LEST WE FORGET : PDRM BRUTALITY

Aljazeera : Anger in Malaysia.

Today I am with Mahathir!

This is something that I have wanted to do for some time but it is something I find hard to do because of what has happened in my life in the past. You see my quarrel with Mahathir is personal - very personal. Click here to read about it if you care to do so "I AM WITH MAHATHIR" (or what you can get away with if you can say that)"

I wrote that in August 2009 - seven years ago.  What happened then is now all water under the bridge. Those involved in the matter are already out of my life for over twenty years...and I guess we are all the better for it.

The thing I have wanted to do these last few weeks is to write about Mahathir from my heart for I know that most of the "things wrong with Mahathir" has not been his doing. If people abuse the trust he places in them, you can say that Mahathir is a bad judge of character, but Mahathir cannot be expected to carry the burden of what these people have done wrong all his life.

I am 69. I have to pace myself in everything that I do if I am to last the day without a headache, a backache, a recurrence of my Hernia and countless other trials and tribulations that anyone over 60 has experience. I sit if I do not have to stand. I do not sit if I can lie down and if I am watching even my favorite UFC program, if I so much as feel tired or sleepy...I switch off the TV and go to sleep. I will not push my physical and mental self beyond the limits I know it cannot endure.

Tun Dr Mahathir is 91.

No one in Cabinet is 91. No one working in the PMO or in the vicinity of the PMO in Putrajaya is 91. From memory, there is no MP, no working politician and no public figure of note, who is 91. 

And yet, if anyone can rid us of this corrupt prime minister, this sad sad excuse of a once great political party call Umno, and chase BN out of government - it has to be this 91 year old warrior, whom some with much affection call the good doctor.

And yet there are some amongst you who demand that Mahathir should first repent for the wrongs he has done in the past. That Mahathir should apologise for the mistakes he had made while in Public Office. That Mahathir, at 91 has a hidden agenda in once again involving himself in politics - namely to make Mukhriz, his son, prime minister of Malaysia. That Mahatir is more corrupt, more an exponent of money politics than Najib or anyone else in politics. That Mahathir is to be blamed for the troubles and the terrible state of the nation today for he, above everybody else has lived by the creed "that the end justifies the means" and all Najib and Umno are now doing is to survive politically - and given the times that we live in, Najib and Umno's creed has to be "Cash is King!".

Just for a moment...pause!

Think!

The man is 91, he has all the money he would need to lead any kind of life that he wants between now and the time he leaves for the big hunting ground in the sky. All his children are rich beyond their's and our dreams. I think his house is paid for. His car is paid for. I doubt if he owes any bank or any financial institution anything....and if any of us is in that situation, age 91, what will we do? Anything but what the good doctor is now doing!

And yet this 91 year old man is fighting our battle for us! Effectively Tun Mahathir has taken the fight to Najib, to Umno and to BN and today we all know that if at the last election the opposition garnered over 51% of the votes....this time around with Mahathir, Anwar, Mahyuddin, Kit Siang and, hopefully, a united opposition, victory is certain. But first, we must make sure that the next general election is clean and fair. So our fight now is to have a fair and free election when the next federal election is due. Hence Bersih 5...and Mahathir is in the thick of it all....at 91!

Cut the old man some slack lah! 

Without Mahathir ...and the others of course......Najib, Umno and BN would be cruising towards another five years in government come the next election. Without Mahathir and the others, there will be no fear, no panic and no desperation within Seri Perdana, the PMO, Umno, BN as they all contemplate their irreversible and inevitable defeat at the ballot box come the next general election. 

There is Fear amongst them all thinking about what punishment will be meted upon them for their corrupt ways. Panic at the thought of losing all that they have amassed from their corrupt ways and dread at spending time behind bars for their many crimes against the people and against the nation. And desperation as they try to grasp on to political power in any way they can. They do not want to go to jail. Najib does not want to go to jail. Rosmah does not want to go to jail. No one in BN or Umno wants to go to jail and yet if there is a clean and fair election, they will all go to jail! 

So the fight now is to have that fair and clean election - the one Bersih is now fighting for!

Mahathir knows this and he is there up front trying to make that happen for us. Not for him but for us. For the opposition. For Anwar Ibrahim, for Kit Siang ...for all of us that is not with BN or Umno. Again I repeat...not for himself but for us!

So do not question his commitment to doing this. Forgive but do not forget the past...for now Lawan Mesti Lawan...and the Old Man is our warrior who will lead us to do just that. Tabek Tun. A grateful people and a  grateful nation will not forget your work.

And now onwards to Bersih 5!

  

An Eye for an Eye....a Tooth for a Tooth

Watch and Learn....keep those stones hidden in your hand ...an eye for an eye....this is the only language they understand...if PDRM does not step in to defend you...defend yourself....use those stones hidden in your hand! Give these bloody red shirts more than a bloodied nose!

cakap cakap ....why don't the politicians fight their own fight?

