Nor A peaceful march winds its way through the nation s capital, each demonstrator calling loudly for reforms in government and a change of leadership. Suddenly, the protest is disturbed by provocations from plainclothes policemen. Within an hour, demonstrators lie supine on the streets, their bones broken by riot police.
Innocent blood is spilt.
The world saw with astonishment the treatment meted out against the people of Zimbabwe who had earlier calmly and openly called for a more democratic government. While it may have angered and roused television viewers around the world, such sights did not surprise Malaysians. After all, since the sacking of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim on 2 September 1998, the government of Malaysia had taken exactly the same brutal stance against pro-reform campaigners in this country. Whether in Kuala Lumpur, or in Harare, ordinary people living under authoritarian governments have begun to realise that greater freedom can only be obtained at a great price. It is no longer sufficient to let time takes its toll on aging leaders.