Myth of ‘Umno is Malay; Malay, Umno’ forever shattered!
It is too late to change the personnel at EC. Besides, that would not make any difference. They have been indoctrinated to believe that their agency is just another electoral instrument of Barisan instead of an independent agency answerable to the King and thus the citizens. The only credible way to ensure fair and free elections would be to invite external observers.
M Bakri Musa, The Malaysian Insider
While Umno apologists and sycophants in academia, blogosphere and the mainstream media quibbled over such minutia as the number of participants at last Saturday’s massive KL112 (January 12) rally, two facts are indisputable. First, that peaceful and largely Malay demonstration, the largest the nation had ever witnessed, forever shattered the myth that Umno is Melayu, and Melayu, Umno. Second, given a modicum of respect by and without provocation from the authorities, Malaysians are quite capable of partaking in peaceful rallies.
On this second point the authorities, specifically the police under its new leadership, are finally learning that water tankers, personnel with anti-riot gear or tear-gas canisters and other crude displays of power often precipitate rather than prevent violence. Bersih 3.0 demonstrated that very clearly.
The size and orderliness of the rally, together with the bravery and determination of the participants, was reminiscent of the transformative event of over 66 years earlier, the opposition to the Malayan Union Treaty. That altered the course of our history. Insha’ Allah (God willing), last Saturday’s rally too, will.
The power imbalance between those demanding change and those in power back in 1946 was enormous. Then it was mostly illiterate and unsophisticated Malay peasants facing the much superior and more formidable colonial authorities. Yet in the end, right won over might, and justice prevailed!
Today, while the Umno government is detested to the same degree as the old colonials, it is nowhere as sophisticated a wielder of power as the British. Meanwhile, those clamouring for change are far more worldly, more committed and in far greater numbers than their adversary, Umno and its supporters. More importantly, unlike the colonials, today’s Umno government is crippled with corruption and incompetence while also being crude wielders of power. All the more we should expect that right and the truth, as well as justice, will again prevail.
National Laureate Pak Samad’s stirring reading of his poetry “Di Atas Padang Sejarah” (On This Field of History) last Saturday at Merdeka Stadium prompted me to make that comparison with the anti-Malayan Union movement. He is old enough to remember and may have even participated in that historic protest.
“Di atas padang sejarah,” Pak Samad asserted in his poetry, “pantang kita mungkiri janji.” (We must not renege on our promises.). Today, the successors to those who brought us Merdeka over 55 years ago have betrayed that great promise.
While Pak Samad’s gray hair and rousing poetry lent an air of history and gravity to the moment, the Blue Gang’s Ito Mohammad and his “Ubah Sekarang” (Change Now!), specifically composed for the occasion, gave the gathering a certain hip! There was no mistaking however, the seriousness of his message.
“Ubah sekarang,” Ito belted out in his trademark rhythm and blues beat to the cheers of thousands, “Kita cari kebenaran! (We seek the truth!) Ubah sekarang/Teggakkan Keadilan (Institute justice!)” Then to the roar of the crowd, he added, “Ubah Sekarang/Send-off Barisan!”
Ito is a talented performer and a committed crusader with a definite mission, in the mould of Bono. Ito is for truth and justice, to give meaning to Merdeka, for the sake of our children and grandchildren. One thing is certain: Ito is no carma (cari makan — hired hand) artist!
The anti-Malayan Union movement was led by the charismatic, farsighted and savvy Datuk Onn; so too KL112 in the person of Anwar Ibrahim. In many substantive ways Anwar is a far more formidable and superior leader. Onn meekly obeyed the commands of his Sultan in the sycophantic manner of Hang Tuah, and was banished to Singapore; Anwar in the chivalrous tradition of Hang Jebat had the courage to take on a man far more powerful (at least then) than the Sultans or King — Mahathir. Anwar paid greatly, physically and in many other ways, for his defiance but in the end, unlike Jebat, Anwar prevailed. Last Saturday was proof of that victory. Meanwhile his old nemesis Mahathir was left to rant in his blog.
Far more important than leaders are the commitments of their followers. Umno could not have organised a rally a fraction of the size of KL112 without resorting to bribes, outright giveaways, or having their carma artists, academics and journalists singing high praises for its leaders.
There was a pathetic attempt, no doubt by a bumbling Umno operative, at a Facebook posting, calling those rally participants to collect their fees! That posting bombed as it was immediately exposed for the hoax that it was. Those Umno hired hands were not even sophisticated enough to pull a cyberstunt!
Anwar commits to 10 goals, the top being free and fair elections. Elections must not only be fair and free but, more importantly, be seen as such. Our Election Commission lacks credibility, both in conducting elections as well as maintaining the integrity of the electoral rolls.
It is too late to change the personnel at EC. Besides, that would not make any difference. They have been indoctrinated to believe that their agency is just another electoral instrument of Barisan instead of an independent agency answerable to the King and thus the citizens. The only credible way to ensure fair and free elections would be to invite external observers.
Free and fair elections should be the priority. The responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process extends beyond the EC and Election Day.
