Wednesday, 25 April 2012

Imperative for clean, free and fair elections in Malaysia


Media statement by Dr Chen Man Hin, DAP Life Advisor in Serem ban on 25th April 2012

THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING MALAYSIA TO SEE THERE IS CLEAN, FREE AND FAIR GENERAL ELECTIONS DUE TO BE HELD BEFORE 2013

It is with dismay that Bersih 3 gathering on April 28th is meeting obstruction from the Kuala Lumpur city council, and has refused to allow Bersih 3 to have its meeting at Dataran Merdeka.

Bersih 3 is organised by peaceful citizens who are keen to see that there will be clean, free and fair elections when general elections is called.

The KL City Mayor has lost touch with developments in other parts of the world where protests by citizens are allowed to he held, unhampered by the authorities.  He should know that the Arab Spring has swept countries in the Middle East, and protests, demonstrations and marches are as common as football matches.

The KL City government by refusing to allow Bersih to use Dataran Merdeka, show that it is out of touch with the rest of the world. Other countries would have the impression that MALAYSIA IS A DICTATORSHIP, AND THIS WILL DRIVE TOURISTS AND VISITORS AWAY. KL WILL ALSO LOSE ITS REPUTATION AS ONE THE MODERN PROGRESSSIVE CITIES IN THE WORLD.

Keep in mind that world reacted strongly when PM Najib treated Bersih 2 by launching tear gas and water cannons at the protesters in KL streets last year. If Bersih 3 is also suppressed this time again, expect the international outcry would be even worse.

Foreign investors will stay away from countries which are not democratic. Tourists will also keep away

Our advice to KL City government and to the ministers of Barisan National would be to be civilised like Arab countries, and let protestors demonstrate freely and peacefully, in their sacred task to have clean, free and fair general elections.

Dr Chen Man Hin
Dap Life Advisor

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