JUNE 1 — Thomas A. Edison said: “Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.”

Well, the Neanderthals among us were at it again in Lembah Pantai recently. This time they threw eggs, bottles, bricks and injured people in the process. The standard answers given for behaving that way ranged from, “They called us names and insulted us first” to “They started it” to “No directives were given for the ruckus.”

What loons. If anything, they are doing a great disservice to the party they claim to represent, and humiliating their leaders who are trying to convince the majority of peace-loving Malaysians that their party is the way forward.

That aside, what were the police doing after the first few eggs thrown? Why the wait-and-see attitude when they know a close-one-eye response will only lead to an escalation of violence? You are the Police Diraja Malaysia for goodness sake, not some group of high school prefects.

We cannot be forming an independent council every now and then to look into the over-action, and/or inaction by the force.

Fiery speeches and taunts are expected at a political gathering. What more when you approve the permits for Anwar Ibrahim to speak on one end, and Ummi Hafilda on the other. We do not need a crystal ball to tell us the possibilities of such an encounter. Unlike the gathering of veterans doing exercises to stimulate their sagging gluteal regions, this was a clash between politicians who peddle their speeches to shore support.

What else can they sell if not for their speeches?

It is expected of politicians to play to the crowd within the confines of our law, and it is the job of policemen to enforce it.

Our officers must also ensure that such gatherings do not pose a threat to public safety and order. Their presence must not only be seen, but also be perceived to safeguard, uphold and defend the Malaysian people who are free to attend such gatherings to form an opinion, not necessarily in support of the speaker. Those who insult and threaten the rule of law should be treated as criminals, and accorded as much disdain as other criminals in the court of law.

Because if such a gathering cannot be held peacefully, what will happen on election day? What will happen when and if the campaigning period is extended to 21 days without any cooling-off period after? Will the police be able to maintain peace and order, or will chaos and anarchy prevail?

It is easy to support freedom of speech when it comes to those with whom we agree. Malaysia’s finest unfortunately do not have that luxury in dispensing justice and upholding the law, in maintaining public order and peace or they are no better than hired political goons.

Perhaps the home minister will do well to note that of all the tasks the government has, one of the most basic is to protect its citizens from violence. If he feels that it is too much to ask, perhaps he should consider stepping down and not contest in the next election.

Thuggish behaviour has no place in our civil society. Neither does a police force that is perceived to be incapable of upholding peace and remaining non-partisan in an otherwise politically divisive country.

As Isaac Asimov said: “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.” Perhaps we will see less of them when we vote the more competent ones into the government in the next general election.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.