Of the more than 8 million who voted at the last General Election, more than half voted for change.
A rejection of communal-based politics in favour of a more transparent, accountable, honest and representative governance of the country.
Barisan Nasional (BN), courtesy of our ‘first past the post’ electoral system, was returned to form the federal government, albeit without their usual two-thirds majority.
And DAP, PAS and PKR, now collectively referred to as Pakatan Rakyat (PR), took the stewardship of 5 state governments.
Many in civil society had hoped that political parties on both sides of the divide would take the cue from the sentiments registered by voters at the last poll, to bring about the desired changes.
BN, it was hoped, would begin a process to reform the institutions of governance of the nation, with more transparency and accountability, and a restoration of public confidence in the various institutions of state.
We had also hoped that PR, in their management of the 5 state governments, would begin to show itself as a viable alternative to BN, if mandated to form the federal government at the next general elections.
Two years on, those hopes of the rakyat seem a long way off from being realized.
The wresting of power in Perak by BN was the first clear indicator that BN was not minded to respect the wishes and the choice of the rakyat.
The decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court in relation to the Perak controversy reflect the extent to which the superior courts have become the tools of the Executive rather than the last bastion of the citizen to seek justice.
That no further action has followed upon the recommendations of the V.K Lingam Royal Commission of Inquiry serves as damning evidence that BN has no intention of undoing the damage inflicted on the judiciary by the Mahathir administration, and returning the same to the rakyat.
The ongoing Teoh Beng Hock inquest and the Sodomy II trial reveal the extent to which the various institutions of state are being manipulated to subvert the very transparency that the rakyat now demand.
Financial scandals, both in Semenanjung and in Sabah and Sarawak, make headlines in the alternative media, yet little of the same is reported in the mainstream media.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, meanwhile, looks the other way, even as a federal minister warns that bankruptcy looms ahead for the nation.
We are a nation in distress.
Many of us are convinced that if we are ever to begin the process of rehabilitating our nation, it must begin by removing BN from federal governance come the 13th General Election.
PR, at this time, however, does not inspire much confidence that they are well and truly ready to wrest power from BN, let alone take on the task of managing our nation thereafter.
The incidences of party-hopping that facilitated the fall of the PR state government in Perak, the seemingly unsettled state of the government in Selangor, and the internal skirmishes in the three component parties give rise to serious concerns amongst many of us as to the ability of PR to take on BN come the next election, win enough seats to form the next federal government, and then retain those seats and get on with the business of effective federal governance.
For these reasons, many of us in civil society feel that it is imperative that we no longer leave the process of choosing representatives in parliament and the various state assemblies entirely to the political parties, and that the intervention of the rakyat in this regard is a matter of urgency.
Some of us have come together for deliberations on these concerns.
We feel, however, that these matters are of such importance that they warrant deliberations by the largest possible number from civil society.
If you or the organization that you represent, too, share these concerns, we want to hear from you.
E-mail me at thepeoplesparliament@gmail.com if you or your organization wish to be a part of those deliberations.
Anak Sarawak, Malaysia
August 22, 2010
The concern expressed in “DNBN Kuburkan BN” is felt everywhere. That the need for a change in the system of managing this country while it is urgent, the efforts of every citizen towards that is called for and very much wanted. Indeed what had happened to Perak PR Goveornment, now taken over by BN, is a sign that unless an absolute majority is won in the poll, changes to the poll results might be or could be effected by undemocratic means. So to change BN government to a PR government serious efforts by parties in the PR should start early and in earnest, and especially targetted towards demolishing BN “fixed deposits” in Sarawak and Sabah. State elections in Sarawak is around the corner. Despite that there is little or no activity organized by any component of PR are yet visible. This must be a cause for concern. And all the more that they don’t have enough logistic or financial support, they should be starting early. Towards that end the leaders of PR in the other States that will not have elections in the near term to their respective State Assemblies, they should lend support to their brothers in Sarawak, NOW.
