Let's demonstrate Malaysian Solidarity

This election may end up the dirtiest ever in Malaysian history. But let us the rakyat show the powers-that-be that we shall no longer tolerate the rigging of our elections and the denial of our fundamental right to free and fair elections. We refuse, any longer, to be robbed of our right to determine the government that will rule over us

Posted: Raja Petra Kamarudin

At 3.00pm tomorrow -- Friday, 22 February 2008 -- BERSIH is organising a rally at Batu Burok in Kuala Terengganu. This rally is even more important than before considering the Twelfth General Elections is now upon us and many incidences of fraud have been detected all over the country.

Malaysians love screaming about satu bangsa, solidarity, and all such slogans. Well, let's not confine ourselves to just screaming empty rhetoric. Let's really show solidarity in the spirit of satu bangsa in support of those who are putting life and limb on the line in Kuala Terengganu tomorrow for the sake of a better Malaysia.

Wear yellow tomorrow. Make tomorrow a YELLOW FRIDAY. And at 3.00pm tomorrow, come out from your homes and offices wearing yellow, stand on the street, and make your presence felt. Or you can get into your car, switch your headlights on, and drive around the block while honking your horn. Whatever it may be, just show solidarity tomorrow, in particular at 3.00pm.

Of course, if you can make it to Kuala Terengganu at 3.00pm tomorrow that would be even better. If not, then show your support from afar by just wearing yellow and at 3.00pm do something as a mark of support.

At 11.00am the following day -- Saturday, 23 February 2008 -- we shall be launching the PEOPLES' DECLARATION at the Blog House in Bukit Damansara in Kuala Lumpur. The six political parties who have endorsed the declaration will be invited to attend together with civil society movements, NGOs, and members of the blogging community. Those interested to witness this event are most welcome (address: no: 66, Lorong Setiabistari 2).

Lunch will be served and we have prepared seats for 100 people. If the crowd exceeds that we may have a problem but I am sure you are not coming for the food but to see the birth of a united opposition and a better Malaysia for our children (and as for me, grandchildren).

On Wednesday, 27 February 2008, Blog House will be organising a MEET THE CANDIDATES session. The time has not yet been confirmed but considering it is a working day it would probably be at 8.00pm. This election will see the most number of bloggers contesting, so Blog House would like to introduce all those from the blogging community who will be contesting the election.

Of course, there are 505 State seats and 222 Parliament seats (total 727 seats) up for grabs but Blog House is only focusing on the candidates from the blogging community, which may prove to be quite a number in the end. Never mind if they are Barisan Nasional candidates or opposition candidates. All will be invited and all are welcome. So, if you want to meet the candidates who are also bloggers then stay tuned for further announcements and keep your Wednesday night free.

Then, on Saturday, 1 March 2008 (1 week before Polling Day), we shall be organising a MEET BARISAN RAYKAT function. The time and place have not been confirmed yet. In this function we shall give the members of BARISAN RAKYAT an opportunity to talk to the people and explain their policies and strategies in the event the opposition coalition forms the government, whether at Federal level or in one, two or three of the States. There will also be a question-and answer session for participants to ask the members of BARISAN RAKYAT anything that may be of concern to them. Stay tuned for more details.

Many incidences of fraud have already been detected all over the country and this election may yet prove to be one of the dirtiest ever. A team of lawyers is being set up to gather evidence of fraud/vote-buying and to file an injunction to stop the 8 March 2008 general election. There is still one more year before an election needs to be called so the election should be postponed until the electoral roll can be cleaned up and the phantom voters flushed out. If not, the opposition can garner 60% of the votes but Barisan Nasional will still form the government, and probably with a two-thirds majority as well.

The team of lawyers is offering a reward of RM10,000 to anyone who can deliver evidence of fraud and/or vote-buying that leads to a conviction. I would do it for free but if some of you are more concerned with filling your pockets rather than fight for a better Malaysia -- just like the Barisan Nasional politicians we are trying to kick out -- then this is the opportunity for you to make some money.

If the coming general election cannot be stopped and it still goes on as planned, the team of lawyers will then use all the evidence of fraud and or/vote buying to file election petitions immediately after the election to get the courts to declare that particular seat where the evidence has been procured as null and void.

So, keep your eyes open. Gather as much evidence as your can. Documents will be good but if you saw something but have no documents to support it then your testimony in a signed Statutory Declaration or Affidavit will do. We shall inform you later where to send your evidence or who to meet to get your Affidavits drafted and signed.

Yes, this election may end up the dirtiest ever in Malaysian history. But let us the rakyat show the powers-that-be that we shall no longer tolerate the rigging of our elections and the denial of our fundamental right to free and fair elections. We refuse, any longer, to be robbed of our right to determine the government that will rule over us.