The Parliament is an indicator of the stage of our democracy. To envision how the situation on the streets would pan out, watch closely the workings of Parliament where small pockets of maturity reside with wider elements of anarchy.

On a micro-level, we have observed the disallowing of mature and timely motions to the glee of these wider elements. When it happens often enough, it becomes obvious that the motions are disallowed to keep these elements happy. Watch the straight line connecting the pockets of maturity in Parliament to the street actions of the Malaysian Bar, Bersih and even Hindraf.

On a macro-level, only these mature groups are in full noise. But be mindful of the line connecting the wider elements in Parliament to the potential elements of anarchy on the streets. At this point, the general public does not realise that these elements have yet to show themselves.

In fact, they are not even warmed-up. The general public is blindsided and mistakenly views the mature groups as anarchists. Nevertheless, these mature groups have to be muzzled to keep the wider elements at bay and to keep them happy.

The muzzling of the mature groups was evident in the late 1980s and it is happening again. It is a necessary evil because at best, democracy in Malaysia is in gestation and at worst, it is not ready to stomach the anarchy that will ensue as or when it approaches full-term.

It is time for the iron fist, albeit a very fair one. Micro-managing a balance is paramount in this unique and myriad culture of ours.