THE Eye will just come right out here and say that the Eye hates demonstrations or protests.
The Eye thinks that they are a waste of time, resources and are unsafe. Even though the organiser of a demonstration or rally assures that it will ‘peaceful’ or a sit-in, there is no guarantee that it will turn out as claimed.
Why? First off all, there will always be those who join demonstrations or protests without fully understanding the cause that is being ‘fought’ for. These are people who get on the bandwagon at every opportunity to be with the masses, just to say that they were there, and that they too “did something about it”.
These are the most dangerous type of demonstrators – highly-strung and also emotional for the sake of being emotional. They are easily provoked and highly likely to jump barricades and get violent.
Secondly, there are the dungus who bring young children and toddlers to demonstrations. How silly can one be to do that? Why put the lives of innocent children at risk? What if a scuffle or stampede breaks out and the child is in the midst of it?
To those in Kuala Lumpur who brought their children to the so-called peaceful ‘clean’ sit-in last weekend, the Eye asks, “Where did you leave your brains?”
Come on, if fights can break out among fans during football matches (which are supposed to be healthy, peaceful activities), what more at so-called peaceful sit-ins?
The third reason why the Eye abhors demonstrations and protests is basically because there is no point in holding them.
Did the organisers really achieve what they wanted? Other than the mess and destruction left behind, what was really achieved?
Some may say that it really got Malaysians connected and in touch with one another to stand up for the call for clean election practices; that those who came together then displayed solidarity as true Malaysians.
Some say that it revealed the ugly side of law enforcement – that it was really the police who provoked and ignited the violent scenes.
Others say it gave the foreign media a chance to truly experience the oppression of free speech and the right to freely broadcast the ‘true story’.
Yes, these were all written by over-emotional ‘clean’ supporters via social media. Edited photos and videos supposedly showing police brutality were posted throughout cyberspace.
The Eye is still not convinced.
There were even photos posted by the younger generation who joined the demonstration – they were posing in groups, smiling and giving peace signs, as if it was one big picnic!
Admittedly, the Eye may not always agree with how the government handles things and the Eye is also not the biggest fan of the Malaysian police.
And yes, the Eye has, in the past, written about injustice and also how some of our politicians act and also say the most ridiculous things, but this does not mean the Eye will gleefully join the hordes of people out there who believe that they are trying to ‘clean’ things up.
Every country has its share of corruption, brainless policymakers and politicians. Pray, do tell, which country does not?
But there are ways of “fighting” for improvements. Write, sing and vote for the people whom you think can deliver your message, instead of organising demonstrations that put the lives of others at risk.
Back to why demonstrations and protests are a waste of time and resources. A friend who runs a tour business in the heart of Kuala Lumpur was definitely miffed with the organisers and participants of last week’s sit-in.
Not only did he lose potential customers, he also had to dish out refunds to existing customers (tourists). He was not the only business operator who suffered losses that day.
The fourth reason why the Eye stays away from such protests and demonstrations – even if the organisers claim that they are non-political, it will ALWAYS be political. Hey, seeking electoral reforms is not political?
And what were all those politicians doing there, adding fuel to the already hot and worked up ‘peaceful’ demonstrators? Not political, my foot.
Some videos online even showed how it got religious, besides being political.
Thankfully, the majority of the people in Sarawak are a peaceful lot. Yes, there some overzealous politically affiliated people chanting along the waterfront in Kuching. But most of us could not be bothered.
The sensible ones were at home, being thankful that we do not live in a war-torn country or in a famine-hit area. The sensible ones were out enjoying a bowl of Saturday morning laksa with friends and family.
And as for being clean, the sensible ones were actually cleaning their homes and vehicles.