It’s too late, Najib

But working with Bersih to improve the electoral system could make a difference to the prime minister’s battered image

COMMENT

There is a Malay saying to the effect that you can profit from your regret only if you heed it before doing something to cause it. The wisdom of this saying should be hitting Najib and Co as they attempt to repair their battered image in the wake of mindlessly violent suppression of citizens’ right to peacefully assemble and express their dissatisfaction.

Damage control at this point is just too late. Even as Barisan Nasional called former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi out of retirement to spew propaganda on its behalf, visual images and eyewitness reports of harsh police action are already all over cyberspace, and condemnations by international organisations and in the foreign press have continued.

Indeed, the Jakarta Post has printed an editorial that supports Bersih 2.0’s demands, as if spitting in the face of Foreign Minister Anifah Amin, who is on a damage control trip in Indonesia.

Even the United Nations has accused Malaysian authorities of undermining democracy.

Trying to justify suppression of human rights is hard enough for an administration that claims to be espousing democracy, but the police and members of Najib Tun Razak’s cabinet are making it worse by continuing to vilify Bersih 2.0.

Their argument that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is behind Bersih does not hold water for at least two reasons. One, the steering committee does not include politically affiliated individuals, unlike in Bersih 1.0. Two, Bersih chief S Ambiga publicly told Anwar off after he said he would tell her to call off the rally.

Had Najib given the nod for Bersih’s stadium request, he might have made it easier for himself or even boosted his ratings.

The best thing he and his administration can do now is to heal the wounds by working with Bersih and the Election Commission towards reform of the electoral system. He may lose support among segments of Umno, especially the old guard, but he can make great long-term gains. He might even stand out as an accomplished statesman.