I disagree with the interviewees (forum panelists) in an article published in the Free Malaysia Today website on 14th May 2013 which called for the people to take to the streets and topple the BN government.
In a brief overview, the article quoted three panelists at a forum, Haris Ibrahim (ABU - Anything But Umno), Adam Adli Halim (student activist) and Hishammuddin Rais (Bersih) calling for the rakyat to take to the streets and topple the government.
Apparently, another five years is just too long to wait to vote Barisan Nasional out of the federal office, and according to these three individuals, we have to take it by force.
Here's the deal. I think they're on their own.
As much as everyone (me included) felt that GE 13 was going to be the best opportunity to change the federal government, the results cannot be contested through an uprising on the streets.
I did not work this hard as a Malaysian and as a journalist, writing articles and shooting documentaries, and arguing to the intellect of other Malaysians to have it all put to waste by a violent uprising (and neither did so many of my other fellow Malaysians).
As much as we hype up the fight as a 'revolution', the fight in Malaysia has never been a violent revolution. It does not warrant any form of violence, period.
We fight the dignified way, which is through discourse, debate and eventually the polls. That is true democracy now, is that not? And that is what I am fighting for.
Ok fine. Many people would say that the polls are not clean and fair, and we should not accept something that is corrupt and unclean.
To this, I say I agree. But then, reveal the truth through evidence and facts. Don't go accusing all and sundry based on unsubstantiated rumours you view and listen to on Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.
As it is, there are already parties now conducting investigations and gathering information to prove the claims that the election was fraudulent and hence the government should not be recognised.
To this, I say go right ahead and if it is true, then we should take the proper (and dignified) steps to rectify the matter.
Countries that have had violent uprisings that toppled their governments like in Egypt, Tunisia and Syria are at the other end of the spectrum from which Malaysia sits.
I have been to these countries and I have seen their violent revolutions. In fact, their people have been injured and killed literally next to me as I stood amongst them.
They have very real and legit reasons to have to fight and die for. But their reasons are real and legit in their situation. Please believe me when I say that our Malaysian situation is far off from theirs.
Patience is a virtue. And if supporters of the federal opposition really want to have a change in government, then be patient. There's nothing to be afraid off.
Malaysians have already made their point in two general elections of wanting a healthy democracy with a check and balance system by denying a two-thirds majority for the ruling government and creating a strong opposition.
A change in government might not have happened last week. It might not even happen in five years. Or it might. Who the hell knows anymore.
Political parties, leaders and members will change, either willingly or having forced to do so, according to the development and maturity of the rakyat. That is only natural, and it is clearly happening.
So I am happy as long as there is progress. And honestly, progress is exactly what I see exists and is happening today, finally.
I fear that Malaysians will fall into a trap where they see a two-party democratic system as a choice between good and evil, and that one side will always be good, and the other, evil.
Sometimes, I fear that I might fall into that trap too. It's easy to do so in Malaysia where one all-powerful party has been in power since the dawn of time (well, the dawn of independence anyway).
But the point here is to realise that there is no absolute and mutually exclusive good or evil side. The only choice we have is the right to choose what side we feel will do a better job at that point in time, with a check and balance system to keep them in their place.
And the end of the day, any progress or change, be it peaceful or otherwise, really depends on the Malaysian people. And I have faith that the Malaysian people are smart, rational and dignified.
Zan Azlee
Thu May 16 2013
AWANI Ringkas: SPRM sahkan Tun M antara disiasat
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Keselamatan siber: Keterangkuman, kepelbagaian perkasa sumbangan wanita - Noraini
Wanita harus mula memberi fokus dan penekanan terhadap keterangkuman dan kepelbagaian perspektif bagi menangani cabaran industri dengan berkesan.
PM nafi kerajaan beri lesen kasino di Forest City
Perdana Menteri menafikan laporan yang mendakwa kerajaan akan mengeluarkan lesen untuk pengoperasian kasino di Forest City, Johor.
Nahas helikopter Lumut: Hina anggota TLDM terkorban, polis siasat Saifuddin Shafik
Polis menyiasat pemilik akaun, Saifuddin Shafik yang dipercayai memuat naik hantaran jelik berkaitan insiden kemalangan melibatkan helikopter TLDM.
