People's Uprising Rally #KL112 photos & videos

Left home early, 10am, and got a lift to the nearby LRT station on the way Pasar Seni to add to the numbers for Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat (People's Uprising Rally) also referred to as #KL112.

At this early hours. there was already a sizeable crowd. Had a photo taken at Pasar Seni:

On the way saw participants holding up placard that reads "Justice for "Teoh Beng Hock", hawkers selling yellow T-shirts from motorcycles, others selling mineral water and cold drinks:

At 11am, the road to Stadium was already very crowded:

Outside Merdeka Stadium, posed for a photo with a DAP flag bearer:

Inside the stadium at 12pm, it wasn't that crowded, but the crowd keeps flooding into the Stadium until it was very full and the rest has to stand outside to listen to the speeches:

In front of me, I can see the crowd packed like sardines (well, almost lah) with the familiar Victoria Institution where I spent 2 years for Form 6 in the background:

And last, participants singing Negara Ku to signal the start of the rally and later, a singer singing "Ubah Sekarang" (Change Now) (videos):

Protest Syabas water rationing threat - demonstration at Wisma Rozali

Syabas has threatened to impose water rationing in Selangor but many suspect that it is a ploy to create an artificial water crisis to pressure the Selangor State Government to proceed with what many claimed is an unneccesary Langat 2 water treatment plant plus to cause Selangor voters to be angry with the Pakatan state government and thus vote BN in the coming 13th General Election.

If the so-called water crisis is false, then all Selangor residents should support the Selangor state government to take over the water distribution and water treatment from Syabas and sack its CEO, Rozali Ismail, who is drawing an extravant RM5 million salary.

If there really is a treated water crisis (there is an abundance of raw water), then it means Syabas is inefficient and thus also deserve to be taken over by SSG (Selangor State Government). Either way, the efforts of the SSG to take over Syabas is justified and deserve support.

PKR is organizing a protest and memorandum handover at Wisma Rozali, Section 13 Shah Alam at on July 23 at 12pm. Hope all you Selangor residents will join me. Below is a location map to Wisma Rozali:


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BERSIH 3.0: The night before

It is not even morning of the 28th of April and BERSIH 3.0 has already started:

#OccupyDataran encampment invites all Malaysians to join them

JOM TURUN & OCCUPY DATARAN MERDEKA SAMA-SAMA SEHINGGA BERSIH 3.0!

Joint Invitation to ALL Malaysians from the #OccupyDataran encampment

26 April 2012

It is now Day 13 of the joint encampment by two groups - the Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) group of students which is calling for the abolishment of PTPTN and free education for all (#mansuhPTPTN and #pendidikanpercuma) and Occupy Dataran (#occupydataran) which calls for the reclaiming of public spaces.

From the start of our encampment, the authorities, chiefly DBKL, has repeatedly sought to clamp down on us, despite the peaceful nature of our activities.

On 22 April, DBKL confiscated all our tents and some of our supplies. At the same time, 2 occupiers were arrested, and released on police bail on the same day.

On 24 April, DBKL again raided the encampment, taking away the tents and most of our supplies, as well as some of the money donated by the generous public. On the same day, 4 other occupiers were also arrested, and released on police bail later that night.

DBKL has clearly stated that it plans to prevent the rakyat from accessing Dataran Merdeka this weekend: “Action has been taken against those kids at Dataran Merdeka... The same action will taken if you (Bersih supporters) do the same,” Kuala Lumpur mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail said. (Malaysiakini, 25 April)

Currently, DBKL has set up barricades in the area which was used as our camp ground. Thus, as of 25 April, we have moved to the other side of the square where the flag pole is located and we are still standing strong.

Regardless of what DBKL or the police will do in the coming days, we are determined to continue with our encampment. We want to uphold Article 10 of our Federal Constitution, the highest law in our country which guarantees Malaysians the right to freedom of speech, assembly and association.

The reason that we are still here today is due to all the unwavering support we have received from the public thus far. Your continuous stream of donations has kept us going, but most of all, it is the presence of those who come down to sit, eat, laugh and share their ideas with us that is truly keeping this cause alive.

