A night of terror, my personal account

I left with 3 friends yesterday to attend the vigil near Amcorp Mall last night at about 9.00pm. Knowing there were several roadblocks set up around the area, we decided to chance parking near the civic center. As we were walking, we saw small groups who were obviously there for the same intention. Bumped into Chin Huat, and was informed the group in front of Amcorp had already been harassed, and were ordered to disperse. We were then told they would be re congregating in at the park near the civic center.

The group of us decided to proceed there. As we approached, we saw a crowd of maybe a hundred people gathering in the middle of the park, regular everyday people just like you and me. They were talking, holding candles peacefully and basically were there out of goodwill and a shared cause. YB Ronnie Liew and the Bersih chairman gave short speeches on the commemorating of the Bersih rally last year, and how the fight for free and fair elections not over yet. None of the demands have been met, i.e clearance of the voter list of phantom and dead voters, indelible ink etc etc.

As the speeches were made, someone said 'look RPK is coming'. Everyone immediately craned their necks to search for him, the chairman's speech was interrupted briefly.

When RPK started his speech, me standing at the back of the crowd heard police sirens. Soon there was a police force assembling the FRU team in a line. Used to this scene, I ignored the feeling of unrest in my heart and continued listening to what the speakers had to say.

Then I heard shouts of commands by the police to the FRU team. There was an aura of unrest around me, people were shifting their attention away from the speeches, looking nervously at the team of armed men behind us. I overheard conversations of people asking who the OCPD in charge was. YP Ronnie Liew had stepped to the back of the crowd. He was walking towards the police, accompanied by a couple of people, an obvious attempt to seek negotiations with the police force.

The crowd had at that time broke into a 2nd round of Negaraku, as the words "tanah tumpahnya darahku" were being sung, the FRU team started marching forward with no prior warning. YB Ronnie Liew who was walking towards them lifted up his hand in signaling them to halt.

Obviously this failed, the FRU continued marching at a rapid pace towards the crowd, people were starting to walk away in a brisk manner as the last words of Negaraku was sung. The sounds of loud and violent shouts by the police filled the air. I pulled my friends and we broke into a sprint. Bad idea being caught before we are called to the Bar, an arrest and conviction could ruin our careers for life.

As we ran away, we heard shouts and batons being banged on the shields. People were scattering like ants being ambushed. I got separated from Shar, who we came with. When we finally felt safe, we stopped near where our car was parked. I called Gus to locate Shar, and to my shock found out Gus had just been arrested.

We later reconvened at the fishing place, and exchanged stories around. Apparently 24 people had been arrested, some teenagers, some elderly people, mostly innocent civilians who couldn't get away in time.

I heard an old lady got pushed by the FRU team when they arrested her husband and she was trying to pull him away. She hit her head on a flowerpot... I also heard another lady was bashed in the back of the head by the FRU team, she was bloodied and sent to Assunta Hospital.

Nobody was spared, lawyers, MPs, innocent civilians, all were taken.

Here's something to note; this violence will not scare me away from attending a cause I believe in. This abuse of police power will not make me respect authority, but merely cause me to loathe them even more. This event will not turn me away from joining the cause, instead it has fanned an even greater passion in me.

My friends join me in the same sentiment, their exact words were "now that i've seen what abuse this country is being put to, I feel angry, let me know the next time we fight a cause, because there's an even greater reason for us to join in now.

So thank you Polis Diraja Malaysia, thank you Federal Reserve Unit, you have succeeded in fanning and igniting the passion and desire for change in the rakyat.

RPK to be released today

According to co-blogger Kell, Raja Petra will be released from ISA detention later today.

The news is already out on The Star Online.

The strength of Marina

I remember meeting Marina the first time, this was after the Permatang Pauh elections and Malaysia-Today had just been banned. It started out at the fishing place, sitting next to RPK, feeling mighty conscious of what I wanted to say, hoping I didn't spur rubbish and make myself look stupid. As the night moved on, and as everyone was mingling, I remember striking up a conversation with Marina and feeling extremely at ease.

Here was a woman I really admired; you could see the care and love she felt for her husband just by the way she talked about him. I guess it was easy considering both of them share the same aspirations and ideals.

