Effective Rights

Last Saturday, a group of patriotic Malaysians gathered at the Dataran to make the march to see the Supreme Head of Malaysia, our DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-pertuan Agung. Their intentions were simple and humble. All they wanted was to hand in their petition of how they thought this country is being run and being sacrificed for the benefits of the fortunate few.

They requested for a permit but it was refused. They asked for protection from law and order, it was also refused. Instead, the entire machinery and governmental force was thrown at this innocent group of people just voicing out what they believed was their constitutional right under Art 10 of the Federal Constitution, the freedom of speech and association.

Once upon a time ago in our recent past, the son-in law of the highest commander in the land had sat and demonstrated with thousands of people when the U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice visited Malaysia. At that time no permits were requested or were questioned but the rally went on. Under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, that was an illegal act but as usual, is not about whether you are the best candidate for the job but who you know in high places.

Being part of the business society that travels around the world, it is becoming very hard to defend the ridiculous behaviour of those in power. Logic and the art of politicking will tell you that the best way to control the situation on that fateful Saturday where the democracy of our nation was questioned is to award a permit permitting a said number of people to go and petition the His Majesty. They should be accorded police escort and protection.

This simple gesture would have stopped a lot of chaos and the saving of tax-payers money as there was no need for so many police personnel and tear gas being used. Why is the government so worried about the RAKYAT petitioning His Majesty if they have done nothing wrong and followed the principles that our forefathers followed when they were forming this nation of ours.

At the end of the day, the Agung cannot act by himself to change the wrong that has been going on. The Constitution clearly states that he must consult the Prime Minister on most matters of the state. However, by not granting a permit for a peaceful rally, the government has won itself condemnation and the creation of unnecessary chaos that could have easily been avoided. The world is changing, but the people in it is changing faster.