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.
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