Rethinking The Strategy

I have read some of Shaun Tan's previous jottings on LoyarBurok.

Some of them made me roll my eyes before swiftly moving on.

I suspect he is a young man with ideals about how things should be, and it appears that he takes a lot of his cues from Western nations. I am not going to criticise him for that - as I myself used to be exactly as I describe him to be (and they say people in glasshouses shouldn't throw stones).

But in a move that probably would surprise the people who know me best, I am going to say that this time, he does make some good points.

Referring to the scandals that have plagued Malaysia, and the liberal Malaysian's response to it, he says:

The most tangible response is Bersih 4.0, a rally planned for the end of the month. Although it aims to gather hundreds of thousands of Malaysians together to protest in three of the country’s cities, its organizers intend to disperse it after two days, even if its demands for Najib to step down and for the implementation of institutional safeguards against corruption are ignored, which they probably will be. It is not expected to change anything.

Though suggestions have been made to expand the two-day rally into a mass civil disobedience movement – one that provokes confrontation with the authorities and occupies key areas in the major cities until its demands are met (probably the only strategy under the circumstances with a chance of success) – Bersih’s organizers seem to have rejected them, asserting instead that the purpose of the rally is to “send the government a message.” That the ruling party has ignored the message of previous Bersih rallies with impunity has not prompted a strategy rethink.

I can see where Shaun is coming from.

We are talking about scandals, that in many other countries (and not necessarily just developed ones), could have heads rolling. The French, I believe, sent dear ole Louis and his missus, Marie Antoinette, to the guillotine for carelessness of that very magnitude.

As Shaun has articulated:

Over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB – a state investment fund) corruption scandal alone, for example, Prime Minister Najib Razak has sacked the attorney general who was meant to be investigating him, had the offices of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission raided to hide evidence of his crimes, suspended The Edge (a local paper) and blocked The Sarawak Report (a whistleblowing website) for reporting on it, and claimed that the $700 million transferred to his personal bank account was a donation. How, many ask, could someone who has so blatantly betrayed the public’s trust remain in power?

How indeed, does he have the gumption to remain as PM?

Now I am not suggesting that we emulate the French. It is not remotely in our culture to be as confrontational or as aggressive as the Europeans (or Americans, for that matter) are. We have been tear-gassed, but we barely retaliate by at best, returning a tear-gas cannister at the FRU. Often, we just grin and bear it (for lack of a better description).



To begin with, only today, I read someone on my Facebook feed stating that the organisers of Bersih 4 restrict their rally to a stadium - behind closed doors - to avoid inconveniencing the public and avoid skirmishes with the government and their band of entitled running dogs, aka the police.



It reminds me why I left Malaysia. I can't decide if it's apathy or well-meant concern for the well-being of fellow Malaysians.



But that sort of attitude is what empowers criminals to remain in power despite the evidence of their wrongdoings.

I support Bersih 4, because it is part of the process that helps us to decide what further we must do, but we also need to discover better ways of dealing with the corruption and misbehaviour of the people who hold the power.

BERSIH and Overseas Malaysians

In 2011, two out of every ten Malaysians with tertiary education opted to live abroad. That is a significant number.

I have been documenting various reports on the Malaysian brain-drain, but to date, no measures have been taken by the BN government, simply because they do want the Chinese (who make up the majority of the migrants) to leave.

So a bunch of them do leave for greener pastures. But not for good.

If the BN government thought they were rid of this bunch, they were wrong. Desperately wrong.

These motley crew of disillusioned and disgruntled walk-outs may be far in physical distance, but emotionally close to the nation that gave birth to them.

They're back, stronger than ever, thanks to the issues highlighted by BERSIH.

They're interested in the progress of the nation, and are not afraid of the BN government.

Thanks to the exchange rate, this group is probably also responsible for funding projects carried out within Malaysia by social and political activists.

So much for the BN government's hopes and plans of unrestricted domination.

The Stripper

Okay, I concede that the title was a cheap stunt to lure readers!!

But you must admit, that under the circumstances, Old Nyanyuk does deserve the title of "The Stripper".

Awhile ago, Old Nyanyuk along with the Indian Muslim organisation called Kimma made an appeal for BERSIH co-chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan to be stripped of her datukship.

