Let democracy resolve our disputes
We must understand that democracy is more that just exercising one's right as a citizen at the general election.
It is also about being an informed society so that the people can express their opinions and make decisions for themselves in a collective manner.
It is about self determination.
When the ISA is disputed to the level that tens of thousands people took to the streets to express their anger, then the right to thing to do is to hold a national referendum on the issue.
Let the people vote on the single issue of whether or not the ISA should be continued or abolished.
It is not correct to conclude that since Barisan Nasional won the General Election, then the people in general agree with the ISA, or vice versa.
When the alcohol ban is being disputed, then the right way to handle the issue is by going to the people. Give the people the right to decide for their community.
Since a blanket ban on alcohol would be a clear infringement to the rights of certain groups of people in society, then a 'local referendum' could be introduce to decide on this matter.
The state government may introduce a system of 'local referendum' to deal with contentious issues. We may shortlist what the issues are and then resolve it through 'local referendums'.
The restriction of beer sales and its consumption in public could well be one of these 'disputes" that could be put to a 'local referendum'.
In fact, other issues like 'smoking' or 'noise pollution' could also be dealt with in such manner.
The gazzetted election constituents boundary system as produced by Election Commission can be used as a basis for this 'local referendum' since the boundary is well defined and the electoral list for each contituency is also easily identified.
Using the local constituency electoral roll, the residents may apply to resolve high contentious disputes to be decided through 'local referendum' by registerred voters in the constituency.
The guidelines and procedures could be easily sorted out by the relevant authorities since the mechanism is readily in place.
In fact, it could also be proposed that the cost for holding a 'local referendum' be absorbed by the disputing parties.
It is also about being an informed society so that the people can express their opinions and make decisions for themselves in a collective manner.
It is about self determination.
When the ISA is disputed to the level that tens of thousands people took to the streets to express their anger, then the right to thing to do is to hold a national referendum on the issue.
Let the people vote on the single issue of whether or not the ISA should be continued or abolished.
It is not correct to conclude that since Barisan Nasional won the General Election, then the people in general agree with the ISA, or vice versa.
When the alcohol ban is being disputed, then the right way to handle the issue is by going to the people. Give the people the right to decide for their community.
Since a blanket ban on alcohol would be a clear infringement to the rights of certain groups of people in society, then a 'local referendum' could be introduce to decide on this matter.
The state government may introduce a system of 'local referendum' to deal with contentious issues. We may shortlist what the issues are and then resolve it through 'local referendums'.
The restriction of beer sales and its consumption in public could well be one of these 'disputes" that could be put to a 'local referendum'.
In fact, other issues like 'smoking' or 'noise pollution' could also be dealt with in such manner.
The gazzetted election constituents boundary system as produced by Election Commission can be used as a basis for this 'local referendum' since the boundary is well defined and the electoral list for each contituency is also easily identified.
Using the local constituency electoral roll, the residents may apply to resolve high contentious disputes to be decided through 'local referendum' by registerred voters in the constituency.
The guidelines and procedures could be easily sorted out by the relevant authorities since the mechanism is readily in place.
In fact, it could also be proposed that the cost for holding a 'local referendum' be absorbed by the disputing parties.
posted by Jamna at
5:12 PM
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