As news and video-footage of the disruption of the Penang Stop Lynas gathering goes viral, fence-sitting Malaysians will understand why they must help to bring about the change this country needs, writes Ms Batik.
As was seen from the fracas at the Penang Himpunan Hijau 2.0 rally at Speakers’ Square on Sunday, 26 February, uncouth behaviour, thuggery and violence were the modus operandi of a group hell-bent on disruption.
Eyewitness accounts and video clips clearly show this group was not interested in rational discussion or debate but went all out to create a ruckus, exhibited bullying behaviour and were disrespectful, vulgar and violent. From the shouts of this group, it was clear to which political party they were being loyal.
This incident is just the most recent in what can now be described as a pattern of disruption and intimidation involving a group of belligerent and more recently, violent hecklers (often on motorcycles which are revved to increase the noise levels and used as an added tool of intimidation).
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And glaringly noticeable is the apparent lack of police intervention, despite their presence, against those causing the ruckus. Instead it is those who have gathered peacefully who are asked disperse.
This form of disruption and intimidation had been seen at an anti-ISA gathering in Penang, at the Abu-Hindraf forum in Klang, at a PKR ceramah in Gambang and so on.
The inane excuses from the police and the lack of condemnation of this type of behaviour by members of the ruling party (for which these thugs are said to have affinity) show tacit approval, if not outright sanction of thuggery against those who hold different views and are deemed a threat to the ruling party. It is simply irresponsible, dangerous and totally unacceptable.
With the general election around the corner, a chance for change is once again possible. Incidents like this will help people decide how to cast their vote. As the story about this incident and accompanying video footage goes viral, fence-sitting Malaysians living locally and abroad will understand why they must help to bring about the change this country needs.
Every vote counts towards making this change. Let your vote be one against such thuggery. Vote for change.
Ms Batik is the pseudonym of an occasional contributor to Thinking Allowed Online
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
@Aliran – gagging my reply only makes Malaysia more repressed and chaotic – not less.
Scientific truths will EVENTUALLY cut thru emotional fear mongering exaggeration and spin – always. You will not be able to maintain error, fear, and paranoia with a ‘flat earth’ decree for very long.
Huh? Which reply was ‘gagged’?
Also, please explain the “scientific” reasoning for not building the refinery in Australia.
Getsavvy writes like a deranged person with an unhinged mind. Be careful, be very careful….
When political spin reaches fever pitch and emotional lies & twisted science are emotionally & forcefully delivered by megaphone in order to induce PARANOIA & gain votes from a panicked rakyat –then I would suggest that the opportunity for “rational discussion or debate” is already lost. Under such circumstance maybe the words of Albert (see pic) would be also viewed as an exhortation to act by ‘others’. One day the origins of this social-networked HYSTERIA over very low radiation tailings will be studied & properly slated back to its haram Youtube ‘Chef Wani’ B.Psych female initiator. The ‘net has a l-o-n-g memory.
Why didn’t they build the refinery in Australia, mate?
Why waste your energy expecting a … not to bark !
Just go and vote the deceitful and corrupted … out of their ivory towers in the coming GE.
Najib is making all sorts of promises to fix things up when the morons and goons are reelected and with two thirds fat hope and wishful thinking ! To begin with they have been in power since independence and as such they had all that times and all the opportunities to fix things up.
But no, they were too busy coming up with schemes to get themselves rich once the election is over and forget to fix things up. They are only empty promises once again, so the only way out of these shambles is to kick the morons and goons out of Putrajaya in the coming GE once and for all !