Bersih's Ambiga makes history before the 13th General Elections
We read on Twitter that this would be a first such event in BN history, and that it could possibly make this candidate really unpopular with his party bosses. Interesting, we thought and deciced to head to the MCA Cheras branch in Taman Midah, to find out why this BN candidate is making headlines.
Finding the MCA Cheras branch office in Taman Midah is challenging. Having already gone through several detours, we finally arrive at this event where first time candidate Teoh Chee Hooi is meeting the public in an open forum.
It's a full house, with about 100 people crammed up in the second floor office of an ordinary shop-lot on Jalan Midah Besar. About 20 more stand in the doorway leading to the room, craning their necks to hear the panellists' speeches. Amongst the largely mixed crowd, we spot Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) executive director Ivy Josiah and actor Jo Kukathas. A small table is set up at the front and people are jostling to find a place for themselves as Teoh talks to the audience.
“This is not typical of a BN ceramah,” we hear someone say, and soon find out why.
Bersih co-founder Ambiga Sreenevasan sits next to Teoh and takes the floor after his opening speech. The lawyer, dressed in her signature yellow top and a black blazer, is making her first appearance at a public forum organised by a BN component party.
She is all praises for Teoh, fondly known to his supporters as Steven.
“Well done to him, this is exactly what we've wanted. If we could have had this dialogue, we could have got somewhere, because there are good people in Barisan who don't want to win by cheating either.
"It's just they don't have a loud enough voice. If they, together with civil societies, say the same thing, we could have made a difference.”
Related story: Government must respond to dubious voter claims, says Ambiga
Ambiga was invited by Teoh, also the vice chairman of the MCA Cheras branch, to speak about the election process and comment on the current electoral situation. Her 30-minute speech is about Bersih's work and her views about challenges Malaysia faces in implementing a smooth democratic processes. It's a speech she maintains is no different from her talks in Pakatan-led ceramahs. Ambiga has attended dozens of Pakatan events on invitation.
With the elections campaign period drawing to a close, this Cheras dialogue could be her first and last appearance at a BN event - unless she receives more invites from the ruling coalition before Sunday.
“It's a small step. A step by one right individual who is doing the right thing,” she tells us and the large group of reporters that gathers around her after the speeches are made.
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Amidst her interviews with a large group of reporters, the crowd behind us are shouting 'Ini Kali Lah' and 'Ubah' - the popular Pakatan chant of GE13.
Teoh is unfazed by all this. Yes, this move will make him unpopular, he tells us.
“ | Politicians should be tackling issues, which is the way forward for the party |
“I am not against the party's will. When we talk about intellectual discourse, it should be above politics. What Bersih (is doing), is something that is quite valid, that is most important and if people don't trust the election results, they would not feel safe and secure.”
He feels MCA has hit a bottleneck.
“Politicians should be tackling issues, which is the way forward for the party,” he says, insisting they should not be merely guided by political affiliations.
Teoh, a former lecturer, wants to go 'beyond race based policies' and bring change to the entire Malaysian community - not just one race.
Despite sharing these progressive views with the crowd, Teoh is given a tough grilling during the 30-minute question and answer session.
Many question the lack of an even playing field during the campaign period, particularly on media coverage. Questions also hit at the one-sided political advertisements taken in mainstream publications.
Ambiga says journalists in the mainstream media must stand by the rakyat.
“Journalists have to make a huge fuss if their stories are doctored,” she says, calling upon the National Union of Journalists to stand by journalists and let them do their jobs professionally.
Teoh's response is that the media should be professional and not bring emotions or feelings to work. After much pressure from the audience, he agrees to 'take the message', of allowing the mainstream media to run fair coverage on the elections, to his leaders.
Related story: Bersih wants firm stand on political violence
Ambiga also points to a recent study by the Centre of Independent Journalism, which indicates that the online media has been fairer in their coverage of the elections, giving equal treatment to all parties.
On the issue of political violence, both speakers were united. They say they don't condone any acts of violence, including online attacks by paid cybertroopers of opposing parties.
Taking a more liberal view, the Cheras Parliamentary candidate is firm in his argument to call for a revamp in BN in order to progress.
“ | There is a need to change mindsets, to change people (to accept) a two party system |
“There is a need to change mindsets, to change people (to accept) a two party system. Many of us (in BN) are not willing to accept it, but I hope to be the first in the coalition to work together on this reform.”
He admits this stand is 'uncommon' for BN candidates to champion. But maintains there was a strong need for open discourse and for the election system to be transparent so that it would be accepted by all.
“The spirit of democracy is there, but just that the system is failing.”
Related story: EC tries to stop Ambiga from discussing politics