Now, I personally don't think much of datukships -- anymore than I do knightships or OBEs or MBEs (if you're British). They are meant to be an honour, but if the body or person who bestowed it upon you is not honourable, it means nothing at all.

However, citizenship is a completely different thing altogether. No one really has the right to strip anyone of their citizenship, certainly not an unelected government who unlawfully sits in office by having cheated and rigged elections for decades.

This line of thinking obviously does not sit well with Old Nyanyuk, as he believes that voters should give two-thirds majority to the BN government so that they can amend the constitution to enable them to strip Ambiga of her citizenship.

BERSIH has come back with a disappointingly weak response, saying merely that Dr M must apologise to Ambiga, Bar Council.

But then again, perhaps they are a lot more professional than to suggest in turn that Old Nyanyuk be stripped of his citizenship for treason in randomly giving out citizenships to foreigners in exchange for votes to keep his party in power.

I digress. Ambiga has done the nation justice by trying to set straight what is crooked and corrupt.

Any person capable of logical thought would see that in a democracy, calling for free and fair elections is a very noble and responsible gesture.

I am personally in favour of free and fair elections, and am in sound mind to recognise that Malaysia does not have free and fair elections hence the constant need to demand them especially by taking to the streets.

The last time I checked, BERSIH 3.0 attracted a crowd of 200,000 to the streets. This, in spite of knowing that they could be arrested and charged under draconian laws.

Would Old Nyanyuk and the BN government like to strip those 200,000 people of their citizenship too?

For Overseas Malaysians

BERSIH 2.0 Voting Advisory for Overseas Malaysians

via Bersih 2.0 | Gabungan Pilihanraya Bersih dan Adil by Bersih 2.0 on 07/02/13

Together with Global BERSIH, Tindak Malaysia, and MyOverseasVote, BERSIH 2.0 has developed an advisory for overseas Malaysian voters. Please keep yourself informed of any changes to postal voting procedures through the Election Commission’s main website and a special website for GE13.

You can also contact us at overseasvote@bersih.org.

Spread the advisory far and wide!

ENGLISH version: PDF  (right-click and save) | JPEG

CHINESE version: PDF (right-click and save) | JPEG

BERSIH Not Unlawful After All

The Kuala Lumpur High Court has quashed the home minister's declaration on July 1 last year that the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) is an "unlawful" organisation.

However, the court did not grant the two prayers sought by Bersih for the coalition to be registered.

Justice Rohana Yusof in her decision this morning said Bersih has successfully proven its case in challenging the declaration.

She also ruled that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s declaration was "tainted with irrationality".

"Hence, we are allowing the applicant's application (for judicial review of the government's declaration), with no order as to costs," she said.

In her 30-page judgment, the judge narrated the history of the application that challenged Hishammuddin's decision to declare the coalition of NGOs to be an unlawful organisation.

Despite the declaration, she noted, the authorities had continued to meet with Bersih officials.

“There was negotiation between the applicant and the respondent (government) as to the location of the July 9 rally,” she said.

“There was an audience with (the Agong for) the first applicant (Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan) and there was no censure of Bersih (in conducting) its activities (the July 9, 2011 rally) as scheduled.”

The court had further taken judicial notice that Hishammuddin had made a public statement to allow the Bersih 3.0 rally to proceed on April 28 this year.

“Even if it can be said that Bersih was endangering security before the order was made, it cannot be the case that - after one week - such reason was no longer valid or applicable.

“In short, Bersih cannot be a society used for purposes detrimental to security on July 1, 2011 - and then, no longer so a week later. Even if that is so, then the declaration should have been lifted accordingly.”

Legality Status Decision For BERSIH 2.0

A reminder for the judicial review tomorrow.

Date: 24 July 2012
Time: 9AM
Venue: Court RKKK2, 3rd Floor, Mahkamah Jalan Duta

Do come and lend your support.

Candlelight Walk

709: We Have Not Forgotten - Candlelight walk

In remembrance of Bersih 2.0 on July 9, 2011, we are organizing a candlelight walk, which will start from Merdeka Square to Stadium Merdeka, as a reminder to all Malaysians that the historic day where tens of thousands of Malaysians took to the street for a clean and fair election, has not been forgotten. Join us, this coming Monday, on the night of July 9, as we continue our struggle for a clean and fair election for a true democratic Malaysia.

