Ambiga’s neighbours praise cops/DBKL

Authorities' watchful eye on Bersih co-chair's home to prevent protests from going out of hand warmly welcomed

PETALING JAYA: Bersih 2.0 co-chairperson S Ambiga’s immediate neighbours are hoping that the constant annoyance at Jalan Setiakasih 1, Bukit Damansara has finally come to an end.

Many wished that Thursday’s cancelled plans by several groups to set up food stalls outside Ambiga’s house was the last one.

In the past several weeks, there have been protests involving burgers stalls, vulgar exercises and other forms of harrassment of the Bersih co-chair.

A random FMT chat with several residents in the area showed that many were thankful for the authorities’ watchful eyes to prevent these protests from going out of hand.

“City Hall and the police have taken care of us and did a wonderful job. Without them, we would have felt unsafe,” said one resident who only wished to be known as Noraini.

She said that the people in the neighbourhood has been disturbed and felt uneasy the past few weeks and she had been praying hard for things to stop.

“Definitely I’m disturbed, we don’t trust people in a mob, it just takes just one person to start something and the herd mentality would kick in and make things serious,” she said.

Noraini said that she did not support assemblies of any kind but said that Ambiga was a very nice neighbour. “I think that her intentions are good. Somehow things went awry at Bersih.

“In some ways I’m sure she is disappointed. I don’t support rallies, but no matter what, it does not warrant such personal attacks against her.”

Another neighbour, who requested anonymity, also praised the actions of DBKL and police preventing violence and further nuisance.

“To me it’s a free country, do things, but within limits. Violence is a big no no. The police and DBKL did a really fine job on Thursday. Many here are seniors and ex-civil servants, why disturb them?” he asked.

Another neighbour said he was unaware of the protests and as it did not affect his home. Yet another resident condemned the protests as a “shameful” and “disgraceful”.

“We’ve been restricted, and it’s not nice. Bersih is a noble cause, from where I come from peaceful assemblies happen all the time.

“Coming to Ambiga’s housing area and targeting one person is wrong. Air your grievances through the proper channels,” she said.

Meanwhile, MCA leader Chua Tee Yong also condemned protests, saying that the right to assembly must not be abused.

“Malaysia allows people to hold peaceful rallies on condition that rally-goers respect the right of peaceful assembly, not abuse it,” said the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries and Labis MP.