These last few days I have seen many images of young Malays gathered in large numbers intimidating, harassing and terrorising other Malaysians. An army of Red Shirts, let loose upon an unsuspecting population, hell bent on imposing their physical presence upon those who seek to oust their political masters from office.

This is nothing new. Both sides of the political divide have no hesitation in "using" the masses to fight their fight.

Be it Reformasi, Bersih or the Red Shirts the right and wrong of what they do will depend from what perspective you view the "cause" that they are fighting for, but invariably, these are the "frontline" that will decide the success or failure of what their political masters wants to do. And thereby hangs a tale.

Refomasi and Bersih had their own army of Malaysians who "volunteered" life and limb for causes that they think are far far better than their own. They fought running battles with law enforcement authorities and were subject to whatever force and trauma PDRM deemed fit to unleashed upon them.

There is no doubt that what has prevented our nation from descending totally into chaos and anarchy is the presence of the law enforcement authorities who were tasked with managing the Reformasi and Bersih activists in a manner that would not threaten the "national security" of our nation.....as dictated by their political masters. The right and wrong of what PDRM does is, again, dependent on which side of the political divide you chose to be.

So what of the Red Shirts?

Like those activists in Reformasi and Bersih, these Red Shirts are also doing the bidding of their political masters, and their political masters is Umno. What then, we must ask, is the agenda of Umno in putting the Red Shirts on the frontline of their fight with the opposition?

How will the Red Shirts be used by Umno?

The Red Shirts will do what activists in Reformasi and Bersih do. Advance the political agenda of their political masters. Let us not quibble over the right and wrong of what they do nor do I want to question the manner by which intend to do so....all this will be dictated by their political masters.

What concerns me is simply this : The Reformasi and the Bersih activists were well and truly managed and contained by PDRM and any undue "exuberance" from the activists were met full on by the overwhelming might of PDRM.

Now who will contain and managed the Red Shirts should their "exuberance" in carrying out the wishes of Umno gets physical....gets very physical. Will PDRM do to the Red Shirts what they have done to the Refomasi and Bersih crowd or will PDRM be complicit with The Red Shirts in carrying out the political will of Umno?

This is my hope : Reformasi, Bersih or the Red Shirts - whatever their differences...go fight your battle between yourself and leave safe our cities, our people and all the values we all hold dear. .....or better still....let their political masters fight their own battles among themselves and leave our people be.      

Reprise : Penyamaran Polis dalam BERSIH 3.0, bukti Polis provokasi rusuhan

steadyaku47 comment : I just came across these images and article today. Interesting reading and something we should all know about how PDRM conduct themselves...not against terrorists but against our own brothers and sisters in Bersih.

 

First posted April 30, 2012

1. Polis menyamar sebagai peserta BERSIH, memakai baju biasa dan sengaja memecah pagar halangan (dibiarkan oleh polis lain) supaya peserta BERSIH masuk meluru ke dalam Dataran Merdeka. Polis ini tidak memakai baju BERSIH.  Provokasi ini menyebabkan orang ramai masuk ke dalam Dataran Merdeka, dan polis mempunyai sebab untuk serang rakyat yang tidak berdosa. Semuanya kerana gara-gara polis yang menyamar.  Inilah tektik kotor kerajaan Barisan Nasional yang dirancang rapi.

2. Polis Malaysia etnik India merusuh dan memukul polis (dia adalah SB, special branch), boleh lihat lilitan getah pada lengan kiri, penanda atau kod beliau adalah anggota polis yang menyamar jadi peserta BERSIH 3.0). Polis menyamar ini cuba nak menimbulkan provakasi agar menjadi sebab FRU dan Polis serang balas. Tujuannya bagi menimbulkan persepsi negatif pada BERSIH. Kononnya BERSIH ganas dan bawa huru-hara. Inilah tektik kotor Barisan Nasional yang didominasi oleh UMNO.

Polis Malaysia etnik India yang sama menukar pakaian dan bertugas sebagai polis menahan peserta BERSIH.

3. Penyamaran polis SB dalam serangan ke atas kereta polis dan menjadi “sebab” untuk terbabas dan kemudian sengaja melanggar orang awam dengan tujuan mencedera dan membunuh di depan SOGO.

Apa pun mengapa pemandu itu sudah siap sedia pakai topi keledar? Siapa pula yang peluk pemandu dan bawa pemandu keluar dan kemudian menghilangkan diri? Mengapa pemandu itu tidak dipukul oleh orang awam? Apakah tidak mustahil ini satu lakonan SB yang diupah oleh BN, yang menyerang, pemandu dan penyelamatnya?

4. Polis pakai baju BERSIH tapi polis yang menyamar juga memakai gelang atau getah atau ribon di tangan kiri atau kanan. Mereka bersifat “lebih sudu dari kuah” dan sengaja menimbulkan provokasi. Inilah satu lagi tektik jahat BN. Klik pada foto untuk saiz besar.