Date: July 9, 2012 (Monday)
Meet-up time: 7.30 pm
Gathering point: Merdeka Square (Occupy Dataran site and previous camp site for the students)

What to bring: Long white candles, lighter (or matches) and cardboard or plastic/paper cups to prevent wax from dropping to the ground
Dress Code: Yellow shirts
Event flow (tentative, plans may change according to circumstances):

7.35 pm: Gather at Merdeka Square
7.45 pm: Start walking to Stadium Merdeka (the original planned venue for Bersih 2.0)
8.30 pm: Speech by Dr Wong Chin Huat, steering committee of Bersih 2.0 (to be confirmed)
9.00 pm: Dismissal and end of event (Please refer to Facebook event page for updated details)

This will be a peaceful walk to reaffirm our support for BERSIH's 8 demands where the only tools we will use are white candles and our will. We do not encourage confrontations with the police force and would like to urge all those attending this candlelight walk to remain peaceful and orderly. We are strictly non-disruptive - no banners, no placards, no shouting, no harassment. Yellow balloons, yellow flowers and Malaysian flags are always welcome.

This is in accordance with KillTheBill.org movement's mission to create a culture of informed, passionate, and empowered Malaysians who will stand up for social, political, and economical injustices and causes and to support the right to assemble and the right to express freely restricted by the Peaceful Assemblies Act through actions in creative ways.

We see this as a chance to once again reinforce Malaysians support for the 8 demands of BERSIH 2.0, namely:

1. Clean the electoral roll
2. Reform postal ballot
3. Use of indelible ink
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
5. Free and fair access to media
6. Strengthen public institutions
7. Stop corruption
8. Stop dirty politics


For those who are not able to come to Kuala Lumpur to join the candlelight walk, we encourage you to wear yellow and celebrate the anniversary of BERSIH 2.0 in your own way. It doesn't matter if you are going out for lunch, dinner, or a movie. Wear YELLOW and encourage your friends to do the same. Wear YELLOW to work. Wear YELLOW to the gym. Wear YELLOW to pasar malam.

Use your creativity and make 709 a BERSIH YELLOW day.


More information can be found on the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/411141245594702/

Diplomats Harassed Over BERSIH 3.0

A while back, I mentioned on the blog that even diplomats had been sighted at the BERSIH 3.0 demonstration in KL.

I have been following the developments on this matter and since then, the Singaporean High Commissioner was summoned to Wisma Putra to bear the wrath of Putrajaya's annoyance.

It turns out, however, that the Asian neighbours are taking the brunt of the Special Branch's questioning.

From The Malaysian Insider:

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — Malaysian intelligence agents are said to be hassling diplomats here for meeting Pakatan Rakyat (PR) officials and observing political events over the past few years since Election 2008, in what is seen as a move to lessen recognition for the federal opposition.

Diplomats told The Malaysian Insider that officers from the police’s Special Branch (SB) have begun asking more questions about their meetings with PR leaders and making it clear such contacts are unwelcome.

“Such meetings are normal especially since PR runs more states since the 2008 polls. But some of the SB guys hint the meetings should not happen,” a Western diplomat told The Malaysian Insider.

The diplomat, who didn’t want to be named, said informal chats in the diplomatic circles show that Asian diplomats are asked more questions about such meetings.

“Asian diplomats are the focus though, more than what we get from the SB,” he added, noting that Singaporean diplomats get it worst.

Wisma Putra recently chided three envoys from the republic over unsubstantiated accusations from pro-Umno bloggers that they actively participated in the chaotic April 28 Bersih rally.

Singapore has officially responded to the accusations of its envoys’ involvement by pointing out that the three had only been on the streets of Kuala Lumpur to observe the rally, along with diplomats from many other countries.

“It must be the neighbours thing. But you know, all diplomats have to meet people from all political hues to know what’s going on. And any protest or rally too,” the diplomat said.

An Asian envoy pointed out that Malaysian diplomats are also seen observing events and meeting politicians from all sides of the divide in other countries.

“I don’t see what the fuss is with some bloggers unless they are looking for scapegoats or a political diversion,” he said.

Read the rest on the web: Diplomats getting SB hassle for meeting Pakatan leaders

Email Warning To Ambiga

Is this what this country is coming to?