SSPA terbaik pernah diperkenalkan kerajaan - PM Anwar
Beliau berkata, usaha tersebut diharap dapat menjadi motivasi buat penjawat awam untuk meningkatkan produktiviti, dan memberikan perkhidmatan terbaik kepada rakyat.
Kes model sambilan bunuh teman lelaki: Tarikh baharu sebutan ditetap 28 Mei
Mahkamah Majistret menetapkan 28 Mei ini sebagai tarikh baharu sebutan kes seorang model sambilan wanita yang didakwa membunuh teman lelakinya.
Pantau Agenda Reformasi: Misi Break The Siege: Freedom Flotilla to Gaza
Pantau Agenda Reformasi hari ini membawakan Profesor Hubungan Antarabangsa di Fakulti Undang-Undang dan Hubungan Antarabangsa di UNISZA, Prof Dr Mohd Afandi Salleh, yang juga merupakan bekas peserta misi Flotilla ke Gaza pada 2018, berkongsi pengalamannya ketika ditahan pihak rejim Israel sewaktu misi tersebut. Antara lain perbincangan tertumpu ke arah aspek hubungan antarabangsa serta undang-undang di perairan antarabangsa.
Nahas helikopter Lumut: Mindef pertimbang keperluan teliti SOP latihan udara - Mohamed Khaled
Mindef akan mempertimbangkan keperluan untuk meneliti semula SOP latihan udara membentuk formasi penerbangan lintas hormat bagi mengelak tragedi.
Keselamatan siber: Keterangkuman, kepelbagaian perkasa sumbangan wanita
Wanita harus mula memberi fokus dan penekanan terhadap keterangkuman dan kepelbagaian perspektif bagi membolehkan mereka menangani cabaran industri dengan berkesan.
Penyerang Kamal Adli dijatuhkan hukuman lebih 2 tahun oleh mahkamah Singapura
Lelaki yang menyerang pelakon Malaysia, Kamal Adli menggunakan belantan tahun lepas, dijatuhkan hukuman penjara dua tahun, empat bulan dan dua minggu.
Pilihan raya mengejut: Amanah gesa PH segera persiapkan jentera
Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) menggesa semua parti komponen Pakatan Harapan (PH) mempersiapkan jentera pilihan raya dengan kadar segera.
Rehat sebentar dari politik Malaysia, hiburkan diri dengan Bruno Mars
Ketika rakyat Malaysia rancak berbual tentang keputusan PRU14, yang sedang diumumkan pada malam ini, penyanyi Bruno Mars menggegarkan Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
Menjelang 'Grand Finale', borak luar garisan politik dominasi media sosial
Pengguna media sosial lebih bebas menyatakan pendapat mengenai PRU14 dan politik dan tidak dibayangi oleh pemimpin-pemimpin atau parti-parti politik.
Undi luar negara tidak beri kesan kepada kerusi marginal?
Walaupun calon Parlimen Pulai mengakui undi luar negara tidak memberi kesan kepada keputusan di kerusi itu kelak, ia tetap tidak mengubah kedudukan kerusi itu sebagai salah satu kerusi marginal.
PRU14: Beban berat buat Fahmi Fadzil untuk teruskan legasi Nurul Izzah
Kerja kuat pencabar daripada BN, Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, juga mungkin menyebabkan laluan Fahmi ke Parlimen lebih sukar.
PRU14: Karpet merah atau onak duri menanti Tun M di Langkawi?
Adakah Langkawi bakal beri laluan mudah kepada Tun M?
Climate change in Malaysia and what it means for us
The worlds climate is changing for the worse, and humans are responsible for that. Lets dive into a touch of science to make sense of this.
Beri peluang Umno terajui BN P. Pinang - Reezal Merican
Barisan Nasional (BN) Pulau Pinang wajar memberi peluang kepada Umno untuk mengetuai barisan kepimpinan parti itu bagi memulihkan kepercayaan rakyat di negeri ini.
PR teruskan perhimpunan bantah keputusan PRU-13
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) meneruskan perhimpunan pasca pilihan raya umum ke-13 (PRU-13)di Stadium Kelana Jaya malam ini.
Bantahan terbuka tidak akan ubah keputusan PRU13 - SPR
Sebarang bantahan terbuka atau perhimpunan tidak mampu mengubah keputusan pilihan raya umum atau mengakibatkan ia diadakan semula, kata Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya.