Guns versus candles - Candlelight Vigil turned into a march

You know the saying that hindrances can be a blessing in disguise (my own version)? Well, it turned out to be true on the night of 27 September 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There was supposed to be a peaceful candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square) where the tallest flagpole is located:



Unfortunately (or fortunately) the biased Malaysian Police barricaded the place and prevented the peaceful candlelight vigil from taking place at the planned location.



However, the demonstrators would not be deterred. They marched from the tallest flagpole in the world to the other end of Dataran Merdeka (junction of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Tun Perak) along the Klang River and by the beautiful Masjid Jamek:





Thousands of demonstrators holding lighted candles and shouting "Mansuhkan ISA" (Abolish ISA) ended up at the other end of Dataran Merdeka at the junction of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Tun Perak where it is busier and more visible and wherew they faced off riot police with guns, batons and shields:



Malaysian riot police with guns, batons and shields to counter peaceful demonstrators with only lighted candles as their weapons. Do we need such potentially violent countermeasures against harmless demonstrators without any weapons beyond little harmless lighted candles?



After a noisy demonstration at a very busy part of Kuala Lumpur, demonstrators slowly marched along Jalan Tun Perak towards the even more busy Pudu Raya:



I held a lighted candle too with no shield protecting my fingers from the hot melting wax. The melted wax solidified at my thumb until it fuses the lighted candle with my thumb and it can be held high above my head without me having to grip it with my fingers:



All in all, despite the presence of armed riot police, the candlelight vigil turned march is successful in demonstrating our feelings of revulsion against the draconian ISA (Internal Security Act) to the public as those places we were in were all very busy parts of Kuala Lumpur.

Hindraf Abolish ISA candlelight vigil - guns versus candles

Guns versus candles. Riot police with vicious batons and shields versus 2,000 peaceful demonstrators. Malaysians against the ISA (Internal Security Act) which allows detention without trial showed that they are not cowed by guns, batons and shields and held a peaceful candlelight vigil cum march through the streets of bustling Kuala Lumpur. Even an LRT (Light Rail Transit) train overhead slowed down to watch the demonstrators who were shouting various slogans such as "Mansuhkan ISA" (Abolish ISA), Hindraf Valga (Long Live Hindraf), Free RPK (Raja Petra Kamaruddin).



Demonstrators slowly moving from junction of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Tun Perak towards Pudu Raya and the Hindu temple:

Abolish ISA: GMI ignored police order to disperse at Masjid Jamek

Candlelight Vigil abolish ISA Penang GMI

Message from GMI (Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA or Abolish ISA Movement):

---

The ISA has been an oppressive tool to silence the voices of justice and those who put their lives at stake to make Malaysia a better place.

It is time we say no to ISA for good. We condemn any act to vilify the citizens of this country. At present there are about 72 people held under ISA without trials. We are going to send letters, postcards and Raya cards for the detainees.

If you would like to send messages (Raya card, postcard or letter) to the detainees you can always come over and show your support.

Our actions will surely define whether it is a dawn or another pit of endless darkness, for the detainees and other Malaysians who rise up to defend what is right and just.

---

GMI will organise candle light vigil every week on Friday from 19 September 2008 to 17 October 2008, the schedule is as below:

Date: Friday 19/9/08
Time: 9.30pm
Event: Candle Light Vigil
Venue: In front of Dewan Sri Penang

The Candlelight vigil will be repeated at the following dates and time, all in front of Dewan Sri Penang:

Date: Friday 26/9/08
Time: 9.30pm

Date: Friday 3/10/08
Time: 9.00pm

Date: Friday 10/10/08
Time: 9.00pm

Date: Friday 17/10/08
Time: 9.00pm

for further information, please contact
Lau Shu Shi 012-8756179
suarampg@gmail. com

Location map of Dewan Sri Penang (click map to enlarge):

Landmark: Dewan Sri Penang is opposite Bank Negara Penang

Map curtesy of Mapdoo.com.
Bank Negara Penang

ABOLISH ISA forum at the Chinese Assembly Hall

ABOLISH ISA public forum

Venue: KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
Date: 23 Sep 2008 (Tues)
Time: 8:00 pm

