Bersih
1. Never too late to form an opinion, is it? J
2. The right to assemble is a given. Demand for a free and fair elections is also right. To rally for this cause is a bit questionable, but once the commitment has been made then there can only be an escalating commitment.
3. On the side of the government, the calculation is too simplistic. Politically, the govt cannot have a show of force and solidarity that undermines the progress they have made in terms of support over the past 2 years, especially when all indications are that Bersih is politically tainted with their direct rivals. And thereafter, it becomes a show of willpower. So, police becomes the agent for this dismissal of rights and bulldogs are unleashed to intimidate, and thus such silly notions come to pass ie Ambiga is anti-Muslim, there are covert commies in Malaysia, silat grandmasters will unleash their horrific lethal martial art skills on those undermining the government and so on and so forth.
4. So, who won? Ultimately, in my opinion, it was an impasse. The fence-sitters are not swayed by either side. The death of Arwah Badaruddin had the potential to spin out of control and become the focal point of resistance, but I doubt it because it isn’t the malay polity who decides the agenda. Too much room has been given in exchange for support and liberalistic tendencies.
5. And that is where the Islamic ngos should come in. To broach the agenda, to set the tone. Not merely to issue a wajib edict without fully understanding or explaining the consequences or impact of support. Otherwise, just be a religious arm of an existing political party if you cant rise above these machinations.
Roadsweeper’s musings
6. A roadsweeper at Jalan Dang Wangi complained to me as I was sitting in the car waiting for the traffic lights at Jalan Sultan Ismail to turn green. Why should those exiting from the LRT station walk on the road and disturb the mound of dry leaves he worked so hard to sweep? Why cant they take the pedestrian flyover instead?
7. Why indeed. We do need positive enforcement on these little things and not unduly burden the little guys. This is democracy and application of good religious values to give the rights to all individuals without questioning their social class.
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