With the maiden attempt to mobilize people to voice up their outrage through the connectivity of Internet, the Action Proposal No. 001 has modest impact with 56 people actually execute the voted action which results into roughly 120 calls to Prime Minister office. With the comments and the subsequent post-action polls, we learn a few important factors for effective collective civil action. Among those factors are access to big readers base through MT, access to Bahasa speakers, and clarity of instruction. We found also people like (with 95% say yes) the 1-2-3 Step which allows people to participate the decision making and arrive at group decision.
We have combed through the blog sites to find ideas for actions suitable for group participation which will strengthen civil society in the process of help freeing RPK. The 1-2-3 Step can be summarized as analyzing our situation and capability, collect consensus, and then act. Analogically, the 1-2-3 Step can be summarized as prepare the gun, aim the target, and shoot. Here is another instance of the 1-2-3 Steps incorporating the action ideas that can help freeing RPK:
Step 1: Layout the analysis and options for collective action. (i.e. Prepare the "gun")
We have done some analysis on our and BN-UMNO's strength and weaknesses in Action Proposal No. 001. We will not repeat the analysis here. Instead, here are a list of five options we would like everyone to comment its feasibility, impact, and risk:
Option 1: Bring out more Imams to come out to support RPK.
This Option requires each of us who are of Islam faith to hold a talk to at least one Imam or immediate Islam teacher expressing your concern on RPK arrest under the guise of insulting to Islam; And also tell your Imam that you do not love less of your fellow Muslims simply because RPK exposes the ill of the fellow Muslims. If you are not a Muslim, this Option requires you to convince at least one of your Muslim friends to hold the aforementioned talk. This action, if voted in, should be carried out between Oct 6-Oct 8, and thus allow you to come back this site for taking a Post-Action poll which shall give us an objective feedback of our collective effort.
Initial effect analysis: This action, based on the previous poll result and assumption of better communication with Malaysia Today, shall result into roughly 300 actual conversations. This collective action shall reduce the credibility of the government case for incarcerating RPK under ISA.
Risk Analysis: No risk.
Option 2: Wear "Free RPK" T-Shirts to PM Hari Raya Open House
This Option requires each of us attending PM Hari Raya Open House while wearing standard "Free RPK" T-shirt or plain T-Shirt with self-painted "Free RPK" word on it in case you cannot get a hold of the standard "Free RPK" T-shirt. There were 200,000 people who visited PM Open House in Putra World Trade Centre last year. We should wear outer T-shirts to be taken out at the moment of PM presence to achieve more dramatic effect. When you vote on this option, you should assume this is conducted in Putra World Trade Centre. Location: Putra World Trade Centre (Confirmed); Data: Oct 1 (Confirmed); Time: 11:30 AM-4:30 PM (Confirmed).
Initial Effect Analysis: Our voices will be made loader with embarrassment caused to the PM with local and foreign media presence.Risk Analysis: With the spirit of Hari Raya and media eyes everywhere at the Open House, the authorities dare not to act high-handedly as long as we maintain our orderly manners.
Option 3: Tell your BN MP you want RPK be release or else...
This option requires you to find out your BN MP phone number and make a call to him/her, and then expressing your concern of our civil right being at stake due to RPK incarceration. If you are not under BN MP, please choose a neighboring BN MP as your target. Then make clear that you want RPK be released, or you will work very hard from now on (yes, everyday) to tell everyone in the constituency to vote him/her out in the next election. This action, if voted in, should be carried out between Oct 6-Oct 8, and thus allow you to come back this site for taking a Post-Action poll which shall give us an objective feedback of our collective effort.
Initial Effect Analysis: This action, based on the previous poll result and assumption of better communication with Malaysia Today, shall result into roughly 300 actual calls. With 120 BN MP, each MP shall get about 3 calls over the periods. Each MP knows for each call they receive, there are many more behind ready to dig him/her in the next election if he does not show his disapproval of arresting RPK. Exercising the vote and the threat of exercising the vote is one of the most potent tool at the people hands.
Risk Analysis: No risk
Option 4: Flood PM office with phone calls
This option requires each of us to make at least two calls to PM office. PM Office Phones are: 03-8888-8000 / 03-8888-8032. We keep this as one of the options for you to choose because it is was voted as the highest score in Action Proposal No. 001. This action, if voted in, should be carried out between 9AM Oct 6- 9PM Oct 8, and thus allow you to come back this site for taking a Post-Action poll which shall give us an objective feedback of our collective effort.