Speakers:

* Teresa Kok, Selangor State Exco
* Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, Bar Council President
* Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, Chairman of Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI)
* Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister
* Khalid Samad, MP Shah Alam
* Nurul Izzah Anwar, MP Lembah Pantai
* A. Sivanesan, ADUN Sungkai

Below is a map to the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. Click on map to enlarge it:

Syed Hamid Special Offer - Life Insurance and Protection for reporters, bloggers and Opposition Members

Note: If the video goes staccato (stop go stop go stop....), let the video download (play) completely, then replay



Transcript:
Is your life in danger? Please let us protect you. By arresting you under the ISA (Internal Security Act). ?????, short term, 16 hours for journalists. Permanently for Hindraf. Interested parties contact our special agent Syed Hamid Albar. Special terms and conditions apply. Underwriters for this unique Malaysian service. PDRM (Polis di Raja Malaysia or the Royal Malaysia Police) and Ministry of Home Affairs. Special offers for reporters, bloggers and Opposition MPs (Members of Parliament).

Note: UMNO (United Malay National Organization) members, those threatened by alongs (illegal money lenders) and illegal immigrants are not eligible.

Teresa Kok Press Statement ISA detention

I have been released after being detained in solitary confinement in a 6 by 8 holding cell for seven days under the Internal Security Act (ISA). I was informed by the police that they detained me under Sec 73(1) of Internal Security Act 1960, which means I have incited racial and religious tension and conflict.

After being detained for seven days under the guise of so-called investigations, the police failed to produce any evidence or proof of me being involved in the activities of causing racial and religious tension. They were only able to ask me few questions based entirely on the false and malicious article written by Zaini Hassan under the topic "Azan, jawi, JAIS, Uitm dan ba-alif-ba-ya" that was published in Utusan Malaysia on 10th September 2008.

The three main questions that the investigation officers asked me were:

i) whether I have mobilized a group of residents at Bandar Kinrara to present a petition to oppose to the azan at the Bandar Kinrara mosque;

ii) whether I have made a statement that 30% of the Selangor Islamic Department (JAIS) allocation is to be given to other non-Islam religious bodies; and

iii) whether I have opposed to the Jawi wording road signages in Kuala Lumpur.

I denied the first two accusations as I did not do any such things as accused. I also told them that the issue of opposing Jawi road signages in Kuala Lumpur were done in January/February 2008 at the request and following the pressure of resident associations. The resident associations , particularly in Taman Seputeh, were most unhappy because many of the road signages were changed arbitrarily by DBKL a few month before and changed again soon after this time with Jawi wordings. They were strongly opposed to this kind of wastage of public funds by DBKL.

I was quite surprised that there were no other questions posed to me besides these few main questions.

The Internal Security Act (ISA) is meant to detain people who threaten national security. The three issues stated above have nothing to do with national security. If the police wanted to carry out investigation on me, they can always ask me to give statements in any of the police station and there was absolutely no need to detain me under the ISA for seven days. This is a phenomenal abuse of the power of police under the ISA.

Besides, it is nonsensical for the police to detain me under the ISA merely based on the unsubstantiated article written by an irresponsible columnist in Utusan Malaysia? How can they regard that article as the gospel truth without investigating the writer in the first place? How can Utusan Malaysia publish it without verifying the facts?

I wish to ask the police whether they have called Zaini Hassan and Utusan Malaysia's editors for questioning before and after my detention.

I know that the imam of Bandar Kinrara mosque has publicly denied that I got involved in the Puchong residents petition against azan of his mosque on 13th September. I am also quite surprised to read in the New Straits Times dated 19th Sep that the official of the Bandar Kinrara mosque was called by the Dang Wangi police for statement recording only yesterday afternoon. Why did the police do it so late, one week after I was arrested? Why didn't they check their facts first before they arrest me and put me behind bars?

