It’s people’s right to disagree
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, doesn’t seem to understand basic things concerning democracy. His notion of democracy is woefully dismal and disappointing. His ignorance on issues of democracy is alarming!
While castigating the current Bar Council president, Lim Chee Wee, and the former Bar Council president, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, for organising the Walk for Freedom peaceful demonstration, he suggested that the Bar Council be registered as a political party and that they should stand for elections.
This is utter nonsense. This right to disagree or criticise is not the monopoly of a political party or politician. This God-given right is the birth-right of every individual, and it is enshrined in the Constitution.
The Constitution has no such provisions barring citizens from speaking up or championing a cause.
Nazri must be reminded that, according to A.d. Benoist, “The highest measure of democracy is neither the ‘extent of freedom’ nor the ‘extent of equality’, but rather the highest measure of participation.”