Black Day for Democracy

The latest person who is urging the powers-that-be to go back to the people is the Dewan Negara president Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh.

Dr Abdul Hamid, who has been observing the development in Perak with concern, said ad hoc actions on the part of individuals and political parties in Perak had not solved the impasse.

“Rightly or wrongly, the series of ad hoc actions have only made things more complex and convoluted. The best thing is for the powers-that-be to decide on the best course of action under the circumstances,” he said.

He said that in a democracy, when the arithmetic shows that one has the majority, then the problem is solved.

“In this case, the arithmetic is right but the problem is still there. Either you go on like this till the next general election or you go back to the people,” he added.

I support the good sense of the senate president. This is a day we speak as Malaysians and not as members of any political party.

The arrogance of BN and the desperation of Zambry to hold on to power is going to hurt the coalition more in the future. In a democracy, support must be earned and not forced.

Zambry has already committed silly mistake by exposing his ego in the auction of 13 new Camrys. Zambry's utmost responsibility as an elected state assemblyman is to help bring normalcy back to the state government and ensure that the democratic process is protected at all costs.

This is the not his option. He has decided to pull in the support of the police to erect barricades around the state assembly building when a sitting resumes tomorrow. This is an act of perversion. What is democracy if the people of Perak cannot gain access into the state assembly hall to meet up with their representatives or to follow the meeting?

Straight Talk is wearing a black ribbon today.