Thursday, July 14, 2011

POST BERSIH – A COMMENT

I seem to have caused a lot of unhappiness among some readers over my stand on Bersih. I’ve even been shot down for what they think that I am being anti-kerajaan and what not. Some even referred me as being pro-Anuar, pro-opposition, pro-PAS and what have you. To my ‘detractors’, I humbly say this, “come on, have some sense put into your brains and please reflect seriously whether my stand on Bersih was a political one, or was I merely reaffirming Bersih rights and that of mine too, that it was a stand for our own constitutional rights; not for Anuar, PAS or that I am anti-kerajaan”.

I believed in Bersih for all they stood for, regardless of who the promoters were; be they Malays, Chinese or Indians. It wasn’t about toppling the government through the streets. Neither was it about promoting the opposition’s cause or for a particular race or religion. It was to be a rally, uniting all Malaysians to demand their rights for an election reform; their constitutional right that is enshrine in our constitution, and their response to Bersih’s call is overwhelming.

I believe too that the rally was to be a peaceful gathering, but was demonized (you know by whom) repeatedly over the mainstream media, even before the rally could get started. Now, who said that the rally was to promote violence and is therefore a risk to national security? Who said that the rally was to promote a particular political party, individual or a group of individuals? Who said that the rally was to cause fear, that blood will be spilled and business will suffer losses? Who said that a people’s street demonstration is not a Malaysian culture and that the rally had shamed the country? There are far too many ‘who said’ that I can list down, but suffice for me to list just a few for those who still think that Bersih had all the bad intentions, and worse still, of toppling the government through street violence.

Contrary to all the negativities being said about the rally, Bersih has been consistent about their cause and that it was all about being peaceful uniting all Malaysians for a common demand that rightfully is theirs. Rest assured that I will be first to challenge Bersih if indeed their intention was to topple the government through street violence, for I am now a strong believer in non-violence activities.

Since the July 9th 2011 ‘incident’, the nation has been fed with all sorts of stories relating to the Bersih rally; both the positive and negative side. But what is important now I think, is for all the parties involved to sit back and to ponder the impact the rally had on all Malaysians and the nation as a whole. If the government feels that there is a cause to reflect into the demands by Bersih, be forthright enough to say that there are issues that needed to be resolved. Likewise, if Bersih thinks that the rally had seriously dented their credibility, and that their cause has fizzled out, then think about building new approaches that can be more palatable to the government. To both parties, taking a hard stand over issues that affects the people is unworthy and irresponsible.

And to my worthy ‘detractors’ please avoid being personal in your comments. To claim and say that my ‘supporters’ are out to ‘bodek’ me is totally out of place and of bad intention. What good is there to ‘bodek’ me? Seriously, what can I offer them for supporting me? I cannot give them shares. I cannot give them APs. Neither can I appoint them to take charge of a GLC. The only thing I can offer them is a cup of teh tarik. So who am I………..I am just a pensioner and a nobody. And is writing my views (sometimes critical) and comments wrong? And should we ever meet, please identify yourself and let’s sit and talk like all good gentleman do.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

sir, when i watched http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vCetbFLceFIthis video i feel really kecewa terhadap our police force. before this, saya bermati matian membela the force saying that 'don't blame the police blame the government'... but when i watched this, its horrible. why do the police acted like they didn't learn nilai sivik. i feel very very sad and kecewa. tapi kepada pihak mana harus dibawa rasa kecewa ni?

johnnie lim said...

paCommander,
I have been following your articles and I did not think you were taking any side, just putting your thoughts down and I don't think it is wrong to share your thoughts on something you believe in especially if it is something noble. Those who critised you are so blinded by the lies they have been fed or was it blind loyalty.? only they can answer those questions themselve if they search deep within their soul.
keep writting, we need all the encouragement we can from writters like you. Btw I don't belong to any polictical parties, I will support anyone who is righteous

Anonymous said...

Bingo Datuk u have put it straight and honest about BERSIH. I am with u............

Jeff said...

Sir,
I totally agree with your article. I believe changes must come for the good of our country & race based political parties must end as we are all malaysians & we support King & Country.

The ordinary malaysians cannot remain stupid forever as events worldwide has shown esp. in the Middle East.

I being an ordinary malaysian with zero to start up in life as my parents were poor. However i managed to study hard & became a professional. Since life is hard my 3 kids also studied hard & 2 kids got good grades in the SPM. The 3rd kid is currently in form 5.

My 3 kids all want to be doctors & serve the public but unfortunately my 2 kids did not get any scholarships. Where am i going to find that kind of money to educate all 3 of them? Do i go to the streets to protest? Will the govt. help?

