The arrest begins after the authorities were unable to change the mindsets of Bersih leaders to call off the rally, and they seem to know the modus operandi of the organisers.

The involvement of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Corporation (MCMC) officers suggest the possibility of unknown follow-through of intelligence reading/tapping of conversations/messages of individuals, thus allowing the police intelligence to zoom in on anyone being deemed key players.

As we heard from Khairy Jamaluddin, there wouldn’t be any red-shirts if there is no Bersih.

This blame game suggested the police understand their purpose and existence and thus are seen as not a threat, and as such, they are seemingly condoning the actions of the red-shirts as not being the provocateurs but defenders.

To the police, the real threat is Bersih as their agenda is broader with long-term implications.

Thus the last resort of arrests to thwart the success of the rally.