The next time I saw her, was in a totally different scenario. No more party and drinks. RPK had been arrested under the ISA. We were at the Bukit Aman vigil. As Marina stepped out of the car to light a candle, I gave her a hug. Words failed me, what could I say to make her feel better? Words like we're here for you and I'm so sorry for what happened ran through my mind, but I did not feel right uttering those words because how do you say you empathize with a woman whose husband has just been arrested under a draconian law when you've never been through it before?

The third time I met her, was during the vigil opposite Amcorp Mall, the 12th of October. I hugged her, and again I didn't know what to say. As she saw me struggling for words, she said 'don't worry, we'll get through this'.I laughed and told her, these words are what I should be saying to you.

Words failed me that night, now I want to say what I should have said: Marina, don't worry we'll get through this. Justice is a long and hard struggle, but the day when justice is done, the struggle makes it ever so much more meaningful and worthwhile. We will never give up or forget RPK, because we can never forget a man who has given up his liberty in fighting for the rakyat. And we will also never forget the strong, resilient woman who has stood silently by his side, urging him to do what is right.

I AM WITH RPK

delcapo said...

hey Kell... get your gang down on Sunday... esp if they can bring some instuments & play a few numbers =]

!!!PERFOMERS/ENTERTAINERS/POETS -ALL WeLCOME!!! …
Candle-light Vigil in PJ every SUnday 8pm… with special perfomances, music & poetry…. A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE!!!

Venue: Padang in front of Amcorp Mall, next to A&W Restaurant, Petaling Jaya

!!!PERFOMERS/ENTERTAINERS/POETS -ALL WeLCOME!!! …

Contact delCapo
http://delcapo.wordpress.com/


I have a busy week ahead. My Friday, Saturday and Sunday is chock-full of events; classes, events and functions. But no worries, from now on until they abolish the ISA I keep my sunday evenings free just to hold a candle and wave to the honking cars while sprouting my I AM WITH RPK shirt. See you guys there...I hope!

Malaysian Court Tries Blogger on Sedition Charges

By VOA News 06 October 2008

A popular Malaysian blogger is on trial on sedition charges for allegedly implying the deputy prime minister was involved in the murder of a Mongolian woman.

Raja Petra Kamaruddin waves as he walks out from court in Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, 06 Oct 2008

Raja Petra Kamaruddin denies wrongdoing. He appeared in court on the first day of his trial in Kuala Lumpur Monday.

The sedition charges stem from an article Raja Petra published in April on his anti-government news Web site "Malaysia Today."

The article titled "Let's Send the Altantuya Murderers to Hell" allegedly links Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, to the 2006 killing of 26-year-old Altantuya Shaariibuu of Mongolia.

Najib denies he was involved in the crime. His close associate is charged with abetting the murder, and two policemen are accused of killing the woman.

Raja Petra is already in jail on a separate case under the Internal Security Act, an anti-terrorism law that allows indefinite detention without trial.



If convicted, Raja Petra faces up to three years in jail.

Malaysia's opposition and international human rights advocates have condemned the Malaysian government's use of the Internal Security Act. They say the government is using the law as a repressive measure to control dissent.

Malaysian blogs are considered an alternative source of information from the mainstream media, which are controlled by political parties or closely linked to them.
Raja Petra and several MPs' views on Press freedom:

Dear DSAI, how would you like to be remembered in History?

I have been restless today. Knowing that RPK appears in court, but unable to make it there, I've been sitting in front of the computer trying to get things done but more frequently surfing the blogs for the latest news and sightings of RPK.

Ironic, that RPK put his life and liberty on the line not only for the country, but also to ensure DSAI had the support he needed. RPK knew that he would be arrested, and he could forsee that the only possible release of his detention would be if PR took over. He sounded confident that they would...now Sept 16 seems like a dream.

That sensation of having a good dream, and waking up to harsh reality seems to be dawning on Malaysian citizens. Some were cynical from the beginning, some were believers from the start, some could not help but be swept into the wave of euphoria and hope that Anwar had cast upon us.

Now, RPK has been sent to Kamunting, and Anwar has not breathed a word for at least 2 weeks.

I hope that Anwar better have a proper transition plan, not just for our sake but also for his own legacy, because failure to bring about change as he so eloquently put forward will be in short nothing less than political suicide.

History is written by the victors, and only will the victorious be remembered in history as legends, heroes and martyrs. The losers will forever be rebels, traitors and 'shit-stirrers'.

So Anwar, I wonder what history will remember you as? I personally hope its the former; for the sake of us, our nation and for RPK and all the other ISA detainees.

What else can we do to move mountains?

On September 29, 2008 12:32 AM dbctan said...

I'm a resident at Prima Setapak and I can understand what you're getting at. Blogging does invite all sorts of responses - which is what makes it such a 'hot' medium. Cynics scoff when we say we hope to push for change. But that's ok - these are cynical times. Yet writing about your convictions is like lighting a candle. When we were at the candlelight vigil/march saturday 27 sept it became clear that one candle may be nothing; but many candles brightened the night. Perhaps one blog is nothing in the larger scheme of things, but maybe many blogs have the potential to move mountains?

I posted up this comment to remind myself of why we, as individuals need to get involved in the push for change. I am glad to say, I was finally able to bring a friend along to the Anti-ISA movement on Saturday. Thank you "Ginger", for getting involved and being part of the move for change. It is at this crucial time that every lighted candle counts. I've always been among the youngest who have stood up to be counted. Being young is not an excuse to be ignorant or apathetic, so to the youths out there, I urge you to fight for your own future in this country.

I drove with my headlights on today, to show support for the release of RPK and the abolishment of ISA. Did you do the same? Sadly, I did not see any other cars doing the same on my way to work today. This is an idea I would like to propose to Haris and the rest of the bloggers; we have badges, t-shirts etc etc, what about making car stickers so that other drivers will know why we drive with our headlights on. Maybe it can say something like 'I drive with my lights on to support the abolishment of ISA'.

And to the fisherman's wharf bloggers, Marina, and all the others involved in this push for change, thank you for accepting my thoughts and opinions and thank you also for making me feel counted.

Here is a quote which describes our need involvement, by George H.W. Bush:

"You do not reform a world by ignoring it."

Why we need to keep the flame burning

I've only had the opportunity to meet RPK once in my life. I wrote about that experience in one of my older posts, here.

He was arrested not too long after. The feelings of anger and sadness were felt among most of the bloggers and people I met. I felt sad and angry too, and a certain kind of emptiness. It was weird, one day you're having dinner, drinking, and puffing away at cigars. Then suddenly, the person sitting next to you just lost his freedom. And this was just from one meeting, imagine his family and friends who've known him for umpteen years, they must feel a deep void within them.

Before, ISA detainees were just names and statistics to me. Now they have histories, lives, family and friends because I finally saw them as human beings, not just a name. I teared when i see their families tear, I feel the same outrage and injustice that their families and friends feel.

We all have this problem as human beings, it's described as limited altruism. This means that we have limited empathy for the plight of others. We say "Oh, pity the poor people" then we go on living our lives like normal. We don't feel until we are affected by it. But when it happens to you, or your family or friends, then it will hurt. Who then, will stand up?

Perhaps the best and simplest way to describe this situation of political apathy and what it leads to is this poem by Pastor Martin Niemöller who described the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group.

Original

Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Kommunist.

Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat.

Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten,
habe ich nicht protestiert;
ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.

Als sie die Juden holten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Jude.

Als sie mich holten,
gab es keinen mehr, der protestieren konnte.


Translation

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

So speak out now, before it is too late. Here are the ways you can show support for RPK and the other detainees

Abolish ISA schedules

A) Kuala Lumpur -

Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) will be organizing ” Raya Demand Abolish ISA” on 26th September 2008 at Masjid Jamek.

Date: 26 September 2008
Time: 12noon
Place: Please gather at main entrance of Masjid Jamek (near to Masjid Jamek LRT Station).

Please wear Black and Red coloured clothes to show your solidarity with GMI.




Lets demand for abolishment of ISA and release of all ISA detainees.

For program details please contact Miss Nalini at 019 3758912 or SUARAM office 03 77843525. For direction please call Mr Syed Ibrahim at 013 3682067

Please spread the news to your friends and family and encourage them to come for this event.


B) Penang -





C) Kuala Lumpur -





Venue : Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur

Date : Saturday, 27th September, 2008

Time : 7.00pm

Our system has denied justice to 64 ISA detainees.

Are you going to allow them to languish further in Kamunting?

Some of these detainees, like our beloved RPK and the Hindraf 5 spoke out for you and me, spoke up for a better Malaysia, spoke up for our next generation!!

Now is our turn, what can we do for them?

Pick up your candles and join the vigil to repeal the draconian ISA.

JUSTICE FOR RPK, JUSTICE FOR THE HINDRAF 5, JUSTICE FOR ALL ISA DETAINEES.

Suara Rakyat, Makal Shakati!!!


Copied from Shar's Blog. Sorry yah, don't sue me for plagiarism ok?

RPK and Marina, please stay strong

RPK has been has been sent to Kamunting for a 2 year detention under the ISA.Botak signed his detention order last night. It must be for RPK's 'own safety' that he did so. Dear Marina, please stay strong and know that we support you.

Read a take by Bernice Chow here

Speaking from the heart

A while back, a friend of mind commented that my writings were too factual, and never really revealing my emotions. I've been re-reading my older posts, and I realised that I started out with great passion. This passion was ignited by hate and negativity. Hate towards the regime, hate towards life's injustice and hate towards the unfairness in life. This was what drove me to write and condemn the present government ever so often.

This eventually changed after the March 8 elections. The PR government toppling 5 states was symbolic, not only of a new dawn of politics in Malaysia, but symbolic of the passion in all Malaysians alike. It wasn't just a victory for PKR, or PAS or DAP, but a victory for the people, to believe that the choices we make in life lay in our hands.

However, the turn of events after the elections, where there was constant sabotage whether from inside or outside, the continuous manipulation by the mainstream media, the continuous denial by the BN government of our voices led me to write in a humdrum manner. I was sick and bored of seeing the same things over and over again, of how slow things were moving, of constant talks of change but never really changing.

So I tried to extricate emotion from all these happenings, feeling jaded, that perhaps we were fighting a lost cause. I didn't want to be negative, yet I couldn't be positive about what I wrote. So I lost passion for a moment, running out of ideas of how to touch people and reach out to them.

But this past week or so, I have seen things that have made me feel again, and this time hope has returned, however only after tragedy set in. This started with the outrageous arrests of RPK, Teresa and Tan. The feeling of anger and injustice arose yet again. This time I decided, by hook or by crook I will do everything necessary to show my support. So for the past 3 days I have been to all 3 events held to show solidarity for the detainees and the abolishent of ISA. The first was the Bukit Aman vigil,the second being the bloghouse vigil, and finally yesterday the commemoration of Malaysia Day and solidarity to demand for the abolishment of ISA at Kelana Jaya Stadium.

I smsed most of the people listed in my phonebook, but unfortunately, not many showed up among them. Of course they had their reasons, however I couldn't help but feel disappointed that they did not care enough to show up. The past 3 days though, despite not being able to convince any newcomers to come along, has truly ignited my feelings of kinship with other fellow Malaysians. Many of them, from all walks of life, whether they knew the detainees personally, or were regular civilians showed up in solidarity for all 3 events. And 2 of them were on very short notice as well.

We did not do much, except light candles and sing, and listen to speeches. It didn't take a lot of effort. But the feeling of togetherness and unity could not have been any stronger than at those moments in time when all of us, who took the time off our busy schedules to care, felt more strongly united as Malaysians. The common hope and need in all of us for a better Malaysia, brought us together those 3 days, united as a nation, fighting for a single cause; against injustice, inequality and racial divide.

For anyone who feels that they have given up all hope in this nation, I urge you to feel the togetherness at these gatherings. The next time we fight for a cause, be a part of it, make yourself be counted, and you will believe once again in the common goodness of humanity. Though divided we are in language,colour,religion and anything else, at the end of the day you realise that we are all Malaysians, merely seeking to improve ourselves and our surrounding, and that we are really not that different at all.

