Small but refreshing space for democracy

By Athi Shankar - Free Malaysia Today,

GEORGETOWN: It may be a small space for democracy but at least the common people are given a chance to air their views on matters of public interest.
The Speakers' Square at the Esplanade field, opposite the Town Hall building, is also where you can explore your oratory skills.
The move by the state government to earmark a small space for the public to have its say was greeted with enthusiasm by lovers of democracy.
However, there is one shortcoming: all speakers at the Square must raise their voice because the state government has disallowed the use of loud hailer.
The space was created in accordance with Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees a citizen’s rights to speech, assembly and association.
A notice board has been erected at the square to educate people of their constitutional rights.
Social activists, including Dr T Jayabalan, Ong Jing Seng and Choo Chon Kai, former Penanti independent candidate Aminah Abdullah, were all delighted with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s move to introduce the square.
The Speakers’ Square may not rival London’s famed Trafalgar Square, but, Jayabalan said, “it at least gives a small channel for you to express your opinions on public issues”.
He said the public could highlight grievances over shortfalls in governance and social ills.
He is confident that the small democratic space would eventually pave the way for greater democracy.
“Freedom of speech breeds a mature democracy,” Jayabalan said.
But certain people have some words of caution, too.
They want the authorities to be on alert at all times to prevent unscrupulous characters from misusing the square for their personal or political interests.
A Penangite, who did not want to be named, said a person might abuse the square to stir racial sentiments, hatred and tension.
He said a rival political party can always hire someone to speak ill of the Pakatan government.
“I am not saying it would happen, but it is always possible. The police should monitor this,” he told FMT.
Nonetheless, he embraced the Speakers’ Square as “something refreshing that would never happen under Barisan Nasional rule”.
The square is usually active during weekends when a small crowd will gather to hear someone take centre stage.
Self-regulation
Last weekend the speakers, including Ong, Choo and Aminah, touched on subjects ranging from the failure of the national team to win the Thomas Cup to local issues and the troubles in Thailand.
The crowd even observed a minute's silence for those killed in the conflict in Bangkok.
Will the square be open to abuse by errant individuals? Jayabalan thinks the best way to tackle this potential trouble is self-regulation.
He said people should exercise discipline when they voice their opinions on any issue.
Ong, who is also Penang Suaram coordinator, said the space can be used to intensify the campaign to restore municipal council elections and enact rules for freedom of information.
“We can educate the public on the importance of freedom of information for political and socio-economic growth,” he told FMT after speaking at the square.
Choo and Aminah said they would speak from time to time on issues of public interest.
“The square is for us and we shall use it responsibly and correctly for the people’s benefits,” they said.