A note to those who are not so clean

by Tired Eye. Posted on July 17, 2011, Sunday

KUDOS to those who rallied in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday. You have managed to put Malaysia in the limelight internationally. Your decision to go ahead with your so called ‘cleansing’ made Malaysia top news for some of the world’s renowned media. We even made the New York Times’ top headings.

And yes, you certainly gained sympathy from Amnesty International.

Also kudos to some excellent actors – particularly one leader, of a certain political party, who even managed to go online from the hospital, and post that he was injured and had to undergo a CT scan because of police intervention during the rally.

Someone should pass him the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Yes, you made your point last Saturday by flooding the electronic media and social networking sites with video footage of your so-called fight.

You have made ‘bersih’ a dirty word. You have given the bright and cheery yellow colour a negative connotation.

You have put the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) in a bad light because, thanks to you, they had to incur the wrath of motorists, businessmen and tourists alike when roadblocks had to be set up, and when tear gas had to be fired to disperse those of you who got in over your heads during your so-called ‘peaceful rally’.

And there is a good possibility that half of those who followed you on your march were just caught up in the moment – not that they were really into what you claimed to be fighting for.

In case you do not get it, the above congratulatory message is meant in the most cynical tone possible.

While you decided that ‘cleansing’ was needed in Kuala Lumpur, we Sarawakians observed from here thinking “nang sikda kerja lain sidak tok.” Bodoh! “nang sik bersyukur dah dapat hidup aman” (these people have nothing better to do and are not grateful for the peace that we enjoy).

Let’s face it, no government is perfect. There is always room for continuous improvement where government commissions, ministries, departments and agencies are concerned. Pray tell which country can claim to have a 101 per cent perfect government?

You claim you are fighting for fair and transparent governance and running of elections.

Let’s look at it this way. If the Election Commission was really, as the demonstrators put it, unfair and not doing its job, then Kelantan would not be in the hands of PAS all these years. Penang would not have fallen into the hands of the opposition in the last elections either. And locally, DAP and PKR would not have won the seats they did in the recent state polls.

There are ways to go about encouraging change, instead of holding a street protest and inciting unwanted incidences. Enough has been said about this.

Many sayings came to mind in relation to last Saturday’s display of irrationality. “You do not know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”

“Be thankful for what you have and for what you do not have.”

“Be careful what you wish for, you may get more than you can chew.”

In other words, take a good look around you. There are people around the world who live in fear each day of bombs dropping through their roofs.

There are those in other countries who would be grateful for half a handful of rice for their day’s only meal, while those of you who led the rally last Saturday drive nice cars and live in the suburbs.

So be grateful. Be constructive. Not destructive.

The Eye lauds Sarawakians for having the common sense not to get caught up in the wave of Bersih 2.0 fs campaign. Despite the attempts by Sarawak’s certain parties to rally and stir things up a little, locals generally could not be bothered.

We had better things to do – like get on with our daily lives in peace and party!

Sarawakians are peace-loving people. While our countrymen over the South China Sea decided to waste their time trying to be ‘clean’ heroes, we were having a ball, enjoying the Rainforest World Music Festival and a host of other cultural events throughout the state.

While Sarawakians woke up on Sunday feeling good (some, perhaps with a good-time hangover) and looking forward to more festivities, some of our irrational countrymen over yonder woke up in police lock-ups, unwashed (so much for being ‘bersih’) and faced official charges in court on Monday.

This piece is dedicated to Sarawakians who have stood up for peace and tweeted and FB-ed opinions that mattered, some of which are featured here.

Comments can reach the writer via columnists@theborneopost.com.

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