No Malaysian could have forgotten the BERSIH rallys that took place in our streets over the past few years, especially those who participated them. 20 000, 30 000 people took to the streets to protest against the unjust, biased and unfair electorate, and the protocols enacted to help the incumbent retain control over their respective constituency.
Despite denied the necessary permits to hold the rallies, the organisers persisted with their plans. Its participants, held on to attend the rallies despite the danger that they put themselves at risk at.
Tear gasses, water cannons, barricades, chaos ensured. Both BERISH and pro-government supporters claimed that the other party is responsible for the damaged caused during the rallies. Needless to say, the rallies received widespread publicity throughout the globe, with many criticising both BERSIH and the government for it’s inhumane handling of the whole crisis.
Over the years many had asked why I hadn’t attended these BERSIH rallies, or why I didn’t show support to their cause for a cleaner and fairer election.
Don’t you want what’s fair for yourself and your country?
In many ways, this country and it’s system is far from perfect, riddled with controversial policies and racial politics in almost every sector. Elections were far from transparent and cases of bribery and corruption are rampant from top to bottom. All these have become far more apparent when one (such as I) had just returned after a 3-year absence away from this country.
More than anybody perhaps, I want things to be better, not because I want it to be. But because I love this country.
But why, why did I abstained from participating or showing support in these rallies that fight for a noble cause? Why didn’t I shout slogans or put on BERSIH badges on my Facebook account to show that I care for my country? Why did I choose against denouncing the way things are run in this country openly by displaying my support for their cause?
Why??
This is because such rallys, especially political ones, have far-reaching consequences that many are not aware of. Consequences, that in the long run will eventually cripple the country.
Revolution, though how glorious it may sound to be, has its price. At such point, Malaysia cannot really afford such a price in the name of revolution. Everybody desires better living standards, better education, better judicial system, better technologies. But at what price??
So my question to all BERSIH supporters; would you choose revolution at the price of stability??
The Egyptian coup d'état is one good example. A government elected democratically is literally thrown down from power by means of street protests and demonstrations. The numbers of casualty and damage caused by both faction (pro-Morsi & anti-Morsi) is both terrifying and saddening.
A government formed through illegal means is susceptible to fall through illegal means.
Once street protests, rallys or sit-protests is embedded into the Malaysian culture, anybody can overthrow the government just because they are the rakyat, the enlightened people that wield the people’s power. So much so that this creates a false hope in the people; If there’s enough supporters, the multitude can demand immediate change to suit their demands.
But I tell you, this is perverted democracy. Perverted justice.A power misused and corrupted.
There are means and channels that exists for the proper practice of democracy. The Parliament. The Court. The Electorate. Yes, I don’t deny that those in helm have manipulated these channels to maintain their authority and political influence. But have we exhausted all means available to strive for a better Malaysia?
ALL?
Street protests and rallys are the easiest platform to voice out dissatisfaction and disappointment towards the current regime. Because essentially they are just a VERY ANGRY MOB. HOOLIGANS. A little bit of fanning of the flames can cause a great fire. The government, might end up in self-destruct, having to deal with both dissatisfied multitude and international spotlight.
But nobody benefits from this. NOBODY. Even if the government were to be dissolved right away and replaced by the opposition, years later they can also be ousted with the exact means they used to secure control. If today the mob secures what they want through such means, soon protests and rallys would sprout all over the country at every single whim.
IS THIS WHAT YOU DESIRE??
You must wonder why I raise this topic out of nowhere. For the culture of street protesting/rallys has already poisoned our youths. Not long ago a group of students protested against the school for discontinuing contracts of several teachers during a graduation ceremony. These teachers (those that were laid off) led the mob crashing into the graduation ceremony to protest against the injustice that they have suffered. While the school didn’t response by employing water guns or tear gas canisters, the police were called in and electric supply was cut off to discourage these teachers from using the microphone.
What these teachers intend to achieve from their actions, I do not know. Nor do I care to learn which party is at fault. But I am absolutely distraught by the fact that these teachers manipulated the students into doing such atrocities. These teachers had breeched ethical conduct that educators should have abided to. A good teacher would never have allowed the students that they truly love to do such things. They have yet to exhaust all other means of dealing with such issue. Expressing their disappointment in a press conference would have made their cause more sympathetic and respectable.
For it is impossible to fight evil with evil, wrong with wrong.
Revolutions are always the bloodiest incidents in history. The French Revolution was characterised by execution at the guillotine, the Chinese decorated by years of civil war fought between warlords unleashed from the control of the Imperial Qing Dynasty. Revolution is probably the swiftest method to make everything right, but it is also the costliest, at the expense of the long term stability and prosperity of the country.
I, for one, would not like such version of Malaysia.
It should always be the very last resort, where all other means have been exhausted. I believe we have yet to reach that stage. There is still much that we can do. I believe that we can still educate our younger generations with love and principles that is becoming of a Malaysian. To educate and produce human resources that can identify shortcomings in the system, and overcome them with maturity and kindness.
This would be time consuming, physically and mentally exhausting. This may take decades, even centuries for such change to occur. But what is properly erected on a strong foundation will persevere against the flow of time. Which is the best way, I don’t presume that I know best.
But I know, with conviction, that street protests/rallys must never become this foundation.