I have been made scapegoat in the internal squabbles of UMNO

I see my detention as a ploy by UMNO to try to cover up the embarrassment and the outrage of the racist statements made by Ahmad Ismail in Penang. I wonder why did they choose an innocent person like me as I have never made any racist statements or racist speeches in the past?

I have lodged the police report on 17th September 2008 against Utusan Malaysia, Zaini Hassan and Dr Khir Toyo for criminal defamation. I would therefore urge the police to investigate Utusan Malaysia' s editors, those racist bloggers and Dr Khir Toyo under the Penal Code.

As I have mentioned in my previous lawyer's visit, I will sue Utusan Malaysia, Zaini Hassan and Dr Khir Toyo. I have also instructed my lawyers to sue the Malaysian government for my unlawful arrest and detention.

Raja Petra should be released

As I am free from ISA detention today, I also call for the release of Raja Petra, the Hindraf Five and all other 60 over detainees under the draconian ISA.

I would also like to thank all politicians in the ruling parties as well as in the Pakatan Rakyat, NGOs, churches and all social organizations who have campaigned and prayed for my release.

* Teresa Kok, MP for Seputeh, Senior Exco for Selangor State Government and ADUN for Kinrara

Lim Kit Siang's speech at Candlelight Vigil, Ipoh Garden East

Speech by Lim Kit Siang at the SSS (Support, Sympathy and Solidarity) Candlelight Vigil for DAP MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok demanding her immediate release from Internal Security Act held at Ipoh Timor Garden East, Ipoh on Thursday, 18th September 2008 at 9pm:
Call on top MCA leadership to apologise and make amends for Teresa Kok's ISA detention for failure of MCA Ministers to demand in Cabinet yesterday for Teresa's immediate release and for Teresa's arrest as it was based on a police report by a key MCA operative in Puchong

The top MCA leadership should apologise and make amends for DAP National Organising Secretary, MP for Seputeh and Selangor Senior Exco Teresa Kok Suh Sim's detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for two reasons:

· Failure of the MCA Ministers to demand in the Cabinet meeting yesterday for the immediate and unconditional release of Teresa Kok under the ISA; and

· For Teresa's ISA detention as it was based on a police report by a key MCA operative in Puchong.

On Tuesday, the MCA Central Committee called for the release of Teresa under ISA, wanting her to be investigated under other laws and charged in court if there was evidence.

However at the weekly Wednesday Cabinet meeting yesterday, the four MCA Ministers failed to uphold and implement the MCA Central Committee resolution that Teresa should be released immediately under the ISA, as they failed to place Teresa's ISA detention as a specific item on the Cabinet agenda and to ask for a Cabinet decision for the immediate release of Teresa.

In fact, apart from some mumblings and grumblings at the Cabinet meeting, the MCA Ministers never tried to force an issue to demand Teresa's immediate release under the ISA at the Cabinet meeting yesterday although the majority of the Ministers were privately opposed to Teresa's detention.

It is clearly most unacceptable and dishonourable for the MCA leadership to stage a double-faced political farce – on the one hand, pretending to yield to public opinion by taking a stand in the newspapers calling for Teresa's release yet on the other, fully submitting to Umno political hegemony in the Cabinet by the failure and cowardice of the MCA Ministers to force an issue at yesterday's weekly meeting to get Teresa released immediately and unconditionally.

If the full weight of national and international opinion can force the release of senior Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng after 18 hours of unlawful ISA detention, why can't the four MCA Ministers take a stand in the Cabinet yesterday to secure the release of Teresa after five days of arbitrary, unjust, undemocratic and unhygienic ISA detention?

What is the use of having four MCA Ministers in Cabinet if they are incapable of or impotent in accomplishing the simplest of things – the immediate release of Teresa from ISA when she should never have been arrested in the first place?

The failure of the MCA Ministers to get the Cabinet yesterday to release Teresa – or even to place Teresa's detention as a specific agenda for Cabinet meeting and decision yesterday – is even more inexcusable when it was a key MCA operative in Puchong whose police report making false allegations against Teresa over the azan controversy last Thursday was the trigger for her ISA detention the next day on September 12 at 11.18 pm!