I can only pray to God to show me a way & hope for the best. Yes i will still work my butt out to fulfil my kids aspirations. Many parents like me are the silent majority & we can only pray that our country will progress & our kids can have a better life than us.

Kamal Sanusi said...

Salam Dato

This is what happen to some people nowadays especially poliTAIK men/women. When we say something which is not in-line with party A's view, they would say we are party B supporters and vise-versa. Even when we say "that something" which is right with facts & figures, they would tend to make the said conclusion on us (pro-A or pro-B).

When they have nothing to counter back on what we said, personal attack will be their last strategy.

When we second your view, they would say we are "pengampu" or "bodek" you even though we never meet or know each other. Let alone getting any APs, shares, contracts as what they are doing leaving behind their pride, dignity exposing their stupidity.

I have my own stand in supporting Bersih which is never in the mind to kick out those people vide street violence BUT through fair & clean election.

Last but not least, I don't think demanding clean & fair election is anti-Islam. Sekolah mana those people belajar agama Islam yg menyuruh buat sesuatu secara kotor & tidak adil? Islam Ada Had Ada Hari ka?

Major D Swami (Retired) said...

Datuk,
As always honored to be your "kaki bodek". Please do continue writing what is in your heart, you might think not many people read your blog, rest assured many do. They who have not served during those trying days will not understand. Drinking in the "Mess" is not a sin as it is for some. Those who drink get drunk. Those who get drunk go to sleep. Those who sleep do not commit sin. Those who do not sin go to heaven. So, let us all drink and go to heaven. This is dedicated to those with constricted minds. Remember not only one kind of a Malaysian served.

Qi Badd said...

saya menghormati pandangan tuan..mohon kebenaran utk di copy artikel ini...teruskan menulis tuan kerana saya pembaca setia:)

olinuskap said...

behind u uncle..

to the haters, this is what happens when u read too much Utusan...and watch too much tv3 news..

keep it up, uncle...!

Malindo Global said...

Good one. Keep up fighting for clean elections.

AlphaGuy said...

Syabas, General. All your readers and fans need only one thing from you when you write.....Fairness and straightforwardness yet interesting and mind provoking. No one, then, can accuse you of being bias. As it is, you are spot on!!

basri bin omar said...

Salam Dato'!

Keep on writing Sir!As long as you said it from your HEART...is all right.Doa dan harapan agar Dato' sentiasa di BERKATI Allah Amin!

Sammy said...

Good article, sir.

No, you do not have to defend your views and stand on the rally. You are entitled to your views and this is your Blog anyway..

I hope you would comment more about the govt breaching the hospital by firing tear gas and what not..would you, sir, a military officer chase after your enemy (however there was not enemy of the country last week)into a hospital and attempt to take them out, dead or alive?

Are the police leaders aware of their actions? Where were they educated? Some sekolah pondok in some backwater kampung? To think those with pips and crowns on their shoulder boards would have some intelligence (or brains) and open to reason.

There were no drug kingpins, mass murderers, bombers, terrorists running into the hospital that week..why so drastic?

Would you, sir, as an officer follow the orders from above (deffinately some elected official) and order your men to fire into a hospital? So are our police officers, lesser human beings?

@ddie said...

thank you for voicing your thoughts HONESTLY. respect you for that uncle. have a nice day

komando said...

When a dog is trained to Bark & Bite it will follow orders to do so!

This is because he/she is gods' creature or creation, he/she does not have any choice, otherwise they get beaten by humans(the trainer!)

But if man/women with brains and some conscience he/she will surely think for a short moment!

"Am I just an animal following BLIND ORDERS!"

The day will come, surely any men & women with a heart, he or she would not be blinded by BLIND LOYALTY.

This day shall dawn!

Ejoi said...

Tahniah Pak Chat,

Orang memang suka kalau dipuji lagi dipuji lagi la kita mudah lupa diri, Tahniah kerana puji memuji...

Perhimpuan BERISH memang aman dan bersih tetapi ianya akan KOTOR dengan formula berikut:

BERSIH + PKR + DAP = PERKASA + PEMUDA UMNO + PEKIDA + PERSATUAN SILAT YANG LUPA DIRI

Saudara-saudara bekas pasukan keselamatan mahupun yang sedang berkhidmat fikir-fikirkan senario yang akan berlaku bila kedua-dua dua kumpulan ini bertembung pada 9 Julai 2011.

1. Berlaku ejek mengejek,kata mengata.
2. Berlaku Provokasi.
3. Objek seperti botol dan kayu melayang.
4. Tercetusnya pergaduhan.
5. Keadaan tak terkawal.

