The BolehJokes Opinion: The professional code of conduct for oil-hike protest

Let’s face it. Like it or not, any demonstrations in Malaysia will not be approved by the police. Without permit, it will be deemed as illegal assembly. The reason for banning is always the typical excuse, which is the national security at stake. So let’s think of some ways to make it professional and leave them no room for banning. This is just my suggestion. (If you don’t think it is viable, let’s agree to disagree.)

I think the event organizer should come out with the professional code of conduct to organize such event and propose it to the authority to let them know that it is just a peaceful protest. I know the BERSIH organizers have previously done it but it is not strong enough. It must be more professional in my opinion.

They must brief participants on the dress code and behavior conduct. No hate banners or shirt with abusive words. I mean, let’s be really professional. We are there to protest, not to cause chaos to our nation. We are discontented, not disoriented. For example, if you are not happy with your job, you should talk to your boss but you don’t throw tantrums around in his or her office because it will get you nowhere.

So brief all participants not to carry banners like “Pak Lah resign” or “Kerajaan zalim”. Instead, replace it with more friendly words like “RM3000 also not enough to sustain a normal life” or “We want solutions to our problems” or perhaps “Dear Pak Lah, subsidy is not enough. How about no road tax and no import duty on cars”. If possible, get only a few selected people to carry the banners and tell the rest not to carry anything during the protest. Reassure the authority that the few selected people carrying the banners will not cause chaos and register their names.

Tell all the opposition MPs to stay away. In fact, tell all politicians to stay away. Do not let this protest be politically motivated. Let them know that it is just for the people to voice their discontentment and that it is time for the Government to listen. Under no circumstances should anyone provoke the authority and incite hatred among the people with wild chanting.

Hire policemen to safeguard the event. Collect small fund from participants to pay them as an extra effort to monitor the event like a function. Let them know the schedule of the protest and suggest the best place to do it in order not to disrupt the traffic. In this, we are cooperating with the authority with regards to national security.

And if they still ban it, then they cannot deny anymore that Malaysia is indeed a “Police State”. In defeat, we can still achieve 2 things. First, we make them look stupid, if they cannot come out with a sound excuse for banning. Second, we discredit them further and put their professionalism into further question.

I still hope that the event will be successful and that the Government will listen once and for all.

TCJ