IS this really Malaysia?
This was what I thought to myself when I saw the news photo of a man – Shah Alam
MP Khalid Samad – tangled between security guards who were trying to protect him from being attacked by a group of people.
We claim to be a civilised country, so when conflict arises, should not we solve it in a civilised manner? Instead, we seem to be making a U-turn into a barbaric era.
A few days ago, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman mocked the name of Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in a parliamentary speech, sparking an uproar. At the time, Taijuddin was describing Teresa as a woman with a “Kok” which sounded like “Cock.”
Taijuddin stressed no insult was intended. But Khalid jumped in to say Taijuddin was a “mentetisial” (damned minister).
Many women’s organisations and leaders came out to criticise Taijuddin for insulting women. In the meantime, Taijuddin sent a lawyer to tell Khalid to withdraw the “damned minister” remark.
When both sides refused to budge, Taijuddin’s son allegedly led several people to the parliament to insult Khalid. One was even said to have tried to beat him up.
The parliament is a symbol of democracy and a venue for MPs to debate national affairs. Thus, members must be rational in order to enact useful and meaning laws in the interests of the people.
The offspring of an MP should understand the sanctity of the House of Representatives more than others, and the fracas at the parliament the day after the “Kok” and “mentetisial” tit-for-tat highlighted the inadequacy of common courtesy and personal decorum.
This incident serves as a reminder of the untoward scenes at the recent Bersih rally, including verbal abuses, the attempt to halt the rally and the confrontation between yellow shirt and the red shirt rivals. Fortunately, the police were there to maintain law and order.
If red shirt leader Dato’ Jamal Yunos is opposed to Bersih 2.0, he could always adopt a rational approach to express his thoughts. He could have talked to the Bersih rally organisers and tried to understand their views and even if they could not reach a consensus, they should respect each other’s opinions.
The acts of violence show the culprits have completely lost their democratic spirit and are resorting to intimidation and hostility.
Nothing good will come out of such volatility except grief and tragedy – a possibility that cannot be discounted with the prevailing distrust and suspicion between the two groups.
Both sides must understand the gravity of the situation clearly to avoid wroughting chaos and riots in the streets – something that must be prevented at all costs.
Democracy has always been about “I do not agree with you but I respect your right to speak.”
Attempts to subdue others with violence cannot resolve the contradiction of views and beliefs. Instead, it exacerbates tensions in society and is not aligned to the spirit of harmony emphasised by the leaders. (From Oriental Daily)