Now, let the polls petitions speak

THE sea of people who turned up on Saturday night at Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya to protest against alleged fraud in the 13th general election have shown that public disquiet over several controversial aspects of the polls is not to be underestimated.

 

The sizeable turnout for the event, despite being the umpteenth public rally since the national vote was held on May 5, is also significant because it comes on the heels of a testy statement by new Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that there would be no more warnings before the authorities act against those who disrupt public order.

 

Furthermore, the rally-goers who flooded the protest venue despite the arrests of several political leaders, activists and peaceful protesters in the preceding days were more concerned to show that they want action on the reported irregularities than they were worried that the assembly was deemed illegal.

 

The gathering on Saturday has been described as the climax of a series of massive rallies that began at the Kelana Jaya Stadium on May 8, followed by similar events in almost all the states in the peninsula. All these events underscore the sentiments of voters that the reports of electoral irregularities must be thoroughly and impartially examined so that the people’s will is accurately reflected in the election results. That point is already unmistakably clear.

 

So, enough is enough. The general election is over and the government has been formed. The country must move ahead. Last Wednesday, the Election Commission gazetted the official results of the election. Under Malaysia’s laws, the result of an election can only be challenged by an election petition which must be filed within 21 days of the gazettement. So let the aggrieved parties prepare their evidence and file their petitions. Present the cases in the court and let the judiciary play their role in upholding the rule of law. After all, the ultimate avenue for redress in a democracy is the court of law.

 

The street protests and rallies must stop. The constant attempts to whip up the emotions of the people through grandstanding and rhetorical speeches will only tend to create an atmosphere charged with tension and confrontation.

 

Let’s focus on building the country instead. There is a great task ahead for all of us to bring positive changes to our national institutions and strengthen governance. Pressing for greater transparency, checking corruption and preventing abuse of power is a responsibility of all Malaysians. These challenges will take systematic work and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals.

 

If the opposition and its allies continue to push the people towards extra-judicial measures that can paralyse the country, they will run the risk of developing “protest fatigue” and may come face-to-face with a public backlash.

 

Should that happen, they will only have themselves to blame for pushing their luck with the people that they claim to represent.