Is the MCA leadership going to sack this key MCA operative in Puchong for making the false and mischievous report against Teresa or is the MCA leadership taking the stand that Teresa should not be detained under the ISA but should be charged under other laws in the country over the false azan allegations against her?

Is the MCA leadership going to haul up the four MCA Ministers to show cause why they had failed to uphold and implement the MCA Central Committee decision in the Cabinet yesterday to secure Teresa's immediate release?

Who would have any doubt that if the UMNO Supreme Council on Tuesday had taken a decision that Teresa should be released immediately under the ISA that she would have walked out of ISA detention as a free Malaysian latest by Wednesday?

Why should there be any difference between the powers and influence of the MCA Central Committee from the Umno Supreme Council, unless the former is just subservient and subordinate to the latter?

* Lim Kit Siang, DAP Parliamentary leader & MP for Ipoh Timor

Teresa Kok free. Anwar Ibrahim will not be arrested under ISA

Teresa Kok has been freed and is waiting for her lawyer at the Jalan Travers Police Station. Hip hip hurray.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said that Anwar Ibrahim will not be arrested under the ISA (Internal Security Act) nor will anyone else

Press statement Anwar Ibrahim 916

Press statement by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, 18 September 2008:

Today Pakatan Rakyat leaders have submitted a letter to the Prime Minister requesting him to call an emergency session of Parliament to deliberate a motion of censure against the leadership of YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi no later than Tuesday 23 September 2008.

This is in accordance with Order 11(3) of the Standing Orders of Parliament and warrants an immediate response given the gravity of today’s political impasse. A delay in his response would be interpreted as nothing short of a further sabotage of the democratic process and abuse of Executive Power.

The Prime Minister’s haggling on the syntax of our first letter is puerile at best. The intent of our meeting as described in that letter was clearly to discuss the future course of the nation’s leadership – though in deference to his position and in accordance with acceptable norms we remain considerate and polite in our approach.

I find the Prime Minister’s comment about me in his press conference yesterday to be reckless and irresponsible in light of the disastrous outcome of last Friday’s ISA raids.

He has conflated what is essentially an issue of democracy, freedom and the rule of law with national security. The use of the ISA to harass and detain duly elected political opponents is a grave transgression of the law and its continued use would further erode confidence in the current government and exacerbate political instability.

As the incumbent Prime Minister actively holding office and exercising all Executive powers, and as the outgoing Finance Minister, we hold him fully accountable for the current political turmoil and mismanagement of the nation’s economy. His accusation that I have had an adverse impact on the nation’s economy is entirely without basis.

I have met with the key fund managers in the region, representing over US$1 trillion in assets, and on multiple occasions they were unanimously in support of comprehensive reforms in Malaysia including judicial independence, a free media, a more professional police force and anti-corruption agency, investor friendly laws and assurances on the non-interference of politicians in the governance of Bank Negara. These are policies Pakatan Rakyat has promised to implement– and initiatives that the current administration has done virtually nothing to advance since March 8th.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
Leader of Opposition
De-facto leader, Keadilan

What Abdullah Badawi should do

A comment left by Edmund Burke threw light as to what PM Abdullah Badawi should do in light of recent developments and is reproduced in full below:

Dear Malaysian Readers,

As many of you may not know 600 years of British Parliamentary system on which we are based, let me clarify the salient points:

1] the Leader of the Opposition claims to have a Majority of the MPs in Dewan.

2] Pak Lah government must test the claim in Parliament NOW and immediately call for a sitting of Parliament for a Vote of Confidence [not no confidence].

3] if Pak Lah loses he has to resign forthwith.

4] If he refuses to accept the Claim of the Leader of the Opposition,then,

5] it is the RIGHT and Privilege of the Leader of the Opposition to DEMAND the resignation of Pak Lah in PUBLIC.

6] If Pak Lah still rejects, then, the Leader of the Oppostion has the Right an dPrivilge to call upon the Agong to form a New Government based on the Claims of the Leader of the Opposition.

7] If Pak Lah knows his Parliamentary Traditions, protocol, and practices, he simply tender the resignation of the UMNO Government ...

and test the new Government for a Vote of No Confidence.