RAMA
August 22, 2010
Good idea. All Peace loving Malaysian are with you.
ckchew
August 22, 2010
//For these reasons, many of us in civil society feel that it is imperative that we no longer leave the process of choosing representatives in parliament and the various state assemblies entirely to the political parties, and that the intervention of the rakyat in this regard is a matter of urgency.//
I am very supportive of the idea that the rakyat can have a say in choosing of rep especially those from PR for both parliament & SA but I doubt it can be done more so now. U can see it comes the party elections for both pkr & dap which will be held soon. The warlords, the middle level bag carriers, the small fries & even the boh-hood (No balls) are building their own power bases in order to secure their position in the parties & their candidacies in ge 13. Almost everyone in the 3 pr parties are vying for a cut on the small cake. Will they just simply give way to the desire of rakyat at the expense of their own interest? or Even will these ppl mind about what the rakyat said? I don’t think so, unless the rakyat can organise itself into one big force. A force that can, not just rock the boats but also move the mountains.
KS Cheah
August 22, 2010
Agreed.
telur dua
August 22, 2010
We, the people, must finish what we started in 8/3/2008.
The evil regime MUST be booted out in the next GE if this country is going to have any future.
Sharing
August 22, 2010
Any Adminstration must be able to communicate with the People so that they have a way to tell the People
1. what they will do and can do.
2. How much they understand the People in meeting their needs for their daily life – security, education, medical, eworks or business as well as development physically and spiritually.
We cannot find it in BN or PR administration!!
The performance of those selected in the last GE are hardly verified or critised for not performing.
People must be aware that if there is no way to have a 2/3 majority to change the Constitutions, the Parliament and many laws, Rules and Regulation, there is no way Malaysia can change the system with strong Rules monitoring and enforcing. The country will remain at the mercy of those ethical (which unfortunately is very minimal).
With some of the frogging and the unethical of MP to perform, I believe any candidate must pledge to take the People Declaration, etc.. so that they are personally pledged to the Declaration.
The profiles of those candidates must be published (on the net, etc..) asap so that People can have time to know the Candidates in their District. It is time to organise each district to gather such information, including those un-performed or ill-performed MP/assemblyman.
So, Priority 1 – Get Organised, lay the Tasks, Split the efforts but Sharing Informations/Complaints for a United Purpose – To Organise for Change for Mutual Tasks!!.
– get this District Network started!! They should also be a Network for collecting Compliants from each District so that the People Parliament can censor well what do People wants and what are the Problems so as to push the possible administration regardless of who they are or will be!!
Leong Kim Ming
August 22, 2010
Should be done sooner than later.
peechinchok
August 22, 2010
I am with you,Haris.
Joe
August 23, 2010
The problem with our Malaysia is that the Malays want their share of the economy while the non Malays want to have opportunities to grow.
Both of these are conflicting. If the Non Malays in Malaysia are to go full potential, they would leave the Malays very much behind. If the Malays are to get their 30% without the corresponding efforts and in the end the non Malays have to subsidise from the little profits they get (because they get less help to grow), the non Malays will just wont invest or agree.
Many then left the country and are still leaving when as professionals they get much much less because of the dearth of high income jobs. Local jobs are more suitable for foreign labours.
There can be no solutino unless either the good local professionals and rich businesses are to go overseas.
But this would mean the living standards of the country will go to Zimbabwe level worse than Indonesia or Phillipines. But then under this conditions even Ibrahim Alis’ target of 67% can be achieved with ease.
Anyone right now going against this direction would be threatened to be ISAed just like Chua Soi Lek. Imagine a lowly MP of no creditability can lambast and threaten the President of the second largest component party in the BN and yet the main component UMNO said nothing. Just what kind of coalition is that ?
No wonder it is for certain , BN is a goner and they know it. So they are dumping everything and going for the racial card or the touble card – emergency rule? Notice that lately they are finding all kinds of lame excuses to become major issues? We know all are false flags. Planted by them.
