By R. Shan
June 18, 2011 The Malaysian Insider

JUNE 18 — Much has been said of the Bersih rally by the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, to the horror of the ruling elites.

But the gist of its original objective has also been lost to the people and public. Both sides are using this event to maximise their purported need — from race, religion and anything that they can lay their hands on.

For a start, we love a battle when we are not a part of it, especially when there is someone else to fight it out for us. We are good only at scrapping in the cyber world.

Did you think seriously that the recent uprisings in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria and Jordan erupted because that we are so sound in the cyber world? When Internet penetration is less than 20 per cent in the region? Please, grow up.

You have a Manichean war of words between Umno, its mandores with their tails between their legs, and Pakatan Rakyat. Ostensibly, both parties are there for their own popularity rather than to serve the public.

Maybe I am just cynical in my direct approach, but besides this fair election campaign, there are also many pressing issues. Like our people who suffer daily; this does not receive such wide coverage unless and until it becomes a juicy subject to get sucked into.

It is not an ideal world, nor an ideal circumstance; yet, trust me, all these supporters within the cyber world and comment section will wither away as they have nothing to lose. And still, we expect the poor and neglected to fight our battles for us.

You may hate me, but this is the truth and reality. Obscured by the rancour is the plain fact that none of this is new. Do you at least agree on this?

If you want change, then understand that it does not occur in blogs or comments alone, but with the occasional field trip to overcome physical fear and experience what you actually can do to make this a better place to live.

The hidden consensus that we practise in the cyber world and comments is disengaged from the truth and reality of our fellow humans.

Our effort to counter this without real participation does nothing. You know how Hindraf galvanised this will, without fear or favour.

The rational assessment within us is not based on race, religion, colour, creed or politics but rather the needs of our fellow man and their basic requirements.

I have explained beyond the necessary and am sure you can figure it out from here on.

Should we support Bersih? Certainly we should, but not because we support PR’s glory hunting or Umno’s defiance.

Instead, support it for how we can contribute to the betterment of Malaysia — putting aside pride and purely for the sake of humanity.