True to form, Jamal Yunos of the Red Shirts did not show any remorse after spending time in the lock-up. “With my release from remand,” he announced, “I’m declaring an all-out war against Bersih 5.”
Conveniently, Jamal was overseas when his Red Shirts began its harassment of the Bersih convoys, causing a public backlash that has been gaining momentum ever since.
Jamal was arrested at KLIA on his return from abroad. Would he have been arrested if the rakyat had not shown increasing anger against the authorities for apparently condoning the attacks of a racist and increasingly violent group?
But why, you may ask, are the Red Shirts so intent on creating trouble? Let’s try to speculate by looking at a bigger picture.
Last August, we were warned by various activists that the National Security Council Act would be used to strip us of our last remaining freedoms. The PM argued that the law was to fight terrorism. But we already have anti-terrorism laws for that.
Ambiga Sreenevasan, the head of the National Human Rights Society, warned that the rush to get the NSC Bill through Parliament was indicative of a grab for absolute power.
When the bill was presented to the Yang Dipertuan Agong and the Conference of Rulers last February for their approval, they recommended a number of amendments. The rulers wishes were ignored, giving us a sign that worse was to come.
The devastation left by the 1MDB scandal and the gloom over the global economy will make things more difficult in Malaysia. The ordinary man is struggling. He cannot tighten his belt further.
Umno-Baru ministers remain in denial. Despite the fall in the ringgit’s value, Nazri Aziz, the Tourism and Culture Minister, said that tourists would flock to Malaysia. They haven’t.
A few weeks ago, CIMB Chairman Nazir Razak said he was struggling to repair Malaysia’s damaged international reputation because of the fallout caused by the 1MDB scandal.
Jamal may provide an excuse for the men on the NSC Board to exercise their powers. Would we be paranoid to see his declaration of war on Bersih in this light?
Mariam Mokhtar is an FMT columnist.
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