12 theSun | WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5 2009

speak up!

SITTING in a nephew’s study in

Rakyat want a bigger say

the suburbs of Sydney on Sunday, a
group of Malaysians were huddled
around the computer screen watch-
ing video clips of the crackdown on
the anti-ISA protesters. To some of
them, it was nothing unusual or
unacceptable. To one
or two, it was their first
sight of Malaysian police
in action.
“Why are they pro-
testing and why are the
police attacking their
own people?” asked the
18-year-old. No answers
were proffered. There
was nothing to say. Not
that lawlessness had de-
scended on our shores. CitizenNades ing piece provided the
Not that there was a
rebellion. by R. Nadeswaran
The people were
expressing their views on a law
which they perceived as archaic
and unjust. If people cannot express
their feelings, then I cry for my
country. But I am happy that the
prime minister sees the need for
such expression by saying it could
be done in an enclosed area without
inconveniencing others. That’s a
step in the right direction.
On Monday, theSun published
the opinion of former Bar
Council president, Yeo
Yang Poh. I read it three
times. Not because I did
not understand where he
was coming from, but to
answer more questions
from Malaysians who
have made Australia
their home.
His heart-wrench-
answers not only to the
not-so-informed Malay-
sians overseas, but also
to the posse of Malaysian politicians
who keep repeating the mantra,
“street protest is not our culture.” It
gives many of our blinkered politi-
cians who see everything through
the race card, a well-reasoned
argument on why people take to
the streets.
A question like “would you take
to the streets” certainly stumped
me, but as I explained, there have
been many instances in the past
to give me reasons to take to the
streets. “I show my and those of
like-thinking Malaysians’ feelings
and expressions through my writ-
ings. As an after-thought, I added: “I
am very lucky to have a publisher
and editor who allow me to put my
thoughts on paper and share it with
fellow Malaysians. As long as it is
not seditious or defamatory, they
give me leeway. Not many enjoy
such privileges.”
Hypothetically speaking, would
the police have acted if:
» I had led a group of sports-loving
Malaysians to protest at the manner
in which millions were planned to
be expanded for the Brickendon-
bury project? Although it is history
now, wouldn’t wasteful expenditure
justify some form of protest?
» I had gone along with a group
of people from the lower-income
group to protest in front of the
late Zakaria Mat Deros palace in
Pandamaran in Port Klang? After
all, land meant for low-cost houses
was alienated to his wife. How do
the homeless and the down-trod-
den express their views? Oh, tell it
to your wakil rakyat, but the bitter
truth is that he or she only comes
around before the elections.
» I had rounded up the residents
of Bandar Utama in front of the
MIC building or the Gerakan head-
quarters to demand the return of
land which rightfully belonged to
the people? Weren’t these parties
alienated land which was meant for
public amenities?
Dear readers, the list is endless.
If the authorities believe they have
silenced the protesters by tear gas
and the chemical-laced water,
history has shown us that these
practices only act as a catalyst to
precipitate more shows of dissent.
For the protests to stop there must
be affirmative action in the form of
prompt action against the perpetra-
tors of fraud, the corrupt and the
crooked who steal from the people.
People are no longer convinced
by the rhetoric of politicians who
sing the same tune. People have
formed opinions on the integrity of
the politicians and the civil servants
who govern the country. The rakyat
want to have a say in charting the
future of the country and not leav-
ing it to a small group of people
whom, the majority believe are
not capable of doing so. Giving the
rakyat a platform to air their views
as the prime minister has suggested
is a “win-win” situation.
R. Nadeswaran is happy to note that
the prime minister accepts the princi-
ple that people have a right to protest,
unlike his predecessors who viewed it
as illegal and unlawful. He is editor
(special and investigative reporting)
at theSun. He can be reached at:
citizen-nades@thesundaily.com

