Frankly, I have never been much interested in politics. But I do know that I want a better Malaysia for Malaysians, for my Malay, Chinese, Indian and minority races friends in Malaysia. Which citizen wouldn't want what is best for their country, be it any countries?
So, what happens now? Having not being able to attend the rally in Kuala Lumpur, I have been reading the follow-ups on the news (both local and international coverage) in the net, FB, Twitter, and watched dozens of video coverages on You Tube. Most interesting were the accounts of the people who were there, their stories and their video footages. It was moving and touching and certainly makes one ponder the importance of fighting for what one truly believes in.
There was only one real negative outcome of this rally for me and that is I am most sad to read about Encik Baharuddin Ahmad, who died after collapsing during the Bersih rally. I am also shocked to read some of the mean things that are being posted in the Bersih FB, Twitter and You Tube regarding his death. My condolence to Baharuddin's family, because although unfortunately, he died, I believe he was courageous to walk for a cause he believed in, inspite of the crackdown and threat of actions by the ruling government on how they would handle the rally should it go ahead.
I truly feel this tragedy could have been avoided. The government could have chosen to let the peaceful rally be held, with crowd control from the police to ensure a peaceful walk. Or if the government and the police were prepared to use tear gas and chemical water bombs on the rakyat to suppress the rally, then first aid or ambulances should have been prepared in the vicinity in the event that there be casualties as a result from the tear gases and water bombs; as in the case of Baharuddin. The video footage that I saw where the police just stood by helplessly, when other passer-bys were desperately trying to render help to Baharuddin, was shocking!
Home Minister Hishammudin Hussein has said the authorities would review their video footage of the protest to investigate Baharuddin's death as well as allegations that police fired tear gas into a hospital compound. I pray that these investigations will be transparent as even with international media coverage and live video shoots by spectators at the scene, the government and the inspector general are both denying the facts that the police used force or threw tear gases into the hospital.
My one wish for Malaysia is for a true 1Malaysia where everyone is treated equally and the ruling government is fair and equal to all, and answerable to its rakyat.
I fear that if the ruling government does not wake up to the call of its rakyat, this incident would not be the last, and it would drive even more Malaysians - Malaysians who love their home country, Malaysians who want fairer law and treatments, Malaysians who want transparency in the running of the country, Malaysians who truly want 1Malaysia - to stand up unitedly for what they believe in.
Most importantly, the political parties should stop slandering each other, and focus on bringing goodness and richness to the rakyat and the country. The modern rakyat are now more educated, more informed and each will make his/her choice based on proven results and not on mere talks.
Before I end, in my search for BERSIH aftermath news, I have found readings, written by people from all walks of life, about their firsthand experience on BERSIH 2.0 rally day. I hope we may get a clearer picture of what actually happened by reading these sharings. As I find more real life stories, I will be adding them here. I thank these people who have posted their experience online and for kindly allowing me to share them here.
The first is a posting by MarinaM, a beautiful lady I admire, whom I believe has a fair view on life, who walked the talk and has shared her experience with us in this.
Thanks to Ahmad, copy editor of the EDGE financial daily, who has kindly agreed to share his note with us here.
