WHAT IS SO WRONG WITH A PEACEFUL PUBLIC RALLY?

I watch in disgust in You Tube the illegal gathering of purportedly members of UMNO Youth protesting in front of PKR’s Headquarters in Petaling Jaya just two nights ago. To me, they are a band of hooligans gathered to protest against PKR’s support for the Bersih’s rally scheduled 9th July. And what is even more disgusting is that the hooligans were allowed to proceed with their noisy protest without any resistance from the authorities i.e. the police. Some days before, there was also the burning of pictures of Ambiga, the principal organizer of Bersih by what was believed to be Perkasa members. I believe, had it been the opposition or any other civil society, the gathering would result in the arrest of its leaders. This clearly shows the double standards practiced by the police in dealing with illegal gatherings that can adversely affect the popularity and support for the Najib’s administration.

Since the announcement of the Bersih’s rally, many Bersih’s supporters have been rounded up by the police for their statement to be recorded. Besides some politicians, all of whom are opposition party members, a renowned national laureate A. Samad Said was also roped in for police questioning for a poem recital he made during the launching of the Bersih rally on June 19th. And what is even more disgusting, even those wearing Bersih yellow coloured T Shirts are being detained and questioned. I just wonder what has a yellow coloured T Shirt got to do with violating public the security and the safety of this country. Truly, this is Malaysia Boleh in its meanest form; a practice that is associated with tyrants and dictators.

Honestly, I do not know what has become of this country that I still love dearly. Are we already a police state, or is this country now being governed by a communist regime where civil rights and liberties are indiscriminately trampled upon? From the actions taken by the authorities suggest that democracy is already dead in this country. This is worse than the period of the Malayan Emergency or the Communist Insurgency, where a least the authorities then i.e. police and the military were highly protective of the people. What we see happening today is that the authorities are acting like bullies and rouges that have little regards and respect for the rights and liberties of the ordinary people.

Last night, I was with a group of friends over coffee and the topic of discussion revolves around the Bersih rally. I can tell you that not a single person liked what they see happening to the country today, especially the methods used by the police in handling supporters of Bersih. I do not know whether PM Najib realizes that the uncouth attempts by the authorities to quell public dissent is counterproductive and can affect voters support for the government in the next GE. If the government does not realize this, then I might as well say aloud that the people, especially the urbanites are getting angrier at the government for their own stupidity. This is also the general perception that I get when I meet and talk to people of all walks of life concerning the state of the country today.

Believe me, the next GE will be a tough one for PM Najib, and if the government continues to allow the authorities to trample public opinion, civil rights and liberties, and I see little hope for a resounding victory for the present government.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION