'If Bersih 2.0 backs down, the Agong must ensure that it does not become a carte blanc for BN to continue abusing the electoral system.'

Agong suggests restraint on Bersih issue

Satinah Osman: It is obvious that the BN has sought the help of His Majesty. That means that the BN and its cronies are in a panic mode. They realised the obvious and fear a Middle East situation. Arresting political leaders crudely shows a lack of grace and low down mentality which only the BN is capable of.

Whatever it may be and whoever had a hand in drafting the king's message, we the rakyat must give respect to the king. We cannot expect the king to plead for the BN morons. But by denying that respect, we bring about the downfall of the monarchial system, which is bad for the rakyat.

The ideal solution would be a police-monitored silent march to the palace and the delivery of Bersih's appeals to His Majesty. The other parties, Umno and Perkasa, should stay out.

Jazz Singer: At least the king has expressed (or made to express) a near neutral stance in this episode, unlike some sycophantic sultan and a chief minister who are blind to the principles of the movement.

Royalty should be elegantly diplomatic in politically-motivated matters, like what the Thai king has done. These multiple rulers of our country should have made a consensus statement urging restraint rather than each one making self-serving jingoistic remarks.

Nobody in their right mind can deny or refute the principles of Bersih 2.0 (except the government and its cronies).

Quigonbond: I'm not sure if the Agong's statement is fair. The Agong should be aware that BN is a political party in power and is not the government per se. The electoral process must have integrity so that people's choice is accurately reflected in the ballot box.

The BN government, in going against Bersih, is admitting that it does not wish to conduct a free and fair election. In light of this, the Agong, in saying that demonstrations are not our way and that they bring more harm than good, is rather disappointing.

About the only concession is that the Agong said the government should do everything that it is entrusted. But what does that mean?

BN can simply read that this means they get to enforce the law and continue their reign of terror. Or will Najib actually suck it up and provide a timeline to consider the serious issues of electoral fraud and implement reforms?

If Bersih 2.0 backs down, the Agong must ensure that it does not become a carte blanc for BN to continue abusing the electoral system.

Douglas Tan 25b2: Remember the function of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong is as a constitutional monarch. Therefore the king's comments have to be taken into context.

The BN government the king refers to is His Majesty's government, as the convention is in the Westminster system which our parliamentary democracy is modelled on. Obviously there are grievances to sort out in the current system, but the king's intervention in this matter is highly unusual and incredibly rare as his position is one of the symbolic head of state, with the powers vested in the government of the day.

Irrespective, I believe the king's comments are noble, sober and deeply mindful of the tinderbox which is about to set on fire. Daulat Tuanku!

Kee Thuan Chye: The king has not actually specified that both sides must sit down and resolve the issue. In other words, there is no talk of negotiations.

But if there to be any, Bersih should be given due recognition, which means Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein must revoke his ban on Bersih and reverse his order of calling it an illegal party. This is a prerequisite, otherwise it will make the government look silly negotiating with an illegal body.

The remaining PSM detainees, including the six held under Emergency Ordinance, should be released immediately, and the government apologise to them for misconstruing they were planning to wage war against the king. This is the proper way to go about it to address the grief the government has caused to the detainees and their families.

It is not enough to let them go, the government has to show good faith in accepting responsibility for its action.

Multi Racial: Dear Agong, it is obvious Bersih 2.0's intention is noble and peaceful. They are merely calling for a peaceful march for free and fair elections. It was Umno, using Perkasa, Umno Youth and the police, which is trying to intimidate the organisers and the people.

It has been demonstrated over and over again in many countries that peaceful demonstrations will not bring any harm or chaos to the country. What the government needs to do is to act fairly, which they have not until now.

I hope your statement of doing things just and wise was intended for the government and I hope they respect you by acting immediately to unwind some of their ridiculous threats, bans and arrests of innocent people.

Going ahead with the peaceful march is not an act of disrespect to the king. Since Bersih has intended to hand over its memorandum to the Istana, the rakyat are in fact looking to the king as our last resort to save this country.

KhorSE: "However, I believe that the nation's leadership under Najib Abdul Razak is capable of handling this problem in the best possible way," said the Agong.

Your Majesty, if the above is even slightly true, there would not have been any need for Bersih. Your Majesty, the people have to resort to this march because the Election Commission and the current government are not doing their job with sincerity and properly.

We need march to save Malaysia.

Omarmn: Without doubt, Bersih 2.0 made Umno/BN shit bricks. We must also remember that this same ruler went against their choice of Terengganu menteri besar but instead Tuanku's own choice was appointed.

The Bersih momentum was great, and out of the blue came Tuanku's statement. Bersih has already been acknowledged and the best thing to happen, our beloved king responded to the nation.

Rakyat Malaysia: How can the demand for free and fair elections bring more harm? We are bringing more good by calling for a proper democratic system and election process. BN is the one bringing more harm to the country than good. How can we allow BN to go on harming the country?

Docs: I think the Agong and the rulers are caught between the "devil and the deep blue sea". Who do they lend their support to - the rakyat and to enjoy continued reign, or Umno for monetary gains. The time for them to decide where their loyalties lay in fast approaching.

Lexicon: Why are public demonstrations decried as emotional? This is a rational, logical appeal to have clean elections. The Agong has said this rally has good intentions. Why, then, this fevered and extremely emotional response of mass arrests, torture and threats of violence?

The response of the authorities has been emotional and vicious, while Bersih supporters have been restrained and conciliatory. Allowing the ruling party to trample on our citizens, by banning rallies despite our constitutional guarantees, does more harm than good.

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