In a democracy, we ought to know that it is about contest of ideas, policies and programmes. The conduit is through popular support, not by brute force, bullying others or through the barrel of a gun as asserted by Mao.

I think average Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion or region, know what justice and fair play on one hand and extremism and bullying on the other. It is painful to see injustice even if it is inflicted on others. In our daily life, we expect to be treated fairly in all dealings. We generally frown upon people who are big bullies thriving on physical force rather than brain power and reasoning.

We saw big bullying going on at the DAP HQ in Kuala Lumpur recently. Some people said big bullies are people with low IQs. They are simpletons easily prompted to act on impulse. I am not sure this is true for I am no expert in human behaviour.

But one thing I do know about bullies - they are brave only because they think they have backups. To them, it does not matter the backups are real, impending and forthcoming. They just have to believe that they have the support of the powers-that-be.

Hence, they deliberately choose to defy the law to hurl insults and inflict hurt on others. Rightly or wrongly, they think they will be treated with kid gloves. Some said perhaps it was their past experience that emboldened them. But I would prefer to think that it was perhaps due to their misplaced sense of chivalry. They think they are doing a right thing and some powerful people may be supportive of their efforts.

It is quite easy to deal with big bullies really. Law enforcers just have to deal with them sternly and in uncertain terms once. Yes, just once, and I believe these big bullies will quickly fall in place. The reason is simple; big bullies are not motivated by ideals, commitment or principles. Sometimes they don’t even know what they are doing.

I urge political parties from both sides of the aisle not to support or encourage big bullies even if they are your political allies or supporters. Please go back to my earlier supposition that democracy is about contest of ideas, policies and programmes. Bullies use brute force which is defunct now. If you don’t believe me, ask the former Soviet Union or more recently, ask Myanmar.