Election Special: Will SPEAK cheat?

It's been a few weeks. And we've seen different reactions to the emergence of this blog. Some were constructive. Some were shocked. While some just loved to resort to cursing and swearing to express how they feel.

Nevertheless, here comes the most important week: the voting period! How will each party fare?

To be honest, SPEAK being the governing party, there may be a high chance they will win. We won't be surprised if they do and we acknowledge that, why? Have you heard all about phantom voters and vote rigging in elections? (Read wiki here) In short, there's a high potential SPEAK will cheat.

There's even a high chance their leaders have cheated their way to win ever since last year's elections, so why not this year, when the council is dominated by them?

So what can we do about it?

One thing anyone can learn from national level politics is this: People have the power to change! As a result, a 'political tsunami' set a new entry in Malaysia's history.

Students of Monash, are you ready to cause a 'political tsunami' here, so strong that can overthrow SPEAK even if they have cheated? Would OUR voice be stronger than theirs?

Only YOU can change this. It's time to practice our rights and show them some people power!

Here we have a list of SPEAK electoral promises. Have they fulfilled all? We highly doubt it.

1. Activities that you want and are important
Did they really open up surveys and asking for students' suggestions to what they would like? What we know is that they went with the usual activities same as previous years and there was little new additions. And performances for these events are mostly dominated by their friends (eg: Icky, Freeloaders Inc., etc), limiting performing slots for other talented students?

2. Welcome back party
Fulfilled

3. Flea market + carnival
Where's the Flea Market? Plus, we remember very clearly that during Presidential Debate, Shazeea (SPEAK VP) argued that Street Carnival should NOT be opened to public because they would not allow outsiders to enjoy OUR money. Sensible, yet we can guess what happens next, Street Carnival was opened to public. Outsiders enjoying our event funded by OUR money!

4. Cheaper and better Monash Ball
Is this year's Ball really better than last year's? We leave it to you. And we don't see how much cheaper is this year's Ball, considering the fact that there are grey areas about VIP Rooms and complimentary liquor from MOS being misused.

5. Clubs and Societies easier to operate
Clubs and societies aren't exactly getting it easier.

6. Revamped Silver Wings Project
Fulfilled.

7. Gym equipment
Punching bag purchased. Fulfilled.

8. Student friendly spaces for relaxing and chilling out
Any new additions besides the existing MUSA Lounge and cafeteria? Nope!

9. Wom*n's room fully functional and operational
Is it fully functional and operational? Yes we see funds splurged on its opening and launching ceremonies.

10. International Women's Day, V-day, Eating Disorder Week
Okay, a fair was held but not all was covered!

11. Scrutinize MUSA
As said in earlier posts, the most basic way to do this would be to release their meeting minutes for public scrutiny. They did not, and ironically minutes are only posted up when we noted that it's been absent ever since beginning of the year.

12. The Monash Experience, tell us what makes you unhappy and we'll make the change!
We don't see survey sheets or questionaires of this sort. Even the previous 'Monash Voice Out' project was not continued and carried out. Did they really provide an established channel for students to voice out their concerns?

As you can see, how many electoral promises did SPEAK fulfill? Not many, actually. Therefore, we do question their credibility in carrying out their duties.

Do you want student representatives who will keep breaking their electoral promises?

YOU decide!

Verdict and Issues on Monash Ball 2008

Before we start, we would like to first comment on certain behavior of our commentators. Yes, we understand your passion for the party SPEAK and naturally react towards the emergence of such opposition (this blog). However, that doesn't warrant you to misbehave. Being rude and childish totally reflects badly on Monash. Are we supposed to be represented that way, with all the foul language and cursing?

Let's all just be more civilized in our words and be constructive in our comments. Alright, get back on track.

Now that the Monash Ball 2008 Mardi Gras is over. We've heard people talking about what they think.

It was a hot topic during the MSC Forum.

Some thought the event was badly organized. The organizers were being questioned and shot during the MSC Forum. Did the Organizing Chairperson lack skills and capabilities in running such large-scale event? Did the MUSA President lose control of the event he could not answer well to our inquiries?

And there were issues regarding VIP Room and complimentary liquor by MOS. Why so?

And finally, some questioned, why did we have to pay extra RM 20 for MOS? If paying RM 80 for a lousy Monash Ball in Sunway Resort Hotel is bad enough, how about paying another extra RM 20 for MOS tickets when it is supposed to be free?

Yes, wasn't MOS entrance for merdeka eve night meant to be free? For entrance before midnight that is. (Source click here) After all, the Ball dismissed at 11pm which means students could still make it for free entrance to MOS.

So why did we have to pay extra RM 20?

If it's bad enough to come across incapable people who cannot deliver a good Monash Ball with our money paid making our money worth, it's even worse to hear that we have to pay extra for something which is meant to be free!

So where does the money go? We wonder!

We're so tired of this! When will this come to an end?

For crying out loud, we should call for the STOP to all these misuse of funds and power!

What on earth is Magic Club for?

Do you remember those days when you were in high school, you see friends secretly bringing magic cards to school just for innocent fun? Just to be caught with it and got their little toys confiscated, which ended up with the prefects. And some of these so-called prefects were actually the ones playing with your confiscated magic cards behind closed doors?

What if this high school scenario repeats itself, even in universities?

Apparently, even to the extent a 'Magic Club' is set up in Monash. Now we wonder, what is a Magic Club for? How relevant are magic cards to the average Monash student?

No prizes for guessing who are the founders. None other than the big shots of SPEAK: Darren Ng and Icky.

What's the point of setting up a club which does not really relate to most students? I mean, who still plays magic cards in universities? Not many, as we know.

But the bigger issue is this: There's a clause in C&S Constitution which states that clubs and societies set up may not be entirely social in nature.

Well, isn't Magic Club entirely social in nature? Yet why does such a club get approved easily by C&S Division? By right, clubs of this nature shouldn't be approved under C&S Constitution.

Is it a means for these 'big shots with power' to gain more certs? After all, it is so easy for them to elect themselves into president and vice-president positions in these clubs.

Or worse, if we're not mistaken, each club or society in Monash is given certain amount of funds (estimated to be RM 1000+ a year) from our student funds in order to operate. When such 'questionable' clubs are set up, is there a possibility that these irrelevant clubs gain instant access to funds as much as RM 1000+? How would they make use of these funds, would it easily go into their personal pockets?

As far as we know, this is highly possible. Even more so when the person approving funds (the MUSA Treasurer) is none other than their own close friend.

And please don't get us started on 'Monash Kite-Flying Club', which Darren set up (last year when he was Secretary of C&S Division. Did he misuse his position to set up irrelevant clubs to gain more certs?) and held a key position.

This has to STOP!