::The Great ISA debate was announced some weeks ago. A public debate on the controversial ISA between Lim Kit Siang and the MINIster of Parliament sounded good. The debate was decided for tonight and a few may have planned to attend it, but i didn't. Why, you may ask? Not having a short memory helped. The last time this particular MINIster was to have taken part in a debate with the opposition, it fizzled out at the last moment. The polis in Terengganu intervened, stepping in at the very last moment and the debate was stillborn. The reason the polis gave then, that 'lamed cover all' reason,
national security. So when i heard of this Great ISA debate, i figured that it will be similarly aborted and the same old oft used reason given. The polis once again did not prove me wrong and came to the rescue of the MINIster.
True enough, a few days before the event the polis refused to issue the permit. Lim KS said that the polis had earlier said verbally that the permit would be given. Being an old hand Lim should have been aware of such
gostan. On learning about the eprmit rejection, the DAP submitted an appeal. So the merry-go-round continued. The MINIster was 'surprised' and his special assistant was quoted as saying :: "Dato said it is better for the debate to go on. He was surprised with the police’s decision," and added ::
"He will submit a formal appeal letter on the matter tomorrow". The appeal(s) to the Kuala Lumpur police chief produced similar results, another rejection, the police chief had decided to back up his subordinate. So the next stage of appeal of taken and the IGP approached. At the 11th hour, the permit was given today, but the debate won't amterialise, at least for tonight, as the MINIster concerned has a prior appointment. The MINIster proabably expected all appeals, even his own to be rejected,
Malaysiakini in its latest report on the debate has this to say ::
Met at the Parliament lobby earlier, Nazri said he had no idea why the police refused earlier to grant a permit.
The MINIster, who oversees parliamentary affairs, said he will discuss with Lim on a new date for the debate.
"The debate is definitely on," stressed Nazri, who agreed to the debate following an invitation by the opposition leader in the last parliamentary session.
Doesn't all that this MINIster has to say sounds very similar to what he had to say when that Terengganu debate was aborted by the polis. i cannot recall that that particular debate ever taking place after that. What can one said about the merry-go-round this time around, just another bolehland
sandiwaraThe polis is very good at stepping in at the last moment and fouling thing up. It does serve a purpose, it ensures that such events are often considered as non-events by the public right from the start, right from the word go. In this manner, the polis ensures that these events are poorly attended when they are allowed/permitted at the 11th hour and as a result demoralises those organising such events. To the organisers of such events don't give up, when this particular MINIster is not involved, i have today resolve to do my level best to attend in the future.
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