October 23, 2012
BERSIH’s Ambiga connects with the People for Free and Fair Elections
by Susan Loone (10-22-12)@http://www.malaysiakini.com
Though the event ‘Datuk Ambiga (Sreenevasan) Bersama Rakyat’ in Kedah yesterday seemed like a political outing, the BERSIH icon was quick to dismiss the notion when she said “we are not politicians”.
“We are not fighting for BN (Barisan Nasional) or Pakatan Rakyat. We are fighting for you. We want your vote to mean something. We want to make sure they do not steal the value of your vote.
“Whoever comes into power, we should be able to remove them in five years if they are not good,” added the BERSIH co-chairperson, as the largely Indian crowd in Paya Besar clapped thunderously.
“We also want the government to support BERSIH (the electoral reform coalition). It’s been 55 years, one of the longest (rule) in the world. It is time to make our politicians accountable”.
The pouring rain in Padang Serai failed to deter the crowd of 1,500 who turned up at the BERSIH event yesterday evening, led by Kulim Hindraf chief M Asokan, and other local NGOs.
Asokan said he had prepared some 2,500 seats and if not for the heavy rain, a 5,000 strong crowd would have been expected.
Ambiga was accompanied by a string of other speakers including Kedah state 
executive council member Aishah Ghazali, Selambau assemblyperson S Manikumar, PKR Vice-President N Surendran (right), Kedah senator Saiful Izham Ramli, Suaram secretariat member Cynthia Gabriel and National Indian Action Team chairperson Thasleem Mohd.
Cynthia, who is on a road show, took some time to explain the details of the “Scorpene scandal” to the Kulim participants, her voice almost drowning in the splashing rain beating vociferously on the zink roof canopies.
‘Vote in large numbers to cancel fraud’
Ambiga, the former Bar Council chief, was given a celebrity’s welcome when she arrived from Kuala Lumpur at about 4pm.
With a huge garland of yellow flowers around her neck, Ambiga was given a standing ovation by the crowd when her turn came to speak, and was earlier honoured with a poem by one of the participants.
During her speech, Ambiga asked if everyone has registered to vote and if they are sure of participating in the voting process, while the crowd responded with a big “yes”. “We believe that if we turn up in large numbers, we can cancel out the fraud. We are not telling you who to vote for but we are asking that you come out and vote in large numbers. This is your right and your duty,” she said.
Ambiga (right) also told the crowd that life has been difficult for human rights activists this year, with the crackdown on Bersih and Suaram, who has for the past three months been investigated by six government agencies for its registration as a company.
She rubbished the harassment by the authorities, especially the accusation that those who receive foreign funding are out to “destabilise” the ruling government, adding that it was all instituted because the organisations were critical of its leaders.
EC slammed for not being serious
Ambiga, and at least five other BERSIH activists, claimed they were temporarily stopped from leaving the country, while Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar has passed the buck to the Immigration Department, who cited the existence of “police file” of the activists for their actions.
“They criticise us for receiving foreign funds but there are no answers for the RM40 million (allegedly attempted to be smuggled) into Sabah (UMNO by businessman Michael Chia),” Ambiga said.
“There are also no answers to the millions that have been wasted, as pointed out by the recent Auditor-General’s Report. This money could have been put to better use for our children,” she added.
Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan has defended Sabah UMNO, saying the monies are a form of donation and has been audited by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Meanwhile, Ambiga continued to expressed dissatisfaction at the Election Commission’s delay in implementing Bersih’s eight demands, saying it is not serious in reforms.
“BERSIH doesn’t believe that they are ready to bring about change. If they (EC) are serious, they will work with the relevant groups to clean up the electoral roll,” Ambiga explained, saying the coalition has pointed out the many errors therein.
“The EC has also yet to implement even the ‘simplest’ demand of freeing the press. All it takes is a phone call to the editors to give everyone equal access to news coverage,” she pointed out.
“If they (EC) are not prepared to do something as simple as this, how can they ensure that the polls would be free and fair?”
Well done, Dato’ Ambiga. The fight for free and fair elections must go on, no let up. Change is not easy as the incumbent UMNO-BN wants to continue their corrupt rule in perpetuity.
For the time, being the BERSIH icon must go on with this roadshow to encourage people to register to vote and go to the polls in large numbers. This election is a turning point in our country’s history. A vote against this hegemonic regime is a vote for freedom. What do you think, Gool and the gang?
Looney Susan has not added anything to the pool of information the public already has. Call this investigative journalism?
“Gool and the gang?” — Gurubachan
I think Coolit Singh should lead Looney Susan from behind.
Never mind the wet start of this road show but mark my words and watch the groundswell as it rolls on.
There is no moral or physical force capable of stopping BERSIH’s 8-point demands as this is the embryo of the peoples’ political awakening and consciousness.
Even if the EC steals the GE 13, re-election will have to follow soon enough to legitimise it.
Dato’ Ambiga claims she is not a politician but her campaign has political effects from which the PR will gain. The majority of the people accompanying her also reflects PR involvement in her campaign which is Opposition biased but it is good for the Rakyat who will be enabled to make the final choice. Agreed, the Rakyat should turn up in large numbers for the GE13 to cancel any possibility of frauds.
it is the fundamental right of person to be a member or to support a political party and its doctrines. you can be a member of a political party and at the same time remain objective in your occupation, something called work ethics.
NGOs are non-governmental organisations whose task is the betterment of the society; their members are not barred from joining any political party or from voting for the opposition.
Hussin, in a healthy democracy the opposition is the tool the people can use to keep the reigning government in check.
Obama and Romney are not enemies but they represent different political standpunkte (standpoints?). it should be that case between Najib and Anwar.
in our beloved country every small thing we do is political like washing your hands or going to the toilet! in Selangor the water supply is politised as it comes from a company which services the cronies of a political party. the electricity and the highways etc etc…..everytime you pay highway toll you think of ‘Sangillikaruppan’ Samy Vellu and the crony companies. thats what happens if you let one party rule for 55 years.
This is only one part of the equation. PKR must now come out with credible candidates who will distance themselves from ‘this culture’ described recently by our Prime minister. They must declare their assets on Nomination Day before they take to the polls.We do not want to go back to square one.
By the way when you lead form behind you will always be there for the people.