YOURSAY ‘If the gov’t continues business as usual, then what future awaits us?’
CQ Muar: Social Care Foundation chairperson Robert Phang, we appreciate and understand your concern over a possible outbreak of violence, and proposed an alternative date for the rally. But this comes too little too late.
You simply don't understand what it takes to defer the date at such a short notice, taking into consideration of those Bersih supporters who are from outside of Kuala Lumpur.
I happened to participate in the last two Bersihs, and they were relatively peaceful until some provocateurs started the fracas and scuffles.
However, Bersih's objectives and message are clear, that it will be a peaceful rally unless some unseen hands are at it again. Obviously you won't be there, therefore kindly save your breath.
For your information, nothing comes easy, and you Phang, will never know how it feels to be one of the Bersih participants striving for justice.
Karma: Phang, it’s better that you appeal to PM Najib Razak to step down immediately and everything will be resolved. The market will go up, and the ringgit will strengthen.
He 'took out' those who investigated him. This is why we are very angry. He 'terminated' the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) investigation into him and 1MDB. Several people involved in the 'leaked charge sheet against him' were harassed.
This is why we are very, very angry. It is not up to Maria Chin anymore, Phang!
Iiiizzzziiii: The international community already has a deeper perception of Malaysia than many give them credit for.
Just read the article by John Malott, who is former US ambassador to Malaysia. The Altantuya Shaariibuu trial and the huge donation going into the PM’s personal account really put the spotlight on Malaysia.
Nobody is perfect but if we learn from our mistakes, there is still hope for a better tomorrow. But if the government buries its mistakes and continues business as usual, then what future awaits the country and its people?
Action breeds reaction. That is life and this is how it is. The Bersih 4 rally was decided long ago by the action of the current government.
JD Lovrenciear: Phang, you are outdated. By your very appeal, you have shown how cut-off you are from the veins and arteries of citizens’ hearts aimed to heal the nation. We know Maria Chin has her heart in the right place. So save your words, Phang.
Haveagreatday: The die has already been cast, Phang. Stay home and relax if you do not wish to be part of Bersih 4. Why should Maria Chin heed your call?
The rakyat are just exercising their democratic rights to voice their unhappiness with the country’s leadership. If you and the authorities can accept this simple fact, there's nothing to Bersih 4 that you and the authorities ought to fret about.
Poll: Support for Bersih 4 split along racial lines
Eyespye: Before anyone slams Merdeka Centre's poll results, please be aware that they have provided findings that even the government has slammed just because it doesn't fit the government’s narrative.
In any case, the results are very, very telling - and uncontroversial: it's a fact that middle-to-high income individuals who are internet savvy - many of whom are Chinese and Indian urbanites - are the ones most in favour of the Bersih rally.
Why are you surprised that a large number of rural, lower-income people Malay Malaysians, whose staple information is from the mainstream media, are not in favour of the demonstrations?
Merdeka Centre's most important contribution in this survey is making clear that the question of Malaysia's destiny is split along class, location and ethnicity lines. This is not news for our opposition politicians.
Quigonbond: Malay and bumiputeras make up 60% of the population. Even if 70% of them are against Bersih, five million of them are still supporting the movement.
In contrast, the Chinese population is only 22%, and with 81% supporting Bersih, they also make up five million. Indians constitute 7% of our population. With 51% support, they constitute one million.
Therefore, in terms of size, it's almost evenly matched. Race is a non-issue. The total eligible voters in Malaysia as of 2013 is 17 million. About 13 million voted in GE13.
For an outright win, opposition needs about eight million votes (60% popular votes, gerrymandering considered). The average family size is four.
Let's say each person has about eight close friends they can influence (very conservative number). For every one person attending Bersih 4, they have eight supporters.
Hence, when 200,000-250,000 people turn up, there is every reason for Najib administration to be very afraid.
Change can come from big numbers. Let's make it happen this time. We only need to succeed once and the nation will forever change.
Vijay47: Of those who declined to state a stand, I think that there is a stronger likelihood that they would be pro-Bersih than against.
I would guess that that may mean a shift of about 2-3 percentage points towards the Bersih movement.
Not surprisingly, the impact of mainstream media and the internet is reflected in the numbers. Just a question, who reads New Straits Times and The Star nowadays?
Haveagreatday: This is a very interesting poll. It looks like many Malays are very comfortable with RM2.6 billion banked into the numero uno's account.
So be it, that's why this is a democracy.
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