Bersih 3.0: PM Najib Should Avoid the Bersih 2.0 Mistake

PM Najib should not commit the same mistake he made when confronting the Bersih 2.0 peaceful demonstration.

He should be wary of his advisers who wanted him to take a strong stand against the organizers of Bersih 3.0 just like his administration did in Bersih 2.0. If Hishammuddin sends in the senseless, rowdy and rude batch of guards again, Najib should know that the former is more a threat than an ally.

Bersih 3.0 is going to be different and bigger. Different because it is probably going to be the last mega demonstration before the general elections and a latest disappointment with the PSC report on electoral reforms. It shows that none is coming, the real reforms and not minor cosmetic.

It is going to be bigger because other groups such as Save Malaysia, Himpunan Hijau, Anti-PPSMI, Anti-Lynas, 325 Rally and others are going to join hands and use this mega platform to push the government for reforms.

If Najib and his bunch of adviser do not handle this well, it may well be a total wipe out in urban areas. Sentiments in Sabah and Sarawak are unpredictable and fragile. He may well perform worse than Abdullah Badawi and this may spell the end of his premiership.

Najib should seek out the Bersih committee members and other NGOs to work out a schedule for real reforms on the electoral process. For anything to work, he must be seen to be committed to full and meaningful reforms.

Might is not always right.

-khookaypeng.blogspot.com