The Bersih (Coalition for Free and Fair Elections) rally of Nov 10 pressing for electoral reforms will surely go down as a watershed in our political history, for more reasons than one. The last time the nation witnessed such a mammoth gathering of protestors, was almost a decade back, along the Kesas Highway, in the raging days of Reformasi.

Like that of Kesas, Umno, being the real perpetrator on the assault of 'justice' and now 'rape of democracy', remains its primary target. Similarly like Kesas, Nov 10 turns out to be a real double whammy unto Umno. Firstly, Bersih's choice of holding the gathering people, the following day after the conclusion of the Umno general assembly was too outrageous for their ego, especially because Bersih is bent on submitting their memorandum to the Constitutional Monarch, the Yang DiPertuan Agong and not to the CEO of the government.

Much worse, despite the strong reprimand and threat, tens of thousands of supporters and well-wishers from all walks of life and all over the country, blissfully congregated, embracing all risks and as if oblivious to the danger. That was even more intimidating and offensive. After all that have been so arrogantly vouched about its imminent failure, have we now to present them humble pies?

The forbidden rally is now recorded almost verbatim not only by the local alternative media, but by the global media network like Al-Jazeera, BBC and the CNN as well. Visibly disturbed by the yellow sea of peaceful demonstrators, the entire mainstream media characteristically failed to carry its footage save the little skirmishes 'designed' to demonise the rally and maliciously blaming them for causing massive traffic jams and chaos to the public, caused actually by numerous unnecessary roadblocks. This piece neither pretends nor intends to be another narration of the good, the bad and the ugly episodes of the rally. Keen readers must have read and witnessed the various reports, now abound.

That said, the writer would like to share some perspectives of things though, that may have again fallen on the 'blindspot' of some people. Perchance it may do some good to be able to shed some light.

Umno general assembly

It doesn't take a pundit to point out that the gathering of the biggest Malay party this time round, was meant to 'atone' for their excessiveness in the last one. 'Umno waging war against the rest of the nation' was the phrase this writer used in his piece last year.

With the general election looming closer, it was only sane for the president to remind delegates to observe restraint. The president has to lead by example. Going by his presidential speech, he truly enough didn't mince his words and said it loud and clear. In all fairness, it was a gallant attempt at shifting political paradigm for a political party that has been too entrenched and embedded in race-based politics. Never mind about the brandishing of the keris again as they insisted and defended it so vehemently. But after three days of debate, ranting and raving as usual, albeit a lot more restrained, the outcome was quite expectedly confusing to say the least.

While the Umno president proclaimed that 'time for parochial interest is over', a conceptual framework, much less a practical one, on genuine 'power-sharing, equal partnership and consensus-building' was far from crystal clear even within the BN fraternity.

The rhetoric on achieving a more tolerant society based on mutual respect sounded very shallow, observed one analyst, 'When merely pointing out abuses and unfair treatment by fellow BN coalition members, let alone others, were seen as questioning, worse still undermining, Malay rights and privileges."

On a more substantive note, the writer has to concur with the observation of a veteran Umno member, who incidentally was also a former finance minister that 'many issues are escaping Pak Lah's grip'. This writer will be more audacious to say that the Umno president is trapped in his 'parochial mindset' of merely winning the next elections. Well, it is understandable that all political parties must, in the final analysis, be focused on winning elections. Umno is surely one party that is willing to do it at all and any costs.

But after all that has been said and concluded, one couldn't escape noticing that the omission by the president and subsequently by delegates, on the systemic rot of critical institutions of the nation was very regrettable. It is all well and good, enticing voters especially the 'unsuspecting' and the 'less informed' rural folks about the billions that will be spent on the various corridors and all. It doesn't take much to be harping on Islam Hadhari and how the people have misunderstood it, while religiously paying lip-service to the need of enhancing racial harmony.

But failure to critically address party delegates to understand the systemic rot of integrity and the impact of corruption in all critical institutions of the state is most deplorable. The corruption-crime scourge has become the twin number one enemy of the state, affecting every ministry and agency linked to the government. It has seriously damaged our integrity. Relegating the task and simply praising the Anti-Corruption Agency for a job well done by apprehending small fries doesn't redress the systemic rot in the entire machinery. Umno must be made to realise that the president won handsomely in 2004 on the back of a campaign to fight corruption and improving the delivery system. He has, up to this point in time, yet to deliver both promises.

On the brink of the next elections, Umno looks desperate to placate various grouses, seen exploited by the opposition namely the rising cost of living and inflation, especially to the rural and lower-income groups that have given them fat mandates in every election. Visibly obsessed and anxious, a substantial time of the debate was spent specifically by the deputy-head of the Youth Wing, to convince delegates that the government was wrong in continuing a regressive policy of fuel subsidy that didn't benefit the poor. Others echoed and concurred, while many were still in the dark or baffled.

The contentious issue of regressive versus progressive subsidy and the distortion it causes has been debated by experts, for quite some years now. The fact that it appears in the debate during the Umno general assembly is quite amusing. It may not be the best of forums. But it is in fact parochial interest more than 'correcting the many wrongs' of the government policies that has given the chance to the deputy head of the Youth Wing to exhibit his economic acumen. Admittedly, he argued well, but if he thinks that they are his ideas he has become too vain.

The Bersih rally

Umno and her president could have stood tall to walk the talk, should they have truly understood that the "time for parochial interests is over". The Bersih rally calling for some urgent electoral reforms, couldn't have been a better opportunity to 'show-case' their earnestness and honesty of shifting from parochialism to the bigger interest of the nation. Electoral eeforms is surely one of the critical reforms in achieving a democracy worthy of Malaysia.

Admission by none other than the chairman of the Election Commission of the need for various electoral reforms have been repeated not once or twice but many times over. Suhakam similarly expressed concern over the many undemocratic practices rampant in this country as amply argued in their many publications. Bersih is ready to join hands with anyone, any party and any organisation, so as to provide a functional democracy worthy of being inherited by our grandchildren and all. It surely is beyond the parochial interest of both the ruling and opposition parties. It serves the national interest of every citizen in the entire society.

But alas, Umno's parochial interest took sway of their better selves!

By outlawing and forbidding Bersih's peaceful rally, they have indeed confirmed and reaffirmed of how parochial and more-than-narrow-minded they actually are! It is again an epitome of a 'legacy of lost opportunity' for the president of Umno.
Be that as it may, Bersih, now a coalition of six political parties and over 70 NGOs must step up their relentless effort to achieve their electoral demands before the next elections. The Umno/BN government has denied Bersih their right to a peaceful assembly, but the rakyat are resolute and unflinching to achieve the electoral reforms!

"The Time for Parochial Interest is Over". What say you Mr Premier? Is it really over?

DR DZULKIFLI AHMAD is director of PAS Research Centre and member of Bersih steering committee.