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

admin

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.

 

The government now appears ready to stage elections at a time it believes will produce the best results for itself.

It is the responsibility of the government, as custodian of the state, to serve its citizens – this is the sole reason for being of the state and the role of government in it. In order to do this, the people who run the state must be selected by the citizens to represent them, in a transparent and accountable manner.

 This, in turn, implies the necessity of free and fair elections.

If the government of Malaysia believes that its electoral process will free and fair, according to international standards, we would welcome being invited to come to Malaysia as independent electoral observers. If the Malaysian government does not invite independent international observers, the question will be left: What do they have to hide?

We hope they do not feel the need to hide anything. We welcome the opportunity to observe and monitor Malaysia’s next elections, when ever they might be held. We will be there, supportng democracy in Malaysia, as expressed through a free and fair expression of the will of the Malaysian people.
_____
Professor Damien Kingsbury is Director, Centre for Citizenship, Development and Human Rights at DeakinUniversity, Melbourne, and is coordinator of the Australian Friendship observer mission to the East Timor elections, as well as having been an accredited observer to elections in Indonesia and Cambodia.  

Related posts

4 Thoughts to “Statement by Professor Damien Kingsbury – Australian mission volunteers to observe elections”

  1. Alex Bhathal
    26th April 2012 at 11:12

    Well put Damien – I hope that many Australians will turn out this Saturday and join our regional neighbours in their efforts to secure a democratic future for their great country.

  2. eddiechin
    26th April 2012 at 15:30

    Well said! Ambiga is carrying out my cause way before the 12th PRU.

  3. Luv d nation but not d racist govt
    27th April 2012 at 14:26

    Where is the dignity of ruling govt, wonder if it is lying at the pithole of greed>> Khairy J repeatedly told that Bn/umno loses this time to PR and they will create a farewell party for the end of racist party in GE13!

  4. Joseph tan
    28th April 2012 at 07:51

    Well said article! Years of frustration from the majority of the citizens who really feel that this goverment has a lot to answer for.Roll on BERSIH 3.0..and more down the road until REAL changes are made. Syabas Malaysia!

Comments are closed.