From Malott to Prime Minister Najib
July 31, 2011
From Former US Ambassador to Malaysia John Malott to Prime Minister Najib
Dear PM Najib,
In particular, we now wonder how free and fair your nations elections are. We have learned that some of your countrys citizens believe that Malaysia needs electoral reform. On July 9, they marched with a coalition called Bersih 2.0, and they called for free and fair elections.
You responded by declaring Bersih illegal and suppressing the Walk for Democracy with overwhelming Police force. The world noticed your heavy-handed reaction, and it wondered why a peaceful demonstration calling for fair elections bothered you so much so much so that you were willing to risk Malaysias international reputation and give your country and yourself a major black eye.
When you returned from your visit to Europe, you declared that Malaysias elections truly are free and fair, and that UMNO has never cheated in any election.
I am glad to hear that. Because it means that in Malaysias next general elections, you have nothing to hide.
Governments that manipulate elections have lots to cover up. But you say that your elections are free and fair, so that means you have nothing to be afraid of showing to all of us in the outside world, not to mention your own people.
Therefore, I am sure that you are willing to readily agree to the following proposals:
1) Allow international groups to observe your elections. Based on your assertions, they will find nothing amiss, and their reports will give credibility to Malaysias election results.
2) Allow observers from all political parties to witness the postal balloting that takes place on! militar y bases. For years, the opposition has said that something is amiss. But since you say that UMNO never cheats, I am sure that they will find nothing wrong, and you will be vindicated.
3) Lets put an end to all the accusations about phantom voters by using a simple, effective and cheap solution indelible ink.
Your Elections Commission wants a super-sophisticated biometric system, but there is no way it can be in place by then and many people worry that it can be manipulated. Indelible ink works just ask the worlds largest democracy, India. I dont think anyone has ever disputed the results of Indias elections in over 60 years.
4) Finally, let RTM be truly independent, like the BBC and NHK and the public broadcasting
As long as RTM funded by all the people of Malaysia acts as the propaganda arm of the 25 percent of Malaysians who voted for UMNO, no one can believe that Malaysias elections are fair and free.
So, my dear Prime Minister, its all very simple. You say that Malaysias elections are free and fair. Now you have a chance to prove it to the outside world and remove all doubts. And if your party wins, then the Malaysian people and the world might finally be convinced.
If you refuse these suggestions, then the doubts will linger, and your assertions about the honesty of Malaysias election will continue to be questioned.
Sincerely,
John Malott*
*John Malott was former Ambassador of the United States of America to Malaysia
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