5. Wajah-wajah polis menyamar sebagai peserta BERSIH. Lihat gelang atau lilitan pada tangan mereka. Jahat punya BN yang menjadikan sebahagian polis sebagai kaldai mereka. Polis menyamar inilah yang mencetuskan huru hara sehingga wanita, orang tua, kanak-kanak, dan OKU cedera di dalam Himpunan BERSIH yang asalnya adalah  aman.

6. Polis menyamar pakai baju BERSIH dan tutup muka, memotong dawai kawat berduri, kononnya dipotong oleh peserta BERSIH. Satu fitnah jahat Barisan Nasional dengan menggunakan polis. Apabila dawai ini sudah dipotong, ada pula SB lain yang menyamar mengajak orang ramai masuk ke dalam kawsasan Dataran Merdeka. Kemudian polis jadikan alasan bahawa peserta langgar peraturan, sebab itu mereka simbah aiir asid. Memang jahat tektik Yahudi ini. Klik foto untuk saiz besar.

7.  Menurut maklumat dari orang dalam, ada 2000 SB (special branch atau siput babi) yang ditugaskan  merayap dalam kumpulan BERSIH. Mereka ini bergerak secara terancang. Mereka pakai lilitan kuning pada lengan mereka. Kalau polis bertembung dengan kumpulan ini, polis tahu orang itu juga polis.  Siapa di belakang perancangan jahat menggunakan SB ini dalam menjatuhkan nama baik BERSIH?  Siapa lagi kalau tidak pakar perisik urat saraf dan propgranda UMNO BN…cuba tanya bekas tentera bernama “Wan Bakar”  jika beliau mahu nafikan perkara di bawah ini. Setiausaha UMNO Bandar Tun Razak mengesahkan polis terlibat menyamar dalam  kumpulan BERSIH.

8. Siapakah lelaki berbaju belang yang sedang buat aksi ganas  dalam lelaki di atas kereta ini?  Rakan dalam polis beritu, itulah SB juga.  Ingat, ada 2000 SB yang merayap masuk dalam kumpulan BERSIH. Peserta BERSIH tidak ganas dan diarahkan supaya jangan mengganas.

9. Siapakah lelaki berbaju hitam ini? Satu lagi SB yang menyamar konon hero dalam BERSIH. Perhatikan sarung tangan dia. Selepas dia jadi “hero” orang ramai akan ikut dia sebab dia berani kononnya. Itulah cara SB  umpan peserta BERSIH.  Memang jahat perancangan Barisan Nasional menggunakan SB ini.

10. Tengok dua foto di bawah ini. SB yang menyamar pakai pakaian biasa tetapi dilengan mereka ada lilitan kuning. Lilitan itu adalah identiti polis. Mereka berlakon dan cuba timbulkan provokasi dan tindakan menjadikan alasan kepada polis untuk serang orang ramai, kononnya orang awam buat hal di BERSIH, padahal yang buat hal ialah polis menyamar.

….sambungan….Ada lagi bukti kes penyamaran….akan dinaikkan di web. Sudah tentu bukan 3 polis yang menyamar tapi ramai yang menyelinap masuk dalam BERSIH 3.0 dengan pakaian reman.

Apabila “rusuhan”  kononnya berlaku, maka media arus perdana memeriahkan berita perdana dan menggembar gemburkan isu rusuhan dan keganasan oleh BERSIH….rakyat ditipu hidup-hidup oleh BN.

Bukan semua polis jahat tetapi sebahagian kecilnya memang jahat terutama yang menjadi ahli UMNO! Mereka inilah yang bertindak ganas dan ambil upah yang tinggi untuk menjadi samsing UMNO melalui unform polis dalam himpunan aman BERSIH.

Simple Simon Says.....

Najib says had Shah Alam stadium in mind for Bersih

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

July 31, 2011

The prime minister accused Bersih today of rejecting his stadium offer. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak disclosed today he had thought of Shah Alam stadium for the July 9 rally when he made offered a venue to Bersih, pointing out this was “the best option” available.

The prime minister, however, had never specified which stadium Bersih could hold the July 9 rally at when he made the offer.

“I offered a stadium. You can show dissent in a stadium, but they still wanted to do it on the streets.

“I had in mind the Shah Alam stadium, that was the best option,” Najib said today during his speech at the closing of the Malaysian Student Leaders Summit (MSLS) here.

He also accused Bersih today of rejecting his stadium offer despite the electoral reform group’s widely publicised concession to conduct the rally in a stadium.

Not only is this Prime Minister of ours using the office of Prime Minister as a refuge from justice when he did not allow himself to be questioned over the murder of Altantuya he now desecrate the same office by, amongst other things, telling outright bare face lies to the people. I am amazed that he has the gall to stand up and tell us all that Bersih rejected his stadium offer! Niamah! Has this man no shame or has he become so thick skinned that there is no problem for him to stand up in front of us…in front of all the media (as he did when he offered the people of Sibu RM$5 million to vote Barisan!) and tell us lies after lies! Two words for you Najib…the first letter of the first word starts with an “F” and the first letter of the second word starts with a “Y”.

The PM stressed to the students that dissent was allowed in Malaysia, but that it had its limits.

“It’s a fallacy to say that we do not allow dissent. We don’t want it to impede the interests of a large majority,” he added.

“We’re always at the losing end, no matter what we do,” lamented Najib in reference to Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s criticisms of the way the government had handled the Bersih rally as well as demands for electoral reform.

You sure got one part right…being at the losing end! But he should have said “I am at the losing end no matter what I do”. Not “WE” as in UMNO or BN but “I” as in your personal self .No matter what you do nothing is going to save you…win or lose you are dead meat. You are an embarrassment even to UMNO. Did it ever occur to you to sit and listen to what you tell us? You are hanging yourself by yourself very well indeed without the need for Muhyiddin to push or shove you off the cliff. Dear God why was it necessary to make this Prime Minister of ours not that smart at all? Could you not give him enough intelligence to at least not trip over his own words?

Between Najib and Rosmah this Muhyiddin must be thinking “durian runtuh!”

You Najib is a class act by yourself. A class act in the class of Idi Amin - that Field Marshall of Uganda with the CBE (Conqueror of the British Empire) and also His Excellency President for Life, Field Marshal Alhaji Dr Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, CBE....only you must add BPPM (Bodoh Punya Perdana Menteri) after all the titles you already have!

I can just picture you trying so hard to talk up and excite any crowd with your tepid and dull delivery and that out stretched open palm extended mechanical mannerism of yours that only serves to compliment your wooden delivery of anything that you might want to say to any crowd.

Cukup lah Najib. Enough of lies. Enough of taking us all for fools. Who are you trying to kid? I have told you many times that in these day where anyone can be a reporter and a camera man, the days of claiming to say one thing when you actually said something else , is now over…finito, ended!

We know what you said and what you did not say. UMNO and BN know what you said and did not say. Your credibility is kaput. Even your ability to continue to lie to the people of this country is diminishing by the day. Your imminent departure is being hasten by your inability to understand that lying is a crime punishable by those of us who vote and by those who seek to replace you as Prime Minister of Malaysia ….and you know who they are….the end cometh!   

Ku Li on Bersih 2.0 and ISA

This letter appeared in Malaysiakini today. I thought I would publish it because what was said in the letter reflects the sentiments of most Malaysians. It in fact dovetails with what I have been saying all along. We are not anti-politicians as much as we are pro-rakyat. This, the politicians have to understand. And BERSIH should not be turned into a political party but must remain a people's movement.

Nirmala Naidu, Malaysiakini


Dear Chandra Muzaffar,

I refer to your letter in Star, July 13. I am just an ordinary citizen of Malaysia who is very passionate about her people and environment. As a responsible citizen, I pay all my bills on time, adhere to every rule and regulation and obey the law. I must say I am very disappointed with the current government. I am not a member of any political party but I am a supporter of what is right. There are too many wrongs going on in our country. That is why I support Bersih.

For you to say that the main agenda of the rally was to carry Pakatan to Putrajaya is totally flawed. I speak on behalf of the millions of Malaysian who are not a member of any political party. We do not give a damn for Pakatan Rakyat but we do give a damn for Bersih.

Obviously the initial turnout of 300,000 was not realised because the citizens of this country were terrorised just for wearing yellow, weeks before the rally! Then the whole of KL was locked down by the police.
It does not take a genius to figure out why the numbers were not there. With all the threats by the government and police, I would say at least 50 -100 thousand people were there (judging from the photos). This you cannot deny, Chandra.

In 2007, Bersih had its first rally for free and fair elections. Five years later, they had another rally for the same agenda, free and fair elections. What does that tell you, Dr? Yes, nothing was done about the issues.

We saw countless by elections which had been inundated with numerous complaints which all fell onto deaf ears. No action was ever taken. All was conveniently swept under the carpet.

Bersih is actually a very patient organisation. To say that they did not exhaust all avenues is pure rubbish. The reason why Bersih went into the streets is because they see no other avenue. Despite being promised a stadium - which was initially the PM's idea, and requested by the King, and Bersih agreed to hold the rally in a stadium - they were still denied a permit.

They compromised. But the PM reneged on his offer by ordering the police not to issue a permit. What crap! Even if 10 stadiums offered their permits to have the rally, Bersih still had to go to the streets because the police will not issue a permit.

Together with education comes realisation and enlightenment. When a nation is progressing, you cannot expect your citizens to be stupid. Street demonstrations is a first world culture. If our leaders do not allow the freedom of speech, then let's remain a third world country, and lets remain stupid. Then there will be no problems. We won't know what is going on.

The rising price of essential goods concerns me. Who is responsible for Teoh Beng Hock and Ahmad Sarbaini's death concerns me. Why can't we arrest the problems of burning fires in Sumatra until today amazes me.

The deflating ringgit concerns me. The exorbitant electricity bills concerns me. And if the government of the day can rule without fear or favour then I will back that government be it BN or Pakatan Rakyat.
Just imagine, if KL was not locked down on July 9, I am sure millions would have come out and that is something the ruling government just did not want to see.

Malaysia to probe protest police brutality claims

AFPJuly 11, 2011, 8:58 pm

• 
  

AFP © Enlarge photo

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysia will investigate claims of police brutality following the death of a demonstrator in a mass street protest for electoral reform, a senior minister said Monday.
Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon and arrested more than 1,600 people to end a rally to demand electoral changes on Saturday, drawing intense criticism from human rights groups.
A 59-year-old taxi driver died during the protest -- the biggest in four years -- though police say he was a bystander who died of a heart attack.
Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said authorities would review their video footage of the protest to investigate the man's death as well as allegations that police fired tear gas into a hospital compound.
"We will answer (the allegations) without fear or favour," Hishammuddin said.
He said police action had prevented worse chaos during the rally, which saw at least 10,000 people take to the streets but was deemed illegal as it had not been given official permission.
"My concern is the security of the nation and the safety of the people," he said.
"The police have done very well because the situation could have been much, much worse... We are very clear that the police in every sense of the word were provoked."
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has also defended the police, saying the opposition-backed rally was a ploy to tarnish the country's image.
But rally organiser Bersih 2.0, a coalition of non-governmental groups demanding electoral reform, slammed the government on Monday over the crackdown.
Bersih said police had failed to provide "proper and timely medical aid" to Baharuddin Ahmad, who was fleeing from tear gas when he collapsed, according to his family. He was dead by the time he arrived at hospital.
Bersih also claimed police fired tear gas canisters into the crowd, hurting people, and beat others.
"These unwarranted attacks against a peaceful gathering of unarmed citizens are nothing short of shocking," it said in a statement.
"It is clear from the massive turnout on the 9th of July that a huge number of Malaysians agree that things are not right with our nation's electoral system," it said.
Bersih is calling for a number of reforms including the introduction of indelible ink to prevent people casting multiple votes and equal access for all political parties to mainstream media.
Analysts have said that the crackdown against the rally could backfire on Najib's administration, which must call elections by 2013 but is widely expected to seek a new mandate by next year.
The opposition scored major gains in the last general elections in 2008, but believes fraud and other voting irregularities cost it better results.
The Barisan Nasional coalition has ruled the country since independence from Britain in 1957.

The week that was.

There are many images that plays in my mind when I think of the past week in Malaysia. Without doubt the image of Allahyarham Baharuddin haunted me constantly. Like those who had suffered under the ISA, those that had died while under MACC and PDRM's custody, those multiple deaths in bus accidents which could have been avoided if the authorities were more vigilant in their enforcements, like Altantuya...these death were unnecessary. These deaths would not have happened if we had had a more compassionate government.Allahyarham Baharuddin did not need to die.


And then there were the antics of our PM and DPM in response to these events. This is Najib's reaction at UMNO's taklimat at PWTC as shown on Bullitin Utama:




and this is Muhyiddin Yassins's comments:


He said Anwar ’s injuries could have been selfinflicted to give him an excuse to discredit the government and the police.
“Anwar should be given an Oscar for making what is not true look like the truth. We expected him to twist the facts to suit his goals,” Muhyiddin said after attending the national-level Gawai Dayak open house at Rumah Wilson Begat Anak Bakir, in Penom, Ulu Paku, here.


These are comments and reactions we expect from those watching stand up comedy or during teh tariks banter at the mamak stall with friends - not from our PM and DPM. That these comments came into the public domain merely compounded the callous display by these BN leaders when images of Allahyarham Baharuddin are still vivid in our minds.


But then this is the manner by which UMNO leaders who are out of touch with their own people's plight and suffering display their "leadership qualities" when in front of their own self serving menagerie of animals wanting to be entertained. Any UMNO crowd gathered at PWTC certainly wants to be entertained and reminded of their "destiny to rule" - and this time around, even without the supporting act of Din and his Keris, Najib did not disappoint them. If anybody deserved an oscar, it is Najib!  

Now watch this clip from that event.





Najib proclaims that UMNO "akan bangkit dari peristiwa ini"...a tacit acknowledgement that UMNO has indeed been affected adversely by the events of the past week.
Then he talks about the ISA.He talks about the ISA thus: 


"Cara baik kita nak ajar puak puak ini.... Bukan kita nak tangkap under ISA"


He allows himself a smirk and shared a conspirational "heh heh heh" with the UMNO audience drawing much laughter - laughter that reflects the arrogance of an UMNO that uses the ISA to cower its own people into submission if they dare to oppose UMNO...and he continues:


"walau pun rasa rasa (another smirk!)...nak kita tahan perasan juga!" 


It saddens me that this Prime Minister of ours regards the ISA as a weapon to be used against opponents of UMNO...NOT against any threat to National security, but any opposition against UMNO! 


And then he goes on to say: 


"Kita akan tengok Bumi ini milik siapa"


...an undisguised admission that Malaysia belongs to UMNO!


And this is Prime Minister of 1Malaysia? An arrogant man out of touch with the realities of a world that is slowly but surely crumbling around him.But cocooned within UMNO's abyss he unwittingly considers his seat of power safe and secure from the relentless advance of his own people who have had their fill of a corrupt and arrogant UMNO!


Much as I recoil from watching these sad images of our PM and DPM making fools of themselves I cannot forget that with power and money they can still yet cling to power. It is imperative that we continue to remind ourselves and others amongst us, that the 13th general election is a time for change.


Bersih 2.0 is now behind us. Lessons learnt from this Rally is already making its way into our consciousness. We are stronger and more resolved in preparing ourselves for the coming 13th general election.But we must remember this- when your enemy is in your range, so are you in his range. UMNO and PDRM too will have learned from these events. They too would now be better prepared for what is to come in the 13th general elections. 


When all is said and done it is the people's vote that matters. We need the numbers - the critical mass - to win change. Talk to those who are still on the sidelines of change. Talk to those who are still unsure what change will bring to our country. Talk to those who are already with us and enlist their help to win over others to our cause for change. If we do these diligently then God will no longer be on the side of those with big armies and bigger purses. HE will be on the side of right! 


You are one. With me we are two. Come join us.   

Allahyarham Baharuddin Ahmad

How many of you read what we bloggers write and think about what went into the posting of that article? I felt moved by this man who spent his last moments on earth supporting what we all are fighting for. There is no doubt in my mind at all that had the Police acted more humanly Baharudduin would still be alive. But is the Police to be blamed? No..they were following orders. The orders that came from the Home Ministry - from that Din - who got his instructions from the cabinet - the cabinet headed by Najib. The buck stops at Najib!

But he did not think about Baharuddin when he declared Bersih illegal. He did not think about Baharuddin when he ordered PDRM to stop the Bersih activists from coming into KL. He did not think about Baharuddin when he went on his walkabout yesterday in Jln Tunku abdul Rahman and Jln Masjid India. I wish he had. I wish he had taken the trouble to convey his condolence to the family in public and apologize for any excesses by the Police that might have contributed to Baharuddin's death.

If his death was due to a heart attack then that heart attack was brought on by Police actions and Najib is just as guilty as if he was the one who fired the Gas Canister or charged the crowd. But when you are in your car with your first lady, with a police motorcade escorting you and sirens wailing away it is easy to forget Baharuddin. This is a Prime Minister without much compassion for the suffering of fellow Malaysians. Do not forget this when the 13th general election is upon us. 


We have no need for a man like him to be our Prime Minister.......no need for a man who has allowed Allahyarham Baharuddin Ahmad to die with handcuffs on....! Ya ALLAH Ya TUHAN KU....

cakap cakap...what now after Bersih?

Politic is, at times, the art of the impossible. It is impossible to see how Najib could have gone walk about in Jln Masjid India and Jln Tuanku Abdul Rahman just the day after the Bersih 2.0 Rally which was described by UMNO political bureau as:

"By most accounts, the Bersih 2.0 protest on July 9 could turn out to be massive and will certainly go beyond issues of fair and free elections. With over 100 political, NGO and right groups could be joining the “March for Democracy”, we expect them to champion a slew of issues ranging from inflation to Teoh Beng Hock and Lynas. The protest, if not countered, could undermine the government, the economy and national security". 

It was impossible to understand how despite a massive PDRM operations before and during the rally, Bersih still somehow manage to have its way and hold it. 

We were told that the rally would start racial riots. There would be attempts by the communist to take advantage of the situation to create disturbances.This was an opposition backed rally to show the BN government that Pakatan Rakyat has the people support. The 9th of July promised to be a day of of either infamy or the triumph of law and order over anarchy. A day where the people made their voice heard over the attempts by the BN government to stifle them. A day when the opposition would demonstrate to the BN government that the Rally would start the avalanche that would oust the BN government at the next general election.      

So what really happened? 

As I see it it had a bit of everything. Even sadly a death. The BN government could not stopped the Rally from happening. Bersih did not have the much touted overwhelming numbers of participants we all expected it to have. At the end of the day, when all was said and done - the people in KL were inconvenienced. As they say, when elephants fight, the grass suffers. 

What was obvious is this: The BN government, Bersih and the Opposition did things their way without much thought for what it would do to Kuala Lumpur and the people that lives in it. Each will have their argument for doing so and each will be able to justify their actions - but is this the direction we want Malaysia to head to? Confrontation rather then discourse? Riot and mayhem rather then civil interaction? Surely there must be a better way to live our lives in the coming days as we head towards the 13th general election and beyond?      

But I think with the political leaders that we have now on both sides of the divide this would be tantamount to asking for the impossible. But then Politics is the art of the impossible is it not? Why can't these Politicians fight their battle in Parliament? For these same politicians to do their work diligently in the states they controlled. To deliver to the people what has been promised in the last general election and subsequently in the dialogues these politicians had with their electorate. Why can't these politicians lead by example? 

