COMMENT Today’s final showdown between Bersih and Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos’ red-shirts was expected to be a chaotic affair, with many expecting the two sides to clash

But in the battle of red versus yellow, it was the men in blue that had unexpectedly came out victorious, successfully keeping the two sides apart and maintaining public order.

While the decision behind yesterday’s preemptive arrest - mostly on Bersih-aligned leaders - is morally questionable, it was a strategic move that dulled the momentum of both rallies.