Malaysians Say The Darndest Things!

Malaysia Government Building a Police State? The Culture of Fear and Intimidation

November 9, 2007

Malaysians, ask yourself, do you feel like you’re living in this country in fear, either of crime or the police?
Do you feel intimidated by the police, even though the taxpayers’ money are paying their wages?
Do you feel afraid of speaking about politics (especially if you have a dissenting view), with the fear of being arrested under the ISA without the promise of a fair trial?
Do you feel that this country is slowly and surely turning into a police state, with the men in blue serving and protecting their political masters rather than serving and protecting you?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then ask yourself: What are you going to do about it? Are you even going to do anything about it?

Here’s my story. If you’re reading this and you’re going to the Bersih gathering on Nov 10th, you’ll have probably been asked the same questions.
My house mate was reading the papers and came across this article: Khairy wants police to arrest Nov 10 gathering participants. He asked me if I was really going to the Bersih gathering this Saturday. Obviously, he was concerned for my safety and well-being. I told him I was still going despite all the threats that have been made against the organizers and expected participants of this gathering.

What were the perceived and obvious threats?
- The RTM1 infomercials that warned along these lines “Demonstrasi akan menyebabkan keganasan” (I only caught the tail end of this infomercial, so I might have misunderstood the purpose of this, but more evidence of misuse of taxpayer’s money).
- Khairy tells the police to arrest the people who attend the gathering.
- Then the Bersih website is hacked telling people that the gathering is cancelled.
- Finally, I was watching the news today, and the police officially threatened the arrest of the attendees for this gathering during a press conference. That’s up to 1 years of jail or some amount of fine.

See? Culture of fear and intimidation.

Honestly, I did feel a bit intimidated. The thought of ffk-ing did cross my mind (means skipping the gathering).
My rational mind asked: Why would I, someone with a decent job and no criminal history, with much to lose, risk it all just for a gathering?
Then it hit me (sometimes I just need to tell my rational mind to shut up). Why the fuck should I feel intimidated? What the fuck am I planning to do that is so fucking criminal anyway?
I will show up at Dataran Merdeka at 3pm, wearing yellow. Is that against the law?

I will show up a gathering that the organizers have insisted will be peaceful, and I intend to be peaceful. Is that against the law?

I will show up and walk to the Istana Negara because I believe all of us in the country, regardless or religion, color, or gender, deserve an elections process that is free, fair, transparent. Is that against the law?

I will show up because I want the Elections Commission to be free of government interference and be answerable to the people and not the government of the day. Is that against the law?

I will show up because I want to show the Agong that there are massive numbers of people out there that want change, and are not able to affect change because the powers of the government are already deeply rooted in the legislature, judiciary, and supposed independent bodies. Is that against the law?

I will not show up to riot, overturn cars, burn tires, or light trashcans on fire.
I will not show up to throw stones or Molotov cocktailsat the police, Rela, or other people (in fact, that will be a stupid thing to do. Don’t do it).
I will not show up to burn the Malaysian flag, or shout political slogans, or insult other people.

The only thing that is against the law is that I will be purportedly attending an illegal assembly. The police refuse to protect a peaceful gathering even though a permit to gather was applied for. They heeded Khairy’s call, and it’s clear that they are more interested in protecting their political masters than the people!

So with the threat of arrest for anyone who shows up, I can’t even exercise my basic freedom of movement where I am not allowed to walk the distance from Dataran Merdeka to the Istana Negara?
Why are the police more interested in arresting people who will attend a peaceful gathering, even before it happens? What happened to putting more police on patrol to deter snatch-thefts? To prevent robbery? To prevent rape?
So I declare: I will be attending the gathering this Saturday. In my mind, I am doing something in the hopes that there will be reforms to ensure a level playing field during the next elections.

But what will you be doing when the government is clearly building a police state?

Do you do nothing because you feel that as long as you keep your head down and work hard, you’re going to be fine? Better to stay out of trouble right?
What happens when the country really becomes a police state like Myanmar 10, 20 years down the road? With the police more intent on arresting political dissidents, who will do the crime-fighting? Even right now, when your purse gets snatched or your house gets burgled, do you really have any hope of recovering your belongings? When someone’s daughter gets raped and gets killed, do you really have any hope of the criminal being arrested? When some Mongolian chick gets blown up by police (allegedly), do you really have any hope that the trial will be fair and justice will be served?
What’s easier? Preventing a police state, or overturning a police state?

Do you do nothing because whatever’s happening in the country doesn’t affect you at all?
What if 20 years later, the present government’s policies really take root and can no longer be reversed? Your kid even with superb SPM/STPM/Matrikulasi grades doesn’t get to study their first choice in the local universities and is forced to study something that they don’t like, therefore wasting another brain and damn-ing a poor citizen to a life of an unfulfilling career. Do you want that to happen to your kid?
Oh, you are investing and making lots of money so that you can avoid this situation and send your kids to a university abroad? What if your investments lose money and all your Ringgit Malaysia is totally devalued because the government’s fiscal policies finally bring the country to its knees?
All the wastage of taxpayer’s money is already happening! Hundreds of millions recklessly spent as reported in this year’s audit of the country’s expenses. Hundreds of millions of dollars to NOT build a bridge across Singapore. Loaning money from China to build the 2nd Penang Bridge.
When this country becomes an Argentina or Zimbabwe, will it be too late then to say you want a change?

You have a chance to make a change, Malaysians.
Will you stay home and sit on your couch, bitching left and right about the government? Or hoping that somehow, the present government decides to do everything fairly, just out of the blue, like money falling out of the sky?
Or will you walk with me this Saturday?

Other views on the Nov 10th Gathering:
Bersih to proceed, appeals to the police
48 more hours: Take the Power Back! or TAKE THE POWER BACK!
Remember, remember - the 10th of November
Bloggers for peaceful march
10th November : The people’s march of peace
Banishing goblins of polls past
Mobilization

You Might Find These Interesting

• Bersih Gathering: Mainstream Media Silence And Lies
• Bersih Gathering: Masjid Jamek Police Violence
• Bersih Gathering Aftermath: Reports/Views From Other Blogs
• The Inconsistencies Of The Royal Malaysian Police
• Malaysia Government Building a Police State? The Culture of Fear and Intimidation (2)

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