Jeremy Yeo's web diary: As sept 16th draws near..

I woke up today to the news of Teresa Kok and Tan Hoon Cheng being detained with Raja Petra, detained the day before, under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Isn’t today , a Saturday , should be as what I always anticipated it to be? A day of rest, tranquility, doing nothing except reading kopitiam threads posted on lowyat.net, staring blankly at the fish in my aquarium and later settles for an afternoon nap.

I don’t think that today is that day that I’ve dreamt of. As I read on several online newspapers, anxiety sets upon me, the dawn of a new era? Or is it doomsday approaching?

Our country’s political scene has taken a twist ever since March 8^th, I have little interest in politics, but the current scenario has very much interest me, tempting me to follow up on the latest in Malaysia’s political scene.

If memory has not failed me, Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) gathered approx. 30000 citizens, who demanded for clean and fair election to protest against the rampant irregularities in recent elections. They proceeded to submit a memorandum to the palace official for the intervention of the monarchy to correct the government’s incapacity to reform.

I see this as a start to public protest against the ruling government.

Soon after, the people sent out loud and clear messages to the government, evident from March 8^th general election’s result which saw 5 states falling into the hands of the opposition. Nonetheless, BN won 12th Malaysia’s general election but with much lesser majority compared to the previous general election.

Later this year witnessed the rise of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim winning the Permatang Pauh seat and claiming his seat in parliament and his quest to become prime minister of Malaysia by 16^th September despite being plaque by sodomy charges, which could be an attempt by the government to stop him dead on his track. The Emergence of Saiful created a lot of controversy with the swearing on the Quran, but that issue is quickly put out of the limelight with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Anwar’s vision of becoming prime minister of Malaysia come 16^th September.

To realize this vision, 29 MPs are required to switch from BN to the Opposition to form the government. Recently,a group of Barisan backbenchers left for Taiwan to learn about agriculture. This is seen as a move that to avoid potential crossovers and to derail Pakatan Rakyat’s Sept 16 takeover plan. Now, the arrest of three political figures is just another attempt of the government to elude reformasi.

IMO, I wouldn’t worry much about the rise of a new government. At least with a more liberal rakyat, we are no more afraid to voice out our fear, disappointments, which is evident based on march 8^th election results, with the rising of peaceful demonstrations and the freedom of the media, through blogs, etc. I’d say, the rakyat is willing to give chance to new leaders to prove themselves, to bring changes to Malaysia. And if the results are dissatisfactory, then we’ll see the reemergence of another March 8^th.