The million$$$$$ that could have been saved

A whopping RM2 million was spent by the government to maintain law and order for the street protest organised by electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 in July.

Such a wasteful amount that could have been channeled for better things like helping the poor or even to build more low-cost homes for the people.

Stopthelies was given to understand that the Parliament was told recently that more than 11,000 police officers had to be deployed in the days leading to the July 9 rally.

Certainly bringing up of any unfair election practices and seeking greater transparency in the electoral process is the democratic right of any citizen.

But doing it, deliberating it and bringing it to the country’s administrators in the most effective way, minus the disruption to the lives of other right thinking Malaysians, should be of foremost importance.

This was however not the case. The rally saw the shutdown of the business hub of Kuala Lumpur. Hundreds of shops were closed.

Taxi drivers who ply the busy roads in the capital city were also deprived of their day’s income as everything came to a standstill in Kuala Lumpur.

The much awaited wedding of some couple who took painful months to organise their big day were disrupted. Many of their guests did not show up. Those who turned up were late

There were also countless of untold problems that have cropped up as a result of the closure of roads by the police.

The road closures were necessary to minimise any attempt by mischievous or groups which were up to no good and may take advantage of street rally to create mischief. You never know.

Malaysia is a peaceful nation and we should help keep it that way and not allow ourselves to be used by some political faggot to serve his selfish interest.

Let us not be politically naïve to allow ourselves to be drawn in by the lies and deception.

FOOTNOTE – Bersih chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan was granted an audience with the King before the July 9 rally but she did not take the chance to submit the memorandum of demands for free elections.

Her reason : “The memorandum was not ready.”

However a day after the rally, she told reporters that her mission has been accomplished. This has been widely reported in the media.

If her aim was to submit a memorandum and until now she has not done so, how can her mission be accomplished – unless the aim was to disrupt Kuala Lumpur on July 9.

I rest my case.

- stop the lies