If police behave as they should, all will be well ...

By Charles Hector


In Malaysia, it is the presence and behavior of the Malaysian police at peaceful assemblies and protests that aggravates the situation, and makes it all very bad for all others...

"Shoppers stuck inside along Jalan TAR calling media, complaining they cannot get out and wondering how long the standoff will last...LRT skips Masjid Jamek station; commuters told to get off at Dang Wangi or KL Sentral stations...Roads into city centre are all jammed; more shops close along Jalan TAR..." - (Star Online, 1/8/2009, ISA protests: Water cannons, tear gas fired at crowds)

In other countries, even those sometimes perceived more unstable like Sri Lanka, I have seen peaceful protests involving tens of thousands of people being carried out without much interference to life and business in the immediate surrounding area...

In Malaysia, the way our police react - we believe that there is some sort or attack by a 'terrorist' group...In 1998, I have seen shopkeepers sigh when they see our FRU arrive on the scene - it is only then that they have to consider shutting down shops...


Can the Malaysian police handle large protests, assemblies and gatherings...without resorting to violence, tear gas and water-cannons? The answer is definitely 'YES' - look at the nomination day processions during the General Elections - all is done with no tension, and life generally goes on as usual - maybe even better business for the nearby shops, etc....

Even, on 1/8/2009, the police need not have had to resort to violence ....and things would have gone on very very peacefully - and all would have been happy...

Can the people assemble peacefully and express themselves in Malaysia?

Can the people protest a government decision in Malaysia?


If they cannot do this, then Malaysia is not a true democracy - it is really a kind of dictatorship (save for Parliamentary and State Assembly elections once every 4 or 5 years), and this means that Najib is that dictator - and the UMNO and the UMNO-led BN is akin that German Nazi party???

But, alas many Malaysians have been brainwashed into believing that Malaysia is indeed a democracy ...and things are as it should be in any democracy....