When 40,000 people gather together to make a point, you know something is wrong. And so it was today, with people flocking to the middle of the city, all the way to Istana Negara (in which leaders from the opposition parties handed over a memorandum to the King calling for electoral reform).
I wasn't there, and I wish I was. But this is not to say I heartily agree with the entire thing. In fact, it feels somewhat "forced", as it were. After all, PAS and DAP wouldn't ordinarily be good bedfellows, but of course, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, they would say.
The Prime Minister condemned the rally, saying it is "challenging the patience of the people". Actually, the "people", I think, would be more inclined to sit back and enjoy the show, and perhaps nod their heads in agreement (I wouldn't say the same thing for those stuck in the horrible jam, though).
But it is easy to become fulsome here. And overtly joyful.
RTM's TV1 ran a video montage showing the evils of "rioting" (in which I chuckled all the way through). To their credit, they ran an audio conversation between Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin and a journalist. Asked why such gatherings a "illegal", Zainuddin interestingly fudges by answering that it is "unnecessary". The people, after all, can express their thoughts through voting.
Ironically, Bersih's main purpose was to protest against the electoral system itself (which, apparently, favors the ruling coalition).
Are "rallies" illegal, and should they never occur for the peace of the nation? Perhaps. But that would be calling Gandhi and his rallies "illegal" (it was called that, by the British- something which our government would loathe to be compared with).
Gatherings are just a means of expressing oneself, one that, I think, should not be denied. And shooting tear gas and water cannons at protesters makes the situation more shameful. Malaysia is now under international scrutiny.
But the purpose that justified such an event makes it completely laughable. Electoral reform? Perhaps start protesting why such protests are illegal in the first place, next time.
As for me, I would say "All the best". There's probably not going to be any big changes anytime soon (as long as folks with the rationalizing power of Zainuddin Maidin still hold government posts).
But it's a start.
I wasn't there, and I wish I was. But this is not to say I heartily agree with the entire thing. In fact, it feels somewhat "forced", as it were. After all, PAS and DAP wouldn't ordinarily be good bedfellows, but of course, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, they would say.
The Prime Minister condemned the rally, saying it is "challenging the patience of the people". Actually, the "people", I think, would be more inclined to sit back and enjoy the show, and perhaps nod their heads in agreement (I wouldn't say the same thing for those stuck in the horrible jam, though).
But it is easy to become fulsome here. And overtly joyful.
RTM's TV1 ran a video montage showing the evils of "rioting" (in which I chuckled all the way through). To their credit, they ran an audio conversation between Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin and a journalist. Asked why such gatherings a "illegal", Zainuddin interestingly fudges by answering that it is "unnecessary". The people, after all, can express their thoughts through voting.
Ironically, Bersih's main purpose was to protest against the electoral system itself (which, apparently, favors the ruling coalition).
Are "rallies" illegal, and should they never occur for the peace of the nation? Perhaps. But that would be calling Gandhi and his rallies "illegal" (it was called that, by the British- something which our government would loathe to be compared with).
Gatherings are just a means of expressing oneself, one that, I think, should not be denied. And shooting tear gas and water cannons at protesters makes the situation more shameful. Malaysia is now under international scrutiny.
But the purpose that justified such an event makes it completely laughable. Electoral reform? Perhaps start protesting why such protests are illegal in the first place, next time.
As for me, I would say "All the best". There's probably not going to be any big changes anytime soon (as long as folks with the rationalizing power of Zainuddin Maidin still hold government posts).
But it's a start.
3 comments:
Just wondering aloud .. was it even a protest to begin with? As far as I understood it, it was merely an attempt to hand over a memorandum to HM the YDP Agung.
BERSIH asked for solidarity and they got it. I don't see what's so laughable about that? What is perhaps laughable is the reaction that this gathering eventually garnered from those who currently still hold power.
Hmm...you could see it that way. Then again, the memorandum that was being handed over was in protest of something, was it not?
I certainly don't know what the people at the rally thought (you would know better since you were there, I suppose).
As for its purpose being laughable, in a way, it is. A massive rally being held calling for changes in "electoral reform" pales in comparison when compared to rallies held for independence, freedom or other massive policy changes.
This is not to downplay BERSIH's cause and reason for the rally. It is important.
Yes, I do agree with you that the government's response is laughable. What more, the national press which should have front paged such a momentous event. (Hint, hint)
the sole purpose of the rally was to ask the king to intervene 2 ensure a clean election
the people were those who support the cause of BERSIH
badawi is scared
the ministers are scared
bn is cheating during the elections
ironic isnt it that everytime an election takes place bn wins it
at ijok
they decided 2 have drama
making the win by a little margine
rubbish la the government
Post a Comment