NOTWITHSTANDING the fact that demonstrations are frowned upon by the Government as being disruptive and dangerous, it may be time to think of allowing some democratic space for people to express their sentiments in a peaceful manner.

This is in the light of three recent occasions where lawyers, Bersih and Hindraf took the decision to demonstrate, despite Government advice to the contrary, and the mayhem that ensued after the last two.

However, some sort of arrangement has to be made between the police and activists.

This is in the interest of public order and safety, and to erase the aura of apprehension that usually pervades such occurrences.

There could perhaps be an agreement as to the size of the crowd, and a specified public area cordoned off for this purpose.

Petitions delivery, if any, has to be done in an organised way, possibly with police escort. It goes without saying that protestors have to abide by the law, behave with decorum and not utter seditious statements.

The world, together with people's perceptions and aspirations, has changed. Openness is vogue; suppression deemed draconian.

Peaceful assembly is recognised as a democratic right. If done in an orderly manner, with the co-operation of the authorities, there is no reason why it cannot proceed smoothly, without ugly incident.

When we ask demonstrators to abide by the law, the authorities, on their part, might be a little flexible by granting a permit with specified conditions.

What is required is for both sides to give in a little.

Dato Dr. S. Vijayaratnam,
Vice President,
Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia.