On Bersih

Regardless of whether you are for or against BERSIH 3.0, laughing at one or another requires a great amount of cruelty and I hope my two cents will tell you why.

I personally stayed home, not because I don't support it, but simply because I hate getting down and dirty. It's a poor excuse, but to each his/her own way of battle right?

In light of this event, I've read varying comments of what people think of Bersih 3.0 but I believe before we get down to business, let's first go back to understanding the fundamental reason behind BERSIH. The Rally of Bersih was designated to be peaceful in the pursuit of conveying the coalition's humble request for a reformation of the electoral system to ensure free and fair elections.

Sounds absolutely sensible? I sure think so. After all, that is our power as rakyat(citizens)? Without free and fair elections we are just dictated by a bunch of scumbags who have tricked us into believing we have chosen them as our caretakers. Right?

This rally isn't a repeat of the 26th January episode in Egypt. The crowd in Tahrir Sq, amounted to millions, persevered through weeks of pain and torture just to overthrow Mubarak and his abominable regime. This isn't an attempt to topple anyone. While some people think it is a waste of time and an embarrassing display of ungratefulness, I would beg to differ. You have to understand that some attendees might have gone there out of curiosity or fad, rather than having real understanding of the principles, but there are just as many people if not more, who were there with conviction. They believe that their presence will not only send a message but also bring about a real change this time. So why should we belittle the courageous people whose sole purpose to be on the streets was not even to fight, loot or cause havoc but simply to show they've had enough.

I thought we would have waken up by now and get out of our comfort zone, if not completely, more often at least. Most people still react in ways that show their disapproval of criticisms against the ruling class. Due to the stigma associated with the subject, talking about it somehow leads to misunderstanding. Just because we start getting on the case of our very own government, the people who have provided us food, healthcare, employment etc, and just because almost all government in the world are corrupt (and I say this with utmost confidence), we should neither stop ourselves from being critical of them nor should our criticality indicate that we’re ungrateful. Constructive criticism does exist, and is especially important to ensure good governance.  Does someone who is in power and has provided us facilities, which are rightfully ours to begin with, deserve to be above the law/immunized? Wow if like that, when will we ever grow?

Perhaps that is why we were easily oppressed, suppressed and colonialized for extensive periods.  I suppose I’m one of those cowards who refuse to go on the streets but I am so glad to know that if I were to fight for a noble cause, there are many people who would willingly take the streets with me. I am proud that finally some Malaysians know what they want and are not afraid to show it anymore.

But again, I’m not for or against Bersih. I just don’t understand what is so wrong with wanting free and clean elections and showing it on the streets. To think that our elections are clean is to be absolutely naïve. I’ve gone through 3 elections where I’ve witnessed fraud in broad daylight to learn that. The request is sensible, responsible and non violent. In fact, thinking such public display of dissatisfaction is a waste of time shows your complete lack of knowledge in the history of great civilizations(and the modern arab spring). The gist of it is just that and maybe you can’t get yourself to change your mind about Bersih(which is not my intention even) but I do hope you can stop insulting it.

If you laugh at people who genuinely believe in clean and fair election, then laugh at yourself for wanting less or for thinking you don’t have to fight for it.