The incumbent did not lose time claiming that a street protest would “disrupt the public”. A BN parlementarian even went as far as saying that Bersih should not hold a 3.0 sitting as most of the NGO’s demands have been addressed by the parliamentary select committee (PSC). Their thorough and very convincing answer can be found here: Response From Bersih 2.0 To The Recommendations Of The Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform.

I personally think that if some wish to manifest, they should be able to. Especially as the government recently passed a Peaceful Assembly Act. As long as they let DBKL and the police know what their route will be and when their sit-in will take place long enough before-hand, then why shouldn’t they be allowed to protest ? Unfortunately, it seems that while they will allow for the event to be held, they will still try to impose their views on where it can be held and how it is to be organized. In the words of Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein:

What’s the use of having the (Peaceful Assembly) Act if we allow street protests, that is a basic thing.

Kind of goes against the spirit of the Act in my opinion. If the trouble is the safety of the people, then why don’t the police and DBKL, both paid by the taxpayer, some of whom are also Bersih supporters, be deployed to ease traffic congestion. The last time around, the PDRM road blocks in the city and roads leading to the city were creating more trouble than the manifestation itself. Removing them would solve most of what the government claim to be problems in the first place.

In the end, I wish Bersih 3.0 to be a resounding success, with many showing up, and most importantly, that it be held in peace and harmony.

“Secrets can take many forms — they can be shocking, or silly, or soulful.”

I liked the concept from the first time I heard about it. Maybe because of my christian upbringing. I see some similarities between sending a mail to Post Secret and going to the confessional. But instead of sharing your secret with an individual linked to an organized religion, you open up and share with a community that is areligious.

There are some secrets that I really connect with, that help me feel a little bit more connected to the world out there. I strongly invite you to go check the website if you haven’t done so already. I’m sure you’ll discover a few secrets that you relate to. Alternatively, you can take 10mn to watch the following video. It is more powerful than chopping a bagful of onions.

Something tells me his favourite will be the sound brick…