What happened on the streets of Kuala Lumpur on Aug 1st 2009 has brought shame to the nation. A country which was once highly respected in the world, instead of going forwards to join the ranks of the other advanced democracies has instead seem to be moving backwards to the era of barbarism and lawlessness.

As the country is preparing to celebrate its 52nd year of independence, the high handed police action against peaceful demonstrators and respected opposition leaders is indeed a blow to our democracy that we have been boasting to the world.