This is a response to Sebastian Loh’s letter.

Hi, Sebastian.

I recently read your article on Malaysiakini regarding 'Bersih and the dangers of protests and revolutions'. I believe it a worthwhile discussion, and the points you have raised about the dangers of protests and revolutions, when taken at face value, does hold some merit.

However, once one begins to look deeper, it becomes clearly evident that all your points may not apply to our current situation of ‘Bersih’. If I could so humbly explain myself, here are some possible reasons why:

Your first example that you invited us to contemplate would be that of Azmin Ali being the PM, and Umno members taking to the streets to depose him. However, this example that you invite us to contemplate is slightly misguiding. Why?

1. Bersih is non-political. Now, I know this seems hard to believe, and the actions of the opposition parties in basically jumping on the bandwagon of Bersih have unconsciously (or maybe consciously) made ‘Bersih’ and ‘opposition’ one and the same. Nonetheless, Bersih’s demands are non-partisan- free and fair elections, a transparent government, the right to demonstrate, strengthening the parliamentary democracy system, and saving the national economy.

If you look carefully, should Bersih actually achieve these five demands, the possibility of future protests as you proposed would be drastically decreased. The reason Malaysians are taking to the streets is because the government is unfairly elected in a flawed democratic process (51 percent of majority vote not being able to take power against a 47 percent minority speaks volumes about the gerrymandering of the electoral process).

This is only exacerbated by the government’s poor record of accountability to the people (even to its own members) amid rampant allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

I point you to the fact that historically pro-government/anti-opposition organisations such as Perkasa, the union of army veterans, and even certain parties that constitute part of the ruling government are also taking part in the Bersih 4 rally, clearly showing that Bersih 4 is now beyond mere politics, but a march in yet another long-suffering effort to save the nation.

2. You brought up several nations as examples of revolutions gone bad, and use that as your backing for why we should stay away from Bersih and street protests. However, upon examination of those examples, it is clear that there are certain situational differences and contexts that you did not account for when discussing them as examples.

For example, it would be important to note that the French and Russian revolutions, while eventually leading to violence on the streets, was due primarily to the fact that they were replacing an entire governmental system (monarchy) with another, and that the new governmental system put in place had little to no experience, which inevitably led to “teething problems” while they were still getting their bearings.

This is not the same as Bersih’s demands for a leader with an exceedingly poor record to step down and let someone else take the helm of an already established and organized system. We’re protesting against injustice, not destroying a governmental system. The chances of anarchy are less than the French revolution.

The example of Egypt and Iran on the other hand, fails to take into account outside influences by Western powers who were directly involved in shaping the Arab Spring and the region’s political structure. This, once again, is different from that of Bersih and Malaysia (unless you believe that Jews really are funding the opposition parties and Bersih).

The fate that awaits us if we do nothing

3. You also mentioned that even should our ‘revolution’ succeed, change is tepid at best, and point to how decades after Suharto and Marcos were deposed, their respective countries are still lagging behind ours. However, this in itself sounds contradictory - you clearly showed the detrimental effects that Suharto and Marcos had on their countries in your point, yet advise against ‘revolution’ against a corrupt, totalitarian leader.

Surely the current-day examples of Indonesia and Philippines are adequate and fair warning of the fate that awaits us if we do nothing?

I wholeheartedly agree with you however, that change is hard and change takes time. The solution to Malaysia’s woes isn’t just the deposing of a corrupt, totalitarian leader, but requires a total change of the administration via a viable, credible, opposition.

However, your suggestions about what the opposition should be doing - take a clear stance on issues, presenting a comprehensive and binding government plan, and putting forward a credible candidate, have already been done with their respective shadow cabinets and budget plans.

What Bersih is fighting for, in its demands for a free and fair election, is for the opposition to have a chance to prove that it WORKS, and for the entire nation, not just in the states that it currently holds like Selangor and Penang.

Contrary to your belief, Malaysians are not doe-eyed, innocent, or naïve about what Bersih can accomplish. A lot of us know and understand that ultimately, Bersih 4 will not result In a sudden change of heart on the part of the PM and government, that they would finally relent, admit to their faults, and relinquish power to those more qualified for it.

Yet, this weekend, thousands of Malaysians will still descend upon the capital, as well as Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Why? Because regardless of whether you believe in the power of revolutions or not, when the clarion call is sounded for justice, right-minded people will surely heed it. And the fact that thousands will turn up to protest against injustice, even at risk of arrest and bodily harm gives me great hope for, and pride, for my fellow Malaysians.

And whether a ‘protest’ is meaningless or not, depends on what you are protesting against, and for. Look at the demands of Bersih again, and ask yourself- are those demands meaningless?

Do not mistake ‘protest’ for ‘revolution’. Do not mistake a stand for justice as a lust for violence. Most of all, do not mistake Bersih as an alternative to our ‘kotor’ government. History punishes those who take shortcuts. This weekend is merely the continuation of a long, arduous journey so far.