We hope, now, the meaning of The Third Force becomes clearer. And the newly crowned leader of this Third Force is Ambiga Sreenevasan. She may be a reluctant leader. Maybe she did not plan to emerge as its leader. However, like it or not, she is now the leader of Malaysia’s Third Force.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Reject Anwar’s ‘revolution’, says Utusan Malaysia
(The Malaysian Insider) - Continuing its anti-Bersih tirade today, Utusan Malaysia told Malaysians to reject Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s “revolution” and ignore a spin-off campaign from last weekend’s rally which calls on supporters to wear yellow every Saturday.
The Umno-owned daily front-paged an article titled “Reject Anwar’s revolution” where it solicited the views of four retired top cops, including two former Inspectors-General of Police, to condemn Anwar’s “revolution” comment on Malaysia to the Indonesian media.
Calling Anwar “pengkhianat negara (traitor to the country)”, the paper wrote that many have rejected the opposition leader’s purported attempt to instigate the people by claiming that Malaysia was on the verge of revolution.
“Anwar Ibrahim has been deemed a traitor to the country and stern action should be taken against him immediately,” the paper wrote.
According to the article, former IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan said that Anwar’s statement clearly showed that the opposition leader wants to see his country in chaos. “The police and the government should not hesitate to take stern action against him,” he was quoted as saying.
Other top cops, including former IGP Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor, former deputy IGP Tan Sri Samsuri Arshad and former Special Branch director Datuk Zulkifli Abdul Rahman were also quoted as condemning Anwar in the article.
In its editorial section, Utusan Malaysia praised the police as the “true heroes” of Saturday, despite widespread criticisms from the opposition, civil society groups and the foreign media that the police had used excessive force on protestors.
Thousands took to the capital’s streets on Saturday to march for free and fair elections but chaos broke out close to midday when police in full riot gear moved to disperse the crowd by firing tear gas canisters and spraying jets of chemical-laced water on protestors.
“As sane-minded individuals, surely we can acknowledge that the true heroes were the police. Their persistence, hard work and patience in carrying out their duties saved the country from chaos on July 9,” said Zulkiflee Bakar, the paper’s editor.
In another editorial, Utusan Malaysia predicted that Bersih’s spin-off “wear yellow every Saturday” campaign could hamper public safety.
“First it starts with one or two groups but if it is allowed to prolong for weeks, it may build a strength that could affect public safety.
“The authorities should move quickly to overcome Bersih’s agendas, which are reaching a point where they should no longer be given face,” the paper said.
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They can reject Anwar’s ‘revolution’ if they so wish. This is really no skin of our nose.
First of all, we really don’t know what ‘revolution’ it is that they are talking about. Maybe they think that Anwar is attempting to start a Tahrir Square in Malaysia.
Secondly, this has nothing to do with Anwar. Why focus just on Anwar as if he is the only one that matters and the rest don’t?
Thirdly, one man -- Anwar or whoever it may be -- really can’t start revolutions unless it is the will of the rakyat. Then again, if it is the will of the rakyat then we don’t need Anwar to tell us to start a revolution.
Finally, and most important of all, the revolution has already started. The only thing is the government/Barisan Nasional were sleeping while it happened. And when they were told about it back in 2004, after the GE of that year, they pooh-poohed the whole thing. In 2007-2008 they actually said that the Internet is not a threat and not significant. Then, after the 2008 GE, when they got hit bad, the government sheepishly admitted that they underestimated the power of the Internet.
Yes, the revolution I am talking about is the mental revolution triggered by yet another revolution, the communications revolution, triggered by yet another revolution, the Internet, which made access to information so easy.
It was a sort of chain reaction.
We need to study history and understand how the ruling elite in collaboration with the church kept the rakyat in ignorance. Only by keeping the rakyat in ignorance can the people be enslaved -- mental slavery. But once the people started educating themselves and dragged themselves out of ignorance, changes started to happen.
It was a long and winding road to freedom but finally, after generations of fighting against ignorance, the rakyat won. And Europe is what it is today because of that. But it took a very long time indeed. Nevertheless, the rakyat finally won. Ignorance was cast side and the people took control of their destiny.
We must remember that Europe remained in ignorance for a very long time. And it remained in ignorance as the Middle East moved ahead and progressed. And the Middle East moved ahead because they welcomed education and innovation. But once the ruling elite of the Middle East banned innovation, the Middle East went backwards while the very backward Europe, which learned everything it could from the Middle East and improved upon it, overtook the Middle East.
Today we can see the glaring difference between Europe and the Middle East. The once enlightened are now locked in ignorance while the once ignorant are now masters of the world.
