‘1Malaysia’ morphed into ‘1Malay’, then ‘1Umno Baru’ and finally ‘1Najib’. This is the reality and low point of Najib Abdul Razak’s moderate Malaysia.

Najib’s original ‘1Malaysia’ gave some people hope. They were led to believe that he would be the political reformist that Malaysia needed. It was a short-lived dream, because away from the public eye, steps were taken to strengthen the Malay stranglehold on the nation’s coffers, in ‘1Malay’.

To ensure that ‘1Malay’ proceeded smoothly, it was necessary to have ‘1Umno Baru’ to control the reins of power. Unfortunately, greed and hunger for power, proved too much, for some.

If Najib had learnt to share the spoils, with all the cronies, and not just with his select few, the internal Umno Baru rebellion could have been averted. Phase 4 of Najib’s masterplan, to consolidate his rule, was the installation of his ‘yes-men’.

The transition from ‘1Malaysia’ to ‘1Najib’, finally prompted former PM Mahathir Mohamad to attack Najib, but to no avail. It is alleged that Mahathir’s cronies had moaned that they were excluded from new, lucrative government projects.

Mahathir’s only course of action was to remove Najib, but Najib’s removal would not solve anything. The decrepit system is at fault. The system of governance, justice and fairness has broken down, and Malaysia needs a complete overhaul, like an old house needs revamping. This is where Bersih 4 comes in.

The authorities who wield power, the wealthy Umno Baruputras, their cronies and royalty, know that ordinary Malaysians cannot be pushed too far. Had the government listened to the needs of the rakyat, there would have been no need for Bersih 4.

The people have had enough. They only want a better Malaysia. They are fed up with corruption, injustice and abuse of power. So, they demand Bersih 4.

In yesterday’s Bernama report, inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar ( photo ) castigated the Bersih 4 organisers and called them “selfish”, and “fuelled by an agenda to topple the government”. Nothing could be further from the truth.

If only Khalid would come down from his ivory tower, and heed the suffering of the rakyat, he might realise the depth of their feeling. In his daily activities, he must come across people whose lives are blighted by corruption, and injustice. So, where is his compassion?

Accusing the Bersih 4 organisers of organising demonstrations which would “affect the daily lives of the public”, Khalid said, “They ask to clean this, clean that, but they themselves are dirty and do not want to follow the law. They do not care about the interests of others...”

What does Khalid call politicians who use taxpayers’ money like their own? The list of allegedly corrupt politicians is long.

RM2.6 billion could improve the lives of the rakyat. Health-care in the rural areas, water and electricity supplies for deprived districts, improved educational facilities, infrastructure like roads, bridges, rail and public transport systems could be enhanced, flood mitigation measures could be adopted, whilst single mothers, the disabled and deprived children could benefit from a share of this generous ‘donation’.

Cheating is not a ‘gentlemanly’ act

Khalid added that “political activities should be carried out in a gentlemanly manner, as there are seasons for it” when referring to the election season.

What is Khalid’s opinion of the allegation that the result of GE13 was influenced by money politics? Cheating is not a ‘gentlemanly’ act, nor is it gentlemanly to beat, hose demonstrators with chemically laced water, and tear-gas them, when they are demonstrating peacefully for the good of the nation.

Khalid is reminded that he is a servant of the rakyat, but probably finds this remark offensive.

Umno Baru’s propaganda machine has been at work, trying to scare the people from taking part in Bersih 4. It claims it is a plot to topple the government. Of course it would say that!

Since independence, the gap between the rich and poor has increased, and the poor are still treated as serfs. The freedom, we fought for, in World War II, the Emergency and in the fight for independence, has been stolen by Umno Baru.

Since Merdeka, Malaysians are less free, more divided, more repressed and less equal. Our laws have become more harsh, the distribution of opportunities is slanted towards a minority of the population, and the distribution of wealth is very uneven.

The rakyat is being squeezed, till there is nothing more for them to give. On the economic front, Malaysia is failing. The government’s reputation has been badly damaged and the 1MDB scandal is the ‘last straw’ for the Malaysian rakyat. If the cancer of Umno Baru is totally excised, the economy will make a full recovery.

The organisers and participants in Bersih 4 are not mad rabble-rousers. They are disciplined and organised. The most humble kampung dweller has well-defined political beliefs, just like his middle-income counterpart.

History will show that the Bersih 4 rally will set the foundation for Malaysian ideas about freedom and democracy. Bersih 4 will frighten the uber-rich and powerful, and make them realise that they cannot push the rakyat too far.

The aim of Bersih 4 is simple; to prevent cheating, fraud and corruption in GE14 and subsequent elections. The other four demands of Bersih 4 can only be met with clean elections. If you want to save Malaysia for your children and grandchildren, do take part in the peaceful Bersih 4 rally, on Aug 29 and 30, 2015.

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army and president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO).