Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah wrote an op-ed that was published yesterday in the Asia Sentinel under the title ‘A Call for Democratic Reform in Malaysia‘.
The most striking paragraph of her opinion piece is as follows (below):
“For Bersih, we don’t want to just change a corrupt prime minister. We want to change a political system that produces corrupt, authoritarian politicians in the name of ethno-religious nationalism.”
Maria Chin and her Yellow Shirts movement want to change Malaysia’s political system.
The foundation of this political system that Bersih wants reformed is the “ethno-religious nationalism” component. It is the ‘Bangsa, Agama dan Negara’ planks which Maria Chin wants changed/removed.
Whether called ‘ethno-religious nationalism‘ in English or ‘Bangsa, Agama dan Negara’ in bahasa Melayu, this very fundamental is the raison d’etre of Umno.
And this core system, along with the current Prime Minister who is a product of the system, are the two things that Maria Chin has vowed to get rid of through her mammoth street action.
London-based premier publication The Economist reports today, “Maria Chin Abdullah of Bersih hopes that at least 200,000 Malaysians will protest in three cities. Malaysia’s political system, she says, ‘has really become quite rotten’.”
Related: Bersih 4.0 – Chinese who preach LOVE and “fear not”
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Helen Ang 
I challenge Maria Chin Abdullah to provide the proof of corruption against the current prime minister and his government that she and her ally Ambiga Sreenivasan have for so long mouthed off about but provided little other than in unsubstantiated claims in a hostile media.
Secondly I challenge Maria Chin Abdullah and Ambiga to define democracy. I am happy to allow them to describe the political concept in their own unique way without having to regurgitate the usual “a government of the people by the people”.
Thirdly I ask Maria Chin Abdullah by what authority, law or power does she deem the prime minister of Malaysia and his government corrupt. And by whose majority does she or the movement she heads does she seek to replace the government?
Are you saying that race-based political parties are assured of continual successes when their reasons for existence are predicated on the need to “defend” the interests of a particular race?
The PAP in Singapore has provided a convincing alternative to this hypothesis.
Compare and contrast Umno and the PAP? Who has been more successful in political stewardship, good governance and gaining international recognition for it’s achievements?
Race-based political parties have been decisively rejected in Singapore and other countries that practise democracy.
Race-based political parties have to continuously justify their reasons for existence because a more educated and well-informed population will have seen or read about other alternatives elsewhere.
That is Umno’s biggest fear – that economic and political developments will cause it to become “irrelevant”.
re: “race-based political parties”
They will exist as long as we have race-based everything else, like SRJK (T) and SRJK (C).
re: “The PAP in Singapore has provided a convincing alternative to this hypothesis.”
Yup, they abolished vernacular school and their dismantled their Chinese-medium Nanyang University too.
re: “Compare and contrast Umno and the PAP?”
I wish that Umno would be as vigilant as the PAP government in curbing the evangelistas, e.g. S’pore is nailing the City Harvest Church on massive corruption charges. When will the Umno-led government start doing the same?
re: “Race-based political parties have been decisively rejected in Singapore and other countries that practise democracy.”
Since when is Singapore held up as a paragon of democracy? The usual verdict is that Singapore is authoritarian. The state even regulate whether its citizens can spit in public, pee inside lifts or chew bubble gum – obviously cannot lah.
re: “Race-based political parties have to continuously justify their reasons for existence because a more educated and well-informed population will have seen or read about other alternatives elsewhere.”
Unfortunately large segments of the Malaysian population – like the one taking to the streets today – are an angry, resentful and unreasonable lot.
Helen,
as long as there is SJKC, SJKT, malays will prefer raced based political party like UMNO.
You are able to appreciate how Malays perceives such matter unlike clueless evengelist DAP.
#shamsul anuar
If the national schools are “skewed” in their methodologies, why would parents want their children to study in them?
Why would rich Malaysians (of all races) pay hefty fees for their children to study in international schools in Malaysia, in Singapore or overseas (like the UK or Australia)?
Are you saying that these rich Malaysians are not supportive of “nation building” and that they are not being “patriotic”?
How about the madrasah system in Singapore?
It hasn’t been abolished, has it?
And madrasah students in Singapore are schooled in secular subjects – English, Maths, Science and ICT.
