The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion
The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion |
| Posted: 26 Sep 2011 04:53 PM PDT SEPT 27 — I do not intend to show that I am very savvy about the all-so-famous Internal Security Act. Nor do I mean to claim that I know better than those who've had their family members wrongly detained under the Act. This is simply my take on that famous announcement by the prime minister to abolish the Act. The announcement, of course, was received with many different responses. People who are clearly aligned with the government will surely use this as their ammo, to use these changes to prove that the government is progressive. Those who are on the opposite side can then argue that it was the opposition's fight that made the government initiate the changes. After all, it is very logical to assume that the Act would have stayed there if there was not massive opposition against it. Both arguments sound true at a superficial level, but I don't think we should use any more brain cells to find out who will win this argument politically. So let us move on to the rakyat. The Twitter timeline at that time was very encouraging, at least mine was (some even sounded as though the Act HAD already been abolished). Most, I would say, welcomed the announcement but remained sceptical about the will and feasibility of the changes. With some flip-flop policies in the past and the increasingly louder voices of the right wingers, I admit that the rakyat has a right to be sceptical (though it would be great if most opt to be healthy sceptics instead of mere critics). As for me, for as long as I can remember, I have been supporting the need for the ISA to be in place, or in my self-defence, the need for an Act which allows the arrest of suspected terrorists, extremists or big-trouble makers as quickly as would be required by the situation. I do not agree with the use of the Act to "kill" political enemies but I am among those groups of people who've bought the idea that this Act has been one of the main reasons why we have not had any extremist attacks for decades. (Before you let loose your cannon, let me kindly remind you that I am not the only autocratic, dictator-minded guy around, as I've heard more extreme views on the ISA these past few weeks, mostly from the mouths of those from the younger generation.) I know that this would definitely be a different case if I had any family members who were wrongly detained or if I were more passionate about human rights. However, in this age of democracy, no matter how far-right a Malaysian is, and no matter how strict their views are on national security, it is good for them to be balanced with a sense of civil liberty. It is best that the right and left compromise, and stay as centre as possible. Therefore, I think the PM's announcement — although it should be treated with scepticism — is the best compromise Malaysia can get right now. The abolishment of the vaguely-defined ISA — which gives massive power to the home minister to detain any individual — is necessary because of its substance as well as the black history associated with it. This, if successfully abolished, can help Malaysia's democracy turn over a new leaf, a plus point for civil liberty. And for the centre-right rakyat, the PM's assurance of another Act (which some people might argue to be another version of ISA) to keep terrorism and extremism in check can hopefully put your minds to rest. Our minds, to be exact. It is undeniable that the changes provided could have been a lot better, but realistically speaking, in a country where every socio-political issue is volatile and can be exploited by political extremists who use race, religion and soon-to-be sex (God forbid), democracy should be attained in a slow yet stable progression. So what now is our role in this progressive march towards greater freedom? Most might say this freedom is their long-awaited right. Though fundamentally right, I still think it is morally important for us to learn to be more responsible with the greater liberty we will enjoy. It is time we became more responsible with the news we spread and the things we say. Be more analytical about the rumours we read on the Internet and, better still, start telling our friends not to post unverified rumours on the Internet. Better still if you are friends with those cyber troopers on both sides of the political divide. After all, we all want the best for Malaysia. So while we strive to be more responsible, I see no reason for the system to not entrust us with even more liberty. Still, you know what I find amusing? The "system", after all, is controlled by mere humans too. * Ezlan is a third-year medical undergraduate at Queen Mary, University of London. He tweets at @ezlanmohsen. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist. |
| Posted: 26 Sep 2011 04:38 PM PDT SEPT 27 — Newly promoted Norwich City took the opportunity to build on their solid start to the new Premier League season by beating struggling Sunderland 2-1 at Carrow Road last night. It's good to see Norwich back in the top flight after a six-year absence. The Canaries are a well-run and well-supported club, and their somewhat isolated location on the east coast of England provides an occasionally necessary reminder that the country does possess life outside London, Birmingham, Manchester and the other major cities of the industrial north. Two years ago, Norwich had slumped into the third tier of English football after a disastrous few years. Their low point came when they lost their first game of the 2009/10 season 7-1 at home against Colchester United — but they reacted in inspired fashion by promptly snatching Colchester's manager, Paul Lambert. The turnaround was immediate, with Lambert leading the Canaries into a winning streak that ultimately saw them secure the League One title by nine points. They followed that up by gaining their second successive promotion last season, so now Norwich are back in the big time and Lambert has the task of maintaining their momentum with a squad of players lacking significant Premier League experience. Lambert earned a reputation as a measured and intelligent midfielder during his playing career in the 1990s with Borussia Dortmund and Celtic, amongst others, and now he's doing the same in managerial circles. Achieving back-to-back promotions was an impressive feat by the Scotsman, and another successful season would establish him as one of the hottest managerial properties in the country. The lack of experience within his squad probably won't concern Lambert too much — his players are desperate to prove themselves as capable performers at this level, and that kind of motivation can often be worth plenty of points. Last night's meeting with Sunderland started off as a well-contested affair between two teams who seemed evenly matched. Norwich enjoyed periods of attacking pressure, with their front pairing of the cultured Wes Hoolahan and the powerful Steve Morison providing a nice blend in attack, and played some nice football through the midfield as they tried to create space for wingers Anthony Pilkington and Elliott Bennett. Sunderland initially had their moments as well, and midway through the half they came close to the opening goal when Nicklas Bendtner — a recent signing from Arsenal — produced a 20-yard volley that was well saved by home goalkeeper John Ruddy. The scoring was opened after half an hour, and it went Norwich's way after a lovely interchange on the edge of the box between Bennett and David Fox created an unmissable opportunity for defender Leon Barnett, who obliged by tapping home from close range. Sunderland faded badly after going behind, and Norwich doubled their advantage shortly after the interval with a bullet header from the rugged Morison. Although Kieran Richardson later reduced the deficit, the visitors never really looked capable of coming back into the game and Norwich were well worth the points. If they keep performing like this, they've got every chance of staying up. It's been a worrying start to the season for Sunderland, who have gone through a heavy turnover of players and don't yet appear to be a coherent team. Manager Steve Bruce, formerly a stalwart Manchester United defender and currently sporting a glowing fake suntan, has shown signs of feeling the strain. In various media comments Bruce has lamented the relentless pressure he and his team have been placed under, particularly after their local derby defeat against Newcastle last month. Those complaints have been surprising because pressure is par for the course when you manage a Premier League football team, and Bruce has been in the game for long enough to know that. Sunderland's heads seemed to drop after they went behind at Norwich last night, and Bruce has got a big job on his hands to prevent his team from slipping into a long relegation battle. Last season they faded badly after making a very bright start to the campaign, with their reverse in fortunes coinciding roughly with the departure of leading scorer Darren Bent to Aston Villa. A lack of goalscoring threat certainly seems to be their biggest issue at the moment, and they badly need Bendtner to significantly improve the rather feeble goalscoring record he brought to the club from Arsenal, where he never managed double figures in a Premier League season. They don't have many other striking options, so if Bentdner doesn't fire, Sunderland will probably struggle. For Norwich, the outlook is considerably brighter. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist. |
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