Are Badawi’s critics wrong?


You’d think that Malaysians are up in arms about the country, with all the demonstrations, especially the BERSIH one, recently. But a Gallup Poll suggests otherwise, saying that Malaysians are the strongest supporters of democracy in Asia and feel that the country’s elections are fair and free.This is certainly at odds with the image given by Malaysian bloggers. Where lies the truth?

Via Martin Manurung’s blog 

clipped from thestaronline.com
Poll: Malaysians most confident of their elections

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are not only the strongest supporters of democracy in Asia but are also the most confident that their country’s elections are fair and free, according to a recent study by TNS and Gallup International.�

New findings from Gallup’s Voice of the People research showed that Malaysians’ belief in the transparency of their elections stands in contrast to the sentiment expressed by more than half of respondents across the region who do not consider their country’s election processes to be impartial.�

The survey interviewed more than 60,000 people in 56 countries around the world, representing the views and attitudes of more than 1.2 billion citizens.�

About 73% of Asians said they were satisfied with the overall democratic practices in their home countries — only 6% of Malaysians were dissatisfied. Nearly half (47%) of respondents said their elections were weighted, imbalanced and biased.�

  blog it

7 responses to “Are Badawi’s critics wrong?”

  1. Hahaha ……. so, Who are liars ?

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  2. I think, personally, that the Media in Malaysia (which are government-controlled) are responsible for Malaysians’ confidence in their elections.

    Though many Malaysians have access to the internet for alternative views (like Malaysia Today), many are left to be ‘manipulated’ by their national news (which I think are subtle propagandas).

    Malaysia has successfully made their people feel so proud of their own country, it creates a false sense of superiority, thus blinded by the ‘inconvenient truth’.

    We also need to keep in mind that 60% of the people in Malaysia are made of Malays, which automatically guarantees special treatment by their government.

    This survey surveys the majority of people that are happy with the ruling party and therefore, have great confidence in their election, simply because they are benefiting from it.

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  3. Yes, just like Soeharto’s time until the economic crisis hit Indonesia.

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  4. The Spirit of Freedom Avatar
    The Spirit of Freedom

    I can’t believe that democracy in Malaysia has a same level with Myanmar .. But, more ironically, the majority of Malays still support UMNO ….This is like our old proverb … “Seperti Kerbau dicucuk hidungnya” …

    1. http://www.okezone.com/
    2. http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/11/nation/19724935&sec=nation&focus=1
    3. http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/NewsBreak/20071211140814/Article/index_html

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  5. MC: In general JC has valid points, but a few which are not quite precise. Perhaps, by his/her own admission, has too, been manupilated by the well-oiled Malaysian Propoganda engine.

    “…Malaysia has successfully made their people feel so proud of their own country, it creates a false sense of superiority, thus blinded by the ‘inconvenient truth’….”
    MC: What superiority does Malaysia have over anyone else? Please tell me which of the following sounds superior to you.

    a) Kuala Lumpur, it’s largest city, is in fact, the smallest capital city in Asia.
    b) Malaysia has a population of 26million. Indonesia has 240million.
    c) The Malaysian Ringgit hit an all time low barely a month ago. Worst in the last 35 years. Foreign Economists publically announced on TV that the Malaysian Ringgit drop was insignificant to the other economies (both regional or global)
    d) West Port,(Klang) its most expensive and largest port is 27times SMALLER than PSA of Singapore.
    e) KLCC is the 4th tallest building in the World (Does this really matter???)
    f) At the expense of RM124million, they sent a hitchiker into space. His extensive space teh-tarik plans were even cancelled.
    g) KLIA was built by Osama bin Laden’s brother.
    h) Sepang Gold Coast is copying a scaled-down budget version of the “Palm” in Dubai. Theirs is made of concrete. Sepang is made of wood, and sold at a cost of half a million for each cubicle.
    i) 6.6 women are raped everyday in Malaysia. 40% are incest cases. The real number of rape victims is unknown. Experts (source; WAO) place the real numbers at 400%.

    Let’s try a different approach.
    a) There is NO corruption in Malaysia.
    b) Parliamentary Ministers are ONLY concerned about the people’s welfare and do NOT enjoy any personal monetary gains whatsoever.
    c) “Malays” enjoy and love Article 11 of the Constitution. Freedom to choose their own religion.
    d) The ISA is all about protection of the Freedom of the People. And is the BEST invention in the World since electricity.
    e) The word “Indians” are mentioned in the 1st-9th Malaysian Economic Plan.
    f) There is NO Nepothism in Malaysia
    g) There is NO Cronism in Malaysia
    h) You will succeed in Malaysia based NOT on who you know, but what you know. Your skills will guarantee your success in Malaysia.
    i) Government Servants are effecient. They are extremely productive and deserved the latest pay increase. In fact, it was insufficient to match their true worth.
    j) The Civil Servants behave like servants.
    k) The Civil Servants work extremely hard; well past 5:01pm everyday.
    l) The Malaysian Police do NOT accept Bribery. There is no such thing as “Macam mana mau settle?”
    m) You CANNOT buy the title “Datuk” (the knight-hood equivalent)

    “…We also need to keep in mind that 60% of the people in Malaysia are made of Malays…”
    MC: If that be so, then we should be able to discuss about the Catholic and Christian Malays in Borneo. No? Then the 60% Malays number has to decrease by half! Why? Borneo has a population of circa 7million. That makes up 30% of the population. Since there are merely 3% “Malays” in Borneo, UMNO does not even have an office in Sarawak. 75% of all Sarawakians and Sabahans are either Christian or Catholic. With 30% of Malaysian Population in Borneo, and you have 60% Bumiputera, you only have merely 30% “Malays” in the Peninsular. Of which, 75% are recent migrants from Jawa (less than 35 years ago).
    By the way, who are the “Malays” anyway?

    “…This survey surveys the majority of people that are happy with the ruling party and therefore, have great confidence in their election, simply because they are benefiting from it…”
    MC: This very biased survey was probably conducted during an UMNO meeting among UMNO members themselves; but only restricted to Badawi’s camp, and not Mahathir’s Camp. A quick check will tell you that the Bumiputra’s (non-Malay Natives) in Borneo are the poorest in the country. And you might argue… “How can that be so? They have the largest oil resources in the entire country!!!” The answer to this my friend, is that the central government TAKES 95% of all profits, and simply returns 5% to Sabah and Sarawak.

    In 2005, Sabah was the second POOREST state in Malaysia. Second only to Perlis. Fortunately, just last year, they found the single largest oil reserve located beside the Brunei Border. (For reference, Miri has 640 offshore oil rigs) This single rig in Sabah, is able to supply 20% of ALL OIL in Malaysia; thus making Sabah the RICHEST STATE since Adam and Eve. Please announce this to ALL your Sabah friends. They have every reason to rejoice.

    Sabah may now join forces with Sarawak to leave Malaysia, as they have always wanted to for the past few decades. After all, they have the money now 🙂 And hence, after separation, do not have to feed the Central Government with the 95% tax anymore.

    Truly Asia very good

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  6. Oops, I forgot to mention that the oil in Sabah will last well past 2020, as it is actually taping on the Brunei oil, as the table slants towards the Sabah Side. So; the Sabah oil will last a full 10years after Brunei oil runs dry 🙂

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  7. Oh please!

    This sucks full time.

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