A GENTLEMAN CAN TURN INTO A BEAST IN PROTEST RALLY - EXPERTS

By Ahmad Shukran Shaharudin
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) - Nothing can guarantee that a mass
gathering like the planned illegal rally on July 9 will not turn chaotic and
violent as even gentle, courteous individuals can turn aggressive in such a
situation due to group influence, according to psychologists and sociologists.

They say in an emotionally-charged situation, it only takes a small incident
to affect thinking and behaviour, resulting in a riot or a fight, and when that
happens, even the group leaders will not be able control the situation.

They cite the violent fracas at football stadiums between revelling rival
supporters that developed from a small altercation between only two or a few
supporters.

"When a person becomes a member of a group, his original character can
change, and even disappear in such a situation (protest demonstration)," said Dr
Ma'arof Redzuan, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Human Ecology, University
Putra Malaysia, when asked about such terms as mob behaviour and psychology of
group, here, Thursday.

"So, there is no guarantee that a rally can ensure the safety of the group
members, as a gathering that is planned to be peaceful can turn ugly and
violent.

"When action is taken by the authorities like arresting some of the
participants, the others will feel that they should be with them, hence they
fight against the security personnel in order to be arrested too," he explained.

"Some will only realise the folly of their aggressive behaviour when they
are arrested by the police, but earlier they were caught in the mob behaviour.

"That's why in past protest demonstrations, we saw how some cried and
regretted their actions after they were arrested. Therefore, those who realise
this, should avoid joining such rallies," he said when asked to comment on the
planned illegal rally by a group of troublemakers on July 9.

Ma'arof said there would also be those who joined such a gathering without
knowing its real aim, but for the fun of it and not knowing the repercussions.

Social Institute of Malaysia director, Assoc Prof Dr Mohamed Fadzil Che Din,
said the rallies organised in Malaysia were not the same as those held in
Europe.

"Here, they (the organisers) want to forward their demands without
considering the interests and feelings of others. They don't care about the
difficulties they can cause to others. This attitude can be regarded as
aggressive."

He said those organising and joining the (July 9) gathering although
already banned by the police, could be categorised as aggressive.

"They are very stubborn, selfish and opportunistic. They will not listen to
advice no matter what," he added.

Social psychology expert from University Kebangsaan Malaysia's (UKM) Faculty
of Social Science and Humanities, Assoc Prof Dr Rozmi Ismail, said there was no
individual that was not influenced by his or her social environment.

"Whatever we think or do, whether negative or positive, and in making
important decisions in our lives, we are influenced by the social agents which
we sometimes are not aware of," he said, quoting his writing in the book,
"Social Psychology", published by UKM this year.