Arresting a hunger strike

(The Edge) The Pakatan Rakyat (PR)-organised hunger strike over the Perak political crisis has the nation and local blogs buzzing, especially after the much-criticised actions taken by the police to arrest those involved in the strike. Most bloggers reacted negatively to the continuing saga and spate of arrests — which was chronicled in a blow-by-blow account by Lim Kit Siang through his Twitter account.

Blogger Meiyen feels tired of the political steps taken on each side, writing: "This is ridiculous! Both Pakatan and Barisan are in a game which is getting tiresome. Najib says they will not play Anwar's political game but they are."

She cites the example retired engineer Koon Yew Yin, who contributed RM200,000 to PR's election fund, but is now tired of the Perak crisis and hopes for a resolution in the form of a state-wide election. 

Strong echoes were also heard in Where's My Noose, who condemns the arrest: "By trying to shut down any semblance of public protest against the Perak takeover, they're (Barisan Nasional) just making themselves look worse."

Progressivsm takes the odd contrarian view of the hunger strike, calling it an overdramatic attempt. He urges PR to focus on being the state's opposition party, and prepare themselves for the next General Election. "By being a good opposition, Pakatan can take the opportunity to strenghten their cohesiveness whilst checking their own party for potential defects especially PKR, which selected dubious and incompetent candidates for the election. "

He added that people would respect PR if they showed more maturity in handling the crisis. "It is wise for Pakatan not to get sucked up in the present as it is essential to prepare for the future," the blogger wrote.

Also commenting on the issue is Aliran, who is saddened by the negative image of the police and presses the need for public security and democratic space. 

"It is of utmost importance that civil society must have some space to articulate and demonstrate their grievances to make known to the authorities what their complaints are," the blogger wrote. "Most people will view this as a waste of police resources when the rate of serious crimes is escalating and requires urgent attention. The police should be tackling this serious problem instead of harassing  ordinary Malaysians."

As the hunger strike is due to end on Thursday, the condemnation of the arrests in the blogs should serve as a warning sign for the nation's leaders to seek a quick end for the political stalemate.