The - Why do Malaysians march - debate

The sentiment gaining traction is that the Malaysian government is a regime, not a system in which morality and decency figure as motivating factors and the general science is that the Internal Security Act is a dastardly tool in the regime’s toolkit.

Yeo Yang Poh's letter was a welcome rush that justified the weekend’s proceedings whereas Mariette Peters-Goh's response (re-posted below) stood alone like a right-wing bystander, a pro-lifer in a pro-choice crowd, but as the day went by, approvals and as many brickbats came in. One consolation though - brickbateers say she is clear enough to disagree with. Clarity over Agreement, a Jewish historian said, is key to a 'linear' rather than a 'cyclical' discourse.

The video is a brief by Christopher Hitchens depicting three brutal regimes he 'sampled' in person. It reminds me of R. Sivarasa who said "regimes will eventually confront you, if you do not confront them, usually from a position of aggression."

Cheers, Tommy

Mariette Peters-Goh's response (to Yeo Yang Poh) as published in The Sun, August 5^th 2009.

IN “Why do Malaysians march?” (Comment, Aug 3) Yeo Yang Poh provides an interesting account of why Malaysians march. His views are even more amusing bearing in mind that he is a lawyer, more so a previous president of the Bar Council.

Yes, why do Malaysians march? Let me provide an account from a different perspective. Those who marched, did so because they did not care about the inconvenience caused to the thousands of motorists.

Because those who marched did not care that being a Saturday, thousands of Malaysians and tourists would be running errands, shopping or just enjoying the camaraderie of family and friends.

Because those who marched did not care about the possibility of an ambulance desperately weaving its way through the traffic to reach a dying man.

Because those who marched did not care about the discomfort caused to senior citizens who were trapped in traffic in the blistering heat.

Because those who marched did not care about the children who would have been at the receiving end of the chaos and disarray.

Because those who marched did not care about the millions of ringgit that traders had lost as a result of the closure of shops and businesses.

Because those who marched did not care about the anxiety caused to that pregnant woman who, in labour, was on the way to the hospital.

Because those who marched did not care about the thousands of schoolchildren who were late in attending Saturday school or that they were stuck in the traffic as late as 7pm.

Because those who marched courted arrest to be venerated as martyrs.

Because those who marched did it for the sake of the publicity. After all, how else were they able to get their five minutes of fame. And bear in mind that leaders of other marches in the last two years were conferred awards and titles. So maybe, just maybe, this was one way of obtaining a few accolades.

Because those who marched knew that it was an action that would attract a reaction from the police and yes, that was what they wanted. After all, how else could they carry on demonising the police and enforcement authorities. Most newspapers carried stories about how high-handed the police were. Yet many missed the point. Who caused the police to react that way?

Because those who marched were ignorant. Are all the marchers aware of the provisions of the Internal Security Act?

Because those who marched thought it was fashionable to do so. After all, the government did say that it was planning to review the provisions of the ISA. Yet the marchers marched.

Because those who marched had to keep up with the Joneses. Like Yeo said, they do it in India, Africa and even in the US. Everyone is doing it, so it must be right – let’s march!

Because those who marched preferred to go along the destructive route.

Because those who march were gullible – influenced by certain quarters who had their own purposes to serve.

Because those who marched think that it is the leitmotif of the majority in Malaysia .

Yes, Yeo draws analogies to Africa and the US. Singapore, however, is conspicuously missing – a country that shares similar demography, legislative history and to a certain extent, culture. Love him or hate him, Singapore is what it is today – a successful nation because of the philosophy and vision of Lee Kuan Yew. And this is what the octogenarian has to say:

“You’re talking about Rwanda or Bangladesh, or Cambodia, or the Philippines. They’ve got democracy, according to Freedom House. But have you got a civilised life to lead? People want economic development first and foremost. The leaders may talk something else. You take a poll of any people. What is it they want? The right to write an editorial as you like? They want homes, medicine, jobs, schools.” (The Man and his Ideas)

Apocryphal or not, there is definitely a grain of truth to it.

Yeo, your reasons may be dulcet notes to the leftists but like many others who crave peace and harmony in society, I subscribe to a different view. The one lesson learned from Saturday’s episode is that, the marchers showed us why the ISA should remain.

Axis of Evil: Christopher Hitchens (July 2009) - FORA.tv