That, in a small way, is happening in Malaysia, just like it is happening all over the world. The world is seeing a second wind of sorts. Changes have been happening all over the western world. And because of the now borderless world and the world being reduced to a global ‘village’, Malaysia is being dragged along screaming and kicking and resistance is futile.
The government has to understand that this is not about Anwar. This is a natural phenomenon. The only way for Malaysia to isolate itself from this mental revolution brought on by the communications revolution, which has in turn been brought on by the Internet, is to embark upon a closed-door policy. Malaysia has to do what China once did. It has to shut itself from the rest of the world. Then the global revolution would not hit Malaysia’s shores. But it may be too late for that now.
The next point I want to make is about what Bersih represents.
Over the last year or so we have been trying to make people understand what we mean by The Third Force. When we first mooted the idea of The Third Force through the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM), most people interpreted this to mean ‘three-corner fights’ in the elections.
As much as we tried to explain the concept, many refused to accept our explanation and insisted that The Third Force, which to them means ‘three-corner contests’, is destructive to the ideals of a two-party system and counter-productive to Pakatan Rakyat’s effort at ousting Barisan Nasional.
On 9th July 2011, what we saw was The Third Force in action. This was not about ‘three-corner fights’. This was about taking back power from the politicians and transferring it into the hands of the rakyat.
Never mind whether 6,000 people came out that day (as what the police says), or 20,000 people (as what the mainstream media says), or 50,000 people (as what some say), or 200,000 people (as what others say), or whatever. The numbers are not as important as the fact that the rakyat demonstrated their will to come out to show their unhappiness and to send a strong message to the powers-that-be that changes must happen and resistance is futile.
The rakyat has ‘tasted blood’, that day on 9th July 2011. And there is no turning back the clock. Bersih has taught the rakyat the meaning of The Third Force. The rakyat now understands that united they can force changes. And the rakyat is going to continue to force changes and anyone who stands in the way of the rakyat is going to be swept aside.
We hope, now, the meaning of The Third Force becomes clearer. And the newly crowned leader of this Third Force is Ambiga Sreenevasan. She may be a reluctant leader. Maybe she did not plan to emerge as its leader. However, like it or not, she is now the leader of Malaysia’s Third Force.
Now I hope you understand what we mean when we talk about The Third Force.
written by Angela Ooi, July 15, 2011 21:31:30
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written by Ken Liew, July 15, 2011 14:58:26
I learn from TVB movie, Yes Sir! No Sir. Clever people are able to make mistake. As long as HE can hide it. Stupid person have no rights to make mistake, as it will be easily expose.
Here our PM said No Physical contact.. The next second, the LIE are Exposed. PM's lie Broke as fast as his promises...... trustworthy?? i dont think so.
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written by Farmer, July 15, 2011 12:07:14
I m proud for Dato Ambiga as motherly lady leading Bersih. Only mothers can sweep away evils to protect the family.
Long Live Dato Ambiga and Bersih
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written by earthman, July 15, 2011 10:35:14
The third force is one that always stand and fight for justice and fairness with no personal gain whatsoever even unto death. The righteous offer their bodies as a human sacrifice out of love for all but the proud and foolish ( the terrorists ) sacrificed their bodies for the devil.
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written by SamYap, July 15, 2011 09:28:47
However, I can also understand why parties like PAS and PKR (DAP, so far has not said much about doing a version 3.0), are anxious to start organizing Bersih 3.0. The politicians are trying to hijack the People's/Rakyat's initiative for change i.e. Bersih, and make use of it to progress their political gains.
But they can hijack it only if, we allow them to do it.
My 2 sen worth of advice to Pakatan Rakyat, is this: if they wish to build on the Bersih 2.0 fever, then they should initiate their own programs to ride on the rakyat's wish for a clean and good governance. Pakatan's programs should never be a part of Bersih (whether version 2.0 or 3.0 or x.0) but it should complement and run parallel with the rakyat's aspirations.
If they (Pakatan) can do that, I am sure there will be further serious erosion of traditional BN supporters, who will abandon BN at the polls.
After Bersih 2.0, I am sure even the less informed section of the public can smell the imminent final curtain call of BN......its a matter of time and how they will fall.
But a blunder by Pakatan now will damage their chances. The last thing we need is another theatrical orgiastic "shiok sendiri" like DSAI's September 16 in 2008. That was so stupid.