Perhimpunan yang dirancang bersih jadi kotor.

Tapi yang peliknya saya cuma kritik pak chat saya tak pernah tuduh pak chat anti kerajaan mahupun penyokong pembangkang saya cuma minta jangan berat sebelah atau bahasa ubi kentangnya BIAS..

Pemuji-pemuji pak chat pula tuduh saya penjilat punggung UMNO, saya baca semua suratkhabar HARAKAH mahupun Utusan saya pun berdaftar dalam blog Lim Kit Siang (just want to give my view only) takde pula cakap yang macam2, Ini la mentaliti Yes Sir, You're Right Sir masih wujud walaupun kita bersara.

Saya sokong ulasana sahabat saya Bekas Ketua Polis Perak terkenang sewaktu 13 Mei (sila cari dan baca,dia tak bias pun). Kita diarahkan membuat sekatan di sekitar bandar Ipoh manakala Tentera Gurkha berkawal di kawasan Parit berlaku kejadian Tentera Gurkha melepaskan tembakan kepada orang awam semasa perintah berkurung selepas 1800...

ps: Saya terpaksa ulas sebab nak pertahankan diri. Jangan Lupa Diri Bila Kita Dipuji.

Malaysian said...

Some folks are not aware that Bersih is not about the opposition. It's about Rakyat Malaysia and Bersih showed us that Malaysian of different skin color can work together to fight injustice.

Salam

Malaysian said...

Dato

What would we get by bodek you? Can I get cheap land from Sungai Besi base? I can't believe certain readers make such comment. This show that we have shallow minded people around this world.

Also, do you think BN will work with Bersih on electoral reform? I doubt so because if they do reform then BN will loose more seats.

Salam

Cecilia said...

Totally agree, sir - even without the teh tarik :))

komando said...

Untuk yang suka bodek itu dah sebati, tidak mudah ubah dan tingalkan!

Sampai nak mati pun akan cuba bodek melaikat maut nanti supaya cabut nyawanya perlahan lahan!

Wah imah apa pun kita cuma cerita yang benar, tidak tambah supaya jadi sensasi.

Ada mata tetapi BUTA!
Ada hati tetapi sudah MATI!
Ada otak (maybe) tidak boleh BERFIKIR!

SO PAK CHAD... LETS HAVE A TEH TARIK PARTY AT YOUR HOUSE, and welcome all those yang masih tidak faham your rantings!

And lets see their real FACES if they do dare show UP!

I will buy the treat and make sure we have a good TIME!

komando said...

Lets invite EJOI to our party with red carpet and a high chair, since he says we all here like to bodek PAK CHAD,

Lets bodek him for once, maybe he is yearning for it.
Was never a Panglima like you before!
Lets give him his DAY!
One day Panglima!

ahmad said...

Dear Dato',
I am ex army officer and opposition politician. Dato', you must continue writing because you have the right to do so as Rakyat Malaysia under Perlembagaan dibawah kebebasan bersuara. We appreciate your views wether pro or con with our political view. Thank you Dato'.

hussin said...

ejoi,

kira2 otak hang bergeliga juga, buat perkiraan mengikut formula yang hang reka, akur dan percaya. ok, ni kan demokrasi.

ni pulak formula aku.

bersih - polis - anti bersih, 3 aktor utama demonstrasi aman 9 julai 2011.

bersih mempunyai objektif yang jelas. polis juga ada peranannya yang jelas. anti bersih mahu timbulkan huru hara, yang ko begitu bimbang.

1. Berlaku ejek mengejek,kata mengata.
2. Berlaku Provokasi.
3. Objek seperti botol dan kayu melayang.
4. Tercetusnya pergaduhan.
5. Keadaan tak terkawal.

kelima2 perkara di atas, mengikut formula aku, adalah kerja2 yang akan dilakukan oleh anti bersih. dis sinilah polis perlu berperanan sebagai penjaga keselamatan.

benarkan berseih lakukan demonstrasi, dictate tempat berkumpul serta laluan ke istana negara. polis kawal pergerakan mereka khususnya dari elemen anti bersih. polis kan ada sb yang boleh bergerak di lorong2 yang dicuragai diguna oleh elemen anti bersih.

tahan pemimpin2 anti bersih dalam rumah masing2.

seminggu kemudian benarkan pulah anti bersih berdemonstrasi. polis kawal tempat perhimpunan serta laluan mereka ke istana (itu pun kalau agong nak terima). deploy sb di lorong2 yang boleh digunakan oleh eleman bersih untuk menimbulkan huru hara. polis kena fair. kalau polis boleh jaga keselamatan bersih, polis juga boleh jaga keselamatan anti bersih.

