BERSIH 3.0

I have a confession to make. I was one of the participants of BERSIH 3.0. Even in hindsight, I still say I would've regretted it all my life had I not been there. I do not agree to the violence that occurred during that day, but that doesn't mean I will let it blind me to what the movement truly is about. As the current prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has once extolled, let the views of the moderates be heard. Let not the voice of the extremists overshadow the message of the moderates. Well, now is the best chance for him to practice what he preaches. Hindsight is always 20/20. And in hindsight, I will admit that there are things both sides could've done better.

1. Dataran Merdeka as a venue
Why did the Home Ministry/DBKL (doesn't really matter who since they're from the same side and takes orders from the same people) ban Dataran Merdeka as a venue? Does not the movement for Clean and Fair elections qualify as a NATIONAL event when even INTERNATIONAL participation was confirmed? Or do NATIONAL events only qualify when it is endorsed by the ruling party of Malaysia? You alone don't own Dataran Merdeka. WE all do. You only own it by virtue of being one of us, not above us.

2. Role of the Press
 Why were the mainstream media practicing a media blackout on the event? Should they have given more prominence to Ambiga's voice, her comment about telling the people to NOT cross the barricade can be more widely heard. Despite the wide usage of the net, the days of the printing press is not over yet (if it were, newspaper will no longer even exist), so why did they not do their parts in ensuring that BERSIH's guide to peaceful assembly was read widely?

3. Role of the Police
Why pursue the protestors all the way up to Jalan Tun H.S. Lee if the orders were merely to protect Dataran Merdeka? This act turned defensive into offensive, and can no longer be called "acted with restraint". And then there were the rumours that the police car driving through the protestor ranks and killed a citizen did so deliberately. While I do not condone the protestors taking matters into their hands by overturning the offending car, should the car have been there in the first place?

4. Role of BERSIH's Unit Amalan
As I was there at the Pasar Seni speech, I witness myself that the Unit Amalan of BERSIH formed a human chain to open a way for the Steering Committee to pass through the people (when the parade was starting at 1.45pm). So, could they have done the same in containing the people right at the border of Dataran Merdeka? For that matter, why were the people not commencing their sit-in and remained standing? Should they have organised it thoroughly, the protestors won't have itched to breach the barricade, and the police won't have cause to spray water cannon or tear gas to the protestors if all they did was shout "Buka pagar" (open the gates) while sitting down.

5. Role of the Election Commission
When push comes to shove, let us all admit it: were it not for the EC's stubbornness in electoral reforms (including the PSC's lousy report and the regression of election laws just recently passed), BERSIH 3.0 would never be needed in the first place. Yet no one is blaming the Election Commission of being the indirect, if not direct, culprit of the events. If the chairwoman of the steering committee can be held accountable for the day's events, why not the idiocy of the commission who triggered these events in the first place? (If the same principles were applied to the Cowgate scandal, not only should Sharizat resign as a Senator and Wanita UMNO chief, but Najib should resign as well to "take responsibility".)

The True Party Spirit is Dead

I've just received news that a certain politician tainted with scandal has been elected party president of a certain organisation. It's amazing how we, a conservative country, is able to swallow such dirt when even Tiger Woods isn't above reputation destruction. Hark, Woods even apologised sincerely and hope to improve himself, while this new president demands that all be forgotten once his public apology was made. You don't just expect to be forgiven like this; you should work your hardest to show everyone that you've changed. Yet the people of that party saw fit to elect him as president. As clear as day, this party which has helped in our country's independence, has lost its way. This is one party the youth won't be voting for come the next general election. There's only so much loyalty one is forced to stand before needing to be loyal to one's beliefs, and believe me, I do not believe in a party whose country outlaws porn and prostitution, but whose leaders are caught in its web and gets away scot free (not to mention getting promoted... for being good in the bedroom?).

Naturalisation

For half a century, the minority have helped the country progress. For so long, we have been part of a nation. And yet, we are treated with only tolerance from the best, and barely veiled contempt from the worst. Do not our contributions make this as much our country as yours? Why is it that fifty years after we've achieved independence we're still regarded as migrants? Will you never allow us to bury our roots here, yet accuse us of forgetting the country the minute we've managed to bury them in another, more welcoming country and managed to borne fruit? Will you keep rejecting us until you have what you want, a country with only you and no us?

Racial Sensitivity

Well of course citizens shouldn't spread hateful things about. They shouldn't discriminate based on race... but neither should the government. Do they realise that as they preach for citizens to not "fan the racial flame" they are upholding laws that discriminates the minority as well? Do they not realise that we cry out for equality and not superiority? Do they not realise that we are merely voicing out what we thirst from them: justice and fairness? If there's a party guilty of keeping the racial unrest alive, it's the racial-discrimination-advocating government. There will only be peace when no one can claim superiority over another. So shouldn't you, who have known oppression and ended it, understand that our need of equality and independence is just as great as you?

Lawful Discrimination

While I was visiting my country's embassy's restaurant the other day, it displays an offer of free food... but only for the Muslim students. While my family friend was shocked at this display, I'm rather used to it. This is how we live, as second-class citizens, even when our ancestors have fought alongside everyone else in the bid for our independence. We don't like it, but we can't question it. Their supremacy cannot be questioned, or we'll be slaughtered, all over again. Perhaps one day, when we have all flown the coop, perhaps then they'll realise that as long as they handicap themselves, they are the ones who'll always be second-class, because this is life. No shortcut ever comes without a price, and currently, their perceived superiority comes at the cost of our long-term economy and social stability. Maybe one day they'll have all they want, and suddenly find out that it's not rad at all.

Extremes

Ever heard of the story about the boy and the wolf? Well, it seems like not many people has learnt the morals of this story (sadly they're the same people who diss these stories as "children's stories"). And when two crime charges of the same nature are slapped on the Opposition Leader you are left wondering, because if it happens twice in a row, it could only be two things: horrendously true, or hideously false. But why would anyone rely on the judicial system on one's political opponent, you ask? Perhaps it's because, no matter how much we try to implement the separation of power, the government can't. So much for being a democratic country (theoretically, that is).

And of course, it didn't help that a young fellow in his prime claimed to have been attacked by this OL who could almost be his grandfather.

Right, and I can be a grandmother at twenty too *rolls eyes*

Flying a Flag

A person was arrested for suggesting that the national flag be flown upside down in protest of the government of the day. And people protest. While it's understandable that the public have lost faith in our judiciary system, this is a complete different situation. To fly the national flag upside down is sedition, and completely unrelated to the government of the day. Now if you want to protest them, one should suggest flying the party's flag upside down instead of the national flag. There's a difference, albeit a slim one when the government of the day has been running the country since its independence.

But arresting someone without a warrant is the height of stupidity.