Looking at what is reported in the news, I have the distinct feeling that we Malaysians - all of us - have been living in a state of oppression. Let me elaborate:

1. The government’s response to the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) recent peaceful assembly.

The authority used every means available to them to make sure that the Protes members dispersed.

From what I understand, Protes is protesting rising prices and inflation. Isn't it true that prices are rising, inflation is affecting all of us and, at times, there is a shortage of essential goods?

If that's not true, then there wouldn't be a need for the government – as stated by the deputy prime minister – to attempt to stabilise prices by setting up a special taskforce and creating a plan to stockpile essential goods, right?

So if we were enduring rising prices but are not allowed to speak out against it, wouldn’t that constitute as oppression?

2. The Internal Security Act. There is this law in Malaysia that doesn’t require the government to prove that you are guilty in order to put you away in jail 'til kingdom come. To lock you up, all they need to do is accuse you of disturbing the peace, endangering national security or maintaining suspicious links with a known terrorist organisation.

You’re not even allowed a chance to voice your innocence because you’ve already been ‘proven’ guilty the moment they made the allegations.

Now, let's look at history. Isn't it a normal practice for oppressive regimes to lock up people without having to prove their guilt? Isn't it the ‘rule of law’ of tyrants to lock up whomever they dislike or perceive as a threat to their rule? So seriously, tell me, are we living in an oppressive country?

3. The statements issued by leaders of the Malaysian government. Again, history provides good lessons here. During the Cultural Revolution in China, the Communist Party controlled the media. The radio and newspapers there did nothing but praise the premier and the Communist Party.

The Communist Party leaders would ‘teach’ the people how they should behave and that they should feel grateful for the party that ‘liberated’ them from ‘oppression’. As a result of the Communist regime in China, millions perished.

But every time I flip pages in the newspapers or listen to the TV or radio news, the tunes I hear are so very similar to those of China during that treacherous era.

Now Malaysians, do tell me, are we being oppressed?