Leena Mohan was taken aback to see a Malaysian embassy without the Malaysian flag at the Bersih 3 rally in London.
On 28 April 2012, I stood outside the Malaysian Embassy in Belgrave Square, London with many like-minded Malaysians who cared about Malaysia. All of us had one main objective – to support the call for government reforms to enable free and fair elections.
As it was my first time outside the Malaysian Embassy in London, I tried to spot the all-so-familiar Malaysian flag but to no avail. There were many other flags but not the Malaysian flag.
Out of curiosity, I asked a few students next to me exactly which unit was the Malaysian embassy and where the flag was. Much to my dismay, I was informed that the Malaysian embassy had decided to take down the flag on the day of Bersih 3 London (picture above of the flag-less pole is where the Malaysian embassy is).
As I reflected on Bersih 3 London, I wondered what kind of Malaysian representatives we had appointed in London. The audacity of them to remove the Malaysian flag! A flag at half-mast is a nation is mourning. What would you call a country without a flag? A non-existent nation?
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
The event was empowering and inspiring to say the least. The power of yellow and if you had nothing else yellow to wear… stockings would do!
Everyone cooperated with the police. They guided us very professionally as we walked from the embassy to Parliament House. And as we walked, there were many people who asked us what we were rallying for. At the mention of free and fair elections in Malaysia, we were given the thumbs up and they joined us in our walk.
As we prepare for Bersih 4, I hope all right-thinking Malaysians will step out to show their love and care for Malaysia. We have been taken for a big ride by those in power and we must show them by the numbers that turn up for Bersih 4 that this abuse of power cannot go on.
Leena Mohan is an Aliran member based in Penang.
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
