Kuala Lumpur in mayhem and the police are desperate. They are firing tear gas and water cannons at the crowd indiscriminately. People are running away, some fixated as the teargas burns their nostrils and throats as they stood paralysed. Some are trying to help them to vacate the spot as teargas continues to linger in the area. Someone tweeted that her mom has been rushed to hospital, and many have fainted from the inhalation of the tear gas. How inhumane is that.
All over, there are skirmishes, sporadic scenes of police battling and brutalizing the crowd. The mostly peaceful marchers are being intimidated by the large police presence. Some are injured badly, with one bleeding profusely from the head. Others are kneeling down by the roadside in prayer, shocked that the police could attack the people they are sworn to protect.
Why is the police doing this? Why are they firing on their own citizens without a thought for their safety? The people are not armed. The police are armed to the teeth in riot gear, and they know these innocent people should be allowed to pass in peace. The rally would have ended in 1 hour, so why the need for such heavy handedness?
Someone has tweeted that PKR and PAS leaders have also been arrested. The brave faces of Malaysians which includes Malays, Chinese and Indians can be seen, as their faces turn to anger at the unnecessary arrests of mostly young students, I think? None of us are able to help, as the big presence of Police look on in readiness to arrest any protesters. No one is taking them on. The crowd is largely peaceful.
Beyond repair
The reputation of the government is at stake. What Barisan Nasional has built up over the years is now destroyed beyond repair by the unfolding drama. Today, Malaysians and the world have come to the realisation that our government is nothing more than just a despotic regime, desperate to contain the people at any cost.
Bersih 2.0 is not only marching in Kuala Lumpur with an overwhelming response. 30 cities around the world are filled with Bersih members all dressed in the familiar yellow. In none of these great cities around the world are they being intimidated. While the world looks on in shock and disgust, BN has brought total shame to a once bright and promising nation.
The adverse effects will linger on for a long time to come. Business and tourism will be affected. Malaysia has careened down to the pits in terms of our human rights record. Malaysians will not forget this incident in a long time to come. They will not forget how shamefully the government has treated them.
A brighter future in store
Police in their efforts to thwart the march had closed all major roads, preventing marchers from congregating at Stadium Merdeka, firing teargas and water cannons into a defenceless crowd.
The Federal Reserve Unit had cordoned off access to Stadium Merdeka. If the Police do not call off their unprovoked stand, many marchers will be herded like cattle, stuck and unable to march forward or backward.
Yes, the July 9 march has recorded success beyond our wildest dreams. The whole world knows what is happening, and the whole world cares. Does BN really care for us Malaysians? All the hype about 1Malaysia constantly blared on prime time television, has just disintegrated into smithereens, and the reputation of the government along with it.
So take faith, we have just created History today. One day, we will look back and proudly tell our children that we were there, and we made it happen. After today, let’s sit back and look forward to a brighter future for this nation.
- Malaysia Chronicle
No comments:
Post a Comment