They are not shut out of the mainstream education system in Singapore – ITEs, polytechnics and public universities – where admission is on merit.
The madrasah is ‘religious’. Tamil and Chinese/Mandarin vernacular schools in Malaysia cater to specific ‘ethnic’ segments.
The DAP and its Dapsters excoriate MCA and Umno for being “race-based” parties. They excoriate the BN’s “race-based” political formula, and call the BN component party members “racist”.
Well, if the DAP and its Dapsters want to put an end to how BN operates, which is communally, they will first have to dismantle a similarly race-based which serves their interest, i.e. SJK (C).
Re Well, if the DAP and its Dapsters want to put an end to how BN operates, which is communally, they will first have to dismantle a similarly race-based which serves their interest, i.e. SJK (C).
This may or may not happen. If you think about it, if DAP tells the Chinese to dismantle the SJK what do you think the Chinese are going to say to the DAP ? They will come for DAP’s blood.
But then again it is also probable that the DAP may have the juice to entice the Chinese to give up the SJK. You never know. After all, if they can make the Chinese turn their heads to such an extend as to hate the Umno led BN government and the Malay community. they may have something up their sleeves.
‘Who has been more successful in political stewardship, good governance and gaining international recognition for it’s achievements?’
I’m sure Singapore la brader. They imprisoned a 16 year old aren’t they. Mana Malaysia boleh lawan one?! Hoh?!
‘Race-based political parties have been decisively rejected in Singapore and other countries that practise democracy.’
Haiya ini just to break the Malay polity maa. Then comes Ketuanan Cina alive in kicking in Cinapura!
Tengok Penang. Lu ingat Cina sana pilih DAP for its Malay candidates ke? Haiyaa, lu so naive meh? Kat Singapore mana sekolat? Lu ingat DAP still can have Penang with Malay CM, from the DAP of course?! Think hard ya…
‘Race-based political parties have to continuously justify their reasons for existence because a more educated and well-informed population will have seen or read about other alternatives elsewhere.
That is Umno’s biggest fear – that economic and political developments will cause it to become “irrelevant”.’
Haiya the Melayus had been to the Roman Empire and back. Melayu tetap akan ada maa. Lu ingat senang meh mau break itu Melayuness? Omputih oso cannot one! With Kristianiti pun Orang Filipina mengaku Melayu.
How you think the Cina can do something the Omputih cannot one??
Ooh, you are still around? You must be a glutton for punishment….lol.
Ah, yes – Amos Wee. He was charged and tried in open court. He had lawyers to represent him. No secret trials.
So, what are you complaining about?
It’s hilarious that you say that the “Malay polity” in Singapore has been broken.
Have the Singaporean Malays been shut out of the mainstream in terms of access to education, health care, public housing, government grants and subsidies and the job market? Have they voted with their feet for the “more hospitable” environment north of the Causeway
It will be interesting to see how the Malays respond to the forces of globalisation and open markets. Can they demand that foreign investors give them preference in terms of employment quotas, for instance?
And if the Malays have been to the Roman Empire, they must also have been to Imperial China, the ancient kingdoms of the Middle East and elsewhere. They may have even beaten Columbus to discover the Americas!
Instead, the British, Dutch and Portuguese were voyaging to India, the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia and China.
Maybe the Omputihs had something going after all…
…Hungry Ghost festivals many things should be avoided during this month to avoid bad luck like;
…Don’t stroll at night.
…Do not wear red because ghosts are attracted to red.
…Don’t sing and whistle as these may attract ghosts..so many pantang wan.
BERSIH4
Number 4 (四; accounting 肆; pinyin sì) is considered an unlucky number in Chinese
Now your deceased ancestor’s ghosts all outside the hell gate.. watching today and tomorrow what you people are going to do wan.
Better behave okay, after they get angry, dont blame others owh!
Their t-shirt with bad luck no.4 inscribed in bold RED colour wan.
Elokla tu.. Will attrack their ghost.
Kena pulak pakai betoi2 dekat jantung.
institutional independence.Independent from politics.A pre Merdeka celebration.
Shout out for Bersih 4.0 NY.
BERSIH,CEKAP dan AMANAH untuk Rakyat dan Pemimpin.I remember the slogan…i grew with.