Hanky Panky In Ipoh Timur

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On October 9th, I read a piece of “news” from thestar.com.my about the transfer of 2000+ voters from Sungai Rapat(Gopeng, MCA) constituency to Pasir Pinji (Ipoh Timur, DAP). I didn’t think much of it cuz last I recalled, Lim Kit Siang, the country’s Opposition leader from DAP won this seat by a huge, huge majority. In fact, thestar.com.my even spins this as a piece of news as a good thing: “EC puts things right”

Typical of the mainstream media (MSM) in Malaysia, did you know that’s not the whole story? thestar.com.my conveniently left out a LOT of details; details that were published by the more reputable Malaysiakini here (Subscription needed).

Since, some of who are like me are too much of a cheap-ass to actually subscribe to Malaysiakini, here are figures that I’ve taken from a post written in The People’s Parliament.

# of registered voters transferred from Sungai Rapat: 2231
# of newly registered voters or those transferred from other areas: 3024
# of new postal voters for Ipoh Timur: 3208

So, there is now an increase of 8463 voters in Ipoh Timur. That’s for time’s the number of new voters, and 6000 more that thestar.com.my conveniently left out. What great reporting/editing!

So what’s wrong? Here is why the numbers are so shady.
2231 from Sungai Rapat: The Election Commission has not given a full and concrete explanation on why these voters were transferred, only relying on “We have the legal power, Fuck you” excuse.
3024 new and transferred: I am one of the 3024. But are there suddenly 3024 people like me who came of age/decided to exercise their right? It’s kinda doubtful right? Since Ipoh Timur only had 40000+ voters the last time around.
3208 new postal voters: WTF are postal votes, I was thinking?

To those of you who don’t know as well, here’s what the Election Commission website tells you:
Postal voters normally comprise personnel from the armed forces, Police Field Force, election officials on duty, government officers serving overseas, students studying overseas, and spouses.

Ok, so where did 3208 new postal votes come from? In IpohTimur? I don’t see any new army bases or police stations or elections offices built right? How do they justify these numbers, you ask? Well, they don’t! “We have the legal power, Fuck you”.

So yes, based on my incredible powers of observation, there is certainly some hanky panky going on in my constituency. That is the problem with this country’s election process. The elections are being run by an Election Commission which is widely believed to be under the control of the government.

Seriously, I feel like this is cheating. I don’t like being cheated. I am sure a lot of people out there feel the same way as well.
That is why, I have decided to make a stand and make myself heard and seen on 10th November 2007. 3pm, Dataran Merdeka.
There will be a mass rally to submit a memorandum to His Majesty Yang Dipertuan Agong to press for freer and fairer election processes.
If you really want to tell people that you live in a free country, this is it. Let your voice be heard. Make your presence felt. Join me in demanding our rights as citizens to a free and fair election! More details here.

Pic taken from The People’s Parliament