I refer to the Malaysiakini report Language march: Tear gas fired .

My family and I were caught in the traffic jam near the Masjid Negara last Saturday. On hearing police sirens, there were shouts of people saying, ‘Block the traffic! Block the traffic!’

Before we could go any further, people were swarming in front of our cars, but none of us were harmed. Upon seeing that we had a seven-month-old baby belted in the front seat, and another wedding car behind us, the protesters allowed both our cars to go.

This is evidence that the crowd was not necessarily rowdy or unruly in their behaviour. There is such a thing as a peaceful demonstration in any democracy where the government would do well to give some leniency, especially when it is to blame for a lack of decision over a longstanding issue.

As history has proven, using force in such a situation would only worsen the political climate in the country. Mahatma Gandhi was never defeated, even when the colonial masters tried to arrest the protesters and send them to jail.

The truth is you can always silence a vocal few, but it is the silent majority that you should be watch out for.

The protesters certainly have a grouse against the minister of education for his months of delay over the decision whether to continue the teaching of mathematics and science in English.

I may not necessarily agree with the protesters, but to consider the march from Masjid Negara to the Istana Negara as an ‘illegal assembly’ is simply obnoxious – what more to provoke the crowd with water cannons or label them as ‘demo crazy.’

If the government does not want to see more of such demonstrations, it should improve the efficiency in its delivery system instead of dragging on over national issues.

Some 10 years ago, my patience was tested over the issue of individual land titles. Ten years later, the same issue still plagues many house buyers, with residents of Taman Daya Kepong, for example, still not being given their individual land titles after 20 years.

In a situation where one cannot even get response, it is only natural that people would turn to the monarchy, and to show they have the support of the people, Saturday’s march was organised.

The police should have allowed the group to march peacefully towards the Istana where they were to hand their memorandum to the Yang Di Pertuan Agong.

Last Saturday’s march was linked to PAS – and it was labelled as an ‘illegal assembly’. I wonder if it had been organised by Umno Youth, whose members had barged into the Parliament recently and mobbed a wheelchair bound elected people’s representative, would the same action have been taken?

Was there any police action taken against these Umno Youth hooligans after reports were lodged? And did they face the disciplinary panel of their own party for such a deplorable act?

The police have to remember that they are duty-bound to protect the public. Instead of provoking the situation further, they should have acted with more professionalism.