Ahmad Ikhlas
7:10pm Thu Jan 23rd, 2003

"I am ashamed to be a Malaysian": so said the late Suffian Mohd Hashim upon hearing news of the sacking of the then Lord President Salleh Abas not too long ago.
 
I guess many Malaysians, too, felt similar sentiments upon catching glimpses o­n their television screen of our men in blue carrying away the personal computers and servers of malaysiakini.
 
Alas, what has Malaysian society come to?
 
That officers sworn to enforce the law for the public good arbitrarily took upon themselves to 'intimidate' an electronic media that has been providing alternative views for the good of the public!
 
If, indeed, the letter in question has hues of 'sedition', was it necessary to remove all the paraphernalia required for o­nline publication?
 
If, indeed, that particular wing of a political party felt slighted by alleged comparisons of it to the Ku Klux Klan, isn't it a wiser action to cerebrally rebut the "unfounded allegations" rather than resort to a police report?
 
It is rather difficult for 'ordinary Malaysians' to not form an opinion that our protectors and enforcers of the law are circumspect in the way they carry out their sworn duties if a report is made by those currently in power; however, if a similar report is made by those not currently in power against those wielding executive prowess, then, the same degree of 'efficiency' is nowhere to be seen - indeed, the oft repeated declaration that "One is innocent until proven guilty" is freely disbursed for public consumption!
 
I salute those who operate malaysiakini for their resoluteness and indefatigable spirit in ensuring that alternative views are made available to ordinary Malaysians of all hues and shades.
 
We may not agree with all that malaysiakini espouses, but, then, if we obliterate such alternative viewpoints o­n the altar of political expediency, what then do we have left to be proud of?
 
To those in power, we say:
 
Let it be, for, to smother a media that provides a different perspective with a sledgehammer may result in them being similarly treated at the next polls!
 
To the operators of malaysiakini, we say:
 
Keep up the spirited work and rest assured that many Malaysians, though silent, are with you!