Najib has been reported to say that people must follow the laws and adhere to lawful channels to submit their complaints. But what laws is he talking about? Firstly the police which has been complained for slow action on crimes suddenly become super-alert to arrest anyone wearing the Bersih t-shirt. 115 people had been nabbed so far. If it were 115 criminals that would have earned accolades from the tax-payers. But the police go after people who want the government to enforce anti-corruption and anti-election offenses laws on the big time law breakers. Before the ruling party bother to follow the laws made by themselves they actually send the police like attack dogs to get people to follow what is nothing more than their whimsical, capricious pronouncements! Follow the police is definitely not the same as follow the laws-noting that every year crooked cops make up a notable chunks of crooks sent to the court!
In addition the laws carry a certain meaning as rationally justified and applied universally. If something is prohibited it cannot be just due to the liking or dis-likes of a law maker. It need to be something rationally justified and open to debates. Has there been any reason given for the withholding of permit for Bersih rally? As a practice the police never give any reason for not giving police permit! That means that there could be unspeakable intention to stop certain activities eg political orders from the politicians. So far from following the laws the police is enforcing the politicians’ will? Now is this lawful?
Next the PM want the laws to be followed-but only for certain groups. There has not been any UMNO Youth or Perkasa members being arrested for promoting their respective gatherings on July 9th. So: is there 1 law for the Bersih group and another law for the UMNO Youth and Perkasa? As such the order from the Minister to the police resembles dictate from absolute monarch of the previous era-not laws as understood by the common folks!
Irrespective of the above how did the minister made up an order like this such that certain rally is considered illegal and others OK? How did he made up that certain gatherings -actually only those not organised by his party, will bring about riots and blood sheds while other types-those organised by his own party, are peaceful and legal? If the decision is based on partisan consideration then there is no laws except politics in the banning of the rally on July 9th. If politics is the real factor behind the order it is certainly not convincing for others affected to follow it. The politicians are asking people to follow `laws’ which are not followed by himself or his party associates!
The last thing about laws from the PM najib is about: what laws is he applying in denying Bersih a police permit? The highest law of the land the Federal Constitution say there is no prohibition to peaceful rallies. But the BN is applying the lesser laws that rallies need police permit. Certainly some decision need to be made as to which laws should apply on this land. Should the Minister just go ahead to implement his own laws-or laws as understood by himself, that suit his own understanding and needs, and expect the people to follow blindly? The police are bound to follow the Ministers’ orders-but also to follow the laws as stated in the statutes. Which law to follow-the law as ordered by the politicians or the laws in black and white? The difference between a `cari-makan’ police and a real law-enforcers with no fear or favour, is found here. The `cari makan’ police is the universally despised species as no fairness or security can be expected from them. Only those who take law enforcement with consistency and integrity will command respect from the public to follow the laws on their own accords and to their long term benefits!!
The break down of law and order in Malaysia basically derive from the way the politicians scoff at the laws. By refusing to follow the laws-thinking that there is no one higher than them to regulate them, they are setting a bad example for others to follow their laws. Many well intentioned laws eg Election Offenses Act that prohibit vote buying, intimidation and bribery, are not enforced. Now when it suit them they say : follow the laws! What laws you are talking about? The jungle laws of might is right-or the laws that the politicians are there to service the people and not to inconvenience the people who are really your big boss ?
democracy4now
lucia
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timchoo
