In spite of weeks of intimidation, threat and the final lock down of the Capital city, Malaysians of all races and creed descended on to the streets of Kuala Lumpur to support Bersih 2.0. They knew the risks and were afraid of the threat by the authorities. In spite of their fear, they had to be there. Come one, come all, there was no racial distinction; young and old, men and women, nuns and Imans, KLites and people from outer states, Penang, Trengganu, Kelantan, Melaka, Sarawak, Sabah– all the 13 states. Also from Singapore and returnees from Taiwan. Now from news reports we know that the rally was joined by simultaneous protests in 42 cities around the world. It is truly a One Malaysia affair.
No doubt the rally was very much supported by leaders and members of the Opposition. BN has themselves to blame; they snubbed the invitation and had chosen to opt out of the party. Bersih 2.0 set out and meant to be non partisan; and if it now took on a partisan appearance, it was not the movement’s intent. It was the BN government’s doing, the BN Government repeatedly set obstacles in their way and push Bersih 2.0 right into the arms of the Opposition parties. For the record, One Malaysian came out on this Saturday of July 9 to show that “right” will triumph over ” might.”
Let’s share with you some highlights and thoughts:
1. Those who attended did so following their heart. It was very spontaneous, a whole cross section of Malaysians. A medical professional in his 50′s, a week fresh from his asthma attack, returned from Singapore where he spent 30 years because he just had to be there. His Singaporen wife and children said that he had no reason to be back; he told us he must be back. A young couple with their six month baby came; pushing baby on the trolley, the couple walked with the rest because Bersih 2.0 is about this little one ‘s future. Ten Melakans were caught on Friday at the Sungai Besi toll, moving only 2 km in 3 hours trying to enter the city. They changed strategy; they diverted to KLIA and took the KL Express to KL Sentral to enter the city. No difficulties could block their will. Lots of these tales to share about why people just had to be there. We spotted Marina Mahathir and her daughter among the crowd too.
2. IT was truly a One Malaysia Gathering. When protesters met each other; there was quiet exchange of notes, helping each other with preparations in case of eventualities. People brought extra packets of salt and passed them around. The energy was very focused; everyone was ready and waiting for the rest to congregate. The buildup reached rupture mid-day; there was a explosion of energy and everyone joined in to form the crowd. Malaysians of all races were united for a common cause; a cause they firmly believe is good for their children. 68 year old Chinese grandma walked alongside the Malay boys, helped along and protected by them. There was this old man in white who has a pace maker ( photo) walking with a stick supported along by others. ; young urbanites who twitted and chatted incessantly on their mobiles and smart phones; demure young Malay girls walked with hands holding a yellow daisy. An 18 year old college student was arrested, and he texted this message,” I am honored to be the No. 92″!
3. The gathering was peaceful. We wrote earlier on these pages advocating the authorities to allow public demonstrations. Malaysian society is matured enough to conduct public demonstration peacefully. The Bersih 2.0 walk for democracy could have been a non-event if a proper route was given under police guidance. But the BN-led government reacted most irrationally by applying the entire police apparatus to bear on Bersih 2.0. In spite of the overzealous reaction by the police, the protesters slipped in quietly to form the crowd and dispersed quietly after the gathering. There was no damage to properties; no violence or provocation from the protesters to the police. Some police personnel were kind — in spite of some serious police brutality; we quietly rejoiced that it could have been worse if the police lost their mind.
People were careful and low key. Many did not bring yellow T-shirts, those who brought were very careful. Although we did see some people wearing yellow T-shirts walking up and down Jalan Hang Jebat. The Pahlawans checked out the scene the night before, and located the most strategic hotel to be used as our staging bay. Most people operated with quiet bravery but were devising strategies to get there with their friends. None knew what to expect, but all knew they have to be there first, and then respond. Depending on one’s luck, police officers at some points were kinder than others; we witnessed a very restrained, albeit passionate leadership leading the crowd to negotiate their way. The water cannon and tear gas were totally unnecessary. We urge the PDRM to add a new module on “friendly crowd control” to their regular training. When the crowd was not hostile or provocative, there was no justification to be harsh. When you persuade, the worse that could happen is a standoff. If that happens; just give a time frame to the standoff; sing with the crowd; and ask them to disperse. I am sure the crowd would be so touched that they will cooperate. It was more a wrestle of the hearts, not might.
In the aftermath of the rally, government leaders are still condemning the street demonstrations and said that this is not Malaysian culture. Yes, it was NOT the old Malaysian culture. Welcome to the new world, it will be the new Malaysia 2.0 culture. Indeed public demonstrations can be peaceful, focused and purposeful. We need a Malaysian police 2.0 who can deal with managing a crowd peacefully. Many people have said that, if only they had defined a route or opened the Merdeka Stadium, specify the time and rule of conduct. This could have become completely a non-event. The state would have saved the cost of deploying some 7000 police personnel!
Thanks to the police lock out; downtown KL hotels around ground zero were full. The hawkers were doing roaring business. Ask the ice-cream vendor on motorbike by the roadside of Jalan Hang Jebat; he has probably never experienced such good business for a long time. The shop keepers did not complained they had to close their shops for a day; instead they said, “let’s close the shop for a day and go for a walk with the people. One day of sacrifice will earn us many good business days ahead.” Too bad, the mainstream media editors who were not on the ground did not print the stories of their reporters, they chose to make up the story about the complaints of businesses. To the mainstream media should stop trading their soul for the sake of their children and grandchildren.
