COMMENT It was the foulest deed committed by the Barisan Nasional - detaining Maria Chin Abdullah under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, otherwise known as Sosma.

Sosma is meant to combat terrorists and curb terrorism. But Maria Chin is not a terrorist; neither is she engaged in terrorism. She did not excite disaffection against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. She did not organise violence against persons or property. She did not encourage the overthrow of the government by foul means.

She did not do anything to warrant her detention under Sosma. She didn’t deserve this at all. She is a patriot.

Maria was engaged in lawful activities democratically. She is against corruption and dirty politics and unfair elections. She is for strengthening democracy and empowering the people of Sabah and Sarawak. All this cannot be deemed a threat to the nation or a risk to our security.

As chairperson of Bersih, Maria Chin organised a protest to demand five pressing issues that are not opposed by Malaysians. Are there any Malaysians opposed to free and fair elections, clean government, the strengthening of parliamentary democracy, the right to dissent and the empowerment of Sabah and Sarawak?

Indeed, she was engaged in an activity that was lawful and not opposed by Malaysians because they have no reason to oppose these five just demands.

By no stretch of the imagination could her action be construed as criminal.

But the real reason suspected by many is that BN wanted the Bersih 5 rally to collapse and fail so that there would be no visible sign of a mammoth gathering of Malaysians to demonstrate their frustration with the BN government. The huge gathering would impact BN very negatively and would have disastrous consequences for it in the 14th general election. Therefore, this gathering had to be prevented and stopped.

They thought that by arresting Maria Chin and Bersih secretariat officer Mandeep Singh, the Bersih 5 rally would be rudderless and would grind to a stop. This did not happen.

They misread the mood and the determination of Malaysians to stand up in spite of the fear tactics and intimidation deployed by the police and Umno politicians. They failed to quell the rally from taking place because it was inspired by ideals and idealism that are very dear to Malaysians.