The only problem is the kind of incidents they created are so childish and unbelievable. They should learn from the Israelis/Americans who are perfect false flags perpectuators. 9/11 is one of them. Doubt they pass their SPM maths which needs logic to pass.
My view is that, we should not make too much noise now. Let them shout their voice hoarse. Just ignore them and let the natural laws of Nature runs.
Those who can find jobs or business opportunities overseas … go ahead and is going ahead. At least there would be less competition with Ibrahim Alis if by miracle that guy works productively.
At least export talents and bring home lots of money per person instead of sending our daughters as maids.
When times are bad and lack jobs, those who are able going overseas will allow others to have that jobs.
So win win situation and Ibrahim Alis would be pleased.
Sharing
August 24, 2010
The society should categorise people who physically (financially, mentally, etc) need help rather than by race. Resources should not be spreaded politically but to be based on the honest participation in econmomical development or activities. Surely not by privileges or power and dishonesty.
Preferred social benifit should be handled by the Welfare Department rather than politically and racially done. The Government should find the resource via their wisdom in tapping the resources and not by BIAS policy.
The Government should see what are needed for the Development of the country so as to provide the necesary training to fit the needs. Not to boast on quantity but quality, not just academic but be practical towards the needs.
Those earn dishonestly should be condemned and those honest earner should be praised. SHORT-CUT AND QUICK-MONEY UNETHICALLY should be discouraged.
We need wisdom in Economical, Social, Educational planning and implementations Not Political Slogans or imaginations.
FRUIT HAVE TO ROOT FROM GROUND WITH THE NECESSARY CARES AND TIME IN THE RIGHT SOIL AND ENVIRONMENT. PREPARE THEM WELL BEFORE WE SOW THE SEEDS. Do the necessary before we expect them to fruit!!
All are independent of the Race but the HEART!!
aftermist
August 23, 2010
Spot on Harris,
Massive constitutional reform is mandatory especially the word seditious is quite an opponent to wholesome democracy. I foresee a tough ask to challenge the governance of the country…the highest supremacy of states and country. It will and has to change in the next 10 to 15 years without doubt, we can wait.
Frankly on a delivery scale of 1 to 10, I would give a generous 6 for PR politicians since there is a willingness to create a tranparent and fair society. I have observed fair impetus on the ground but in public eyes, this may not be enough. I am afraid we are not giving PR toddlers MP to grow up being men. We have struggled for 50 odd years with BN, facing injustices. Why can`t we be patience for few more years, once PR totally at helm?
I have noticed lot more good gracious greeds from public, which is positive but hope we didn`t end up being Thailand 2, never ending saga in political will. We seems to rush to see massive sea change without a reasonable understanding and time frame. Reminding me of Mahathir and skyscapers – a hollow in the ego. On other note, let`s have worthy pages of history rather than a short one. Sorry kiddos!
A good suggestion about people declaration which could minimise frogs and importantly preach once elected, one party rule. Jumpers are prohibited.
Since the root cause of this is dosh and many loopholes in political funding, is there a way where PR can put constant pressure on EC for reform till next election? As public, can we put pressure on EC? Perhaps RPK can find something dodgy about the EC chief.
I am afraid BN`s cash refinery is too strong for PR, unless all the organisation and supporters can pool in resources for the election. I am sure everyone is up for it, just need to find a way to build the coffer. I hate to say this but PR need to be play the dirty game with BN on next election – in other word, we need mud to clear the mud. I`m sure public can pour water afterwards.
Sharing
August 24, 2010
I fully agreed “Massive constitutional reform is mandatory!!” Therefore, winning 2/3 majoriy is a MUST (as I had emphasized before or during the last GE) to enable the FUNDAMENTAL & ESSENTIAL NECESSARY reform of the Parliament into “3 sepearted pillars of democracy” as posted by Baskaren August 23, 2010 at 11:50 pm. The main problems are laws had been poorly done or done with BIAS, rarely closely and transporantly enforced or monitored.
