Bersih, tak bersih

I began to feel numb with how the government handles social issues, how they provide pathetic excuses for the wrongs they do, and how a CALL FOR A CLEAN AND FAIR ELECTION can be treated as a THREAT! To be accused as politically motivated. Worst still, a “smart” home minister somehow relates it to RACE!!

By ViewAct

I watched emotionlessly when the newsmen read that the police arrested 8 people prior to the Bersih 2.0 rally, which is supposed to be held on July 9th. The justification is that it is seditious (hasutan), while our home minister somehow dragged it into a race related issue.

I began to feel numb with how the government handles social issues, how they provide pathetic excuses for the wrongs they do, and how a CALL FOR A CLEAN AND FAIR ELECTION can be treated as a THREAT! To be accused as politically motivated. Worst still, a “smart” home minister somehow relates it to RACE!!

It seems that these ministers have nothing better to worry about than relating everything to politics, or race. And they, including the PM, ADMITS that the SPR is not clean and fair under their governance. Why else would they oppose a call for a clean and fair election? What is there to be afraid of?

Then again, Perkasa is supposed to be an NGO that fights for the benefits of Malays and Islam. I couldn’t see how demonstrating against Bersih has anything to do with protecting the Malays and Islam. In fact a clean and fair election BENEFITS the Malays, not to mention all other Malaysian as well. Unless Perkasa’s “rights of the Malays” means, “unfair election” so that they – UMNO can remain in power forever. Well, isn’t Perkasa admitting that they are in fact UMNO’s agent then?

What is this panic about? It began to look like Ops Lalang by the way the government responds to it. This then shows that Bersih is in fact very important and could actually create an impact to Malaysians. That is probably why even a “Malay-centric” activist group jumped at it without considering whether it’s even disturbing the “Malay rights” or not. Obvious, isn’t it?

The PM’s warning that the organizers will face consequences should the rally turn ugly isn’t really a warning. It was actually a hint. That they will eventually plant some trouble makers among people in the rally to ACTUALLY CAUSE TROUBLE. Isn’t this always the case? Oh! Yeah… I forgot. WE shouldn’t politicize the issue. But it’s no issue when you do.

I believe most Malaysians would agree with me when I label our ministers’ standard with “below expectation”. Most of the things that they do is actually not alien to us anymore. And I personally am becoming numb towards it. What else can you expect from a robber when he robs you, other than “I’ll be d*mn lucky if he doesn’t harm/kill me”?

My question now is, since we have known what to expect from them, why would we continue to do something that we know would never be accepted? Can’t we approach it with a different packaging?

I believe we all are aware that there are many “runs” organized by various institutions around Malaysia. These too are “Perhimpunan beramai-ramai” with a common slogan, common t-shirts and somehow “march” towards a single location. So, instead of organizing rallies with a denial of permit, could we organize a “marathon” or “walkathon” with a slogan of “clean and fair election”? With the destination somewhere near the Agong’s palace? Then a few representatives will take the memorandum, together with live cameras, walk towards the Palace and hand it over to the Agong. And all that is shown LIVE on big screens at the end of the “race”, followed by cheers and claps from the crowd. In fact, they could even “Invite” the King to officiate the run! It’s gonna be healthy, beneficial and it sends the message across.

I’m sure UMNO will jump at it more than it would to “rallies” and “demonstrations”. And soon, even “runs” and “walks” will be banned from the streets, just to upset more organizers, and rakyats. We’ll see how they would then spin their story again to justify their stupidity.

They say we shouldn’t take to the streets, and it’s dangerous. I believe a “marathon” or “walkathon” is a “Safe” gathering. They say that demonstrations and rallies are not healthy. I believe a marathon and walkathon is a very healthy activity. So Bersih can be a really “Bersih” activity. What more excuses will come from the government to deny them permits?

Shall we “walk” or “run” for a fair and clean election? Anyone?