Is the rakyat the boss in ‘new Malaysia’?

KUCHING, June 22: Rise of Sarawak Efforts (ROSE) will be organising a series of public talks and forum, themed ‘Malaysia Baru: Adakah Rakyat Boss?’ (New Malaysia: Are the people the boss?), at three locations from June 29 to July 1.

In a press statement yesterday, ROSE said the road show-style talks aim to help members of the public to have a better understanding of what had transpired nationally, including in Sarawak, during the 14th general election.

“The recently concluded polls, which resulted in a change of government for the first time in Malaysian history, has been said to be a testament to people’s power in bringing this about despite obstacles thrown in their way, like an unexplained mid-week voting day.

“Naturally, the sentiments of the rakyat post 509 are high, and there appears to be a greater interest and willingness by common folks, young and old, to discuss the subject of politics and good governance,” said the non-government organisation.

It added that the change of federal government and the period of transition also evoked not just excitement and hope but anxieties as well, such as the full cabinet lineup and voter registration for young people.

Although the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government secured the majority seats in Parliament, the coalition did not win the popular vote. It had also been reported that only 30 per cent of the Malay-Muslim voting population supported PH.

“Other than voting trends and what impacts these might have on the coming Sarawak State elections due in 2021, the second objective of ROSE is to explore how voters and citizens in general can engage and participate in the process of building a new Malaysia and to tap on to the wider democratic spaces that we now appear to have,” ROSE said.

Invited speakers include Associate Prof Dr Faisal S. Hazis, a senior fellow at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and other local representatives.

Faisal is also the head of Centre for Asian Studies at the Institute. He specialises in electoral studies, democratisation and rural informatics. He is also a prolific researcher and writer, and some of his more recent work or research included strengthening and building the capacities of civil societies in Sarawak.

Below are the details for each talk/forum. All three sessions will be conducted in Bahasa Malaysia and entrance is free.

— DayakDaily