Press Statement: BERSIH Gathering: Police blockades and use of force unnecessary

ISSUES IN SHOW OF COERCION

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:49:52 +0100

The road blocks mounted by various elements of the police force, the use of tear gar and chemical-laced water sprays are blatant instances where police resources have been abused and misused to stop a peaceful assembly of Malaysians exercising their right to a peaceful assembly. How many will believe that unarmed Malaysians will challenge policemen armed with weapons, tear gas and chemical-laced water sprays? The facts speak for themselves: the democratic right of a peaceful assembly was thwarted by the police show of force and coercion. That this has manifested itself throws up the question of police neutrality and police professionalism. Stephen Tan Ban Cheng - Stephen Tan Ban Cheng

Going backwards after 50 years...

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:55:37 +0100

When a Prime Minister of a 50 year old nation, makes a statement like "...Saya pantang dicabar..." (I will not be challenged by BERSIH), this goes against the grain of his vision of a 'masyarakat Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang'. A very sad day in Malaysian history as the rakyat were not allowed to have a peaceful assembly. The rakyat were not provocative and only chanted 'Daulat Tuanku' (unlike some delegates at a recent General Assembly who use words to incite feelings of others). Annou Xavier - Annou Xavier

Malaysians are rational and responsible

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:51:22 +0100

Was there any doubt that we Malaysians are peace-loving? Should there? If we should become violent, it would be in the future, if the government continues to treat the citizens like dirt. You don't need a psychology degree to know that there's a limit to everyone's patience. At the moment, trying to be clairvoyant, "it's not dark yet". Let's hope that it doesn't become so. Alex Tan Ken Seng - Alex Tan Ken Seng