The recent week's happenings in Malaysia can only reinforce the belief

that the country practises dirty smelly politics rather than the often
trumpeted "alive-and-well democracy".
First, the BN led by the DPM made a lightning-fast coup d'etat in the
state of Perak and showed the people their choice is never necessarily
the choice of those who are the favoured and the powerful in Malaysia.
So much for the "alive-and-well" hogwash.
And then, Malaysia made it very clear to all those who were watching:
The ruling BN federal government can count on the unstinting support
of the mass media, the police, the palace and of course, the extreme
fascist groups should anyone or any quarter dare to voice objection.
Again, so much for the "alive-and-well" hogwash.
There were some scuffles near the swearing-in place and some indignant
voices were heard speaking out in defiance at the seizure of power in
Perak, but that only resulted in an undisguised and undiluted display
of dirty and smelly uber-tactics from the BN and its supporters.
The police immediately announced that they were hunting for those who
were present during the minor scuffles near the palace building. The
public was urged to provide info on those who were there. Although 9
persons were arrested at the scene of the scuffles, the police here
apparently want to send the message: We are not satisfied. Nothing
and nobody anti-BN will be tolerated. (Licenced intimidation.)
The pro-BN mass media also went into overdrive in hammering those who
objected to the actions of the BN in seizing power. The news bulletin
were full of comments denouncing those who dared to voice objections.
Words like "disloyal", "uncouth", "treason" and "disrespect" were used.
BN politicians also tried to put a racial spin in attacking those who
had protested against the unethical move by the BN. People like Ahmad
Zahid publicly alleged that the Muslim protesters had been "used" by
their non-Muslim partners in the opposition. A clever ploy to divide
the ranks of the opposition but a very dangerous & irresponsible one.
Worse, the extremist fringe immediately flocked to the various police
stations and proceeded to make multiple reports alleging that those who
had opposed the BN action were guilty of this and that and whatelse.
These verminous hotheads are well known for using such intimidation and
even violence against those they regard as enemies.
Banners were carried publicly in the street denouncing those who didn't
support the BN and the banners bore words that were provocative and
hostile. But the police as expected had no objections.
There is so much crime in the country and lately, so many people have
died in road accidents, not to mention the obligatory scenario of dead
bodies appearing here and there all over the land. Places like Pudu and
other city areas are full of vice nests & drug dens but the authorities
inexplicably can't touch them at all. Perhaps they attract rich tourists.
The police should well be busy doing what they were hired to do, but
apparently they are much more interested in the political shenanigans
occuring daily. Things have now gotten to the point that even accident
victims are robbed of their belongings before emergency aid arrived.
Malaysia right now needs a political leader who is strong, tough but
scrupulous and honest as 2009 is going to be a very challenging year.
However, with things as they are right now, we might as well go bury
our heads instead.
The police are not going to change their stance anytime soon. Perhaps
we could have 2 kinds of police forces. One to deal solely with crime
cases and one to handle political matters such as lorryloads of police
reports and street scuffles that originate from poltical squabbles.
Right now, Malaysia is paralysed by dirty and smelly politics and the
winner is the guy who makes a living from crime and the loser is the
hapless citizen who is totally fed up and highly sick of all the evil
now swirling around the country.
Politics is certainly smelly and dirty in Malaysia. Very dirty. Very
smelly. So much for the "alive-and-well" hogwash.