4. Shame on BN government’s management skills. When the BN government took the position to demonize Bersih and to declare the rally illegal; they should know what is coming. They could predict what the scene will be like when the crowd goes in defiance of the government. Unfortunately the BN leadership was clouded with emotions and had no clarity of the situation. Governments must remember, no matter what and/or under any circumstances; the government and the police force have to protect the people, regardless of innocent ones or protesters, The government wears two hats. One one hand, you have to figure out how to quell discontent and win them over. On the other hand the onus is on you to protect them.
We were surprised that apart from the show of might of the police force, there was no contingency for accident and injuries. Anyone in crisis management would know that ambulance and Para-medics ought to be on stand by; those who could get hurt may not be the protesters. It could be tourists, pedestrians or local residents. While we salute the Bar Council for their contribution to civil society, we are terribly upset that no deployment was made by the Malaysian Red Cross nor saw any mobilization of medical personnel from the Malaysian Medical Association. When one can send doctors across borders, we wonder where were our medical professionals on Saturday? We had the Red Cross during our Sports Day in the old days; in an event like this, why are they not seen at all? Pahlawan Volunteers discussed about this the night before; but we were frustrated that we lacked the machinery to do any mobilization. If there has been medical support around, perhaps there is a fighting chance for the PKR member Allahyarham Baharuddin who need not die in this incident. Shame on you MMA and RED CROSS! Shame on the Minister of Health, where were you as commander in chief of the national health care system? Why was no ambulance or medical support deployed during the rally?
( By the way, the Association of public and certified accountants should have sent their representative to the rally to conduct an independent audit of the crowd size!)
5. The People have triumphed. Bersih 2.0 is not the triumph of the opposition leaders or the Bersih 2.0 Steering Committee. In fact they have been very low profile, much credit and gratitude must be expressed to them for providing the leadership. Malaysia must say a big thank you to them all for what they are going through. But as the admirable Ambiga said, “it is the people.” Risking arrest, Ambiga said, we have to go out to be with the Rakyat.” She was arrested but released later.
During the rally, the Rakyat has conveyed the message that they will not let their rights be compromised by the might of the state. Now BN Minister tried to heap accusations on the Bersih 2.0 Rally for having tarnished Malaysia’s image. Again they don’t get it. As Marina Mahathir said, people can distinguish the people from the government; the World salutes the Malaysian people for standing up against a repressive state, the World condemns the BN-led government for its oppressive and arrogant ways in dealing with the legitimate aspirations of the people. Throughout history; citizens will only obey good and reasonable laws. When the law is unjust; it is the right of the people to defy it. Again, BN Ministers must go back to constitutional law 101.
6. A New World has dawned and we better adjust. 720,000 hit on Malaysiakini during the day in spite of DDOS attack on the site. The digital media has helped to unite and bond the people; it provided a minute-by-minute update of the event; the mobile phone and text messages joined the people and stringed their hearts together. Within 48 hours of the Rally, a face book page got more than 100,000 people to call for PM Najib’s resignation. BN leaders must recognize that the voice of dissent is not only outside of BN, there are many within BN who do not agree with the way Bersih 2.0 were treated. Thousands of photos and video streamed across the internet, they are still streaming across the facebook and the world. The irony is, in spite of these live evidences; one after another, from the KL deputy police Chief to the home minister to the health minister; they can still lie with their eyes wide open. Health Minister thought he could make a private plea to appease the Board of Tong Shing Hospital, but we wish to remind the Health Minister, “YB, if Tong Shing Hospital is Ok, the Rakyat is not Ok.”
Our advice to all those leadership in Malaysia 1.0, take an afternoon off, go sit by your son or grandson, and lock on to face book and the key sites to preview all the videos and stories connected to the 709 rally. You would find that the mainstream media is actually misleading you at your peril. But this again is all your own doing; you have told them to report according to your prescribed script; so they did. This is the reason why you did not know the truth; it happened in the election of 308, it is happening again.
Electoral Reforms is the only way to a clean and fair Malaysia. Malaysians know that the road is still far, but destination is clear. Instead of working to appeal to the reasons of those in the ruling government, fellow Malaysians just need to go tell each other their stories and experience. Explain the 8 demands contained in Bersih 2.0. Help all Malaysians understand that a good government is one who supports and care for its people, not one that uses its might to suppress and thereafter lie and lie its way out. You have nothing to fear when you exercise your right or make your stand in a group; it is not only those well- to- do who has nothing to lose should come forward. The 50,000 who descended there on the streets of Kuala Lumpur had a lot at stake, but they knew if they don’t do this; they will lose all their stakes in the country. It is about a collective voice to move the country forward.
If you don’t clean up the system, your job would not be secured, your income will not grow, your property prices will fall and you would grow old alone because your children have to leave Malaysia to find job elsewhere. Why would you want that? The intimidation will continue; the people must be prepared to stand up to secure our own future.
All governments must work to allow the will of the People to prevail; in fact that is the raison detre of democratic governments. If one chooses to prolong in their slumbers, it may be too late when the final day of reckoning comes. For now, the game is fair, there is still time to return to do the RIGHT thing, starting this minute.
Our future hinges on good governance; let’s explain and tell that to every Malaysians. A corrupt and unfair electoral system is the root of all evils. We have to take some risk and work harder, we would be very proud of ourselves for what we did.
As Pahlawan Goh from Melaka said to me movingly, ” Sister, I am 28 years old. Today I am here to do my national service.”
Thank you One Malaysia. You made us proud; your action and conviction have given us hope.
With Love from Pahlawan Volunteers,
Negara Kita, Tanggung Jawab Kita.
From Conviction to Action.
