I applaud inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar for issuing a public warning against those who threaten violence during the planned and much- publicised Bersih 4 walk on Saturday Aug 29.

His warning comes in the wake of reports a group dubbed ‘red shirts’ plans to oppose the Bersih 4 event on the same day. This group reportedly held a ‘martial arts’ exhibition outside Sogo recently supposedly to send an intimidating message to the organisers of Bersih 4 and the public.

While writing this, I read of a police probe into the ‘Sogo incident’ and commend the police for showing concern they mean to enforce the law without bias. The probe must be to determine any potential threat of causing public unrest and not just because there was a gathering.

I hope all potential trouble-makers will heed the police’s timely warning. And the police regain our respect when they act without fear or favour.

The group cited ‘self-defence’ as its purpose for resorting to martial arts but this is highly dubious. Everyone knows that Bersih 4 is a peaceful event and those who will take part in the walk range from members of parliament and state governments to ordinary moms and dads and even grandmums and granddads.

Why should the ‘red shirts’ feel they need martial arts and resort to weapons to protect themselves from peaceful Bersih 4 participants? Those who oppose Bersih 4 do not understand democracy and how good it is for its democracy and governance.

Instead it is the participants of Bersih 4 who may likely need protection from the ‘red shirts’ who have publicised their training including the use of dangerous weapons.

The police chief is therefore right in warning those who may have ‘malicious intent’ and tempted to take the law Into their own hands and create trouble. It will tantamount to organised crime and culpable conduct when marauding groups pick on law-abiding citizens and any such activity should be nipped in the bud.

Society has not descended into such violence that groups are now allowed to organise themselves with the potential to resort to violence and pose a threat and danger to civil society.

Mob law has yet to be entrenched and it behooves the police for the sake of its role as law-enforcers to pounce on any lawbreaker. There must be zero tolerance of groups that use violence to create fear in the community.

IGP Khalid can also diffuse any tension by not declaring Bersih 4 ‘illegal’ but work closely with the organisers to ensure the momentous event occurs without incident. Then no self-appointed group needs to feel they have to act like vigilantes. Civil society must be able to express itself without fear of physical threats from anyone.

The universities that ban their students from taking part in Bersih 4 are a disgrace to their institutions as places of higher learning. Universities should be the bastions of democracy not strangleholds on student freedoms. It is unconstitutional and illegal for anyone to ban someone from taking part in any sort of political or civil activity.

Suhakam, among others, has already opined that Bersih 4 is within the law. The police must not be seen to be taking sides but be seen as enforcing the law and safeguarding the public. It’s concern must be to ensure there is law and order and criminals and other bad elements do not exploit the event to commit criminal acts.

The police can also keep the ‘red shirts’ away from the Bersih 4 participants and be vigilant against any of them committing any act or provocation. Agents provocateurs are known to cause trouble and the police must have zero tolerance for their disruptive antics. Prevention is better than cure.

Pro-active policing

IGP Khalid ought to be talking to the leaders of the ‘red shirts’ and other potential anti-Bersih 4 opponents and hold them accountable for any untoward incident. Such pro-active policing will pre-empt and prevent potential trouble. And Bersih 4 participants must not resort to violence themselves but avoid any unnecessary confrontation.

The ‘red shirts’ have every right to hold their event but should follow the Bersih 4 lead in doing it in a peaceful and conciliatory manner, and martial arts or any form of physical violence should be furthest from anyone's minds for a peaceful happening. The police must act tough on all trouble-makers.

I reiterate It is unwise of the police to oppose Bersih 4 and create any negative sentiment but to demonstrate that Malaysia is a mature democracy by facilitating the event with proper policing.

It must keep its riot police and water cannons away and ensure the strong police presence will smoothen the flow of traffic and let the rakyat have their day. Let Bersih 4 also be the turning point of the public perception of the police force as defenders and not depressors of the rakyat.

Too often we see groups showing off their martial arts prowess and give the wrong impression that such physical activities can be used to intimidate. It is childish and disrespectful of the spirit of martial arts which all true proponents do not abuse in bullying and standover tactics.

I think someone has been watching too many kung-fu movies who misuse the physical arts in a negative and culpable way. The police must discourage such unnecessary shows of force. You don't see the armed forces and police showing off their fighting ability to defend themselves in such a public and provocative manner.

As one who teaches people to defend themselves against ‘parang’ attacks, I would not be showing off my skills in public as a scare tactic.

In any event the true spirit of martial arts is not to ‘intimidate’ but to inculcate humility in the mind of the practitioner and to defend others not harm innocent bystanders.

The police must ensure the public feels safe before, during and after the Bersih 4 event and restore the public's confidence in the police force and especially the inspector-general of police Khalid who is often criticised for his bias.

Let Bersih 4 happen peacefully so the world may watch the maturity of Malaysia’s democracy.

It should be a reminder of how Malaysians from all backgrounds can come together and act peacefully to make their elections fair and promote good governance.

But hijack the event and one will be condemned as a tyrant, trouble-maker and destroyer of democracy.

Bersih 4 is good for Malaysia and its democracy.

STEVE OH is the author of the novel ‘Tiger King of the Golden Jungle’ and composer of the musical of the same title. He believes in good governance and morally upright leaders.