Job Spec and Job monitoring on MP and Assemblymen (as well as any Public Servant) can thereby be well-legislated.
Hope the Declaration can be the base for the Coalition of anyone and Party to form the Government after the GE. So pledging to go along the Declaration by the candidates is important. Let not only the Parties to come but also the candidates.
Build a platform for all Candidates to present their CV/profiles, their understanding and commitment to the Declaration and their Jobs.
Put together what ALL Malaysians should look and work for!!
Panjihitam61
August 23, 2010
Well said, Bro.
Yes, we cannot rely on the politicians.
We have to be the Third Force. We need to set up An Ombudsman Office.
BTW, Perkasa is not anti chinese or anti indians but we are anti Liberal Malays.
Steve Kunjaroo
August 23, 2010
UMNO regime knows too well that the Malay population in Malaysia are sensitive to anything about Islam and so they use this effective weapon called religion to maintain their power with slanders and lies. Give UMNO another opportunity come GE13, the country is surely doomed. The rest of us can really go back to our country of choice as suggested by some idiots. I mean, who wants progress when progress is hindered by religion and we have fanatics growing day by day.
JJx
August 23, 2010
I say BR must check PR, especially PKR and more recently, DAP. There are just too many questionable leaders in PKR and DAP. For the coming 13GE, guys like Ronnie Liu should not be put up as candidate.
sampalee
August 23, 2010
I am closely aware of the disappointment of BR in approaching to ASSIST pr.Many of them conclude by telling me “Do you mean we have to BEG them[pr] so that we get the chance to assist them.”
Haris,this is serious and I am prepared to organise a gathering for you to meet some of them.
anna brella
August 23, 2010
PR has around 80 MPs now I believe. Here is a free-flow, gratuitous suggestion from me on this good idea from Haris.
1. Does each PR MP have a comprehensive CV/resume (in some standard consistent format) published in the public domain? If not, why not?
2. Each PR MP’s constituents should read their MP’s CV and then invite the MP to a constituency meeting for an informal chat and interview where you can informally question your MP, COURTEOUSLY and PROFESSIONALLY, about his/her details, achievements and aspirations disclosed in their CVs.
3. After the 80-odd constituency meetings, constituents should provide constructive feedback (on a standard form) about their MPs to Haris’ think-tank team to collate, verify, scrutinise, dig further into and report on in some agreed format.
4. Decide how the objective report from the hyper-professional(i.e.credible) civil society think-tank should be used to gain sufficient leverage with the PR leadership to ensure you, the people, get the best candidates from PR to contest in GE13.
5. Where the think-tank considers a current MP or a new candidate to be unsuitable for the post of MP, then offer valid reasons to back up that view and suggest alternative candidates that the PR leadership team can consider.
6. The PR leadership will only bother to listen to you, the people, if you have enough political clout. Otherwise, why should or would they?
7. You can also use the same approach with the BN candidates and leadership assuming you are so inclined….smile.
“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.
Baskaren
August 23, 2010
Haris,
one of the ways to create a check and balance in the future (assuming PR wins with BR;s backing)is :
1)Parliamentarians CANNOT be executives – this means the executive is NOT elected, but selected, from able administrators / professionals ( put min pHD, etc) by the parliament as a whole. MPs cannot become ministers ..go work out the details.
2) similarly, the ADUNs cannot be executives in the state .. they just call out the policies..
3) the judiciary is an election by legal academia, the Bar, parliament as well as other relevant people (like retired judges or even foreign ones) .. again, work out the details…
Thus, the 3 pillars of democracy will be separated..
ASK and get PR to sign with blood on this if they want backing..
