Every single MSC of 2023 seems to be contending for the prize of being the longest and most infuriating one ever, with MSC#7 (and MSC#7.2, you probably know where this is going already), being the latest addition to the roster. The main contention of this particular MSC was the issue of the Election Blueprint.
Yes, at long last, the 2023/4 MUSA elections have arrived, which marks the beginning of the search for new Office Bearers. However, before the journey can even begin, it is necessary for the Monash Student Council to review and pass the Election Blueprint, which as the name suggests, is the framework for the annual elections from which the Election Commission will carry out election-related operations. The blueprint includes details related to the elections, MUSA’s updated structure, contested positions, and election publicity framework.
Due to the complete revamp of MUSA’s organizational structure, there have been a LOT of changes that will be made for the 2024 MUSA, namely the introduction of new divisions, departments and positions. TL:DR, please see the election blueprint using this link!
However, as you can see, this is the FINAL version of the election blueprint, a stage that we only managed to reach after jumping through several hoops. One of the biggest points of contention from the original blueprint was the fact that
- The HAC had not been consulted regarding the election blueprint
- The Editors had been changed from an elected to an appointed position
Since our conception, Editors has always been in a bit of a gray area within the MUSA structure due to our constitutional right to remain independent, an independence which results in us not having any voting rights but allows us to maintain our journalistic integrity especially when it comes to my job scope in particular, reporting on all the events that occur within MSCs without bias. However, the conversion of the Editor’s position to an appointed one would go directly against our purpose and thus render our position effectively compromised.
Therefore, my team and I personally raised several issues during the MSC including:
- How would the Editors retain their independence if our successors were to be appointed in the future?
- What screening system would MUSA, namely the Heads of the Publicity Division, use to help appoint the Editors?
- Why were we not consulted regarding this change?
Although we were aware of the fact that the Editorial positions would be integrated into the Publicity Division, we were still blindsided to the fact that our position would be henceforth appointed, had the blueprint passed. Due to our lack of voting rights, if the blueprint had passed during MSC#7, we would have had no choice but to accept the council’s decision.
Fortunately, the pressing concerns of the Editors were also supported by members of the HAC, Dominic Lee and Chee Minhao who also pointed out that the HAC had also not been consulted in regards to the blueprint, which they felt, based on their previous experience in MUSA, was incomplete and had to be refined further. Therefore, after much deliberation the motion was not passed by MSC. Instead, amendments would be made to the blueprint and presented again during MSC#7.2. Moving forward, the MSC then appointed the RO for the 2023 Annual General Elections, Hari Prasadt, a Sunway University student. With his numerous years of experience in leadership roles the Office Bearers believed that he had all the necessary qualities to conduct fair and unbiased elections.
Unfortunately, by the time this motion had passed, it was well into the night and the President, felt it necessary to end the meeting and reconvene in MSC#7.2 for the rest of the business reports as well as the presentation of the election blueprint.
On the 30th of August, the blueprint was met with resistance again from the HAC, as they had been once again, not consulted regarding the final draft. There was an undeniable tension in the air as some voices were raised and opinions clashed. Fortunately, this ticking time bomb of a meeting was quickly de-fused, but also left us without an Election Blueprint for the second time, with Office Bearers either abstaining or voting against out of fear of any potential constitutional crises resulting from an unfinished blueprint.
Desperate times called for desperate measures, therefore an email motion was sent out for Office Bearers to vote on the FINAL Election Blueprint, which passed with all of us in agreement to its structure, rules and guidelines (third time’s the charm I guess?)
Other than that obvious kerfuffle, the rest of the business reports were kept short and sweet, with the most notable report being from the Treasurers and Activities department. The Treasurers would like to remind all students that any use of the Monash Malaysia logo on merchandise is strictly NOT allowed, due to copyright laws.
To end this article on a bit of a high note, I have managed to weasel some information from the Activities Department in regards to Monash Ball, arguably our biggest event of the year. The date is tentatively set to mid-November, taking into account the start of internship dates and the end of exam season. The department has also shortlisted a theme for the ball which has yet to be revealed, so do be on the lookout for that!
MSC #7 & 7.2 HIGHLIGHTS
- It’s always HAC vs MUSA at one point in time
- DO NOT USE THE MONASH MALAYSIA LOGO ON MERCH!!
- Can the semester end already so we can get dressed up for Monash Ball :(
Written by Ashley; Design by Jeanette
musamonga.com 