Stop political bullies with stern action

By T K Chua

We ought to know that a democracy is about a contest of ideas, policies and programmes done through popular support, not by brute force, bullying others or through the barrel of a gun as asserted by Mao.

I think average Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion or region, know the difference between justice and fair play on one hand and extremism and bullying on the other.

In our daily life, we expect to be treated fairly in all dealings. We generally frown upon big bullies thriving on physical force rather than brain power and reasoning.

We have seen big bullies at the DAP headquarters in Kuala Lumpur recently. Some people say big bullies are people with low IQs, simpletons easily prompted to act on impulse: I am not sure this is true as I am no expert in human behaviour.

But one thing I do know about bullies – they are brave only because they think they have backup: it does not matter to them if the backup is real, impending and forthcoming. They believe in the support of the powers that be.

Thus they deliberately choose to defy the law by hurling insults and inflicting hurt on others. Rightly or wrongly, they think they will be treated with kid gloves. Some say perhaps it is their past experience that emboldens them. But I would prefer to think that it is perhaps due to their misplaced sense of chivalry. They think they are doing a right thing and some powerful people may be supportive of their efforts.

It is quite easy to deal with big bullies really. Law enforcers just have to deal with them sternly and in no uncertain terms once. Yes, just once, and I believe these big bullies will quickly fall in place. The reason is simple; big bullies are not motivated by ideals, commitment or principles.

Sometimes they don’t even know what they are doing.

I urge political parties from both sides of the aisle not to support or encourage big bullies even if they are your political allies or supporters. Please go back to democracy as a contest of ideas, policies and programmes. Bullies use brute force which is defunct now. If you don’t believe me, ask the former Soviet Union or more recently, ask Myanmar.

T.K. Chua is an FMT reader.

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