Maximus statement with minimum meaning

Maximus’s statement over the weekend that the people should go through the proper channels like their elected representatives, relevant government departments and the media instead of taking part in street demonstrations sounded so hollow to the man in the street.

An elected BN representative, whether in Parliament or State Assembly, has to toe party lines so this not an avenue of protest against national or state policies. An opposition representative will get his or her proposal for debate shot down by the respective Speakers, time and again.

Government departments are usually run by little Napoleons who are overzealous in carrying out their duties and that is one of the reasons the people’s frustrations have been pent up and required other avenues to express themselves.

Teh Thian Hwa's letter in Malaysiakini:
‘Where are the journalists?’
Excerpts: "For a long time, the Indians have been receiving a very raw deal. Many of them are labourers with paltry incomes that are no match to the escalating costs of living in Malaysia’s badly-managed economy. If they try to seek alternative or additional incomes by setting up hawker stalls, for example, they face problems with the local council. Petty traders are met with racist and religious bigots who give minority races a tough time. Bribery, unfair treatment and unreasonable terms all conspire to make it next to impossible for these disadvantaged groups.

Religion, their sole comfort in life, is given a literal bashing when their temples or shrines are demolished with little or no compassion. Can one expect a community to undergo incessant oppression and not react? Do they not deserve a more compassionate review of their situation? Few speak up or represent them. Those who do are thrown into jails without trial (eulogised as detention centers, call it what you will, Kamunting is a jail). Surely this is a matter of serious public concern requiring objective dissecting of all relevant issues.”

Mainstream media are well known as fully controlled by the ruling coalition parties, and used as their propaganda machines. This has led to the use of alternative medium – online newspapers like Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today. But our government leaders refuse to listen to complaints in the internet, considering them as lies, so what choice do we have?