News and Views

"Dear Readers,

It is imperative for me to explain this: I am a mere observer, with no interest in affiliating myself with or against the government. The reason behind this writing is due to the past week's interesting commentaries on the formal and informal channel, thus I have done an analysis and presented it for your reading pleasure.

The following would have a pro-Bersih stance due to balance out the heavily tilted mainstream media. But to clarify, I will reiterate my previous statement, I am only interested in championing human rights issue and in no way supportive of either for or against governmental institute."

“Behind the BERSIH 2.0 movement, there is a political ulterior motive”

Various media and public servants question the motive of the movement, labelling it as an attempt to incite riot, damage the country’s economy and credibility. Led by opposition leaders (never mind that Bersih is not a political party), politicians claimed that the rally is a propaganda tool used by the opposition to create a political instability in Malaysia, further condemning Bersih as an illegal organization.

To recap, let us review BERSIH’s demand: clean electoral roll, reform postal ballot, use of indelible ink, minimum 21 days campaign period, free and fair access to media, strengthen public institutions, stop corruption, stop dirty politics.

As hard as I try to find a problem with BERSIH’s demand, I could not find any. While mainstream media portray an outlook of propaganda led by opposition party, I find myself questioning: “Should we discredit better governance just because it is led by the opposing party?” as an absolutist myself, I find it hard to discredit Bersih’s demand.

“Weapons, explosive found in City Centre”

On July 5, it was reported that three masked man threw out caches containing weapons and Molotov cocktails along with BERSIH shirts out from a Proton Waja. More caches were found in other parts of city centre.

On July 9, there are no reports of any buildings burnt or people slashed. However, there are reports of police brutality and tear gasses discharged upon peaceful protest and into Hospital Tung Shin hospital, despite official claim.

According to reports on The Star, the Patriots and Bersih supporters almost clashed on their way to stadium as both parties came into close contact on Jalan Pudu. In this scenario, tear gas and water cannon are used to defuse potential clash – this is probably the only warranted usage of both arsenal in an otherwise unwarranted attack on civilians.

“Rally may lead to RM1.2 billion losses – Dato Ng Yen Yen”

At 8pm last night, TV3 had interviewed local eateries and various business persons who told the channel that this rally inflicted monetary damage to their daily business. Such losses are even larger than normal as Saturday usually nets a huge income for the food and beverages (F&B) businesses.

Personally, I can understand why the parties are aggrieved with the protestors and wanted them to demonstrate in the woods (according to one of interviewee). However, businesses are not measured by only profits, but also taking account of potential losses avoided, hence the saying ‘a penny saved is a penny earned’.

Our tax money paid to the government should be returned in some form of social welfare in the form of better infrastructure, medical benefits, etc. But when our money is spent developing facebook pages that cost RM1.8 million, a day’s loss for reform rally should be compared against the future of reduction in governmental scandals and added social welfare.

“Rally had caused traffic congestion”

Again, at the 8pm news update last night on TV3, they had interviewed people on the road who are stuck in traffic. Obviously they are unhappy about the situation (although most of them are all smiles when they were approached by reporters).

But could this disaster be averted?

After an intervention by the constitutional monarch, Najib claims that Bersih rally may be held in a stadium, but Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar who met Bersih 2.0 chairman said: “Yes, the Prime Minister has allowed them to use a stadium, but he did not mention which one.”

(Sort of like how a woman tell a man:"Yes, my mom said we can have sex, but she never said which hole you can have access. Based on these grounds, your application for entry is denied")

This proves to be the cataclysmic as thousands of people pour into central KL from different streets despite the erected road blocks.

What could’ve been done to prevent this?

If Najib was sincere, he could’ve easily provided a venue within the city and instructed the Bersih to have its rally participants walk down a certain roads toward the venue instead of closing down the entire city. In fact, if the government find it hard to hatch out a plan, perhaps Najib could have consulted a marathon organising committee on the logistic issue.

“Protestors disperse at 4pm after opposition leaders were apprehended”

This statement is also extracted from TV3 last night. Perhaps TV3 research team should be bothered to go through all materials considered that they are paid to do so. In case they weren’t aware, the rally was suppose from 2pm – 4pm.

Below are some Individual’s statements made prior to the rally:

“I am neither for nor against politics”

I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware that human rights issue are political issue.

“Do you know if Bersih campaign is effective? Laws need to be passed in Parliament, not Petaling Street”

While it is true that laws need to be passed in the parliament to be effective, the objective of street demonstration was never with the intention to pass any laws or create immediate electoral reforms, as in the case of Bersih.

Just like how cars are not designed to fly, street demonstration is a mere catalyst to trigger a means to an end, not a means by itself. The purpose of street demonstration is to bring awareness of the current issue and injustice within society, to express an unwillingness to tolerate any injustice any longer and to bring the attention of the world on this very small piece of haven we Malaysians call home.

“While I support the cause of the rally, I don’t support how it is taken into the streets. Think about the people who would get hurt, and the people you would hurt if a riot take place”

Reward is not without its risk. Heading into the roads of KL, protestors should understand what they are potentially walking into. It is this knowledge of risk, along with the action of taking them, makes Malaysian everywhere in the world proud call ourselves Malaysian.