Bersih or the police?

The mass gathering in Kuala Lumpur by Bersih to march to the National Palace to submit a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a fair election yesterday happened peacefully without any untoward incidents. And if the gathering was to cause traffic chaos, it would be only limited to the routes used by the people to march towards the palace from the city center.

But why the traffic chaos in the whole city and surrounding areas? Is Bersih to be blamed for the chaos? At the very first place, Bersih has tried to apply for a permit and if the police would co-operate by issuing a permit and help monitor the procession, things would be fine after all. It would be just another usual events like Merdeka Countdown, New Year Countdown, Merdeka Parade where certain roads are closed but without causing traffic chaos like what happened yesterday.

After all, the gathering happened peacefully, save for the action of the police who shot chemicals using water cannons and tear gas to the crowd unnecessarily. Even the Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) has indicated that the gathering, as long as is peaceful, should go on while the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented to receive the memorandum from Bersih.

Now, the traffic chaos? Who caused it? Well, the police road blocks. Road blocks at entrances to the North-South Expressway (NSE) from Kedah to Johor. Well, that might not have caused severe jams in smaller towns, but the road blocks on entrances into Kuala Lumpur and many other roads within the city caused the severe jams! The entire city was in a stand still. Anyone seen wearing yellow were asked to turn back and not allowed to proceed!

Isn’t this a breach of freedom? Why, is it a sin for wearing yellow? Why cause the unnecessary trouble to the people? Yeah, the police apologized for the inconvenience, saying is their duty to do, but, is this necessary at the first place?