I am ashamed that people would stoop so low to eliminate the voice of reason.

If you ask me, it would be simpler to correct oneself and govern the nation in a reasonable manner instead of holding on so desperately to power.

From Free Malaysia Today:

PETALING JAYA: Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga has received an email warning her of a threat against her life.

The former Bar Council president told FMT that she received the email yesterday afternoon.

The email with its subject stated as “Beware hired guns out to kill you” claimed that a particular group had contracted two thugs to “terminate” her.

Although she withheld the identities of those mentioned in the email as well as that of the sender, Ambiga however said there were no references to any political parties.
The Bersih leader, who lodged a report with the Travers police station, preferred not to reveal the sender in order to protect the source.

“I will leave it to the police to investigate the matter,” she said.

Ambiga also revealed that police officers had recorded her statement regarding the threat yesterday evening.

Expressing concern for her safety, Ambiga said: “Yes, I am worried and I must be careful. I would need to beef-up security for myself.”

Read the rest: Hired thugs to kill you: email warns Ambiga

UN Concerns Over Bersih 3.0 Crackdown

From Malaysiakini:

United Nations special rapporteur for freedom of assembly and association Maina Kiai yesterday expressed "utmost concern" over crackdowns on peaceful assemblies in Malaysia.

Malaysia was specifically mentioned by the rapporteur during the 20th session of the UN Human Rights Council yesterday.

"The special rapporteur expresses his utmost concern in relation to peaceful assemblies that were either not allowed or violently dispersed in a number of countries, such as in Bahrain, Belarus, China, Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Malawi, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the Syrian Arab Republic," the UN said yesterday.

Even The Diplomats??

This is amusing.

Even the diplomats were purportedly at Bersih 3.0:

Wisma Putra sees red over diplomats taking to the streets

KUALA LUMPUR: The involvement of Malaysia-based foreign diplomats in Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28 has incurred the displeasure of Wisma Putra.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said he had received reports about the involvement and participation of foreign diplomats in street demonstrations, citing the Bersih rally.

“Whether such involvement or participation is truly for information gathering or otherwise, it is definitely not a good move.

"I am worried that such a move may lead to negative perceptions. Worse, the diplomats concerned may get involved or injured in unfortunate incidents, given the unruly nature of street demonstrations."

Street demonstrations all over the world do tend to get somewhat unruly. Tottenham got looted and burned. The Italians make a dog's meal of any place that they protest at.

But for some reason, the Malaysians are very docile and well-mannered.

The only reason why a protest in Malaysia turns violent is because the police instigate trouble.

A Very Insightful Piece In TIME

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak appears determined to give himself a political black eye. On June 13, government prosecutors will haul into court 10 leaders of Bersih, a coalition of civil society groups campaigning to clean up the country's corrupt elections commission.

The government is demanding damages for destruction to public property during a clash between Bersih demonstrators and police in Kuala Lumpur on April 28.

At least 100,000 people marched for clean elections in the Malaysian capital that day, while tens of thousands more joined protests in 11 other cities across the country and 80 cities around the world.

Whether or not the government wins compensation in court, however, no amount of money will undo the damage it is inflicting upon its own reputation by pursuing the case.

Read the rest on the site:

How Malaysia’s Leader Is Damaging His Reformist Reputation

It looks like everyone but BN can see what they are doing to themselves.

The Muzzled Media Appeared Completely Ludicrous

I meant to get online and blog about recent events a lot earlier than this. However, I have been following up on the shenanigans of the ruling coalition UMNO, and its pathetically sorry machinery.

First up, I have to apologise for my incorrect assessment of the goons who call themselves the Malaysian government in assuming they would be less brutal in dealing with the public.

Seriously, I thought that they would have learned from past experience, but really, these guys are beyond teaching. Someone ought to send them out to green pastures and put a big sign out in the animal farm (or National Feedlot, if it hasn't been closed down yet) to warn against mad cow disease and foot & mouth.

Or in this case, foot IN mouth -- a phenomenon that they have single-handedly elevated into an artform.

You think I'm being unkind? Overly harsh? Mean?

Let's examine the evidence.

