BERSIH 2.0 on 9 July 2011

9 July 2011 was a historic moment, however small it may be or the aftermath that followed. BERSIH 2.0 is being widely tweeted, facebooked, blogged and talked about nationwide and even on an international level!

Of course, like everything else in life, there is the good and the bad. The bad was that many were detained or hurt, apparently, there was even a death. More bad points are the way this whole debacle is being handled by the PM and his cohorts. Instead of doing damage control, he's just shooting empty blanks and casting blame on other's shoulders.

Despite the bad, thank God for the good. Read Khee Tuan Chye's Good things that came our of the BERSIH 2.0 rally.

I watched the clip and tears threaten to spill. Why? Maybe I was just so moved by the brave souls that walked that day. Perhaps it was the atrocious way civilians were treated and manhandled. If this shabby treatment were to happen in Australia or some other developed country, the police that administered the rough treatment would be sued.

Read more BERSIH updates HERE.

AND this is not about taking sides with whatever race or political party. Reading some certain races' comments on Facebook tells you how bias they are and which political party they are rooting for. It is true that those who were not there that day, don't know the absolute truth as to what happened but looking at Youtube clips and reading many accounts of what went down that day, it is plain for all to see who is the instigator, who, the bully.

It's not about if we are pro najib, pro UMNO or pro Opposition. Honestly, I think many aren't too keen on Anwar being the next PM. Then again, many deemed him as the lesser of two evils. He may have promised certain things now but who knows, if he ever becomes PM, he might not fulfill his promises. But that's a risk people are willing to take! Why? Because, they're sick and tired of the current government and all it's corruption, pollution and blatant racial discrimination with the list growing long!

All we, the people want is a clean and fair election. Hence, BERSIH 2.0.

For the ignorant, BERSIH 2.0 isn't a call for chaos or rioting despite the word being thrown around loosely. It is basically a call for clean and fair elections as it is widely known (not as rumours but as facts) that every elections, if not, most are corrupted just so that a certain party continues to rule.

We don't want chaos. Why would any sane, logical people of rational mind want that? If there is chaos, country is deemed unstable which will then affect the country's economy what with foreign investors pulling out etc. With chaos, the country is not safe, people don't feel safe and aren't safe!

Honestly speaking, I may not be well versed in politics and what not, but even it's plain for all to see that Malaysia is not where it can be, where it should be after gaining independence for how many donkey years.

Look at our neighbouring country, Singapore. They thrive. Are we Malaysians any less better? No. In fact, many Malaysians ARE contributing to Singapore's workforce and economy. Malaysia government shouldn't be spouting blasphemy and complain about the brain drain. Not especially when THEY'RE the reason there's brain drain.

Even moving to Melbourne, Malaysia is still my home. COME ON! It's where I grew up! And it saddens my heart to hear about the disharmony going on. After all, my family and friends are still there!! Just because I moved here (though not necessarily my own wish to), it doesn't mean that I've forgotten all about Malaysia. Malaysia is still home and many Malaysians in Melbourne feel so too! No matter where we move and live in, Malaysia is still home.

"What I experienced on the 9th of July is Malaysia. We are decent people, we are a people of quality. Those in power who are selfish or bigots or who try to divide the people – that is not Malaysia, and they are not deserving of Malaysia. Those who try to taint and politicize the beautiful events of that day, are not deserving of Malaysia. We are a people who deserve much more than that."

That being said, many Malaysians of my generation are complacent. They feel, "why bother to vote when we all know who's going to rig it and win anyways?". And because of that, they don't bother registering to vote when they come of age ie 21 years old.

But after this rally, I think, many would be more keen to take part in future elections and start by registering. If you're over 21 years old and am a Malaysian who haven't registered to vote, what are you waiting for?

Even you, one individual can make a big change. All it takes is the first step and each person counts!

United we stand, divided we fall.