Malaysian voters only elect 'symbols'

Malaysian voters only elect 'symbols'

Ganesan Doraisami | Mar 17, 08 4:22pm, Malaysiakini.

In a fair elections, people will be empowered with knowledge. In an unfair election, people will be reminded of May 13, 1969. It is not a fair election if the opposition were not given equal time and space in many of Malaysia’s public media.

All the major newspapers such as Utusan Malaysia, New Strait Times, The Star and Berita Harian did not cover the opposition’s point of view or publish them without any censorship. Most of these newspapers instead pandered to the Barisan Nasional even though anything they print lost credibility immediately. How much time was given over television and radio for opposition parties?

None of the opposition candidates got mainstream coverage from RTM, the government radio and television channel. The reporters of all the newspapers (if they published opposition viewpoints) chose their words carefully to diminish the opposition further.

The true message of the opposition was distorted or not reported at all. Malaysian journalism has never been able to free itself and be an independent voice for the Malaysian voters.

Until the journalists are free and able to represent the people and question the government, Malaysian elections will not fair and true. The system is corrupt to its core and any patch or Band-aid will not help. Malaysians have to start from ground up and build a 21st century government that will represent all equally.