[as it is now, the Speaker is also IGNORANT becoz NONE have the experience of 600 years of British System ]

916 Malaysia Day 16 September 2008: Anwar Ibrahim's press statement

Today, Malaysians celebrate Malaysia Day - the day our country became whole and our people become united. This day has a new meaning. After years of struggle, after fighting against a system that is corrupt and unjust - we affirm that victory is finally at hand. Our vision of rebuilding this country and bringing its people together, as the founding fathers envisioned, is within reach.

The economy is in turmoil with runaway inflation and joblessness creating widespread discontent. Racial tensions have been rising, exacerbated by the propaganda spread in the government owned mainstream media. The administration has offered no vision to steer the nation out of this quagmire and there is manifest erosion in confidence in the current government.

We in Pakatan Rakyat believe we can save Malaysia from economic ruin and the dangerous politics of racism. We will do so prudently, legally and in doing so we will not jeopardise the security and stability of the country and the safety of its people.

We have received firm commitments from members of parliament in excess of the number required to form a new government, and our government will reflect the diverse make-up of Malaysian society.

It has been our concern to ensure a peaceful transition of power. We do not wish to see a repeat of what transpired in the Selangor and Perak state governments, where following the victory of Pakatan Rakyat on March 8, documents were shredded and removed by the outgoing administration.

We furthermore advise radical elements within BN against the abuse of state power to unlawfully harass and detain our supporters.
The immediate investigation by the ACA (Anti-Corruption Agency) of Yong Teck Lee after the announcement by SAPP (Sabah Progressive Party) of its intention to move a motion of no-confidence against Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is another example of the tactics we reject.

The use of the ISA, as has happened to MP Teresa Kok, would be an unlawful impediment to the transition process.

In light these serious concerns, yesterday leaders of Pakatan Rakyat sent a letter to the prime minister at 2.30pm requesting a meeting to discuss the future course of the nation's leadership and to seek his assurance on the following important matters:

1) That the BN shall not hinder or prevent their BN MPs from acting in accordance with their conscience, constitutional rights and independent judgment;
2) That the BN government shall not invoke the Internal Security Act to detain any of the MPs who will join Pakatan Rakyat, or any of the present 82 Pakatan Rakyat MPs;
3) That the BN government shall not invoke emergency or police powers, or suspend the constitution, or dissolve parliament in response to our intention to form a new government;
4) That the Barisan Nasional government shall not impose roadblocks and impede the MPs from gaining access to the House of Parliament and the institutions of government.
We believe the prime minister will share Pakatan Rakyat's concerns for the welfare of the people and security of the nation. We are confident he will ensure the BN will act constitutionally and democratically to ensure that the transition will be peaceful, and there will be no actions taken to sabotage the wishes of the people or play on racial tensions in the country.

We appeal to all quarters in Malaysian society to understand our intentions are for the betterment of Malaysian society. The mainstream media, in particular, should accept the reality of these historic times and report fairly, accurately and without bias. The irresponsible tact that is used by the media to obfuscate issues, attack opposition supporters and instigate racial tensions must end immediately.

Following our meeting with the prime minister, we intend to proceed within the framework established by the federal constitution in the formation of a new government, with the assent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
Opposition Leader
De facto PKR leader

916 Malaysia Day Lim Kit Siang's speech

Below is a video of YB Lim Kit Siang, DAP supremo and Pakatan Rakyat MP (Member of Parliament)'s speech at 916 Malaysia Day 16 September 2008. If the video goes on an irritating stop-go-stop-go.... mode, turn down the speakers and do something else while the video download completely. Only play and listen after the video has finished download. The video will play smoothly after that.

916 Malaysia Day at Kelana Jaya Stadium and stirring rendering of Malaysia National Anthem NegaraKu

Today, September 16 2008, is a proud day for Malaysia. It is a day when Malaysians united as one as shown by the huge multi-racial crowd that turned up at the Kelana Jaya stadium to celebrate Malaysia Day cum demonstrate that Malaysians want Raja Petra Kamaruddin (RPK) and Teresa Kok to be released. Malaysians will not tolerate this unjust detention under the draconian ISA (Internal Security Act). Malaysians want the ISA to be abolished.