As such, an MP will be focused on making federal policies, the government of the day will be focused on executing such policies, and the judiciary will be focused on interpreting such policies as they were intended by parliament..
cheers
gamelan
August 28, 2010
Thank you Sir for your excellent suggestions. The changes that you have proposed are fundamental changes that need to be in place!
Paul Warren
August 24, 2010
What mechanism is there to identify who stands for election? We cannot take the 2008 model when PKR and DAP were desperate looking for anyone to stand.
I was told that the youngest MP who made it at the just concluded Australian GE, Hyatt Roy representing the Longman constituency in Queensland was picked on the basis that he made the best presentation of those Liberal/National Party coalitions.
At the very least, before the party bosses make the announcement as to who stands for any seat that this kind of mechanism is built into the selection process?
One constant problem with some parachuted MPs and State Assembly persons is the ignorance of their roles as MPs and ADUNs. This is why you still have these guys getting disgruntled and showing it when they claim “not enough has been done for this or that community”!! Do they even know what it is tha is their political party’s objectives and mottos?
For the next GE I want my candidate to be able to show me that he knows exactly his role and who and what it is that he represents. In the absence of any written job specs for them, let us borrow from other countries who have these. Let us adopt these job specs as what it is we expect our representatives to work to achieve. With no commonly accepted job specs we shall continue to see the kind of problems we have faced these last two years. What is worse is we think highly of the MP or ADUN who is doing everything to gain public attention and support when seen doing work that really belongs to the local councils or some NGOs, but fails miserably in carrying out the duties of an ADUN or the MP.
Haris I will be happy to join you in this effort. I just don’t want to see peo0ple wanting to be ADUNS and MPs without them first showing evidence that they indeed know and understand what that entails.
RastamanJB.
August 24, 2010
Bro Haris,
Get Set for this earth shattering news !!!
Its splashed across all over the globe.
Following the recent string of illogical statements made by our pea brained leaders……The Nobel prize committee has selected Malaysia as the recipient of the prestigious award for 2010 !
Perkasa has got wind of the news and Datuk IA,the adult brat, brushed it off, saying “Kachang Lah… ”
Yes,Malaysia has been awarded the 2010 Noble Peas Prize !!!!
Horay 1 Malaysia…..DPM and CSL will represent Malaysia in collecting the prize of 1 million kg of kachang hijau !!!!
Cheers
RastamanJB.
shakuntala
August 24, 2010
Two other advantages …the Internet and our youth to form the vanguard of information dissemination to the Ra’ayat.
The Internet to feed uncensored information, from all quarters, to the people and the youth to re-inforce this info and bring it to the grassroots.
There has been an increase in the number of internet users especially among the youth, who no longer accept everything that is fed them, blindly. They have become critical and discerning…since 2008,they have become mature and are on track to find the right answers. They are the future and they should be entrusted with this responsibility.
salim
August 24, 2010
You are constantly harping on “the People” taking on BN while even parties that have been around for so long find it so difficult. Are you more powerful or more deluded than the Pakatan Rakyat you now claim cannot live up to “the peoples’” expectations?
gamelan
August 28, 2010
Each party has its own baggage… It’s time to try something new!
Thanks Haris Ibrahim for this breakthrough!!!
AgreeToDisagree
August 30, 2010
First goal should be to lower the election deposit from RM15,000 to RM15. EVERYONE will be able to run then and I’d prefer normal people who won’t make voters hope for something in return for voting so no billionaires, multi-millionaires, GLCs most especially not. No relatives to be aduns or MPs, and PHd Holders in the SAME disciplines to be Ministers or bureau heads instead of relatives or political party heads who barely passed their SPM, abolish Forced Military COnscriptions, abolish Toll COncessionaires, abolish Vehicular-AP, abolish APARTHEID . . .
Warga Malaysia
September 6, 2010
We are thinking of starting a Citizens for PAS DAP Consensus initiative which may later morph into a Citizens for a Muslims non-Muslims Consensus when conditions right. Can we join your Kuburkan BN initiative?