Year: 2012

#Bersihstories: Let’s take back our votes — Nagappan Karuppiah, Canberra, Australia

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First published on the Malaysian Insider April 26, 2012   APRIL 26 — I read Yolanda Augustin (“Why Malaysians overseas are joining Global Bersih 3.0”, Side Views, April 24) and found myself nodding at each line. I left Malaysia in 2003 to study in Australia. At the end of the first semester, I’d decided I’d make Australia my home. I’d had no interest in Malaysian politics to start with, but in that first semester, Australia opened my eyes to what freedom of speech is about. What multiculturalism — living with…

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Statement by Professor Damien Kingsbury – Australian mission volunteers to observe elections

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26 April 2012 Malaysia is facing a political crisis. Its government appears to have lost electoral legitimacy and is facing its biggest challenge to holding onto power since independence half a century ago. As with the flowering of democratic movements in other countries over the past year, Malaysia now appears to be approaching its own ‘democratic spring’. In order for forestall this blossoming of democracy in Malaysia, the government has hobbled the electoral commission, has rorted the electoral process through disproportionate parliamentary seats and a range of other matters that continue to require investigation.…

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#Bersihstories – You can make a difference – John Khoo, Sydney, Australia

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My name is John Khoo and I left Malaysia in 1971, 41 years ago to study in Perth Australia and am now a citizen of Australia since 1975.  I belong to the early generation of youths who felt they fell victims to the NEP that was hijacked by the UMNOputras.  I was never eligible for any hand outs even if the NEP was to follow its true aims because my parents were considered middle class and I never had straight “As”.  However, I was a genius compared to the majority…

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#Bersihstories: Why Malaysians overseas are joining Global Bersih 3.0 – Yolanda Augustin

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April 24, 2012 APRIL 24 – My name is Yolanda Augustin and I left Malaysia 14 years ago to study in the UK, where I now live and work as a doctor. I’m writing to explain what inspired me to get involved in the Bersih movement and global solidarity work for Malaysia. For many years, I felt a sense of helplessness and frustration as I followed Malaysian current affairs and saw the country I grew up in stuck in a downward spiral of poor governance and deteriorating civil liberties and…

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