- In commemoration of the 12th Anniversary of
Sahabat Rakyat Working Committee
Since independence in 1957,
people of all ethnic groups and all classes of society have been
suffering from the UMNO-dominant Alliance/BN government’s racist hegemonic
rule. The democracy and human rights that people should have enjoyed have been
of deprived brazenly by the despotic ruling clique. After suffering for
half a century, on 8 March 2008, a political storm broke out demanding reforms.
The result of “308” general
election undoubtedly shows that the UMNO-dominant BN ruling clique was
spurned by half of the voters and Pakatan Rakyat formed by the three main
opposition political parties (i.e. Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Democratic
Action Party (DAP), and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS)) successfully seized
political power in 5 states (however, the Perak State was subsequently snatched
back by BN because three Pakatan members defected), although BN retained
its power in the federal government.
Over 60 NGOs nation-wide formed
Bersih 2.0, a coalition demanding electoral reform and a clean and fair
election. Being driven by the strong aspirations and demands from the broad
masses, Bersih 2.0, called for a incredible 709
rally-cum-“walk for democracy” in 2011,
and initiated and led another massive “428 sit-in
protest” in 2012. The “428 sit-in protest”
participated by 200 thousand people received even more acclaim as it was a
joint action and joint effort by Bersih 2.0 and Himpunan Hijau. This set a
shining example in the history of popular struggle in Malaysia. These two mass
struggles are of great significance and far-reaching implications. These 2
rallies have educated people of all ethnic groups and all classes to understand
the great impact of the broad masses in democracy and human rights struggle,
and to realise the importance of NGOs in the social reform movement.
Perhaps
due to the 2 successful examples mentioned above, when GE13 was looming, a
number of NGOs such as those working on environmental issues, human rights,
women’s rights, culture and education, orang asli, religious groups, disabled
communities , oppressed groups etc. actively carried out activities related to
the elections. For instance, jointly or separately put forward GE13 demands,
organised Voter Education and Polling Agent/Counting Agent/Barung Agent
(PACABA) trainings, urged voters returning home to vote etc. These activities
received positive response and participation from the people of all walks of
life. Many NGO leaders also actively campaigned for political parties during
election period.
Wong
Tack, Chairperson of Himpunan Hijau was considered the most outstanding
figure amongst all NGO leaders who took part in GE13. He, in his capacity as
the representative of NGO, contested Bentong parliamentary seat under the
banner of DAP. He swore to bring the voice of the people calling for the closure
of Lynas factory, and opposing environmental hazards to the parliament. At the
beginning, this action inevitably drew suspicion and blame from some of the NGO
leaders and democratic individuals. Some even urged him to resign from the
Chair of Himpunan Hijau. However, he persisted with his idea and action, and of
course he had his point. Eventually, he gained the understanding and acceptance
of the masses and NGO leaders.
On the
other hand, Waythamoorty, Chairperson of Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF
MAKKAL SAKTHI), was the most disgusting NGO leader who was held in contempt. In
order to seek a good position and personal interests, before GE13, he betrayed
the position of HINDRAF that represents the interests of the marginalised poor
Indian community. He broke his promises, stood against the people of all
ethnicity and became subservient to Najib and UMNO’s bigwigs. People like
Waythamoorty certainly will be contemned by the people of all ethnicity and
NGOs. He will also leave a shameful record in the history of democratic and
human rights movement.
GE13 held on 5 May this year marked the highest voter-turnout record in Malaysia history. However, the people’s common aspiration of “Dumping BN into the dustbin of history” still could not be materialised although more than half of the voters rejected BN’s camp. Therefore, we could easily understand why the populace were strongly dissatisfied and unable to accept the election result of this so-called “the dirtiest” election ever in Malaysia. After the election, some parties, groups and individuals who could not wait to change the government on 505 thought that the political awareness of the broad masses in our country had reached the level where they could force the ruling clique to have re-election via street demonstrations. But from the significant decrease of the participants of “black 505” rallies and with the ruling clique tightening their control over the state apparatus, the aspiration and idea on hoping to have a re-election via street demonstration, to deny the election results will be in vain.
In 2011, we held a forum entitled
“NGOs are Always with The People” in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of our working committee,
to discuss about the role and position of NGOs in Malaysia in current situation
and in future. In 2013, we put forward the strategy and tactic of “Smashing UMNO
hegemony, forming a democratic united front”
for GE13.
This democratic united front
should include not only the three parties in Pakatan Rakyat, i.e. Parti
Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) and Democratic Action
Party (DAP) but also all parties, including Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), Parti
Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), Human Rights Party (HRP), etc., NGOs and individuals
from all walks of life who are opposed to the UMNO-BN. We call upon all Malaysians to
unite! Together we put an end to the UMNO hegemonic rule! We should welcome
people from all walks of life, regardless race, class, party and religion, who
oppose UMNO-BN’s corruption and their racist hegemonic rule to join the
democratic united front, so that the struggle for democratic and human rights
will be forged ahead relentlessly.
In
commemoration of the 12th anniversary of Sahabat Rakyat Working Committee, we
are holding a forum entitled “NGOs・Parliamentary
struggle・Democracy and human rights” to explore the
path NGOs should follow in becoming one with the people, and how to make
use of all resources available to struggle against BN, and to promote
democratic and human rights movement in our country. There will be a dinner
immediately after the forum. We will be inviting a couple of well-known NGO
leaders and political scholars, to provide paper with regards to the forum’s
title, and to deliver their speech. They will also answer questions from the
ground. We hope this forum will stimulate more leaders of democratic parties
and groups, scholars, people from all walks of life to join forces in the
endeavour of promoting democratic and human rights movement in our country.
This forum cum dinner will be
held in Johore Bahru on 20 Oct 2013 at 2pm. We need your support [whether
democratic parties, groups or individuals]. Your support is invaluable to us. We
welcome all concerned citizens to be with us at this anniversary. For more
information, feel free to contact Ms Cheng, h/p No. 016-7782707.
Sahabat Rakyat Working Committee
9 September 2013
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