How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Monday, April 30, 2012

I could have taken part in the Bersih 3.0 rally but didn't

I showed video clips and news about the planned demonstration to my wife, hoping that she would delay the trip to PJ. My son was disappointed by my 'wait and see' attitude and suggested that we go early. Anyway, we left BG after 10 am (since boss decided despite my hints), and surprise, surprise, the North-South Expressway had less traffic than usual! But I noticed heavy traffic from the other direction, heading north! At first, it seemed like a traffic jam due to a minor accident, then the heavy traffic continued as we passed them in the opposite direction. Finally, we came to the conclusion that it was due to the long weekend (for some) and for those who wanted to get away from KL. The most surprising part was that I could be at the toll exit just after a car left after paying... no queue at all! Going along the road past Sri Hartamas on the left and Mont Kiara on the right, it was a breeze, all the way through Section 16, PJ and to Section 14. It was only 1 pm and I could have made it to KL had I wanted to.

Before the trip, I had a look at the front page of Malay Mail which had DAP in big letters, simply because their Vice President, Tunku Aziz said he was against the Bersih rally. It was so obvious that the only time DAP could get free publicity is when someone within speaks out against party views, like what their Chairman, Karpal Singh used to do occasionally.

Tunku Aziz said that we should respect the law and the police. But what if the police failed us time and again? That the people would not trust them when they are going on holiday is just an example. There were cases of brutality and even deaths while in police custody, with no one being held responsible. Similarly, the Election Commission had failed us again and again, without showing any resolve to put things right. Are we supposed to 'obey the law' regardless of the almost hopeless situation?

This morning, at breakfast, a friend said his daughter took a bus to KL and back, having joined her friends at the rally. Another friend said his daughters took part too. A senior friend with a medical history of 'murmuring' heart walked from KL Sentral to Central Market and back. These are just some examples of those unlikely people who took part on their own accord who put me to shame. Compared to Bersih 2.0, they felt safer to do so... until later when things turned ugly because of some trouble makers, for reasons best known to themselves. PAS tv shows video clips of some police 'restraint' aka brutality in broad daylight. Set against biased mainstream media reports showing otherwise, then we know the situation is just like before: a perception war to win the support of the people at the next general elections.
Link

No comments: