J

uly 18, p. 6

If history is anything to go by, then Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak better understand that the riots of Saturday, July 9, were merely ringing the bell for the final round of a fight in Malaysia between “rulers” and the “common people”. After decades of political suppression, the latter clearly aim at putting an end to a 54-year grip on power by the country’s ruling party.

The start of democratization or the “Asian Spring”, in all of Asia, perhaps, may be a foregone conclusion, but for governments such as the ones of Malaysia, Myanmar and China (to name just a few), history may well be their best teacher and advisor.

Over the past 60 years, “people movements” around the world have proven to be an unbeatable force. (By Dennis G. Kloeth, Jakarta)

Your comments:

The rally did not demand more a democratic form of government, but free, clean and fair elections.

If that translates into a democratic and free government, it is different issue all together.

Kamariah
Penang

It is apparent that Kloeth has very shallow knowledge about Malaysian and Singaporean politics and history.

Malaysia is a federation and a few of its rich states have governments
in opposition to Najib’s federal government. That I feel qualifies as “power sharing” (whatever he meant by that term).

It is the show of defiance by educated “ordinary men” attending the Bersih marches that has brought home the point that come the next general election (probably 2012), the federal government may well be lost by Najib’s party.

There is no “power sharing” in the federal government; the winner will be Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat takes it all. BN knows that if it is defeated in the GE, it will have to leave. Malaysia has moved beyond dictatorship and that is why so many turned up for Bersih.

Comments about Singapore “power sharing” is confusing as PAP is not sharing any power with opposition groups.

Steve Chung
Kuala Lumpur