By J. D. Lovrenciear
Indeed the very sight of a packed stadium of Malaysians of
all races dressed in black should be sending a power-packed message not only to
the BN power grabbers but to the whole wide world too. Here is a world class example
– Malaysian style, of citizens of all ethnic origins gathering on their own
volition to express in a disciplined, peaceful manner that they will not take
the reported unfair and fraudulent General Elections lying down. What is indeed amazing is that many in the crowds that
wisely took the LRT and walked all the way to the Kelanan Jaya stadium did not even know how
to get there. But they did. Therein lies an important lesson in communicative
behavior to BN leaders.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. The wet field was not a deterrent. People of all ages just
sat on the green – again without any prompting. What is even more amazing is to
see a sea of young people – Chinese, Indians and Malays (and certainly many
also looked like Sabahans or Sarawakians) – all of them wearing black clothes.
It speaks volumes about the tens of thousands being able to relate with and
identify their struggle for a single cause, i.e. to return true democracy to
Malaysia.
Lim Kit Siang, Ambiga and Anwar Ibrahim received standing
ovation even before they could utter a single word. That is the kind of
admiration the crowds showered on these two leaders. What is most surprising is
the fact that young people – probably only in their early twenties, were
backing these three leaders. That again speaks volumes of how true leadership
successfully cuts across all age groups and all Malaysians irrespective of
their ethnicity. Yes, you cannot play dumb; you cannot dismiss this rally. It
is a collective expression of the people’s wishes. If BN tries to derail or bin
this episode as another political rousing by the opposition, then it does so at
its own peril. Here is a momentum that will only get larger over time!
Looking at the energy on the ground, it is very clear that
Malaysians are not going to take “No” for an answer. They want justice and the
ground and crowd sentiment says it all – loud and clear. It takes a fool to not
notice.
BN leaders need to remove their political power and control
lens and look at the reality as it is with knowledge and wisdom. The people
appear resolved to show the world that through their passive movement they will
ensure that democracy is not only said is being practiced but also see to it
that democracy is seen and practiced.
As the massive stadium packed crowds left the venue, there
were no policemen or event coordinators to help navigate the human traffic that
had to squeeze its way out of the narrow and few gates. But there was no
pushing, no screaming. They just moved in an awesome manner that would leave
any observer with great admiration. Many young boys – Malays and Chinese and Indians, working
side by side, took to managing the traffic as the vehicles were paralyzed into
a bumper to bumper jam. The absence of traffic police did not matter. The
youths demonstrated they were capable and responsible to resolve the flow.
There was no free food. No free drinks. No free
entertainment. But despite thousands of them having to walk many kilometers
after the event indicates that people want justice at all cost. It was also so
easy to thumb lifts – Indians, Chinese or Malays was not a criteria to oblige.
Even the direction you are going was not an issue. All these experiences and observations were bringing the
masses together, a bonding that will be hard to destroy.
This again proves the degree of conviction that there is
brotherhood to the rally. That unity is to return fair play into politics. Indeed, the world will take notice. For here is a nation of
people who are time and time again proving that despite all that Tun Dr Mahathir
has threatened and prophesied, Malaysians on the contrary keep reaffirming that
they are a united co-existing lot supporting each other in ensuring there is a
level playing field for everyone.
If BN leaders ignore or belittle this new wave in the
country, it is going to set them even further down the scale of credibility. If
the global community of leaders look to the contrary and continue to
congratulate the BN leaders who are taking office nevertheless, it could only embarrass
them eventually. To put things in the right perspective (or bluntly, if you may), this is not an
opposition ruckus or ploy. It is citizens’ action that finds its voice in the
leaders who are quick to sense it and galvanize resolution. And for that PR
deserves commendation.
Indeed, this rally reignites hope for a nation and also
serves as a warning for tyrannies around the world. Hence the sooner the powers
that be come to their senses and redress the issues at hand, the better for
everyone. Denial will expedite even a permanent demise of BN that probably may
take several decades to repair and reinvent.
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Hi all,
I think the writer has to compare the youths at bn and pr gatherings.
At the kelana jaya do, the youths gathered were mostly graduates and i saw a few engginers, doctors, accountants project managers and IT guys.
At bn gathering ,we can see ruffians,goons and dropouts.
At bn gatherings ,people are paid and bribed to attend but at PR gatherings, the crowd pays via donations to attend.
Thats the difference.
Thats the difference.