Thus, we would like to invite everyone who is able to come down to Dataran Merdeka today and tomorrow to please do so. To any groups which are fighting for any cause for a better Malaysia, do join us to reclaim Dataran Merdeka as a public space to promote your cause.
For those who are already planning to attend the Bersih 3.0 sit-in protest on 28 April at Dataran Merdeka, do consider camping with us in solidarity on Thursday and Friday (26 and 27 April) night. There is strength in numbers, so let us band together and send the message loud and clear that we are coming together to create a better Malaysia for all.

Now is the time to show this country that we love and own public spaces like Dataran Merdeka which belong to the Rakyat and which symbolise our freedom as citizens.

Thank you.

Jointly issued by
Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) and OccupyDataran

Please follow @MahasiswaMsia and @OccupyDataran on Twitter for the latest updates.
Or check the following hashtags: #mansuhPTPTN, #pendidikanpercuma , #occupydataran, #univesitydataranmerdeka

Why I will join BERSIH 3.0

Why I will join BERSIH 3.0:

Bersih 3.0 is not only about the masses, but the individuals who want to have a clean and fair election.

HSBC warns employees not to participate in BERSIH 3.0?

Saw this tit bits in Zorro's blog. It seems HSBC our "World's local bank" has warned that employees found participating in Jom Duduk Bantah this coming April 28 risk losing their job.

If true, it is another sign of UMNO/BN panicking. Why else would they go to this extend of even engaging a corporate to prevent people from helping apply pressure for a real and free election.

Let's look for the fall of UMNO/BN as it looks like they have sensed that they are in trouble.

BERSIH 3.0 - The Return of the Rakyat

Tens of thousands marched.
They could not suppress BERSIH 2.0
And the government thinks they can make BERSIH 3.0 go away by ignoring it.

On the night of April 19, our Parliament sat until some ungodly hour to rush through bills that the government didn't want anyone to know about.
What kind of democracy is this?

Instead of moving towards Electoral Reform, the government has in fact enacted laws making it easier for them to CHEAT!!!

Some asked if we still need to rally for ELECTORAL REFORM .....
All Malaysians of conscience, here the the ALARMING FACTS of the amendments to the Election Offences Act.

Anyone can now put up ANONYMOUS posters without identifying publisher/printer.
Poison posters will now become standard fare.
Exactly the opposite to our demand to end dirty politics!!!!

A candidate can only use a party office to hold meetings, discussions, ceramahs, etc.
Candidates are not allowed to use homes, hire halls or set up temporary structures.
Will this rule apply to ALL politicians?

EC will not allow replacement polling/counting agent even if the original agent does not turn up due to an emergency.
EC can now remove polling/counting agents from a polling station at their whims and fancy.

New amendment says NO MORE BARONG OBSERVERS!!!
Barong observers are the only outsiders besides EC staff allowed to vet the IC numbers.
It serves as a "preliminary screening" to weed out phantom voters.

The 50m exclusion zone outside the polling center is now extended to 100m or more, depending on the EC to decide.
This makes it impossible for election monitors such as MAFREL to see anything illegal going on.

They stopped the clock in Parliament for self-serving ends.
We will not obey laws that were never meant for the good of the people.
We are stopping evil so justice can reign again.
Wherever evil lies, we will fight it.
All authority belongs to the people.

We, the rakyat, were here before politicians and political parties.
We will still be here after politicians die and parties fade away.
Listen! This is the hour: THE RETURN OF THE RAKYAT.
You can't stop the tide of people rising up for righteousness.
The rakyat are unstoppable

Young Malaysians have shown their self worth
@ DATARAN MERDEKA
in going for the full distance for what they believe in.

They sent the police.
It didn't work.
They sent DBKL.
It didn't work.
So they send in THUGS!!!
Not only did it not work, it triggered an avalanche of sympathy worldwide.
You cannot hold back TRUTH.
It is on an unstoppable march to Putrajaya.
And we are holding up its banner.

# clean before 13 (the 13th General Election)

BERSIH 3.0 @ Dataran Merdeka
2pm April 28th 2012
Yellow is the NEW BLACK
Bersih 3.0, Dataran Merdeka 28 April 2012
JOM DUDUK BANTAH

International Anti Lynas video

Here is the international anti LAMP Lynas Advanced Materials Plant with even non-Malaysians speaking in support for those pressing for the closure of the plant:

Solidarity Walk with Kuantan folks say no to Lynas

There will be a solidarity walk from KLCC to the Australian Embassy on May 20th @ 2.30pm to hand in a memorandum to stop Lynas from exporting hazardous materials to Malaysia.

