Malaysians Say The Darndest Things!

All Hope Lost for Electoral Reform? Not so fast.

November 17, 2007

The government-owned media has reported that the Agong has expressed regrets over claims that he had supported the Bersih rally.

This is certainly a piece of news sure to put a damper in the hopes of the 40,000 people marchers at the Bersih gathering last week, and their hundreds and thousands of other supporters who were not able to march on that day.

Tuanku Mizan Regrets Claims He Supports Illegal Rally

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) — Yang di- Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has expressed regret over claims that he and the Palace approved and supported Saturday’s illegal rally in the city.

In a statement issued here today by the Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja of Istana Negara, Datuk Wan Mohd Safiain Wan Hasan, the King also regretted the gathering which was organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) and supported by the opposition parties.

Tuanku Mizan stressed that he and Istana Negara had at no time approved or given any support, directly or indirectly, to any quarters that organised or was involved in the illegal assembly or any other activities that contravened the law.

On Saturday, Bersih, which comprises several non-governmental organisations, as well as some opposition parties had gathered their supporters at various spots in the city, including around Masjid Jamek, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and the National Mosque, before marching to Istana Negara to hand over a memorandum to Tuanku Mizan.

The following Monday, PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar said Bersih had decided to submit the memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after the ruler himself approved of it, and that the presence of Bersih at Istana Negara was to hand over the memorandum to the King’s representative.

In the statement, Tuanku Mizan said as the head of state, he was responsible in ensuring that the country’s administration based on the constitutional monarchy system, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, was respected and adhered to by all.

He hoped that the people would act in accordance with the law and not be involved in any illegal action or activity.

“Every Malaysian citizen is responsible for maintaining public order for continued peace and stability in the country,” Tuanku Mizan said.

The King also hoped that the people would together work at preserving unity and harmony to ensure that the country would continue to develop, prosper and be respected.

Meanwhile, Wan Mohd Safiain said that Istana Negara, for the first time, summoned the media to publicise the content of the statement as the King viewed the matter seriously.

“Normally, Istana Negara would issue a statement via facsimile but this time, we had to call the media here to ensure that the King’s message reaches the people,” he added.

Did the marchers march in vain? Did the people get assaulted by the police and their weapons in vain? IMHO, even if this piece of news were true (I have learnt to doubt the half-truths spewed by our government-owned media), this is not the end of the story yet.

Why? The Agong did not say conclusively that he would not look into the memorandum. So those of you who have already given up all hope, please don’t. Read Raja Petra Kamarudin’s response to this piece of news.
16/11: What the eye does not see

So far, he has published so many things that turn out to be true, so I won’t second-guess him when he tells me that this Datuk Wan Mohd Safiain Wan Hasan is a government-appointed spinner of lies.

Let’s just see how the government-owned media plays this story out tomorrow. Remember, just 6 days ago, the government blatantly lied that 40,000 were only 4,000. So don’t be surprised that they are lying again. Just sit back and enjoy the government sandiwara.

For other views on the blogosphere, check out:
Titah Tuanku
Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku!

You Might Find These Interesting

• Does Abdullah Ahmad Badawi think the Agong is Stupid?
• Government-owned Media Front Page News: Agong Allegedly Disapproves of Bersih
• Bersih Gathering: Masjid Jamek Police Violence
• Bersih Gathering Aftermath: Reports/Views From Other Blogs
• So Are Street Demonstrations Our Culture Now? Answer Us, Badawi!

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