Street protests

June 19, 2006

Encourage constructive criticism


I fully support the government’s call to shun street protests especially unruly and violent ones. I am sure most citizens would agree to that. Peace of the nation should never be compromised for whatever reason. It should be safeguarded at all costs not only by the government but by all Malaysians.

Having said that, it has to be emphasized, it is also the obligation of a democratic government to provide proper channels for the expression of public views especially dissenting ones. Why do people resort to street protests? The government must get to the root cause of it.

It is because they are strongly against certain policies that they consider as unwise and be even detrimental to the nation. As all legitimate avenues for their expression are inaccessible to them, they resort to street protest.

The media must be free to investigate and report on projects and developments undertaken by the authorities. In developed countries the media play a very important role to check abuse of power and corruption. A free and independent media will augur well in the fight against graft as pledged by our prime minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Furthermore the people must be given freedom to organize dialogues and forums to air their views in peaceful and civil manner.All problems can be overcome by dialogue and discussion if only these are encouraged from an early age so that they become a way of life for our people.

Not only the government must provide channels for expression of varied opinion, it should also consider these views especially dissenting ones seriously as constructive criticism is of utmost importance for progress of society. History as shown that a nation which suppresses the freedom of expression of its citizens never progresses.

The government must encourage feedback from the rakyat. Unfortunately, there has developed a trend that considers complainants and the opposition as trouble makers, traitors and anti-government. In fact on the contrary, the vast majority of those complain are peace loving citizens who are concerned in the welfare of the nation. It is time we grow up and accept the opposition as equal partners in the development on our nation.

We must realize that complainants are also rightful citizens and tax payers and as such have the rights to participate in the proper running of the nation and that is what democracy all about.

Dr.Chris Anthony