COMMENT Whoever ‘kidnapped’ social activist Hishamuddin Rais has to be responsible for the ‘Gestapo-like’ arrest, that Malaysians from all walks of life, condemn.

For the first time of our country’s history, we have descended to such a low level that a social activist has to be bundled into a vehicle to be transported to the police station.

Were the people involved police officers or some bad hats that we should be dealing with as a nation? If they were police officers, should they not come in their police uniforms and show their identity cards?

What happens if Hishamuddin had died during the transit? Who would be responsible for his death? Would the police blame it on some unknown people? In the first place, when the men delivered Hishamuddin to the police station, these men should have been arrested for further investigation so that we all know their identity.

Even if this was a citizen’s arrest, did the police detain them for further investigation? Maybe, taken down their identity?

If such unhealthy activities are allowed to take place upon one unarmed social activist, such a precedent will turn Malaysia into another police state, where people can no longer differentiate between black and white. The ‘biggest’ weapon that I see on Hishamuddin, on the few occasions that I met him, is his mouth and his big heart.

When Mohamad Sabu was arrested, the police came in ski masks and weapons. What the heck! Are the police arresting a subversive? Reading PAS lawmaker Saari Sungib’s ( right ) latest book has enlightened me why the arrest of opposition leaders and even simple people like Mat Sabu and Hishamuddin are done with such commotion.

Hishamuddin is arrested for allegedly being involved in today’s Kita Lawan demonstration, along with others like Mat Sabu and Rafizi Ramli. The demonstration has not even happened, and Hishammuddin has not even appeared in public speeches, so why the arrest based on suspected involvement?

We would be happy if the police had been more efficient in penetrating into the operations of gambling dens, vice and other triad activities, rather than upon people who are involved in a peaceful rally?

The police have yet to provide proof that these were the masterminds behind the Kita Lawan demonstration. Even if they are, does Malaysia not have democratic space to allow people to voice their unhappiness with what the government is doing? Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has started well when he said, “The time has come when the government of the day is no longer the one with the answers.”

In the case of PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli, it was stated that he was being investigated under the Sedition Act for “instigating” PKR party members to participate in the rally that will take place in the city of Kuala Lumpur.

This, in itself, is highly debatable. Also being a PKR vice-president himself, he has the duty of calling the shots. Whether party members respond positively to the clarion call or not is a separate thing altogether.

Moreover, Kita Lawan committee member Fariz Musa has vowed that they would not gatecrash the wedding of Rosmah Mansor’s daughter although, as an observer, I would not be surprised if some agents provocateurs are hired to create a ruckus there and blame it on the Kita Lawan committee.

This is not the first time that Kita Lawan had organised the street rally, and I believe it will not be the last time. In the past rally barely a week ago, young people descended to the streets of Kuala Lumpur but there was not even a single incident, except for some agents provocateurs who were trying to stir up problems.

Despite the peaceful rally, numerous people including Lembah Pantai MP and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, have been arrested and kept in the lock-up for two or three days.

In fact, based on news reports, the police should have just taken their statements without even having to arrest or remand them. In the case of Mandeep Singh and his friends, their statement was never taken until the last day of the remand.

This clearly shows an abuse of police powers and both the inspector-general of police and the home minister have to be responsible for such an abuse.

What other options?

Since opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was jailed, what other options are there for the rakyat and the members of the opposition?

Even the appeal submitted by Anwar’s family to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was reported to have been disposed of . The opposition leader was not allowed to attend Parliament, but has been allowed to attend the court on two separate occasions since his jailing.

There is simply no basis for the relevant authorities to deny him the right to attend parliament as both the Opposition leader and MP of Permatang Pauh. Denying his right means that the BN government has also denied the voices of the people whom he represents to be heard in Parliament.

While the words of Anwar, “We will not surrender” still ring, members of the opposition have been arrested one after another in the course of their duties as members of parliament and in their capacities as party leaders.

On top of that, amidst all the voices against the goods and services tax (GST), we have major corruption cases, sheer abuse of public funds and frequent provocation along racial and religious lines by even cabinet ministers, that have not been investigated thoroughly and fairly.

I have on a number of occasions warned the government that the implementation of the GST may lead to a lot of work strikes, which I deem are unnecessary and will adversely affect our economy, but the government has chosen to bulldoze the GST through.

As if rubbing salt into the wounds, the Royal Customs and Excise Department has produced a video clip showing them singing a song on GST. Although the video may have been done with good intentions, it is an insult to many, including myself, who have to tighten their belts because of the escalating cost of living.

Until today, the Election Commission has not even responded professionally to the urging for clean and fair elections. Where are we heading to as a nation?

Answer me. What other options are there left for the young people who are apparently now forced to go to the streets, be it shine or rain!

I am not the typical type of ‘kaki demo’ but looking at the way the rally-goers have been ill-treated, it clearly shows that the country needs a major shake-up at the top level in order to restore peace and harmony amongst the races and people’s confidence in the government of the day.

Ultimately, Najib has to be responsible for everything that is happening in this country, since upon him is vested the powers to get things on the right track. Instead, what we see in this country is chaos and the lack of democratic space for people to speak up.

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.