Benazir: victim of freedom of assembly
Benazir Bhutto's assissination should serve as a valuable lesson to those who assume that 'freedom of assembly, of speech and of assembly and democracy' is safe. It has it's disadvantages, and it can happen in the most explosive way, as we have just found out recently. There is a limit to these and it is not absolute.
If it can happen in Pakistan, it can also happen in other countries. Only time will tell when and how it will happen…
In today's age, there are other ways for any person who wishes to proclaim himself as a leader to voice out his or her personal concerns on any issue, and he does not have to stand up on the soap box anymore like what they did in ancient or medieval times.
Even sermons in mosques and other houses of worship can be delivered by electronic means to reach a wider audience so that the preachers and imam do not have to shout his voice coarrse, and reach only a small group of congregation.
Holding demonstrations is passe, it's old-fashion. It is backward and time-consuming.
Democracy and the means available to express it can come in other forms and not merely by holding 'peaceful demonstrations' or such like.
There is no need for them to 'suppor't the companies that manufacture tear gas and rubber bullets.
Besides, it is also not democratic to shut down any street for many more people to pass through just to allow a small group of curious onlookers to join five or six other people, the self-proclaimed leaders to hand any memorandum to the embassies of high commissions of any foreign country.
Don't they know that they can still depend on Pos Malaysia which charges quite fairly. Or if the organizers wish to deliver their memorandum faster, to arrive at their destinations within a day, they can also still count on the Pos Laju services.
Failing which, they can still get a dispatch person to personally deliver the letter to the guard at the foreign missions.
Or, if they wish to send any message or mail to the Queen of England, they can always check her official website and send it to her, for her staff to respond.
It is easy. So why take the trouble to stay up late to march long distances just to submit a memorandum when other more moder means can be deployed, to get the same desired effects?
But, maybe the organizers wanted to have a show of strength. Then this is another story altogether, in which case, they will have to admit that they are supporting those who manufacture tear gas' and rubber bullets.
I do hope they do not have shares in such companies. It won't be fair if this happens, because they have a direct vested interest in what they wish to do outside of the foreign missions.
Sincerely,
Mansor Puteh
