Yielding over ICERD rally is not a sign of weakness

An anti-ICERD demonstration.

The government has approved the “anti-ICERD” rally in KL to be held today (December 8), despite the flimsy justification given by the organisers.

The police and the government have also advised Suhakam to postpone its rally today in PJ to Sunday.

On the surface, it would appear that the government is yielding and giving in to people adamant about exerting their “power” and “influence”.

But I think the PH government is a thinking government. Yielding is not a sign of weakness. Only those with confidence and real power will be able to yield, compromise and provide leeway for their opponents. Giving in to opponents is taking the thunder out of them.

So long as the police are able to maintain law and order, we should let those who want to rally to do so as often as they wish. They can come up with whatever reasons to rally and we shall see how often they are able to do so. Remember they are no longer in control of the gravy train.

Let the organisers incite their supporters to the fullest. Let the organisers declare as many holidays as they want. Let their supporters take leave from work or stop doing their day-to-day activities.

We shall see how much incitement they can continue to create. We shall see how often their supporters will be able to sustain themselves.

Malaysia is not a high-income country and yet too many are spending too much time and energy on hapless politicking and rallying. What are they expecting really – to change the government in less than one year?

Is there any wonder why so many among them are languishing in meagre living with no hope of getting better? Maybe they are too busy and gullible to be used as pawns rather than spending their time learning new skills and finding a better way to earn a living.

I wonder which is more important, the livelihood of the people or the endless polemics on race, religion and the royal institution? The nation is in need of more productive jobs, skills, knowledge, better governance and economic opportunities. Blind politicking and rallying will not put food on the table or a roof over their heads.

We just had the “national referendum” on May 9. The people have settled their differences and made their choice. Please make our choice work.

TK Chua is an FMT reader.