1. Nick Xenophon is an Australian senator. Against his better judgement, he decided to observe the BERSIH 3.0 rally in person. He had no idea what he was in for -- he got tear-gassed and witnessed rampant human rights abuses. Consequently, he spoke out against it. So the government-owned mainstream media was tasked to vilify him. Sorely lacking in ideas, they wrote blatant lies about him by switching words -- effectively putting his life in danger.

We hope he takes them to task (he has mentioned suing them). They offered a weak and insincere apology, but this is what puts him and consequently BERSIH 3.0 and the Malaysian protestors squarely on higher moral ground, in that they had to be falsely vilified to be seen as wrong.

2. BBC was outraged that its news reports were doctored and censored by Astro. The agreement between BBC and any broadcaster is that the full report should be aired in its entirety. Astro, the Malaysian satellite broadcaster, firmly breached this agreement when they removed certain sections. Instead of hanging their heads in shame, Astro claimed to be disappointed that BBC failed to understand their 'situation' as they were 'merely complying with local regulations'. Oh really?

3. BBC wasn't the only news channel to be offended. AlJazeera is appalled to discover news reports were also similarly doctored and censored by Astro, particularly because it showed excessive use of force by the police against demonstrators and damage of equipment belonging to sympathetic journalists.

And Malaysia calls itself a democracy? How could the government expect to be taken seriously when they resort to outright lies and manipulative attempts to spin the truth?

I do take exception to that, but not as much as to the Malaysians who are still bleating in weak protest against the mainstream media, saying that they have the right to speak out against tyranny.

I cannot understand why one would waste one's breath. The government-owned mainstream media deserve neither the time of the day nor any rebuttals. They are a waste of paper, airtime and energy. Heck, they are parasites; pimping oxygen.

So if you find yourself compelled to explain why you went out to protest on the 28th of April 2012, please do me a favour: DON'T.

Just do the right thing and ignore the mainstream media.

Related: Astro, give some respect to your customers please!

Why The Ruckus During BERSIH 3.0

They call it a conspiracy -- the fact that for no apparent reason, the Malaysian police chose to attack a dispersing crowd.

I don't. It's too blatant and obvious what the UMNO government's intentions are.

You see for yourself.

Tussle Between Government & People

Each new struggle for the same basic demands comes along with its own experiences. For the most part, Malaysian activists have grown and improved.

Of course, to assume that the goverment hasn't learnt anything at all would be to underestimate the enemy.

They have learned, which is why they appear -- at least on the surface -- to allow the demonstration to go on.

But make no mistake. They will make every attempt to thwart it from the sidelines.

After all, the solution for doing away with this demonstration is ludicrously simple. All the Malaysian government has to do is to enforce some of the responsible practices recommended by BERSIH.

But to do that could mean losing the elections. Losing power of the nation. Losing something that never belonged to them in the first place.

They cannot survive without their privileges. Won't do.

So the show must go on until those who want it more eventually succeed. I hope victory is in the hands of those who deserve it: the people.

Solidarity Rally For MyOverseasVote

Please save Saturday, November 26 free for a solidarity rally in support of the MyOverseasVote campaign and the 8 Demands of Bersih 2.0.

Six Malaysians, who are all based in Britain, have applied to the KL High Court to compel the EC to amend its regulations to allow Malaysians overseas to register as Absent voters.

As the EC regulations stand, only Civil Servants and students who are overseas are allowed to vote with a Postal ballot. All other Malaysian citizens who wish to vote have to return to Malaysia to cast their ballot. The lawsuit aims to put an end to this discriminatory and arbitrary rule.

Permission for Judicial Review was granted by Judge Rohana Yusuff on the 14th November. Constitutional Lawyers Edmund Bon and Edward Saw appeared for the Applicants. The campaign is supported by the MyOverseasVote campaign.

Independent Lawyers from the Bar Council, MyOverseasVote and the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism & Human Rights were present to hold a watching brief. The Substantive hearing is fixed for January 3rd, 2012.

The London rally details:

Date: 26 November 2011
Time: 11:00am to 1:00pm
Venue: outside the Malaysian High Commission in London (45 Belgrave Square)

Other Bersih groups around the world will be holding events on the same day:-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Global-Bersih-20/182539641800071?ref=ts

The People's Petition On BERSIH 2.0 Demands

Puan Rosni Malan, the widow of the late Baharuddin Ahmad who died on 9th July 2011 during the Bersih 2.0 rally, and Madam Anne Ooi (Auntie Bersih) launched the Petisyen Rakyat Tuntut Pilihanraya BERSIH this afternoon at KLSCAH.