Initial Effect Analysis: This action, based on the previous poll result and assumption of better communication with Malaysia Today, shall result into roughly 300 actual calls to PM office over the stated period. That is about 18 calls per hour if most call are done in day time.
Risk Analysis: No risk as long as you make a valid complain.
Option 5: No action for now
You might want to choose this option if you think the other options are not appropriate or effective or other reasons.
You might want to allow people to comment on the above options before you proceed to Step 2. Please subscribe to http://groups.google.com/group/malaysiacivilrightactions so that we could send you reminder for completing the Step 2 and future action reminders. You can also subscribe through the link at the top of this blog site.
In the Step 1, you are urged to comment and debate on the feasibility, impact, and the risk of the above options. Through the comments, we also expound our cases to execute one option over another as a collective action.
Step 2: Collect consensus (i.e. Take aims at the target)
Please cast you vote on the aforementioned options here by 10 PM Sep 30 (Tuesday) here: http://malaysiacivilright.blogspot.com/(At the left top column).
When you cast your vote, please assume you are committed to execute the action that you plan to vote. Otherwise, you should just vote "No action for now".
Step 3: Everyone executes the Option with the highest score (i.e. Release the Trigger -"Shoot")
Please come back to check the scored votes after 11 PM Sep 30 (Tuesday) at http://malaysiacivilright.blogspot.com/ (At the top left column); We will close the poll by then.
In order to make the maximum impact, you are highly recommended to execute the action with the highest score even though you have not voted the highest score action. That is how we act collectively for maximum effect. (You of course are still encouraged to execute the other actions not voted in if you have additional time and resources).
Once you have done executing the highest score action, please come back to http://malaysiacivilright.blogspot.com/ (At the top left column) for Post-Action poll so that we could improve our next collective actions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear fellow Malaysians,
If you feel powerless to effect change, I highly recommend you to view this you-tube from Din Merican; The You-Tube illustrates in a very touching and vivid way how our collective fate is at stake with RPK incarceration and how we could change our collective fate.
We would like to acknowledge the more effective contribution done many men and women at the front lines. They are at the trenches risking their well being and freedom in defending the people. Our proposal as created under Malaysia Civil Right Actions Group is designed to help RPK and civil right advancement in a small but specific way - i.e. through activities that are requiring common people, who are free and unstructured in nature, to act and assert their right collectively.
Timeline for executing the above 1-2-3 Steps scheme is:
- Step 1: Now - 10PM Sep 30 (Tuesday)
- Step 2: Now - 10PM Sep 30 (Tuesday)
- Step 3: Duration varies depending on Option chosen; See the duration in the Step 1's Options
If you subscribe to the Malaysia Civil Right Action Group, we will send you reminders of the three steps which require your actions.
As we collectively learn and perfect the 1-2-3 Steps, we could expect to effect more effective actions. At one point we will be able to execute "Ready, Aim, and Fire" in rapid succession. We might be even able to execute parallel "Ready, Aim, and Fire" while still ensuring sufficient focus.
Today we are a weak civil society as shown by our inability to defend the basic human right of such iconic citizen - Raja Petra Kamaruddin. Our ability to defend the civil right, i.e. the right for simply being a citizen, for ordinary people is almost nil. We need to change that.
Today we the civil society defends the civil right of our iconic figure. If we succeed, then tomorrow we can defend the civil right of ordinary men and women.
Let's roll!
-----------------Status Copied Here ------------------
Updated Sep 26:
Status: Kick start the Action Proposal #002's Step 1.Actions Needed: Everyone to read, comment, and debate the Action Proposal #002
Updated Sep 28:
Malaysia Today has posted this Action Proposal #002. You might want to check its comment sections for analysis related to feasibility, impact, and risk of all Options before finalizing your vote.
Update Sep 29:
Status: Option 2 might have highest score; Location and time updated in Action Proposal #002 for Option 2.Action Needed: Start cast you vote if you have not done so. Everyone get prepared for Option 2. Sign-up for the google group (link on top) to get action reminders if you have not done so.
Updated on Sep 30 (1 PM):
Status: There is clear indication to assume Option 2 is foregone "winner".Action needed: All preparation should base on this assumption. If each of us can get three more friends to attend, we will have 238*4 ~= 1000 people to wear the "Free RPK" T-shirts. Of course, we also have other groups such as Hindraf who attend the open house. You might want to bring a few more T-Shirts for impromptu participants.
