With the Bersih rally to be held soon, I guess one becomes very paranoid all over when one enters the Home Ministry. But with Bersih 2.0, it has gone beyond the realms of paranoia to an extent where wearing certain coloured T-shirts could get you arrested.
Early this morning, as I pass the toll plaza and headed towards the city centre, I realized that there was a massive traffic jam just after the toll plaza. It was too early in the morning for a traffic jam so at first, I thought there must have been an accident. ]
But when I saw flickers of blue lights, cars squeezing into one controlled lane and several policemen standing by the vehicle, not really watching the traffic, I shook my head and cursed silently at those who manned the roadblocks.
I wonder how the situation would be when the peak hours start but I know it will be very bad. Basically, I am not sure how the setup of roadblocks so early in the morning will help in bringing public order – it only going to get worse. I am not sure how many people are going to get their plans for the morning ruined or delayed getting to their destination or workplace.
Today is just Wednesday – there is still 3 more days before the purported rally day and already we are seeing roadblocks. So, do expect more insane measures and more roadblocks as we move nearer towards the weekend even though the street rally has been called off and the rally will be held in a stadium.
And interestingly the acceptance to have the rally in a stadium have certainly put the Government in a fix as highlighted in Anilnetto’s post titled “Stadium it is…“.
How the Government is going to go about it now considering there has been a major crackdown on the Bersih 2.0 in past few weeks? Can people wear yellow Bersih 2.0 without fear now?
Najib took the easy way out by leaving that decision to the police. The police informed that despite Bersih 2.0 agreed to have the rally in a stadium, Bersih 2.0 still need to apply for a police permit for the rally.
The interesting question would be – since the Bersih 2.0 had met the King and agreed to follow the King’s suggestions and it was the Government who mooted the idea of having the rally in the stadium – will the police now agree to grant the permit to the organizers? Because if the police deny the permit, then it is back to square one for Bersih 2.0.
It will be interesting to see what the Government (who is also controlling the police) will do in the next few days especially after Bersih 2.0 had toned down on the key location of their rally.
In the meantime, be prepared for the insane roadblocks – things like leaving home early, picking the best routes and having a full tank of petrol in the car would be helpful.
Whatever it is, BERSIH 2.0 is now not just seen but is also heard and the impact it has created in their favour is already clear. The government needs to do something better than trying to use the police and later the military as a show of force. That won’t work. The government must be seen to be smarter than that otherwise, it will spell their end.
Saying one thing but doing another seems to be case with the Government on Bersih 2.0. People are not stupid.