YOURSAY 'Only through fair and clean election will Pakatan ever win Putrajaya. As it is now, it is impossible.'

Malaysia in the event of regime change

JimmyKL : Pakatan Rakyat to take over Putrajaya? A pipe dream. Not in the next general election as long as there is no levelling of the playing field, and as long as Bersih's eight demands are not fulfilled.

Only through fair and clean election will Pakatan ever win Putrajaya. As it is now, it is impossible.

Remember Minister in Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz's statement a few months ago in Parliament - nearly 300,000 had been given citizenships and where do you think votes from these 300,000 new voters will go to if not to BN?

And of course, we haven't even touched on the issue of postal voters, phantom voters, paid voters, fake voters, the gerrymandering , the using of extensive government machinery, short campaign time, non-existent airtime for Pakatan in all TV and radio stations, the threats, intimidation, fear tactics as well as the giving away of projects and money - all these will ensure BN's power remains protected.

No regime change ever happens through the ballot box in third world countries, period. Malaysia won't change this well-established pattern.

There is too much at stake for the BN government and its ‘towkay-class' supporters should BN not retain Putrajaya. So, regime change won't happen through the ballot box.

As with any other third world country, the only way regime change is possible in Malaysia is through mass demonstrations, similar to how Suharto and Marcos were toppled.

The most important question remains - are Malaysians willing to do what it takes to ensure that elections are fair and clean? Are Malaysian willing to push all the way to ensure the eight Bersih demands are fulfilled by the Election Commission (EC)?

Are Malaysians willing to sacrifice themselves and their comfort zone for greater ideals? Obviously, a mere three hours of sit-in protest in front of Dataran Merdeka is not enough.

Paul Warren: Should the BN-controlled media be allowed with their merry ways post-GE13 if Pakatan emerges victorious?

I think all political parties should be given three months to divest their shareholdings in the media, following which these licences should be cancelled.

The media should be guided to not indulge in propaganda, either way, but just news. Propaganda, after a third warning, should be sufficient reason to forfeit their licence.

Anonymous #58437020: If Pakatan ever comes into power, they'd better learn to be more polished. Malaysians are sick of the old bunch and one of the best things they can do is to stop witch-hunting and focus on the future.

This country should eradicate the NEP, and stop playing the race card and issues like ‘halal' and ‘tak halal'.

In the 1970s, Malays, Chinese and Indians could go visit one another at open houses. They would exchange trays of cookies during these festivals. The muhibbahness was there.

Until the 1980s when the racist politicians started playing the race card, accusing the Chinese of grabbing all the businesses, playing up the Chinese schools issue, etc.

We must aim for a homogeneous society. Pakatan must make sure they work for the rakyat that brought them into power. Don't waste time with the past. Move forward.

We cannot wait. We are already losing out to Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines.

Anonymous #58437020: Look at Aung San Suu Kyi's maiden speech in Parliament. See how polished she was after 25 years being locked up in Burma.

There was no mud slinging, no porno tapes, no witch-hunting. Such a dignified politician.

Malaysia needs this kind of politician. Our politicians should be more resilient and not behave rashly. Please go and learn from our neighbours.

Cala: On the five issues identified by researcher Ong Kian Ming, which is the most debatable?

In the event of Pakatan wrestles control of Putrajaya from Najib's jaw, I would think issue number one remains the most challenging. How does one deal with Umno-led BN regime's wholesale rent-seeking in the past five decades?

Would those involved willingly make their confessions and turn in the ill-gotten wealth without putting up a fight? The solution recommended by Ong to adopt South Africa's model (the Truth and Reconciliation Committee) is a possible one.

In fact University of London professor Mushtaq Khan is one of the early proponents who see the merit of engagement between the dethroned regime and the new government. He termed the costs to reach a political solution as "political transaction costs".

As to the exact nature of the solution, it is something for members of Pakatan coalition to ponder over. Whatever is the final outcome, do put it into the election manifesto.

Alfy: Though I really wish that that the opposition would take the next government, I think they are ill-prepared for what's about to come their way.

PM Najib Razak has never responded to DAP leader Lim Kit Siang's several calls for an assurance of a smooth handover of government if Pakatan wins.

There is no way in hell, according to a political strategist, that the present cronies will allow such a handover of government.

So, how to prevent it? Organise chaos, so that the present regime can declare emergency and continue to rule.

An Old Malaysian : I fully agree with some that there is no way the Umno-BN government will hand over power to the opposition peacefully if they lose GE13.

Warnings of these threats have already been given by the Umno leaders and their followers in the form of disruptions at Pakatan ceramah, violence against Pakatan supporters, etc.

These acts of violence and threats are already happening even before the GE13. Imagine what they will do if they were to lose the GE.

Expect regime change to be a messy affair

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