Daulat 812 Rally Is For Malaysians

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COME December 8, the peaceful rally to 'thank the government' for not ratifying ICERD will be held at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. Preparations are being made to ensure that it will go on as schedule, without any untoward incident.

Since it is also meant as an outlet for Malaysians to voice out their predicaments since Pakatan Harapan took over on May 9, it is expected to attract many groups, namely students, Felda settlers, taxi drivers, fishermen, public servants and others who are affected by 'the new regime'.

The rally has gained special permit from the police and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), a testimony that the government has okayed it. With the security forces to be deployed, participants will have 'to behave'.

Some quarters have tried to jettison it by saying it is not proper amid the recent temple fracas in Subang, which saw some people hurt and many properties destroyed.

However, the organiser insisted that they have nothing to do with the December 6 incident, and since the police is giving its fullest cooperation, it must go on.

I am of the opinion that peaceful rally should be permitted in the country. I remember when Bersih and pro-Anwar rallies were held without 'proper' permit or permission by the Home Ministry.

And what's wrong with it? Its not political or racist!

In Jakarta, thousands took to the street on Sunday to get a Christian governor removed... and that was racism. In France, protesters clashed with the police in a 'against-fuel-hike' demonstration. We may call in political.

But the Daulat 812 would just be an arena to avow how Malaysia has all the while been fine without ICERD. We don't need it because the Malays, Chinese, Indians and other ethnics are well being taken care of.

We don't need to be 'Western' by ratifying it. There has been no ethnic segregation at all. No one was left out in this progressive nation unless you simply rejected all government's efforts.

As what the Opposition Leader Zahid Hamidi put it, 'The government is not always right, the Opposition is not always wrong', we expect the students will converge more to demonstrate how frustrated they are with PH promise to write off their PTPTN loan.

The settlers too will use the rally as a forum to remind the government of their pledge to write off their bank loans.

Whatever it is, Daulat 812 will see more rallies in the near future. Until the government delivers what was promised and make amend to existing system, the rakyat voice will grow bigger and louder.

Personally, I would encourage all to come. It is not only for the Malays.... it is for us, Malaysians!

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