Stop harassing Ambiga or pay the price in 13th GE

By Dr. Chris Anthony

Bersih 3.0 is over and gone but the intimidation and harassment of its co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan continues till today with no signs of stopping any time soon.

This is basically due to the attitude of the police and the government which fail to see the intimidating tactics of certain quarters as impinging on the rights of individuals.

If they think by intimidating Ambiga, they can succeed in suppressing her and the others from rising up to demand for their rights, they are badly mistaken.

In fact their actions would instead cost them dearly in the coming elections. Ambiga may be the co-chairperson of Bersih, but Bersih is not all about her alone.

It is about the people at large rising up to demand for clean, fair and free elections, a legitimate right of every citizen.

The more the people are suppressed the more they will rise up and they have now reached a point of no turning back in this legitimate pursuit for clean elections.

By continuing to resort to intimidating tactics, more so along racial lines, the powers that be are only making her stronger and more resolved by the day to carry on with her demands for the people and country.

Ambiga is not just brave but a great Malaysian willing to sacrifice her comforts and likes for the country, for you and I.

By not retaliating against those who choose to insult and disgrace her in ways that are too degrading, she has gained the respect of all Malaysians.

She stands out as the conscience in the hearts of right thinking Malaysians.

The home minister and the police cannot continue to be silent with the numerous intimidating protests outside her home which may soon get out of control.

How can the police say that gathering outside one's home in a threatening manner be legal in the eyes of the law?

They must intervene to put a stop to this total disregard to the rule of law by those intimidating a citizen under their very eyes.

The longer they remain silent, the greater the public loss of trust in the police force.

The prime minister should realise that by doing nothing to stop the harassment of Ambiga, who does not have any political ambitions, the government is fast losing the support of the right thinking Malaysians as his silence is seen to be condoning the acts of irresponsible people who take the law into their own hands.

As right thinking citizensn let us rally behind Ambiga in her fight for clean and fair elections. Let us not resort any confrontation with those who may intimidate us but continue to submit to the rule of law at all times and the people will see the justice and goodness in what we do.

Let us heed her call to go out in full force to vote to ensure a 100 percent turnout in the coming most crucial and defining 13th general election.

Meanwhile let us send this message to her loud and clear: "We understand your anxieties and fears and we continue to pray for your safety and the victory of the principles for which you stand for - justice. We will do our part to make Malaysia a better place not just for us but for our children".