Men, women and youths will take to the streets on July 9 not to overthrow the legitimate government but to celebrate the cause of democracy. It will be a placid stroll down the streets to the palace of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong where Bersih will hand over its memorandum containing its reasonable demands for clean and fair elections. Then the non-violet crowd will disperse and go home after having exercised their right to a peaceful assembly. But this picture of serenity and fellowship is wishful thinking. The government will not allow the yellow tide of humanity to flow unhindered. It has put up barriers to stem the flow and reverse its course. It is using all available tools of power to crush the human spirit that refuses to yield to the big bully. The state is showing its claws and wants to tear to shreds the cause of an intrepid woman who dares to stand up to the might of two cousins bent on smothering a mass movement for justice.
The two cousins are living in a world of their own. They think and act without putting their ears to the ground to get a true feel of the deep rumbling making its way to the surface. A tide of popular anger is building up but the duo chooses to ignore reality and prefer instead to listen to the counsel of fools. They outlawed a civil movement, arrested citizens on spurious charges, revived the communist bogey, whipped up xenophobia, threatened to unleash three million political members onto the streets to match the yellow mass. In a frenzy of folly, they saw red in a royal colour and promptly banned it – even innocent people sporting yellow T-shirts are hauled in without rhyme or reason. In their eyes, the “Walk for Democracy” is a dance of the devil who wants to lead the country down the road to perdition. The “she-devil” does not care about the dire consequences of her derring-do on economic prosperity (read properity of the few for the few), political stability, racial harmony. She and her comrades are waging war on the king. She must be stripped of her title and even her citizenship.
What a load of hogwash. Bersih is home-grown and owes allegiance to the people in their fight for clean and fair elections. It was not made in the image of a foreign power nor is it a stooge of communists or socialists. The coalition of concerned NGOs made its impact felt when it organised the first Bersih rally four years ago, which won support from a broad spectrum of society. Now it has grown in stature and influence and it wears its colour like a distinctive badge of honour. When the time came for a second rally, ordinary citizens were ready to take up – not arms – but the call for an end to electoral malpractices. They chose to go to the palace because they are the subjects of the King in whose good person they believe their just demands will be given attention. The king stands above the fray and is the best figurehead to hear out public grievances.
But the two cousins have thrown a spanner in the work and have spoiled the people’s show. They declared Bersih illegal as a last resort to stop the yellow tidal wave from pouring down the streets. It is a favourite weapon used by governments when confronted with popular anger. They expect the people to quake with fear now that the organisation is unlawful. Anything illegal is considered fair game for suppression. A propaganda minister is working overtime to make Bersih stink to high heaven. A “general” in another ministry warns the army is prepared for any eventuality, which is an implicit threat that his soldiers will open fire on the tens of thousands of defenceless citizens out for a weekend stroll for a worthy cause. All the political actors are building up a case against a popular organisation to convince the people that Bersih is public enemy Number One. Wrong. The case is weak, porous, indefensible. When it comes to fighting fraud and corruption, the people are on the same side of democracy. When people turned yellow with rage at the sins of the government, they become united to right the wrongs.
If the rally proceeds, all eyes – here and abroad – will be watching how Malaysia handles the situation. Will the cousins use brute force? Will the soldiers shoot into the crowd on the order of the two cousins? Will blood flow at the instigation of a Malay right-wing group? Will the country “degenerate into anarchy”? The “Walk for Democracy” is a chance for the people to have their say on a matter of great importance. To stifle their voice by force will only do the country more harm than good. Nobody is advocating violence or working for the downfall of the government. A government is better toppled at the ballot box than through bloodshed. July 9 can be a black day of infamy as a result of a bloody crackdown or a new dawn for democracy. If the peaceful assembly is called off on royal order, the two cousins cannot claim credit. The organisers did not back down in the face of the overwhelming might of the state. They took heed of the royal advice – and threw the ball into the government court. It is up to the two cousins on how they respond. To them, Bersih is illegal but in the hearts and minds of the people, it lives on forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment