is a disease that has infected every aspect of Malaysian life. BERSIH 2.0 and the rakyat demand for an end to all forms of corruption. Current efforts to eradicate corruption are mere tokens to appease public grouses. We demand that serious action is taken against ALL allegations of corruption, including vote buying.
8. Stop dirty politics
Malaysians are tired of dirty politics that has been the main feature of the Malaysian political arena. We demand for all political parties and politicians to put an end to gutter politics. As citizens and voters, we are not interested in gutter politics; we are interested in policies that affect the nation.
i really like this statement my friend posted on facebook too.
"Honestly, if you're going tomorrow for Bersih 2.0, go by all means, but know why you're going and what you're standing for. Don't go without critically analysing all 8points Bersih 2.0 stands for. If you're not going, stay home because you actually gave this some thought.
But don't ever ever be indifferent to this country we stay in."
i know that to some extent, everything i say seems pretty easy or useless cause i wasn't one of the 50000 who actually did something today. but i find it so amazing that so many turned up to fight for electoral reform, that there are everyday people out there who really do care about Malaysia's future and are willing to stand for it, even at the risk of being arrested. hearing the various posts about how someone i know got arrested today made me just so so.. in awe, of his passion and dedication in pursuing justice for this country. felt like no words were even good enough for me to praise, salute and thank him with.
today i watched the news eagerly for the first time, to hear what was going on with the rally. today i watched 50000 people march peacefully against dirty elections. today i felt the spirit of Malaysians like never before. i believe in everything bersih stands for and i think that it was such a good opportunity for people to rise up and speak with one voice too. i really do hope their memorandum gets passed to the YDPA or whatever the procedure is, must remember to keep this in prayer. the government handled it pretty stupidly though, like fighting a peaceful rally with tear gas and chemical-laced water. like wth. and the only message they were getting across was that they don't support a clean election. gosh, even parliament members were arrested! i really wonder what the police officers on duty today were thinking when they arrested people who simply wanted to make a positive change in malaysia, what they felt when they hurt people who had no intentions to cause any harm. ISH.
haihz, i don't have much left to say about this, other than that i really really admire the people who marched today knowing their purpose in doing so, with the hope that better times are to come for this country. i salute you all, and i am deeply blessed to have known some of you at all. may God be with you. :)
"We have stirred the imagination of the Malaysian people all over the world." Amazing. Malaysian rakyat in over 29 cities all over the world have stood up for this cause today too! RIGHT against MIGHT! :)
"Who is the judge?
The judge is God.
Why is he God?
Because he decides who wins or loses. Not my opponent.
Who is your opponent?
He does not exist.
Why does he not exist?
Because he is a mere dissenting voice of the truth I speak!
SPEAK THE TRUTH.."
- Great Debaters
on another note.. sometimes (including today), i'm thankful for my bad driving, cause it gives my mum (and me) an extra thing to thank God for every time i drive home safely!
i love my g8 vacations. it's always so crazy and funny and tiring. i told them, i really hope we make it a tradition to go on a trip AT LEAST once a year, to commemorate and celebrate our friendship. :) i really hope this comes to pass. i hope we never get too caught up with life and other things that we forget to put in effort to preserve this amazing connection we have with each other. going to melaka taught me that all of us have our own really good and really bad qualities, but with each other, that all balances out and everyone as a group is SO MUCH FUN to hang out with. :) Gosh i love these people to bits and pieces. :) i dream of vacations when we're all grown up already, looking older and with jobs, with maybe even more people on our trips, partners of g8-ians coming along too. here's where ivan and the rest of us together say AWWWW. :)
"Often, the greatest rewards come from finding the courage to do something we believe we must, and not so much in how the world reacts to that. In the end, the biggest battle we must fight is the one with our own selves."
- Anonymous
lazy to type already but love bunches,
candice :)
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