Do they not realize that everything they do, everything they say, everything promised and not done, everything promised and done the people now have the means and will take the trouble to find out for ourselves? Once elected as our representatives their lives is an open book to us. To expect otherwise would be mean that these politicians would be heading for a fall. 

We live in a world of wanting NOW to be the by word for everything that matters to us. NOW is also how information on all things are put out to the public domain. And yet these politicians do not get it! They do not understand that they live their lives in the constant glare of the public. And no politicians is immune to the good and the bad such scrutiny will bring to them. Any deceptions or attempts at deception, will, in the fullness of time, if not immediately, bring about punishment to the perpetrator of that deed. 

This Bersih 2.0 rally is a case in point. The vast majority of Malaysian do not want a massive rally to take place in the middle of Kuala Lumpur for the simple reason that it will disrupt their daily activities. By the same token the vast majority of Malaysian do not want their government to stifle their right to voice their personal opinion of matters they care passionately about - like their desire to have free and fair elections. That our political leaders are unable to figure this out by themselves is very worrying.    

And so now what? To expect our political leaders to understand our wish for them to act in a mature and responsible manner is maybe asking a bit too much. Politicians are a very selfish lot. Very self centered and in Malaysia, it would seems that might is right! Winning in elections is everything. The winner takes it all. The loser takes a fall. This does not happen in Australia or in most Western countries. There is a role for the opposition in government. If the government does not meet with the people aspirations, they will be voted out at the next general election. The government and the opposition are responsible and accountable for their actions -and they both answer to the most powerful of decision makers - Public Opinion.And public opinion balances and limits the power and doings of all politicians in Australia. The same should be the case in Malaysia. 

We cannot have politicians that consider themselves as having a divine right to govern Malaysia. Whether it is Najib or AnwarBersih Rally. Each will certainly have their claims to these plus and minuses but the public will have the last say. But you and I know that it is the people that losses every time we are have to endure the posturing of these spoilt and often domineering political primadonas! 

For now politicians on both sides of the divide are blinkered by the coming 13 general election and their political survival. I just hope that Najib and Anwar will find a middle road to conduct themselves in a manner that will not unwittingly cause us, the public, to be adversely affected by their posturing when they make their case to the public for what ever it is that they are campaigning about in the lead up to the 13th general elections.           

      

BERSIH

BERSIH

Asia-Pacific

Last updated: July 9, 2011 10:05 pm

Thousands protest against Malaysia government

By Jennifer Pak in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian police fired tear gas and water cannon at thousands of demonstrators to prevent them from assembling to rally for electoral reform on Saturday. Some 1,600 people were arrested for defying the government ban in a street protest against Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government.

Organizers of the rally called Bersih say they are “horrified” with the detentions.

The coalition of campaign activists issued a statement saying: “The only violence witnessed was perpetrated by the police, who unleashed immense amounts of tear gas and chemical laced water on innocent members of the public.”

Bersih insisted they would rally peacefully. Some demonstrators sat in front of a police blockade outside of the Tung Shin Hospital. But the authorities eventually fired water into the crowd, scattering the protesters. Some took refuge in a church compound but a group of officers marched in and headed for people wearing yellow t-shirts, the uniform of the rally.

“I don’t know why they are arresting me,” said Muhammad Ismadi bin Haji Abdul Kadir, who works for the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic party, as he was being taken away.

The officer refused to comment to the Financial Times. But the police had warned the public that they would detain anyone who was participating or promoting the rally.

Activists and opposition parties say it is their right to march against the electoral system, which they say is plagued with fraud.

Mr Razak has dismissed the allegation. He has accused opposition parties of backing this rally to gain political momentum ahead of the next poll.

The opposition won an unprecedented number of seats in the last general election following restrictions imposed by the police during a similar demonstration in 2007.

This demonstration began as a call for free and fair elections.

But some analysts see this as a referendum on Mr Najib, who has built an image as a leader of reform.

This is the first public challenge directed at the prime minister, according to Ibrahim Suffian with the independent polling group Merdeka Center. The fact that this rally was organized by activists and not political parties makes it more attractive to ordinary Malaysians.

Calling for a more transparent electoral system drew Allan Leong, 45, to brave the rain and participate in his first demonstration.

“Malaysia is controlled by one party. It’s not fair. It doesn’t really reflect a true democracy,” he said.

Demonstrators managed to avoid clashing with pro-government groups, who were also out in the hundreds.

But the whole event left Kuala Lumpur paralyzed. The city was placed under a 22-hour lockdown on Saturday. Access to all major roads was cut off and some public transport was suspended.

The city was eerily quiet, except for the sound of helicopters circling. In the shopping district of Bukit Bintang some shops opened their doors, only to close up a few hours later.

Ms Hao at the Swiss Polo shop, which sells luggage and trinkets to tourists, says she underestimated how much the road blocks would affect her business.

“Malaysia is a very peaceful country to live in. I didn’t think it would get this complicated,” she said.