letters
Because they did not care? letters@thesundaily.com

IN “Why do Malaysians march?” (Comment,
Aug 3) Yeo Yang Poh provides an interesting
account of why Malaysians march. His views
are even more amusing bearing in mind that he
is a lawyer, more so a previous president of the
Bar Council.
Yes, why do Malaysians march? Let me
provide an account from a different perspective.
Those who marched, did so because they did
not care about the inconvenience caused to the
thousands of motorists.
Because those who marched did not care
that being a Saturday, thousands of Malaysians
and tourists would be running errands, shopping
or just enjoying the camaraderie of family and
friends.
Because those who marched did not care
about the possibility of an ambulance desper-
ately weaving its way through the traffic to reach
a dying man.
Because those who marched did not care
about the discomfort caused to senior citizens
who were trapped in traffic in the blistering
heat.
Because those who marched did not care
about the children who would have been at the
receiving end of the chaos and disarray.
Because those who marched did not care
about the millions of ringgit that traders had
lost as a result of the closure of shops and busi-
nesses.
Because those who marched did not care
about the anxiety caused to that pregnant
woman who, in labour, was on the way to the
hospital.
Because those who marched did not care
about the thousands of schoolchildren who were
late in attending Saturday school or that they
were stuck in the traffic as late as 7pm.
Because those who marched courted arrest
to be venerated as martyrs.
Because those who marched did it for the
sake of the publicity. After all, how else were
they able to get their five minutes of fame. And
bear in mind that leaders of other marches in
the last two years were conferred awards and
titles. So maybe, just maybe, this was one way
of obtaining a few accolades.
Because those who marched knew that it was
an action that would attract a reaction from the
police and yes, that was what they wanted. After
all, how else could they carry on demonising the
police and enforcement authorities.
Most newspapers carried stories about
how high-handed the police were. Yet
many missed the point. Who caused
the police to react that way?
Because those who marched were
ignorant. Are all the marchers aware of
the provisions of the Internal Security
Act?
Because those who marched
thought it was fashionable to do so.
After all, the government did say that it
was planning to review the provisions
of the ISA. Yet the marchers marched.
Because those who marched had
to keep up with the Joneses. Like Yeo
said, they do it in India, Africa and even
in the US. Everyone is doing it, so it
must be right – let’s march!
Because those who marched
preferred to go along the destructive
route.
Because those who march were
gullible – influenced by certain quarters
who had their own purposes to serve.
Tax Because those who marched think
collection that it is the leitmotif of the majority
expected in Malaysia .
Yes, Yeo draws analogies to Africa
to be and the US. Singapore, however, is
lower conspicuously missing – a country that
in H2
pg 14 Protect water catchment areas
THE chemical spillage in Lebuhraya
Karak, river pollution at Sungai Labu
and many similar incidents affect the
water treatment process and further
prove the need for protecting water
catchment areas.
We are aware many sites were
developed in water catchment areas
before the areas were identified as
such and that there are cases of water
catchment areas being exploited il-
legally.
Statistically, more than 95% of raw
water for drinking water treatment
comes either from rivers or dams in
water catchment areas. The figure is
alarmingly high and any disturbance in
the natural flow of the rivers will affect
the raw water security.
To ensure future supply of water and
raw water security, the Water and En-
ergy Consumer Association of Malaysia
(Wecam) urges all state governments
to gazette water catchment areas and
make them permanent reserves. This
has to be done by state governments
as land and water rights fall under their
jurisdiction. Such a move will ensure
that development does not encroach
into these areas.
shares similar demography, legislative
history and to a certain extent, culture.
Love him or hate him, Singapore is
what it is today – a successful nation
because of the philosophy and vision
of Lee Kuan Yew. And this is what the
octogenarian has to say:
“You’re talking about Rwanda
or Bangladesh, or Cambodia, or the
Philippines. They’ve got democracy,
according to Freedom House. But have
you got a civilised life to lead? People
want economic development first
and foremost. The leaders may talk
something else. You take a poll of any
people. What is it they want? The right
to write an editorial as you like? They
want homes, medicine, jobs, schools.”
(The Man and his Ideas)
Apocryphal or not, there is definitely
a grain of truth to it.
Yeo, your reasons may be dulcet
notes to the leftists but like many oth-
ers who crave peace and harmony in
society, I subscribe to a different view.
The one lesson learned from Saturday’s
episode is that, the marchers showed
us why the ISA should remain.
MP Goh
Kuala Lumpur
The state authorities need to also
understand that gazetted areas must
have buffer zones to ensure no direct
impact on water catchment areas.
Hills, streams, rivers and groundwater
are interconnected and anything that
affects one affects the others. These
gazetted areas must also be protected
from illegal activities and guarded.
Most water catchment areas are eas-
ily accessible and as a result open to
security threats.
Water is a basic human right and
we can only live without water for five
to seven days (for healthy adults).
Increases in treatment costs due to
raw water pollution will be passed back
to consumers as tariffs. Any failure by
state governments to protect water
catchment areas will burden consum-
ers who will have to pay more for their
potable water as a result.
People first and performance now
is needed most in protecting water
catchment areas.
Piarapakaran Subramaniam
Secretary General
Water and Energy Consumer
Association of Malaysia