Below are the videos showing the huge peaceful and enthusiastic multi-racial crowd and the speeches of DSAI (Datuk Seri Anuar Ibrahim) and other Pakatan Rakyat leaders plus the beautiful rendering of Malaysia's National Anthem:

Candlelight Vigil Teresa Kok ISA

There will be a candlelight vigil in support of Teresa Kok, MP for Seputeh, who had been unjustly detained under the draconian ISA (Internal Security Act).

Location:
Teresa Kok's (Seputeh) Service Center
28-3A, 4th floor, Sri Desa Entrepreneur’s Park
Jalan 1/116B,
Off Jalan Kuchai Lama,
Kuala Lumpur

Date: Sunday 14 September 2008
Time: 7pm

Location Map (click map to enlarge):



Schematic Map:

Candlelight Vigil for ISA Detainees by DAP & GMI

Above photos are courtesy of Malaysiakini

There will be 2 candlelight vigils tonight, Saturday 13 September 2008 in support of the three arrested under the draconian ISA (Internal Security Act) which allows for unjust detention without a court trail. The 3 are RPK (Raja Petra Kamaruddin), Teresa Kok and Tan Hoon Cheng, a Sin Chew journalist who reported the racist comments by Ahmad Ismail. It is grossly unfair that the one who uttered racist remarks is not arrested, but the one who reported it is. What kind of justice is this????

The 2 candlelight vigils are as follows:

Candlelight Vigil at Entrance of Bukit Aman Police Headquarter organized by GMI (Gerakan Mansuh ISA or Abolish ISA Movement)
Time: 8pm
Location map below (click map to enlarge):



Candlelight Vigil organized by DAP (Democratic Action Party or Rocket)
Location:
DAP Headquarter

Address:
No 24, Jalan 20/9, Paramount Garden,
46300, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: 603-79578022/79578127
Fax: 603-79575718

Location map below (click map to enlarge):



The Paramount Garden LRT Station is also in Paramount Garden, for me, it is within walking distance, for the majority, the DAP Headquarter is too far to walk. It is very near to Seaview Restaurant and the 2 Caltex petrol station in Paramount Garden.

Barisan Nasional Members of Parliament, the whip and the DNA bill

I hope to highlight one fact which I believe is important but not highlighted by other bloggers yet. I am referring to the BN whip. All Barisan Nasional Member of Parliaments have to support anything that originate from the Barisan Nasional and oppose anything that originate from the opposition irrespective of merits. This means that all Barisan Nasional MPs cannot vote according to conscience. This is unacceptable.

We do not know what will happen on September 16, the day on or before which at least 30 Barisan Nasional Members of Parliament are suppose to defect from BN and join Pakatan Rakyat to form a new government. What we know is the defective Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Identification Bill 2008 will be debated again in Parliament when it reconvenes and may be put to a vote. I deem this a great chance for all Barisan Nasional Members of Parliament to reconsider their position vis a vis the Barisan whip and vote against the DNA bill in its present form if ever it gets to the voting stage. I hope the BN MPs will consider that their golden chance to show that they are not yes men or yes persons (gender neutral) and vote against the defective bill. If Barisan Nasional expel them for this small rebellion, then this is their golden chance to leave the sinking Titanic and joined the Pakatan Rakyat, free from conscience that they have abandoned Barisan Nasional.

FORUM: What next after Permatang Pauh

Public forum

Date: 29 August 2008 (Friday)
Time: 8.00 PM
Venue: MCBA Hall, 2nd Floor, KL-S’gor Chinese Assembly Hall,
1, Jalan Maharajalela, Kuala Lumpur

Speakers:

Dr. Jeyakumar - MP for Sungai Siput dan JK Pusat PSM
Steven Gan - Chief Editor, Malaysiakini
Hishamuddin Rais - Columnist
Khalid Samad - MP Shah Alam, JK PAS Pusat