PRESS STATEMENT: VOTER AWARENESS CONVENTION (VAC) ON 5TH AUGUST 2012 IN JOHOR BAHRU
3rd August 2012
As the Rakyat of Malaysia, we are waiting eagerly for the Prime Minister to announce the date for the 13th General Election. Whatever the result of this election, whether Barisan Nasional retains power or for the first time in our nation’s history we see a transfer of power to a new coalition, it will be a new day in Malaysia.
Since the last General Election in 2008, we have seen a new political force emerged; a force that has been gaining in momentum and that is unstoppable. The new force is People Power!
Malaysians from all walks of life are waking up from their deep political slumber and are staking their claim on the future of this nation on behalf of their children. We are realising that in a democracy, we are the boss and our demands must be met by those we voted in or else we would vote them out at the next election.
At this Voter Awareness Convention (VAC) on the 5th of August, we will hear from some fellow Malaysians who have been speaking up on our behalf by calling for free and fair election. These includes Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan, Maria Chin Abdullah, Hishamuddin Rais and Arul
Prakkash from the Bersih 2.0 Steering Committee.
Also speaking at the convention are renowned political analyst Dr. Ong Kian Ming, human right lawyer Mr. Edmund Bon and activist Mr. Wong Piang Yow. Last but certainly not least, Mr. Wong Tack, the chairman of Himpunan Hijau who is heading the campaign to ensure that Malaysia remains an environmentally safe home for all of us, will also be speaking.
All the major languages like Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, English and even Tamil, if there is a need, will be used throughout this convention.
Apart from the speakers, we have a very interesting programme lined up for the expected 1,200 attendees. We have several singers to entertain us throughout the day, short dramas that would train us to be polling agents and in the end a lucky draw where some very special prizes will be given away by Dato’ Ambiga herself.
We would also have an exhibition by various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and political cartoonist Johnny Ong will also be on hand to autograph his latest book.
The venue is the New Cathay Restaurant (formerly Taison Restaurant) at Taman Molek, Johor Bahru. Registration fee is only RM20 per person which includes a buffet lunch. The convention will start from 9am but registration will begin by 8.30am. It will end by 4pm.
For more information or online registration to secure your place, you can visit our website at www.bersihjb.info or telephone/SMS 019-7575652.
Be an informed and responsible voter; come to the Voter Awareness Convention in JB on the 5th of August 2012.
On behalf of the Organisng Committee of VAC (JB)
Thomas Fann 范平东
Chairman