By Othman Wahab
June 16, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
JUNE 16 — Ibrahim Ali thinks he is a brilliant strategist and Umno is confident that it is onto something and Khalid Abu Bakar, the deputy inspector-general of police for Umno, performed just like a politician did.
Of course, I am referring to the moves to stop civic-minded Malaysians from gathering on July 9 and protesting about election shortcomings. The Bersih 2 rally is now not likely to happen, with police threatening tough action (they can’t nab criminals but they can bully tax payers. That is what happens when an institution becomes politicised).
As pointed out by Raja Petra Kamarudin, blogger extraordinaire, the government is worried at the prospect of huge turnout, concerned that momentum could build towards coming polls. They are also worried about the impact of Arab uprising here, despite protestations by the government that Malaysia is not like Egypt.
The shadow puppetry started when Umno Youth lodged a few police reports and then the conscience of Umno, Ibrahim Ali threatened to crush the gathering and hold his own march. All this puppetry was necessary to create imagery of confrontation and chaos so that the police would be justified in some tough talking.
So then the government would say that it is neutral about the gatherings and would leave it to the police. This is exactly what happened.
Hishammuddin Hussein, the home minister for Umno, said that the matter should be left to the authorities.
Khalid Abu Bakar says no permits will be given to either Bersih or Perkasa/Umno. On the face of it, he is fair. But we are not stupid; we have seen this theatre before.
For “national security” and “concern over the livelihood of traders” (never mind that cost of living is more of a threat to traders than a peaceful gathering) the police were always going to ban Bersih 2. But they wanted to appear even-handed, so the theatre of Ibrahim staging his protest was performed.
The man is the ultimate Umno loyalist.
Their machinations are so amateurish, but they think they are sophisticated. This surely is a sign of the times: When the ruled are few steps ahead of the ruling class.
Who, or rather what, is Ibrahim Katak ? In the best of times, he is generally ignored because of his senseless and contradictory rants. However, he found his niche in the 5 pct of UMNO supporters who are paranoid about loss of perceived rights vis-a-vis the non-Malays. Najib can’t afford to ignore this rabid group especially if it is supported by Mamakthir and MooHeeDin. In the next GE, if this rabid group somehow withholds their support for the UMNO president, then he is done for.
For the time being, Najib is reduced to the role of shadow boxer – aiming at everything and nothing. He has to say things that could be interpreted both ways. Obviously, that’s a leader that is marking time, while looking stup!d.
Sex show….not working.
Release the Donkey Kong to provoke and threaten.
First the Christains….now BERSIH walkers.
Najib is after TRAITORS…not supporting him.
When one NUT becomes an appointed PM….another NUT appear to protect master NUT.
Who is the patron of Perkasa?
The DEVIL….who disowned his Indian ancestors….insult the founding father of Malaysia…kill Tunku’s party..set up his UMNO B.
Agreed. Stupid for the past 50 years
Actually it did not occur to me that Bersih can look like a peaceful version of Tahrir Square. 100K mostly youth would be bigger than the 1Million youth gathering in Putrajaya recently PAID for by BN. It would be omnimous.
The momentum for Bersih is gathering steam online while the antagonists are making public declarations and statements. The thing to note is the organisers have been very quiet, not wanting to provoke the situation and keeping things close to their chest.
This is turning out to be a classic showdown and its still 22 days away!
Just an “unrecyclable” trash craving for a little attention.