SEPT 4 — Like in the past, after the curtain fell on Bersih 4.0 rally, we’ve seen a slew of analytical comments from pundits and laypersons alike, mainly on the low turnout among the Malays.

It is human nature for people to come up with all sorts of explanations on various behaviors and phenomena in pursuit of the real reasons behind everything. This has stemmed from human curiosity, and more of our psychological need.

It is not wrong to find the answers. In fact, it is because of this very psychological drive that human beings have been able to deliver themselves out of ignorance and fatuity and create the prosperity we are now savoring.

Unfortunately, overcommitment might lead us to the wrong path at times, overinterpreting or even misinterpreting on something. To be honest, some of these arguments have been unfounded and lacking in significance, and should therefore just be trifled with.

Take the stock market for instance, save the impact from certain major issues, daily fluctuations couldn’t have been more normal and commonplace. That said, market analysts would try to find all kinds of reasons to explain why the index has soared two points today and will drop three points tomorrow. Often their arguments sound very reasonable to the uninitiated.

As a matter of fact, more often than not it is just a routine operation of the equity market. The market falls because it happens that more people are selling today than buying. No particular reasons to explain such normalcy.

Back to the Bersih issue, people started to query why there were far fewer Malays taking to the streets this time. Some said it was caused by a split in Malay politics giving rise to the apathy, while others contested that PAS’ withdrawal from the campaign was to blame. Others meanwhile argued that conservative Malays disagreed with the various demands and arrangements for this rally.

These explanations could be right but could also be wrong. After all, there is no way we can put them inside a test tube and prove it scientifically in a laboratory. But it could also be different kinds of reasons that have brought on a decision of not joining the rally, such as staying away from the city during the long weekend, all conspiring together to bring about such an outcome.

In a liberal democratic society, any individual has the right to interpret things based on their own understanding. However, we also need to realize that not all things warrant explanations.

In the meantime, we must also refrain from overinterpreting something, and never jump to the conclusion that Malays generally support Umno just because few of them joined the rally this time.

Lest we forget the first Bersih rally in 2007 saw an overwhelming participation of the Malays, with very few Chinese taking to the streets although the outcome of the general elections the following year came as a major shocker to the ruling coalition.

We as humans will continue to find excuses and rationales for various incidents and behaviors that take place before our eyes.

Do bear in mind, though, that we are not required to act like a market analyst who would find the most meticulous reasons for the slightest movements on the market day in and day out.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.