At the end of their Walk for Peace recently, activists from the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement faced a police barricade, preventing them from achieving their ultimate goal of presenting a memo to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Parliament building.
The memorandum was about the unresolved case of political aide Teoh Beng Hock, who died mysteriously in Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam 15 years ago.
After a brief altercation between the marchers and the police, the parliamentary Speaker’s office subsequently sent its special officer, Abdulhadi Khalid, to receive the memorandum.
In the wake of the march, Anwar scheduled a meeting with Teoh’s family on 1 August.
This incident underscores the point raised by the marchers and other concerned citizens that Parliament, where elected representatives meet to discuss issues and make laws for the supposed benefit of the people, should be people-friendly.
There should not be physical obstacles placed in the path of those who wish to visit Parliament for a particular purpose and in a peaceful manner.
Parliament should not be out of bounds to the people.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a regular pledge or periodic auto-donation to Aliran
- Become an Aliran member
Pressing issues that matter to the ordinary people should be aired and discussed in the august chamber and, if need be, a stand and action taken.
Rejecting two motions to debate Teoh’s case (which has not been resolved all these years), as Speaker Johari Abdul did, seemed to have rubbed salt in the wound.
If justice is vital for the rich and famous, the poor and the common people also deserve it. It is equally important to remember: justice delayed is justice denied.
Parliament, as an embodiment of the people’s representation, must strive to be attuned and sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the people.
The tragic death of TikTok influencer Rajeswary Appahu, also known as Esha, is another issue that concerns the people.
It indicates the gravity of cyber-bullying as well as the urgent need for MPs (apart from other stakeholders) to discuss the matter and take concrete and effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents.
Cyber-bullying, which gives rise to such extreme forms of trolling, intrusiveness, shaming and death threats, is abominable. Obviously, social media must be made safe for users.
However, it is vital that cyber-bullying is clearly defined so that the law that is crafted does not get abused to the extent of transgressing freedom of expression.
We must pay attention to the concern raised by advocacy group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) regarding the government’s intention to “protect” Parliament and MPs from being “cyber-bullied”, which sounds like a proposed surveillance that has gone over the top.
LFL was alarmed that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission had been proposed to investigate members of the public who allegedly make “offensive comments” on social media concerning parliamentary proceedings.
Elected representatives are public figures who should not be insulated from public scrutiny because they’re supposed to be transparent and accountable to the very constituents who put them into positions of power in the first place.
Their ideas, policies and actions are of concern to many people.
There are times when our intelligence gets insulted by the imbecility and bigotry of certain elected representatives that demand our appropriate response.
To be sure, we’re not talking here about defamation that aims to smudge a politician’s personal character.
We’re talking about the attempt to stretch the notion of cyber-bullying that could make MPs “untouchable” and disconnected from certain segments of society. This transition may lead to crude arrogance among certain politicians and also creeping authoritarianism.
There are obviously serious social and political implications when politicians are out of touch with ordinary mortals. – The Malaysian Insight
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
