Brute force did not beat back the human tide that swept through the heart of Kuala Lumpur on July 9 – a date that will go down as a historic day for democracy. BERSIH 2.0 rallied thousands of people to its banner, they came armed with nothing more than a strong desire to see clean and fair elections take root in the country. They knew they were taking a big risk in confronting the might of the state. Nevertheless, they threw caution to the wind and overcame fear to walk arm in arm to an iconic stadium for a rally that is as significant as the birth of independence. The world saw how those brave men and women were harshly treated when their march was interrupted. They were clobbered, manhandled, hit by tear gas, hosed down cannons with chemical-laced water, bundled off like cattle. Some fought back because the police were aggressive. The crowd did not make it to the stadium, but they have made a point: the people cannot be bullied any longer.
The government would like the whole world to believe that the people who took to the streets represented only a small, fringe group and that the majority of Malaysians are law-abiding citizens who do not subscribe to the BERSIH cause or that they love their prime minister with all their heart. It is a blinkered view. The spirit that drove tens of thousands to the city streets is not a small flame flickering in the dark but a fire burning below the surface. It flared on the streets on July 9 when the call came for the “Walk for Democracy”.
Despite threats of intimidation and dire warnings of Police– and even army– crackdown, the 
An uneasy calm has returned because the struggle for justice is not over. The government is still adamant and believes that what happened on July 9 is a storm in a tea cup. After all, it is an illegal rally and all those who took part are law-breakers. Moreover, BERSIH is politically tainted and even outlawed. Warped thinking.
Playing Dirty Politics is a Way of Life for UMNO-BN
The BERSIH tempest will not go away. Though outlawed, the movement will stir again because it will take more than one street rally to prod the government into action. We have stubborn leaders who will not listen to reason or act in a manner befitting a people’s government. They see not. They hear not. They feel not. They have repeatedly made a mockery of democracy and displayed utter contempt for the lot of the common people.
A recalcitrant Government
Talking to them is like talking to a brick wall. They will not respond to the demands for meaningful changes. Years in power have isolated them from the ground and they now live in an ivory tower. They occasionally come down only when it suits them or when they want to play to the public gallery. The time for discussion is over and only action can move this sluggish behemoth in Putrajaya. People are no longer interested in political posturing and chicanery. They want results – and only on the streets will their voices be heard.
A People’s Parliament
The street is the Parliament of the people. It is the only avenue left to make their grievances loudly known, express anger, expose the wrong-doings of the elected representatives. Street protests will soon become a part of the culture of Malaysian politics and will pose a direct challenge to the established order of things. Why must people continue to listen to the siren voices in the government? They can take their case to the streets and achieve the desired results without all the pompous empty debate in the seat of government.
The “Walk for Democracy” is not the work of a minority trying to usurp the rights of the majority. It actually represents the voice of the silent majority who comprises millions of Malaysians waiting to take to the streets even with all the draconian laws in place. The government has taken its case to a select audience to demonise BERSIH but it will not work. The people’s Parliament has spoken on July 9 and it is only a matter of time before the walk of the millions (this time) returns with renewed vigour.
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