Blind obedience to the state — Khoo Ying Hooi JUNE 13 — During
his recent address at the annual Razak Lecture Series organised
by the Razak School of Government, Perak Crown Prince Raja
Nazrin Shah said Malaysians are increasingly polarised and he
blames civil society groups, referring to the Bersih 3.0 rally,
for contributing to this scenario. I quote, “Civil society is
rapidly becoming uncivil, and the spirit of give and take is
being replaced with the spirit of take and take.” His statement
reminds me of the influential essay written by Henry David
Thoreau in 1849. The essay has been variously titled but it is
most often referred to simple as “On Civil Disobedience.” Civil
disobedience is a form of civil resistance. It is also a form of
protest. However, the acts of civil disobedience must be
distinguished from typical cases of crime and acts of civil
rebellion. Thoreau’s political theories were not well known
during his own time. Most of the time, he presented his ideas as
lectures to small audiences or a