‘Malaysia Spring’ Approaches in Anwar Ibrahim Vision for Election Victory

Anwar Ibrahim, leader of the opposition, right, reacts as his daughter, Nurul Izzah, looks on in parliament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Goh Seng Chong/Bloomberg)

Nov 3, 2011
By Ranjeetha Pakiam
Bloomberg

“The trend for freedom and democracy is irreversible” - Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, said that in the nation’s next election, his People’s Alliance coalition will end five decades of rule by the National Front as a trend toward democracy strengthens across Southeast Asia.

“We’re taking over the government at the rate we’re going,” Anwar said in an interview yesterday at his office in parliament in Kuala Lumpur, citing as a sign of support a July 9 rally where thousands marched and called for greater fairness in election practices. Currently on trial for sodomy -- a charge he says was influenced by the ruling party -- he predicted that the opposition would be boosted even if he is convicted.

An opposition victory would build on gains made in 2008, when Prime Minister Najib Razak’s coalition had its slimmest election win since the country became independent in 1957. In a year that has seen autocratic regimes swept from power in a Middle East upheaval known as the “Arab Spring,” neighboring Singapore saw a record vote for the opposition in May, and Myanmar released some political rivals from jail last month.

“When will the ‘Malaysia Spring’ be? The next elections,” said Anwar, 64, a former deputy prime minister, anticipating that a vote will come anytime from the end of December to March. “Hopefully, we’ll do ours in a peaceful democratic process.”

Who defines ‘democracy’?

“We define democracy, not sitting down, but standing up!” - Mu Sochua

October 18, 2011
By Teo Soh Lung
The Online Citizen

It was interesting to watch the video put up by TOC on the closed door forum organised by Singaporeans for Democracy on 24 September 2011 at Public House. The topic was ‘LKY: liberal democracy will do us in. Will it?’

The forum featured among others, eminent Cambodian Opposition MP, Ms Mu Sochua. The forum was supposed to have been held at a training room at The Verge but had to shift to the Public House when the landlord disallowed the organisers to hold the event there.

I find Ms Socha’s conversation with the audience most fascinating. She could not understand why the audience of so called “democrats” failed to stay at the Verge to demand for their rights but instead moved peacefully to Public House. One by one, they started to find reasons as to why they did so. One said if they stayed, it would have been an illegal assembly. Another added that they would have been arrested. Yet another proudly announced that the law states that even one person can constitute an illegal assembly.

An uneasy peace

Prince Norodom Sihanouk, French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas and Hun Sen, before the start of peace talks in La Celle-Saint-Cloud, in Paris 1989

Monday, October 17, 2011
By Dr. Markus Karbaum
Southeast Asia Globe

Hun Sen, whose family is extremely wealthy, maintains excellent relations with Cambodia's leading entrepreneurs. Corruption is rampant and it seems that personal enrichment at the cost of the public and the plunder of national resources are more common than ever. Compared to the 1970s, violence is largely non-existent in Cambodia, but few would say the 'rule by fear' maxim that has governed the country during the last two decades constitutes a 'peaceful society'.

The process of democratisation has always been challenging. The setbacks in Cambodia have been alarming because they seem to parallel a line of politics that serve a few. Numerous cases of land grabbing throughout Cambodia illustrate how people suffer under an elite with such an extensive claim to power.

Without a change of policies, societal conflicts over income distribution will become more common. To avoid instability, Western donors have stood close to Hun Sen for years, but it seems they are losing confidence. Cambodia's attempt to secure a seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2013 and 2014 is an opportunity for the international donor community to demand concessions in domestic policies.

A more responsive style of government that generates benefits for all citizens would be an important push for the spirit of the Paris Peace Accords.

Twenty years ago the Paris Peace Accords promised a new dawn for Cambodia. How has the country fared?

This month marks the twentieth anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords. The agreement that supposedly marked the end of hostilities and the beginning of reconstruction in Cambodia was the conclusion of four years of talks that brought together the United Nations secretary general, four Cambodian factions and 18 representatives from other states. It was by no means an easy feat.

From 1970 until pen was put to paper on October 23, 1991, Cambodia was one of the world's bloodiest battlefields. Ravaged by a war, genocide and civil war that collectively claimed millions of lives, the country was torn apart during the darkest episode in its history. Hostilities between the different factions continued through the 1990s, all spurred by a common aim: power and legitimacy.

Internatio​nal Democracy Day- September 15, 2011 - An appeal from Khmer M'chas Srok Movement

 DEMOCRACY DAY

in Cambodia

On Thursday September 15, 2 011 is the INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY DAY in the World.

KMS will organize one CAMPAIGN on DEMOCRACY in Cambodia.

I would like to ask all of YOU, as Khmer M'Chas Srok, to send out, a maximum number of e-Mails, to all your families, friends, Khmers and foreigners, our 3 files of CAMPAIGN on DEMOCRACY in Cambodia in Khmer, French and English on :

Wednesday September 14, 2011

to inform them that Khmer People needs change the situation on DEMOCRACY in Cambodia now.

Dr. Sakhonn CHAK

President world wide of

Khmer M'Chas Srok 

Click the control below to listen the audio message:

http://www.box.net/shared/919u33ckhxr7ttg6inde


http://www.box.net/shared/up21nc9mhls7r7v59lxb


http://www.box.net/shared/tb5bkcriikknc7uank1x

A matter of civil rights

Monday, 07 September 2009
Olivia Jaimee
Letter to The Phnom Penh Post

Dear Editor,

The government has no business imposing its will on citizens' freedom of movement. This would definitely be an infringement of civil rights. My question to the governor is where, exactly, is Cambodia headed right now?

Firstly, not too long ago, a senior official voiced their concern about the scantily clad Cambodian women pictured in a certain magazine. Almost immediately, all copies were removed from the shops and the magazine office was shut down.

Secondly, the recent banning of the Miss Landmine pageant also has me scratching my head. Now, a curfew on underage girls? Whatever's next?

Democracy in Cambodia is slowly and surely buckling under pressure from the elite few and their "Yes, Sir!" cronies. This trend threatens to roll Cambodia back to its darkest day in recent history.

Olivia Jaimee
Phnom Penh