Stadium Merdeka?

I think the decision of Bersih 2.0 to go ahead to assemble at Stadium Merdeka irregardless of whether a permit is given is a mistake. A mistake not such much of defying the authorities. I think the Government left Bersih with no choice. But a mistake as to the venue. The reason given by Bersih is because of the historical significance/symbolism of Stadium Merdeka and its central location. Very cogent reasons. However, if you can’t get even within 1km of the stadium, will your objective be achieved? It is very easy for the police to cordon off the entire area within a 1km radius.

A look at the map of the surrounding areas also discloses 3 police stations nearby and 2 of them are not ordinary police stations. They are Ibu Pejabat Daerah Dang Wangi and Ibu Pejabat Kontijen Polis KL. Basically the whole KL police force is stationed next door.

The previous Bersih rally was supposed to assemble at Dataran Merdeka. The entire area was easily cordoned off and people had to assemble elsewhere and march to the Istana. Now this time there is no longer any destination since the Agong has advised against street demos and Bersih has agreed. I guess Bersih 2.0 will eventually be forced to do that as there is no way anyone can get through to Stadium Merdeka. They will blame it on the Govt for reneging on their promise. But where will they go?

I was elated when the King granted audience to Bersih in an unprecedented speed. I was hopeful that a peaceful solution can be found. However, by evening I got the feeling that the Govt is no going to budge after news of the discovery of Molotov cocktails, parangs and Bersih T-shirts. They are just going to say in view of this, the threat is still there even if there are no longer street demos. The comments made by people and opposition politicians claiming victory and ridiculing the Govt and police didn’t help either. They were anything but gracious. Of course, it’s understandable given what nonsense the Govt and the police have been throwing at us the last few weeks. But the battle has not been won yet. Understandable but not very smart.

As I argued in my last posting, the awareness level for electoral reform has reached a new height given the publicity that was generated in the past weeks. Furthermore, now people are also aware that we have a Govt who is not only highly incompetent but has turned what would have been a non event into a national crisis. People are also aware that we have a Govt who has undermined every public institution in the country in their quest to hold on to power. The latest (well not really, Dr. M has done that long time ago) is the constitutional monarchy.

Is there a need to march anymore? Well I think no, if it’s for electoral reform but yes to reclaim our constitutional right to assemble in a peaceful manner and without arms and to protest against the high handedness of the police. As Art Harun puts it, Bersih is no longer about electoral reform. It has become a movement of people against some sort of tyranny.

Well, I still hope against hope that a last minute compromise will be found though both parties have already ruled out any compromise. Or hope for a miracle that the King will order Stadium Merdeka to be opened and he himself will go there and join the rakyat. But the likely scenario will be within the next 24 hours most if not all the Bersih Steering committee will be arrested together with some Opposition politicians. KL will be locked down. LRT and KTM commuter will be shut down or they will bypass strategic stations. Even telecommunications will be disrupted to prevent marchers from communicating with each other.

Will I be there? I don’t know. All I know is 9^th July 2011 is going to be Hari Ini Dalam Sejarah for the better or the worse.

Kyrie Eleison – Lord have mercy.