Bersih must remain, always a rakyat initiative, to be a check-balance for any political party which forms the government. Don't be fooled that merely because DAP or PAS appear to be on the straight and narrow, that they will always be that way. Yes, even PAS is not infallible......they may fashion themselves as God fearing........but they are still humans...........not gods...........just humans.........same as that guy & gal named Adam & Eve who got the boot from Eden.
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written by SoundMan, July 15, 2011 08:29:06
And the newly crowned leader of this Third Force is Ambiga Sreenevasan.
About time we had a sensible and balanced leader, and she represents that quality. AMEN.
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written by syd, July 15, 2011 07:46:45
Since that did not materialise, looks like the third force will be made up of mostly english speaking multi ethnic coalition, from peninsular as well as sabah and sarawak, which form the bulk of bersih commitee members. this is the group UMNO and their neo con members have been trying to eradicate without success.
UMNO sees this group as pro-colonialist. The kampung people sees them as foreigners.
Like I have said before, Malaysia is divided by language, not race nor religion. The kampung Malays and chinese have their voice in parliament. It is the english speaking group that is not represented. And with the abolishement of english in science and maths, this group's disapointment with the adminstrators has just increased to the point of rebelling. I will "GO" with the third force. And I suggest PKR, DAP and PAS alow this third force to lead them.
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written by talk3talk4, July 15, 2011 07:01:26
Umno/BN stirs up all sorts of negative feel in us.
Ex Umno/PKR fare better as it has a few good ones, like perfume covering up that awful UMNO putrid stench.
Sadly its top shit is Anwar and Tonto is just as controversial. Only good he has ever done for the country to date, is unintentionally started the awakening of the Rakyat zeal for true democracy by virtue of him getting a black eye.
Bro Anwar is like a F**king good talker. Like a salesman that sell you shit that you do not want.
Yes, we still need Anwar, dead or alive, for now, though the latter may preferred but i do not wish it on him. For now he is purportedly the glue holding PR together albeit a cheap glue. Probably make from chicken shit hence the reason for that smell that permeates the hazy Msian air everyvso often.
Go on Ambiga. Be our Joan of Arc. Our Moi Lan. To deliver this nation from the tyranny of the arrogant Umno/BN
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written by pixieface, July 15, 2011 00:39:36
Rakyat will go " FULL FORCE " against these scumbags amenoe dingoes and b end.
YELLOW everybody, lets go yellow everyday, everywhere, everything i.e. from garments to shoes, hair
ornaments, handbags, to remember the energy, the united force of the ordinary people who were there
on 709.
Blind the samseng in blues with yellow yellow yellow.
Yeh yeh yeh.
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written by Aduh, July 15, 2011 00:13:16
- Of all the persons, you chose to publish what that musang hasan and rahim nor had to say. Who are they in the eyes of Malaysians. ???
How they were accepted in the police force is a big question mark !!! . What more to be appointed as igp. To us they are PIGs. in the true sense of the word.
- We believe , two or three days ago, your p**i mak minister was on an official visit to Britain. How did it go. ??? Was he given a red carpet on arrival. ??? Did the British PM meet him. ???
- “ wear yellow every Saturday campaign could hamper public safety " What a bloody stupid statement. Btw, your p**i mak minister, some time back did mention that umNO had a membership of 3 million. Get all of them to wear red, everyday if they want to. We have no problem with that.
Now we know why your utusan meloyakan is losing much sales and is on the verge of folding.
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written by southallman, July 14, 2011 23:33:33
Then came the internet age which was new to me too. I saw there was hope now. These bored souls may just see the light I saw. YES, they did and have. Now it is fun when we have our chats, no one is bored, everyone is bursting with experiences and stories to share. Now I have friends/family who have joined the 3rd force and they are growing by the day. It is better late than never.
Today's generation have matured faster than that of mine and the later decade, yes they are young but are more matured when we of thier age and they have energy which they show and is infectious.
BN is dead man walking. BN is like the TITANIC which has hit an iceberg is definately going down, going down with not many lifeboats - there are some lifeboats for the BN chiefs - none for the ones down. Those ones down should start thinking of getting off this ship 'BN TITANIC' for when it goes down, they are going to go down with it to the bottom.
If I was one of those down there on 'BN Titanic' I will rush down to my nearest video rental shop and get a TITANIC DVD and watch it with all my family/friends and take urgent survival action for those up in BN TITANIC are only going to think about themselves and thier survival.
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written by southallman, July 14, 2011 23:02:42
3rd force - next word on the list of words awaiting to be banned. When is it going to be
1st it was the 5 letter word begining Axxxx
2nd it was the 6 letter word beginning Bxxxxx
3rd it will the 7 letter word beginning Cxxxxxx (now what this is start guessing or start formulating)
3rd force - need an emblem, colour , t-shirts to associate . Let's start now.
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written by Old Man, July 14, 2011 22:16:56
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written by batsman, July 14, 2011 22:13:28
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written by Bangkok Warrior, July 14, 2011 20:50:20
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written by sinniah, July 14, 2011 20:45:30
All it needs is a spark , 9th July became the spark. You saw groups gathered here and there, walking alone to the destination eventually coming together as Malaysians. This is the THIRD FORCE always lurking around , slowly creeping and eventually bringing down a wall.
Just a little clap in a corner, then everyone joining, made every Romanian realise that they belong together and the next day the Romanians brought down the Romanian dictator. The Third is on its march, fellow Malaysians. GO OUT THERE and get every Malaysian youth registered as a voter.
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written by panca, July 14, 2011 20:21:36
The Rakyat is the Third Force and the Third Force is The Rakyat. Political Parties will remain political parties, period!
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written by panca, July 14, 2011 20:09:50
As for the top cops talking c**ks(about Anwar), the Firty Four do not reflect the truth but lies and certainly do not represent the views of The Rakyat.
If you dare put a poll on the web or any of your dirty toilet MSM to see whether or not the Rakyat or the Filthy Four can tilt the poll!
We dare you or if not, shut the fcuk up and enjoy your ill-gotten gains till death knocks on your doors!
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written by activepro, July 14, 2011 19:51:09
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written by HumbleVoice, July 14, 2011 19:20:00
I don't like the name 'Third Force'. It gives the impression that it is against two other forces. The people has to be the ONLY force. It needs to represent itself apart from any political affiliation, and it has to appeal to people from all affiliations - include those from BN. Apart from a few maniacs, the majority of BN supporters are not evil. They are only lost, or do not see Pakatan Rakyat as an viable alternative.
The 'Third Force' is a good for now. Eventually I would like to see a more universal name for this awakening.
My salute the Bersih 2.0 sterling committee. I am with you all the way to the end.
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written by educationist, July 14, 2011 19:18:27
Perhaps presented in this form, the Third Force will be more acceptable to the rakyat at large.
Yet, the bottom line shall be when GE13 is called, will the PR be willing to negotiate with an open mind to allow the Barisan Rakyat Independent candidates straight contests with the UMNOputras!!
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written by mrshah_59, July 14, 2011 19:08:31
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written by arazak, July 14, 2011 19:07:39
Perhaps, when they are in service previously, those ex-IGPs, ex-Deputy IGP and ex-SB Chief thought, besides UMNO as the premiere force, they believe the pimps, ahlongs, gambling den taikotai are the 3rd force. They have always ignored the people as the 3rd force.
Long live the peoples' revolution!
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written by Wakeupmsia, July 14, 2011 18:58:51
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written by michael, July 14, 2011 18:20:09
Come Bersih 2.0, Malaysians are beginning to see a new Possibility. That Possibility is that Malaysia can once become a nation of one People, and when they are One, the Power lies with the Rakyat and not the Government.
The Greatest News is that the Third Force is now not just an idea but a Possibility. And you cannot kill a Possibility!
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written by cillipepper, July 14, 2011 18:06:12
Dear Musa/A Rahim/Samsuri/Zulkifli,
ABU -Anything But Umno/Asal Bukan Umno....faham?
DSAI pun OK!
Salaam
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written by Voter get Voters 1, July 14, 2011 17:46:15
The Goverment of the day serve us cos we are paying their salary n perks n watnots. The Goverment are our servants and we the RAKYATS are their BOSS....and if they dun perform we sack them via the ballot boxes before it is too late that we have to resort to bullets.
YEAH we r D 3rd FORCE.
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written by IbnAbdHalim, July 14, 2011 17:45:51
Your Najib is really scared to death. He can't even see anything yellow or the word "Bersih". I think he can't even catch a wink of sleep thinking of his fate if UMNO falls. He has just too much worries ringing in his head. Where's he going to escape? Ke lubang cacing pasti diikuti.
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written by malsia1206, July 14, 2011 17:44:48
And what's inherently wrong if our PM or the Deputy is not a Malay? Our Federal Constitution does not mandate the PM to be a Malay.
And what's inherently wrong if our PM or the Deputy is not a Muslim? Same logical reasoning on paragraph 2 above.
Let's have a PM or Deputy who is capable, clean and clear just like what Bersih stands for. It's long overdue since the days of the late Tunku after Merdeka. That's a long 50+ years wait.
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