Hello everyone, this is the BERSIH group

Last week, we went to the Malaysian Parliament with BERSIH. For all of us who have never even been to the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China , our first parliamentary experience was in Malaysia . In Parliament, we observed various details, such as the symbolic scepter representing the King, which must be placed in the hall during meetings to signify the King’s presence. This was a monarchic shock for us who are used to a republican system.

We also participated in a meeting between BERSIH and the Chairman of the Election Commission. Lobbying government officials to achieve organizational goals is a necessary task for NGOs. Activities that we once only read about in civic education books, we are now actively participating in. Excitement and emotion intertwined as we sat at the conference table, watching the serious faces discussing the organization’s demands, and listening to the chairman explain the difficulties. As Bismarck said, “Politics is not a precise science. It is an art.” Being in the midst of it, we truly appreciate the profundity of this art: “compromise.“

The day after our parliamentary visit, BERSIH and other NGOs held a small-scale protest outside Parliament. The main demand was for the government to fulfill its past promise to abolish the Sedition Act. The protest was short but filled with enthusiasm. Faced with a government that once supported reforms but has now reneged on its promises, everyone’s dissatisfaction erupted in short but powerful slogans. Because we love this country, we must supervise it diligently. This is what NGOs should do, like knights, unbiased towards any party or alliance, with the sole determination to uphold justice.

#GSIP #新南向學海築夢計畫