The Petition highlights the Bersih reforms called for and appeals to His Majesty, the DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, if presented with a request for consent to dissolve Parliament

• before the PSC has completed its work;
• before any and all recommendations of the PSC for reforms to our electoral processes have been approved by Parliament, and fully implemented; and
• before the Rakyat are fully convinced that the next GE will be free, fair and clean.
• to invoke His Majesty's powers under Article (2)(b) to withhold consent to dissolve Parliament if all of the above conditions are not met.

People, if ever there was a time when we must all pull together and give it all we've got, it's now - Facebook, Email, SMS, Twitter etc. - reach your relatives, friends, neighbours, even strangers.

This is preparing for GE13.

Go to the website: www.PetisyenRakyat.tk

If you have problems, try this: http://www.petitiononline.com/petitions/per2011b/signatures

Guess What Happened at CHOGM Perth?

Najib got his ass kicked -- yet again!!!

At this point, I am really beginning to feel sorry for him. Governments around the world meet to discuss world issues and guess which nation brings up their issues which were prohibited from being voiced in their home country?

Yes -- Malaysia!!

In Perth, the police evidently don't brutalise citizens for exercising their democratic right to protest on the streets!

Malaysians around the world have not forgotten the acts of the BN government. And Najib is going to feel the heat wherever he goes.

None of the protesters were handcuffed or beaten up like those in Malaysia were. So it obviously pays to demonstrate and air all grievances in a foreign country. Najib might want to think twice about going abroad again.

He is going to be embarrassed everywhere by good ole Malaysians who have decided that enough really is ENOUGH!!!

Go for it, Chin Huat!!

See the whole set of pictures by Trevor Morgano HERE.

Most Malaysians Agree With BERSIH Demands

Over two-thirds of Malaysians agree with the demands mooted by electoral watchdog Bersih while close to half disagreed with the way the government handled last month’s Bersih rally and the events leading up to it, a Merdeka Center poll has shown.

Seventy per cent agreed that foreign observers should be allowed to monitor elections while 68 per cent felt opposition parties should be given access to government-owned television and radio stations for at least one hour a day.

Read the rest: Most Malaysians agree with Bersih demands, poll finds

Are We An Angry Bunch?

This is in response to Wong Chun Wai’s ‘On the beat’ column ("Of Angry Birds and angry Malaysians": The Sunday Star, 24 July 2011) where he asked Malaysians to stop being angry on the many issues affecting the nation.

It was a very well written piece, well placed and sounded almost logical and rational to those who read only the mainstream media.

Allow me to give Wong 10 good reasons why Malaysians are angry … in fact Malaysians are very, very angry.

1) We are angry that we have been denied our constitutional and democratic rights to a peaceful gathering. We are angry at the police brutality on a frail, tender 65-year-old auntie who was sprayed with chemically laced water and tear gassed for exercising her democratic rights when she was walking alone to demonstrate peacefully what she believes in.

2) We are angry at the lies, the biased reporting and the cover-ups by mainstream media (The Star included) to serve their political masters. We are angry at the way the mainstream media demonise Bersih 2.0.

3) We are very angry at the double standards of the police in arresting activists and opposition politicians. While some self-proclaimed nationalists and race champions openly spew seditious statements to incite religious and racial hatred and no action was taken against them, others were arrested for merely wearing yellow T-shirts.

Read the rest here: Why Malaysians are angry

Wong Chun Wai attempts to condescendingly belittle the common man, saying that he has nothing to be angry about. Tan Seng Hai's response is very befitting and to the point.

That being said, I don't think Malaysians are really angry. If they were, things would have improved. But unfortunately, the problem is that there is just a lot of talk and nothing much being done.

On the 9th of July 2011, about 100,000 people showed up on the streets (as per my estimate). But the population of Kuala Lumpur is more than a million. This suggests that less than 10% of the population are dissatisfied or at least angry enough to brave threats of arrest, tear-gas and chemical water.

Were the 90% of the population sleeping/apathetic/ignorant/BN-supporters/cowards?