So for those of you who were not there, I've linked the videos here , here and here . Also, here's a link to a posting on the bloghouse gathering here. To those who were there, thank you for keeping the hope alive in me. I'm truly proud to be a Malaysian because of you.

A reminder of tonight.

Monday 15th September 2008.

Venue - Kelana Jaya Stadium.

Time - 8pm.

Note: This gathering at Kelana Jaya stadium has been approved by the authorities.

I'll see u there. Nothing will stop me from being counted.Not at this crucial time.

RPK in danger! Pakatan Rakyat must move now!

This is posted from the People's Parliament

Got a call from lil hummingbird.

“We must meet. RPK is in danger.”

We met.

“You look like shit!”, he said.

“I feel like that as well”, I replied.

“You remember when RPK was in remand at Sungai Buloh the last time and he refused to eat or drink and the prison authorities got so worried that they begged his wife to get him out?

“Well, RPK is on hunger strike again. No food and no water. The authorities know that his kidneys will not be able to take this for long too long. They are going to let this carry on in the hope that complications set in and that he will suffer organ malfunction.

“That’s why even though there are news reports that Teresa’s family will be allowed to see her, probably tomorrow, there is no word that RPK’s family will be allowed the same. Lawyers have already written asking that they be permitted to meet with RPK but no word yet.

“They’re going to wait until his condition is critical before they get him medical attention. By then it will be too late. RPK would already be dead.

“That’s what they are banking on. They’ll say he brought it on himself.

“You people can hold all the vigils you want. That’s not going to get him out.

“Pakatan have to move now. Anwar has to stop this nonsense of waiting for enough Malay MPs to crossover before he seeks the audience with the Agong to intimate that Pak Lah has lost the confidence of the majority of MPs in Parliament. Didn’t the rakyat reject race-based politics at the last general elections and at Permatang Pauh? Go form the federal government now.

“Anwar has the numbers already, so he should not delay any longer.

“RPK has been without food or water since Friday. He’s not going to last long.

“We must get him out now. Otherwise the authorities will be returning him to us in a coffin!

And we can only get RPK out now if Pakatan takes over immediately”.

________________________________________________________________
Can anybody hear us?

Candlelight vigil tonight

There will be a candlelight vigil tonight 8.30 pm at Bukit Aman. This is a peaceful event to show protest against the detainment of RPK, Tan and Teresa Kok under the draconian ISA law. I will be there to show support.

FREE RAJA PETRA MOVEMENT

Raja Petra Kamaruddin is detained under ISA at an undisclosed location. Please come to Kelana Jaya Stadium 8 p.m. September 15, 2008 to show solidarity for RPK’. Show your support for this blogger giant and web-master of www.malaysia-today. net, who took on the establishment in the name of Justice, Freedom and Democracy.

When Anwar was sent to goal in Sungai Buloh by the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad in 1998, he launched the Free Anwar Campaign. Now, it is time that we start a Free Raja Petra Movement.

This September 15 meet will hopefully result in a nation wide campaign to Free Raja Petra and the not to be forgotten others who are now under ISA detention. I also appeal to Amnesty International and Journalists Without Borders, and other Human Rights Organisations around the world for their support and cooperation.

My Fellow Malaysians, we cannot be indifferent anymore. But in showing our concern, let us keep the peace and deny the present Badawi government, which is under siege of their own making, the chance to declare a state of emergency in order to save itself. Let us do whatever we can for Mdm Marina Petra and her children as they once again have to go through the ordeal.—Din Merican

Malaysia looses Google

I just heard this from my close source.

Early part of this year Google initiated their interest to Badawi to set up a major data center in Malaysia to cater to its Asia infrastructure as a hub. Rival locations considered were Vietnam and India but Malaysia's geographical location, technological infrastructure and pool of talent workers made it a favorite option. According to an insource, a deal exceeding RM2 billion was actually struck and contracts signed between Google and a few major IT companies in Malaysia.