From KL


Nurul Izzah : "Yes, we were arrested. We were asked to get on the ground and wait there but the handcuffs were not working and there was no police around, so we left." She claimed that the police deliberately trapped them on both sides in the tunnel of KL Sentral and fired tear gas on them."The police were aiming at an angle but they were ordered to aim lower." The move caused the gas canister to directly hit protestors and injuring them. Among those injured was Anwar's bodyguard who suffered a broken nose. - Ketua Biro Informasi, Pemuda Selangor, Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia.

A policeman films an injured supporter of the Bersih electoral reform coalition as he is detained by policemen during clashes in downtown Kuala Lumpur. 

Over 1,400 arrested, tear gas fired in Malaysia protest

Niluksi Koswanage and Razak Ahmad, ReutersJuly 9, 2011, 9:32 pm

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KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian police fired repeated rounds of tear gas and detained over 1,400 people in the capital on Saturday as thousands of activists evaded roadblocks and barbed wire to hold a street protest against Prime Minister Najib Razak's government.
At least a dozen people were hurt in the demonstration for electoral reform in downtown Kuala Lumpur. There were no reports of serious injuries but some analysts said the police action was excessive and would dent Najib's image.
"We are not criminals, we are just asking for free and fair elections," opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, told reporters after her father was knocked down and hurt in a melee when he and his supporters were tear gassed.
"Many innocent people were injured. We condemn this act of cruelty by UMNO and Barisan Nasional," she said, referring to Najib's party and the ruling coalition.
Street protests are rare in this Southeast Asian nation, but foreign investors are worried that any groundswell of anti-government sentiment could delay economic reforms seen as essential to draw investment.
If he is put under popular pressure, Najib may reconsider plans for a snap election and hold back on reforms such as cutting fuel subsidies or unwinding an affirmative action programme for the country's Malay majority.
Polls are not due until 2013 but analysts have said Najib could seek an early mandate after economic growth accelerated to a 10-year high in 2010.
"From Najib's perspective, holding elections anytime soon would be a mistake because of the damage that has been done today," said Bridget Welsh, Malaysia specialist at Singapore Management University.
"The fact that such a large crowd turned up despite a crackdown shows that voter anger is deep and this is going to push a lot of people who are in the middle towards the opposition."
Reuters witnesses saw tear gas shells lobbed repeatedly at groups of protesters in downtown Kuala Lumpur as the crowds chanted "Long Live the People" and "Reformasi, reformasi," the Malay word for reform.
Several people were seen bleeding after the tear gas was fired, but police gave no details of any injuries. Crowds around the city's main bus station were also sprayed with water cannon.
Malaysia's inspector-general of police, Ismail Omar, said 1,401 people were taken into custody, but many will be released after questioning. At least three senior opposition leaders were among those detained, other officials said.
"We have made our point that we want free and fair elections," said Chan Mei Yin, a 32-year old accountant who joined the protest.
"The police are just showing that they are brutal to Malaysians. I will not vote for this government."
NOT THAILAND
While Malaysia is far from being divided by political strife like its northern neighbour Thailand, the opposition has been steadily growing more vocal.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets at a November 2007 rally, which analysts said galvanised support for the opposition ahead of record gains in a 2008 general election.
Analysts said the turnout of protesters on Saturday was more than 10,000, around the same as in 2007. Police, however, put the number at 5,000-6,000, while protest organisers claimed 50,000 attended.
"Malaysian civil society is showing the government that intimidation will not work," said Ooi Kee Beng, a political analyst at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies of Singapore.
"We're seeing a lack of will on the part of the government to try to negotiate and to defuse the situation. It's all going to look very bad outside Malaysia."
After Malaysia's constitutional monarch tried to defuse the situation, the government initially offered Bersih (Clean), the group that called the protest, the use of a stadium to hold its demonstration.
But it baulked at allowing the group to use the main stadium in downtown Kuala Lumpur, at which point Bersih said it would defy the ban.
From midnight, police locked down the central shopping district of the city of 1.6 million people, setting up roadblocks and barring taxis and buses from the area. Suburban trains, however, continued to operate and other areas of the city were not affected.
Bersih has vowed to bring together tens of thousands of supporters to the protest but it fell short. Still, some analysts said the government faced a problem.
"Just looking at the crowd there were many 'first timers', young people from the Facebook generation who just wanted to have a peaceful life," said Ibrahim Suffian, director of the independent opinion polling outfit Merdeka Centre.
"This is trouble for Najib as it will polarise traditionally non-political segments of society like the young even further away from him."
Najib took power in 2009, and inherited a divided ruling coalition which had been weakened by historic losses in the 2008 polls. He has promised to restructure government and economy and introduced an inclusive brand of politics aimed at uniting the country's different races.
Najib's approval ratings have risen from 45 percent to 69 percent in February, according to independent polling outfit Merdeka Centre. But analysts said recent ethnic and religious differences have undermined his popularity.
(Additional reporting by Angie Teo and Damir Sagolj; Writing by Liau Y-Sing; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Sugita Katyal)