I was just browsing through my Facebook newsfeed when I suddenly noticed that many of my Malaysian Facebook friends had changed their profile pictures to black.
After scanning through the numerous profile picture changes, I finally discovered why.
Taken from The Real Singapore:
The vote counting for the General Election 2013, Malaysia, dragged on for several hours with numerous incidents of high tension and minor violence.
As at 1am, the Barisan Nationals (BN) have won 112 seats and the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) have won 58. BN has won the elections by securing the simple majority and will stay in power for another term.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak arrives at the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on May 5, 2013 before the announcement of the election results. Malaysians voted in record numbers in the May 5 general election, with one of the world’s longest-serving governments facing a serious threat from an upstart opposition that pledges sweeping reform. — PHOTO: AFP
In a press conference, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim expressed his concerns over the election events citing several key allegations of dirty tactics.
Reports of the not so ‘indelible’ ink, phantom voters, legitimate voters being turned away due to having ‘already’ cast a vote, voting slips completed in pencil as well as reports of mysterious vehicles allegedly carrying extra ballot boxes into voting centers have painted a grim picture for the fairness of the electoral procedure.
Many Malaysians have expressed their disappointment at the results with aonline trend emerging to show their disapproval. Many have posted photos of black as well as changing profile pictures to black boxes to sybolize the lack of transparency and democracy.
RIP Democracy.
Article Credits:The Real Singapore
I was quite surprised also that BN won because I know that all of my Malaysian friends were planning to vote for PR and well, several of my friends shared this photo in the afternoon and according to the response, Malaysians seemed to be leaning towards the PR party in many states as seen from the JustUndi Poll screenshot.
*Edit: This is just a poll results and does not reflect actual votes
Also, I heard from many of my Facebook friends that there was a 10 minute blackout at many polling stations.
and suddenly new boxes of votes for the Barisan Nasional (BN) party came out of nowhere.
According to 辛卡米克‘s Facebook page, this is probably what happened during the blackout:
So here’s presenting to you…
The magical blackout!
Yes indeed, like magic! *poof*
Well, no one shouldn’t be really surprised at these tactics. Check out this article from The Guardian News (UK):
Malaysia’s governing party accused of dirty tricks in run-up to election Opposition claim irregularities in electoral register and say PM’s party is flying supporters into marginal constituencies
Supporters greet the Malaysian prime minister, Najib Razak, who has denied chartering planes to move voters into marginal constituencies. Photograph: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images
Malaysia’s governing party has been accused of a series of dirty tricks to ensure it keeps hold of power after Sunday’s election.
The prime minister has denied chartering planes to move tens of thousands of voters into marginal constituencies. Najib Razak’s party, the United Malays National Organisation, said the flights had been paid for by supporters and not by the prime minister’s office and were a routine effort to help people get back home to vote.
The opposition allege a number of other abuses in the lead-up to the closest election since independence in 1957. One researcher found a suspiciously large number of voters over the age of 100 in the eastern state of Sabah. Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of the opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, says there are nearly 5,000 extra voters registered in her constituency in Kuala Lumpur whom she cannot trace.
Read the rest of the story fromThe Guardian UK
Well, as a Singaporean across the border, I can’t do much to help or support my Malaysian friends except to share what’s going on, and also to help share this petition:
>> Petition for a Fair & Clean Election <<
>> Petition for a Fair & Clean Election <<
Hoping this will never happen in Singapore.
Till later,
♥ mitsueki
About the author: Mitsueki is the owner of GlamPuss. The blog, started on 19 November 2012 is where she pen and share her random bits of musings, thoughts, ideas and rants about food, fashion, current affairs and news, her life and GlamPuss.
*She blogs at http://mitsueki.wordpress.com