— Sheila Santharamohana
The Malaysian Insider
Jul 13, 2011
JULY 13 — Like all others who came alone for Saturday’s Bersih rally, I found that I needn’t have worried. In the confusion and chaos with each blinding onslaught, we reached out and found each other. The strong supported the overcome, the sighted helped the blinded and in the fog of it all, we were one.
If anything, the rally brought to light that our lives, whatever our race may be, are interconnected. Malaysia is woven of the different strands, where in the tapestry of our destiny and shared experience, there can inevitably be only one outcome.
For those who wanted to make Bersih about the Malays and the non-Malays, they were misguided. Out on that day, as we walked alongside, we knew that it was the system and the proponents of such a system, not the people who had divided us.
Bigotry, ignorance and fear were all the result of the policy of systemic indoctrination — all learnt states of mind. How can we lay blame when we were brought up to believe in nothing else?
For those who believed that Bersih was about Anwar, they were mistaken. Unwavering faith in our ability to prevail — that is bigger than any one individual. The rakyat walked as one because we realize that this nation is more than any hero or idol, or martyr who champions the cause for justice, and true liberty. They may be focal points initially, but ultimately, these ideals are the hallmark of any true democracy and free nation. And by God, Malaysians deserve this!
For those who argued that Bersih was about BN and PR, they were wrong. Political parties wax and wane but the rakyat remain. Our personal investments by being responsible and productive citizens of this nation and the hopes for a better future for our children remain steadfast in the vagaries of change. For those who were absent, driven back by the psychological warfare preceding the event, we were your representatives from both political divides as we share the same hopes for a progressive and truly democratic nation.
For those who contended that anarchy would supplant peace, they were erroneous. How could there be anarchy when there was nothing but comradeship? We took heart in the genuine concern shown as we cared for each other; we are indignant for those who were brutally assaulted and injured; and we grieve for the one man fallen. Pak Baharuddin paid with his life and the rakyat mourns the loss of one of us.
But, there is also jubilation. For the first time in my life, I felt that I belonged. That although she doesn’t show it often enough, Malaysia loves me.
1 Malaysia? Vision 2020? These slogans are cheap, but the love is real. I believe it now. Thank you to everyone who walked and to those who supported us. I thought I walked for change but instead it changed me.