However the blocking of Raja Petra's Malaysia-Today website in late August had got Google rethinking of their business investment in Malaysia. Yes, Google has signed contracts, but at the end of the day, political stability and credibility is of paramount importance to in business startups and operations. Suddenly locating their mail servers here is what Google thinks is a bad idea because the Malaysian Government, besides adopting fluid policies, also has politically-censored the internet. They are not looking to fulfilling the signed contracts but just the bare obligatory minimum until contract(s) expiration.

Google got jittery of the breaking of the MSC creed which is 'no censorship' and is now considering 'opening shop' in Singapore instead of Malaysia as a datacentre hub. More than twice the cost of doing business in Malaysia but politically stable.

Latest update on Raja Petra

Plucked from Wee Choo Keong's blog posting at 11:09am today- RPK remains in Sungai Buloh prison at his own will and have started a hunger strike. He has voluntarily refused to post the RM5,000 bail and chose to remain in jail.

 

Meanwhile, the international and local press have picked up the news in detail- at this point in time there over 120 articles on RPK's charge.

Dear RPK, we are behind you.

Feelings of shock and sadness, anger and disappointment pulsed through me as I opened Malaysia Today's web and read RPK's latest piece titled What is Islam. It seems to be a spreading fact that RPK will be arrested soon and charged.



I hope and pray that they will not treat him unjustly, but this is merely wishful thinking. The sad fact is we know, with the current state of the police force and the people in power, there will be no justice done. We know, that if given the chance he'll probably get a beating before anything is confirmed.



This seems such a bleak situation.



But after reading all the comments and follow up on this piece of news, I also know that when RPK is treated unjustly and is denied his rights, there will be people who will rise up and cry to the injustice. There will be huge outbursts and massive waves of feelings just like mine.



The desire and hunger for justice to be done, tyranny to be stamped out and to show that people are the boss,! No one has the right to deny us our rights and cause us misery just because we fight for what is good, what is real and what is right.



Therefore, to all supporters of the free press and supporters of RPK, I pledge to oppose injustice to RPK in any way I can. Perhaps I am a drop in an ocean, which alone cannot cause waves, but when small drops form together, they can cause waves of change.

Wee Choo Keong kicks butt

As we know Raja Petra was detained by the police yesterday for the article called 'Let's send Altantuya murderers to Hell' on Malaysia Today. But look what Wee Choo Keong did when he arrived at Bukit Aman that day.

Khir Toyo Sudah Panik, Jangan terperdaya dengan serongan duit!

Khir Toyo Sudah Panik, Jangan terperdaya dengan serongan duit!



This was a caption of a banner I saw as I was driving home from work yesterday. It was hand painted a hung up in an obscure corner at a T junction from Au3 Keramat heading into Wangsa Maju Section 6.



Perhaps this suggests indications of bribery in the days to come? There have been concerns that with the BN only 10 seats or so away from gaining a 2/3 majority that they may try to get MP's from the opposition party to hop parties over to their flanks and thus allow them a gain a 2/3 majority. This is possible, since MP's are elected not based on their party but on their personal representation. How will they achieve this? Perhaps from the banner heading you get the idea.



We will see the true integrity of the MP's elected in the coming week and hopefully they do not disappoint us. Yes, money is a great pulling factor I will admit. However, we must remind the elected people that as Raja Petra said "the people can hire you, and the people can fire you".



Do not forgo your principles merely because someone gives you a huge sum of money to hop over to their party with promises of power and position. Remember that if you do, in the next election the people will pay you out for any disappointment you have caused them.



Do not forget what has happened to Gerakan. After the 1969 elections, they disappointed the people by joining ranks with the party that they were supposed to oppose forgoing all they claimed to stand for. Karma was late in paying them back, it took 40 years but it finally paid them back. Therefore, let this be a lesson to anyone who is tempted to accept the lure of money and power. Not only will it hurt what we Malaysians have achieved in this election, but it will also hurt your personal reputation, thus creating political suicide in the next election.



However, I am optimistic. I believe that there is good in people. Integrity and principles must prevail over the desire for greed and power. We are what we make ourselves to be, and we will reap the fruits of what we have sown, be it good or bad.