It looks like Bersih has opened the floodgate of the people's open displeasure over the government policies and actions.
What started as a planned peaceful march for two hours has caused over-reactions on the part of PM and the Home Minister. Using sledgehammer actions, the overkill was obvious. First, the coalition and the rally was made illegal. The public outcry was unprecedented and the sentiments suggesting that the rally will go ahead despite police warnings made the King's intervention necessary to prevent something similar to the recent uprisings in the Middle East.
It was all conjectures of an over-imaginative mind. 'Overthrow the government', 'communists', 'weapons', 'foreign funds', and just about anything they can think of to demonize Bersih. And what was the march about? A list of 8 reforms to the existing flawed electoral system. Past complaints and negotiations failed to effect any meaningful changes, what with the ruling coalition and the Election Commission insisting everything is hunky dory.
The countdown to the July 9 rally, presumably at the Merdeka Stadium (subject to changes and last minute flip-flops expected of our present government) has already seen the public being inconvenienced by roadblocks and checks for the demonized name of Bersih and anything yellow. It was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration but the police insists they are looking for weapons expected to be smuggled into the city. But who were the ones who over-reacted with threats of violence?
We have just heard announcement about the cancellation of certain bus permits to prevent more people from going into KL. On that day, we can expect roadblocks to prevent cars from going in too. All these can only suggest that the people are expected to heed the call to be present at the rally and the authorities are going to prevent that. What comes naturally is going to make them nervous. Compare this with the all expenses paid 'rent a crowd' common with our VVIPs and we can certainly tell the difference between real popularity and fake ones.
Further inconvenience to the public expected...
Bersih 2.0 warns of telco, Internet blackout
Bersih 2.0 warns of telco, Internet blackout
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