9711 telah mencatatkan sejarahnya. baju kuning diharamkan. pemakainya ditangkap. hari ini london berpesta kuning, dari menteri sampai ke queennya.

bukan kerana formula ko dan bukan juga kerana formula aku. orang tengah yang mencetuskan keadaan huru hara. bukan anti bersih seperti tanggapan ko.

ada lagi formula?

风语者 said...

Sir,
Today is my first time reading your blog, and I like it straight away and has been sharing with my friends.

My opinion... This is your blog, you're free to put up your own honest opinions.

There is always certain group of people thinking they're right no matter what, so they cannot accept criticism, and treat all criticism as threat. People like this will never improve. Human learn from mistakes. If they don't recognize mistakes, they never learn!

Kamal Sanusi said...

Salam Dato

Ejoi, Ejoi... I'll come back to you soon. Can't really respond to your comment as I'm "sedang sakit peyut dok tahan gelak".

samsaimon said...

Salam Dato'

You have every right to say and write as you think.
You are a free man under the Constitution, but, unless the law says you are wrong!

I'm with you.

Tangee88 said...

Sir,
I'm 54 years young. I am so pleased to read your views on national matters. It is so refreshing to have a senior military man putting forth his views which are not tainted by political,racial or religious biasedness. Instead you have taken a high moral stand based on what is right ( & this is rare nowadays)and for that I salute you. I look forward to reading your views and opinions. Your calm, balanced & well reasoned views gives me hope that there are good men out there to counter all the negativities from our current crop of leaders.

AG Halim said...

Salam Dato' Arshad,

Just recalled my time with you when your are our General Chief of Staff at Field Army Command HQ. You are the Man. Keep it up Dato'.

Salam,
AG Halim - Your Ex- Staff Officer Operations

AG Halim said...

Salam Dato' Arshad,

Whatever negative comments threw at your it is just like a small amount salt added into your recipes. There's always a saying..whatever doings that you have done may not satisfy some people. Keep it up with no fear or favour as long as it is for the JUSTICE to all MALAYSIAN.

Regards to you Dato' and all readers.

Unknown said...

Please for humanity's sake please do it once
I have made a blog at blogger.com Since i have added a google adsense in the blog but haven't made a penny with this. I need your help and support to help me make some money to PAY MY Tuition Fees.

What you have to do is follow these simple steps

1.go to my blogger profile and visit my blog "Kwotz - Golden Words of Life"
2.Remain on the page i.e Kwotz for one minute or so and do some random surfing
3. click ONE of the ads that APPEALS to you from ADChoices boxes and visit there.
4.remain on that page for one minute or so and do some random surfing.
and that's it.

Note: Only ONE click is needed. If you don't wanna help then just visit my blog.
I will be grateful to you if you put my blog on your Blogroll.
I really need your help

polris said...

DATO' BEEN FOLLOWING YOU FOR QUITE SOMETIME.MY HUMBLE COOMENT IS THAT YOU SEEMS TO HAVE SOME GRUDGE AGAINST SOME QUARTERS AFTER READING THROUGH YOUR COMMENTS.PLEASE REMEMBER WER ARE AT THE END OF OUR TIME.INGAT KEPADA 3 PERKARA SEBELUM MATI.IAITU SEDEKAH DAN AMAL JARIAH YANG KITA BERIKAN,ILMU YANG BERMANAFAAT DAN ANAK YANG SOLEH.BANTU MENGURANG "CONTROVERSY" BUKAN TAMBAHKAN CONTROVERSY/KEHANGATAN SUBJEK.PERBANYAKAN SRANAN BUKAN HANGATKAN KEADAAN.ITU LEBIH AFDAL.

polris said...

CONGRTULATION AND SYABAS FOR OUR PDRM.NIB IN THE BUD AS A SAYING GOES.I DREAD TO SEE THE DAY WHEN WE WILL HAVE TO INVOLVE THE MAF IN DEALING WITH THE SITUATION.HOWEVER BE QUICK WITH YOUR PROCESS OF BRINGING THOSE DEMONSTRATORS WHO BROKE THE LAW SO THAT WE CAN GO ON WITH OUR DAILY LIFE WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR PEACEFULLY.AS FOR BERSIH PLEASE GO THROUGH THE BALLOT BOX TO GET YOUR DEMANDS ME THAT IF HAVE THE BALLS TO DO SO.WE ARE A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY.