Blocking websites an act of futility

Over-reaction will cause the public to believe in the offending opinions or thoughts of individuals.

COMMENT

By Marion Tharsis

I am no fervent follower of the Malaysia Chronicle website. However, my concern is Malaysian freedom of expression which is constantly being violated by the authorities.

Anything said or written remains merely the opinion or thought of an individual or a group of individuals. One cannot get overly excited or feel implicated or threatened when such expressions are revealed. With any over-reaction, there is a tendency for the public to believe it is correct.

Blocking a website in today’s electronic age is an act of futility. There are other ways of accessing these blocked and banned websites.

If authorities must respond, use the mass media to give their own views or reasons on such matters of national interest and importance.

The authorities must understand that citizens’ concern for our national well being and survival will lead, from time to time, to questions being raised, and logical and sensible explanations sought.

There are several issues today that remain fully unexplained and prolonged giving the people jitters, especially about those involving large sums of public money.

Even parliamentary sessions lately have become tame and routine events with a number of restrictions imposed. The opposition though having a sizable representation, are treated without due respect as representatives of the public, in contradiction to the principles of parliamentary democracy.

If the government wants to restore trust and integrity in governing the country, it cannot impose forced compliance.

The rule by the people, for the people and of the people serves as a constant reminder to the leaders that what is given can be taken away.