The Malaysian police state has been in existence since the early '80s and two decades of absolute power has absolutely corrupted the police that we have so much of high regard for at one time. It will be a shame for one to don the blue police uniform now because it will be seen as the uniform of the oppressor.

Accountability in the force has never been an critical issue to contend with. If those who have done wrong to the common man and if he knows a few senior officers, the matter can be solved. A few statements are issued, the press is very interested in it for a few days but then we see the same thing happening again after a short period.

And after all that, we still see the faithful Malaysian voter dutifully voting for the ruling elite again and again. With a population that is so used to being constantly bullied into submission, why wouldn't the police be ever so powerful?

The Police Act, the Sedition Act, the University and University Colleges Act, the Internal Security Act, the Official Secrets Act and the famous Emergency Ordinance are all tools given to the police to continue its tyranny over the people instead of going after the corrupt.

The absolute power that they are so used to must be curtailed by electing the right MPs who are brave enough to talk about urgent matters in Parliament and expose these issues to the people for their feedback. That is the participatory democracy that Malaysians are looking towards.

It is good that we are seeing women MPs, like Teresa Kok, who are brave and bold in making their stand for the rights of all Malaysian citizens without looking at race, religion, colour, creed or sex. If the male MPs are scared, then more female MPs like Kok must be groomed to become parliamentarians who will fight for the rights of the people.

There might now be new resistance by the authorities towards people who are within official buildings with camera phones. This must not stop the public from exposing the abuses and corrupt practices that is making this country a laughing stock around the world.

If the Federal Constitution has no respect in a country that believes in Executive supremacy, then a police state is the end result. If we believe in a "pembangkang sifar' (zero opposition) policy, then the end result will be a police state too.

We will have to ask ourselves if we deserve this. The power to change is in the ballot. Are we prepared to use it or are we yet not convinced?