Updated on Sep 30 (10 PM):
Status: Step 2's Poll closed. Option 2 has been selected collectively! 253 votes casted, reflecting 67% increase of participation compared to the previous Action Proposal. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is confirmed to be on Oct 1; The Open house is confirmed to start at 11:30 AM. More detail in the StarOnline.Action needed: Let's try our respective way to execute the Option 2. From your votes, you have said "inaction is not an option".
Updated on Oct 2:
Everyone to take Post-Action Poll (This is part of Step 3)
Updated on Oct 8:
Action Proposal #002 completed
Posts
8 comments:
I saw your comment at Haris Ibrahim's blog. The last sentence hints of feeling a bit discouraged by the lack of response(?)
DON'T BE.
You'll have to consider that there are THOUSANDS of sites in Malaysia alone - people aren't going to come over (much less be involved) just because we think "our cause is just". MORE needs to be done
If you honestly and sincerely feel that what you are doing is correct, THEN CONTINUE. Don't/Never let others'response decide whether we continue or otherwise.
BTW, a bit of sly, guerilla-tactic promotion won't due harm. I've only been at this for two weeks myself, so NOBODY knows me and my site. So I have to let them know...
Take a look at one of my examples at Tun Mahathir's blog (Do a "Find" of "Cendana").
http://test.chedet.com/che_det/2008/09/supreme-council.html
But this is risky - Do it `wrong' and people WILL visit you - do hurl abuses!:-)
May be one of the future action is to wear T-shirt with "Free Raja" - instead of "Free RPK". That can create some curiosity of people who do not know RPK -- which is very much our intention since for those know RPK term already more or less at his side. "Raja" means quite a lot for Malays folks.
I want to participate but have not as yet for 3 reasons:
1. Your instructions are too complicated. Too much going on in your text. Simplify.
2. With the Govt freewheeling the ISA, people need more reassurance - you need sponsors who have a good reputation and standing. Don't do this alone. Demonstrate that this ia a legitimate movement. Work with a known site like MToday or one of the better-known blggers like Jeff Ooi or Elizabeth Wong or Din Merican.
3. Please don't use violent images like "target" and "shoot". Ordinary people with families don't want to associate with trouble.
Dear Shiou;
There is an important option missing, which is to force PKR, DAP and PAS to mobilise on behalf of YM RPK. I can understand why BN will not act for YM RPK but I am truly APPALLED at the inaction of PKR, DAP and PAS to free YM RPK. YM RPK swung at least 15% of the votes to PR parties with his articles and speeches, yet what had PR done to free him?
I agree with alberttan. PKR,DAP and PAS are notable by their silence then by their actions. It is a crying shame that RPK had done so much to further their cause that they now just abndon him with only token comments to release him and all ISA detainees.
In order for civil actions to be effective there must be an element of spontaneity. It should also be easy and safe. Making hari raya visits to PM's residence and wearing T-shirt calling for their release is a good idea. Another way is to distribute badges or just a yellow ribbon to signify the call for their release.
Yellow ribbon is a sign of a person waiting for someone to come home to us. If the rakyat wears this it signifies their longing for the return of one of their own.
There is no risk tying a yellow ribbon on your car's antenna or the gate of your home or a tree near your home.
Flood the nation with yellow ribbons so that the powers that be could see the will of the people.
Distribute badges and yellow ribbons in front of the PM's house or other minister's house. Give a lot to a lot of the people who came to help distribute the badges or yellow ribbons. Give 5 or 10 pieces to each person and get them to distribute for you.
I know nobody in PKR, PAS or DAP but what is your evidence that they are doing nothing, just because they don't create press attention for their actions?
If there is no evidence, speculative statements will reduce the credibility of this website.
Surely when Pakatan Rakyat negotiates with BN, there has to be some hard bargaining going on behind the scenes. I cannot believe that Anwar et al would drop RPK at this moment of great need.
If so, I have little faith in the new order of things promised by Pakatan Rakyat. I will remain hopeful until there is solid evidence to the contrary.
We will compile suggested future action options as expressed here and in the corresponding Malaysia Today comment section, and put them for next rounds of Action Proposal.
If anyone can volunteer to provide detail of those action options to me or this blog site, it will help us to have more rapid successions of actions. The detail should cover exactly each individual is supposed to do (what, where, when, frequency, and how) so that an individual can commit himself/herself truthfully when he/she cast the vote.
Post a Comment