The battle has begun

Do we really need to gather on the streets to vent our frustrations? Isn’t it already evident?

COMMENT

I went to Bersih 3.0 because I believed Malaysia needed a new beginning. It was a very meaningful event for me. I was going to be one of many who demanded a free and fair election which I honestly thought was going to bring changes to my country, changes she desperately needed.

Wearing a tee-shirt I designed myself which said “People Power”, I joined thousands of others who sat on the streets and pavements. We were in solidarity for the same cause.

But amidst the smiles and friendly gestures, I found familiar faces yelling on speakers, demanding a change. Then all of a sudden, the atmosphere changed –anger and hatred filled the air.

I could not make sense of their actions though I was there in support for the same cause. I felt I needed to do something but I held back. I mean who in their right minds would be in the face of a bully all the while hoping not to get punched?

A bully is a bully after all. We can’t have it both ways ─ stand hand in hand in solidarity against one set of bullies while allowing another group of bullies to take over our stage.

The truth is, I wanted a free and fair election just like those people yelling on the speakers but didn’t my presence there already signify my support? Why then was there a need to poke the bee hive when it was supposed to be a sit-in, a peaceful event? As an apolitical organisation, why even give the speakers to politicians, knowing fully well that they would most likely provoke, incite and jeopardise the people’s safety?

When the tear gas canisters began to rain, the beautiful smiles I witnessed faded away. I was on the run with only one flip-flop on. I could not breathe. I suffered from temporary blindness. My throat and my eyes burnt. At a few junctures, I almost succumbed to the trauma of the moment, like some others, but there was always someone to pick me up, console and encourage me.

I was almost in tears, not because I was scared but out of frustration – I was there for my nation yet I was treated like a hooligan.

But who is at fault? The people pointed at the police and the police pointed at the people. I have my finger at the organisers.

Having emotionally suffered on that day, I thought having a fair election would be the healing our nation so deserves. But there was none – no fairness and no healing.

Today, preparations are being made for Bersih 4. I have friends asking me if I will join the rally next week. I am not sure. I don’t trust the organisers, not anymore. I somehow feel we are not fighting for the same cause – I want real change while they are merely providing a platform to vent rage. Then again, maybe I am still bruised.

Bersih 2.0 and 3.0 were about fair elections. Now Bersih 4 states more demands. It may all be good for all we know. A lot of things need to be fine-tuned in our country. Some things need to be revamped altogether. But I can’t fathom why we need to wait for a third party to organise something for us to express our dissatisfaction with the government?

I mean isn’t it quite evident already? Just take a look at our social media platforms. Read all the comments flooding in from ordinary Malaysians who are demanding for a change in our leadership. What will we achieve by gathering in a stadium or on the streets that we aren’t achieving on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram?

Between Bersih 1.0 and 2.0, many things took place but everyone was too busy minding his/her own life. Between Bersih 3.0 and 4, many scandals were out in the open, and yet no one did anything. At least Rani Kulup had the guts to make police reports on issues he wasn’t satisfied with – but how many of us, despite claiming to be outraged, did anything?

This makes me wonder, what happens after Bersih 4? If the government doesn’t revise anything, are we going to go back into our slumberland and wait for Bersih 5?

If Bersih 4 truly has a civil agenda with the best interests of the people in mind, shouldn’t street demonstrations only take place after all other options have been exhausted? Think about it.

I realise that people just want to express themselves. We are pushed up against the wall and we just want an outlet for our grief. I get that. But what good does it do if that’s all we aim for? Expressing our outrage is one thing but demanding change is another. So which do we want, actually?

If all we want is to express our anger and frustration, perhaps we can have Bersih once a year as per the movie ‘The Purge’. Then we can all flood the stadium and shout our lungs out. We can jump, twist and do the Macarena too if we like.

Please do not think I am ridiculing Bersih. I am not. I know it has taken a lot of work and effort to get to this stage. Yes, it is a good thing to have thousands of people questioning and speaking out. But let us not forget, that comprises only about 1% of our population.

We already have 52% people who demanded a change. We just need to work on the remaining 48%. So why are we using up our energy barking at trees when we have more work to do?

Let us not forget that Bersih 4 is not the only platform for us to pressure the government. I know a few people who still walk around in yellow every Saturday as a sign of protest. These wise people know that protesting isn’t a one day event. But how many of us do that?

The spirit of Bersih 2.0 and 3.0 is already instilled in us. The battle has already begun. Let us now fight our war instead of shouting where our voices won’t be heard.