Solidarity Walk
Theme color: Black (wear black)
May 20, 2011
Friday 2.30pm

Meet at KLCC

Walk to the Australian Embassy

The Save Malaysia Stop Lynas Group will hand in a memorandum to stop Lynas from exporting hazardous materials to Malaysia

Please come to support the people of Pahang to safeguard their health from pollution and radioactive waste!

Background Information

An Australian rare earth company Lynas Corporation is constructing a refinery in an area closed to densely populated fishing communities and the city of Kuantan.
Local residents and environmentalists in Malaysia have since got together to stage a series of protest actions against the project which will leave behind a huge amount of radioactive wastes containing a cocktail of other hazardous substances.

Watch the videos on You Tube to understand the issue:

ABC ( Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Malaysian Backlash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKO6rpsjccA

Al-Jazeera 101 East- Toxic Waste
Includes a debate between two Malaysian MPs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O0rSqYjQ_M

Mother's Day At Kuantan 2011
will give us a feel of the participation of the Pahang folks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhTxW73sG8M

Please also visit the main Facebook page with 28,000 members for the latest information and discussion:
Pahang Don't Need Hazardous Project

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_117036588370543

Pahang folks have collected 45,000 signatures on site to oppose the project.
For supporters outside Pahang, please sign the online petition:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-lynas/

On behalf of the People's Green Coalition
Contact Persons:
Dr. Jayabalan : 012-402 7445
Dr. Khim Pa : 012-477 7706

Bus trips will be arranged on the 20th of May from Kuantan to KL and returning that very same day (to Kuantan). For more information about the Solidarity Walk & bus arrangements,

PLEASE CONTACT:

(For Malay speaking participants):
En. Mahmud 012-9571497

(For Chinese speaking participants):
Mr. Loo Foo San 016-9862308

(For English speaking participants):
Mr. Clement Chin 012-9883210

Join 1M Malaysians Reject 100-storey Mega Tower

To all Malaysians who are concerned about this propensity of UMNO/BN splurging on mega projects probably to enrich croonies and line own pocket, please join (like) this Facebook group: 1M Malaysians Reject 100-storey Mega Tower

Civil disorbedience press freedom night

There is going to be a Raja Petra in 'Tak Nak Potong' Night at the KLSCAH (Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall) (KLSCAH location map) tonight starting at 8pm and I am going. I think I will even join in the protests in various forms like, flash mobs or writing complaints send to the mainstream media.

Hope you guys and gals will join us in supporting this small contribution to press freedom either by your presence or by little act of civil disobedience like stop watching and reading the "propaganda" media (newspaper, TV radio) and switch off their TV sets for an hour from 8pm-9pm as well as refrain from buying newspapers today"

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Raja Petra in 'Tak Nak Potong' Night
May 28, 10 11:42am
A coalition of pro-press freedom NGOs are planning a wake entitled the "528 Tak Nak Potong Night" today, to commemorate what they claim is the day that press freedom in Malaysia died.

The NGOs organising the event include the 528 Media Action Group, Writers' Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI), Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and the Civil Rights Committee of the Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH).
Self-exiled controversial blogger, Raja Petra Kamaruddin (right) himself is set to make a cameo pre-recorded video appearance, scheduled to "Speak Out and Loud" at tonight's anti-censorship festivities, according to the organisers.

The numbers 528 were picked, said the NGOs, to represent May 28, marking the takeover of Chinese dailies by Nanyang Press Holdings in 2001, effectively putting them under the thumb of the ruling coalition's Chinese based component party MCA, through its investment arm Huaren Holdings."

Something which was rinsed and repeated by Umno's takeover of the Malay daily Utusan Malaysia and its widely speculated indirect ownership of other mainstream media, most notably the News Straits Times and Berita Harian.

From then onwards, the groups claimed in an emailed press statement, the freedom of the mainstream media to report independently deteriorated further, culminating in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's tightened executive control over them during the Hulu Selangor and Sibu by-elections.

According to the statement, the 8pm event at the Jeffrey Cheah Hall in the KLSCAH building, will feature a special night of performance and screening of censored and banned materials including books, films and art work, or as the organiser labelled them, "potong" materials.

These include Amir Muhammad's controversial "18MP" video, former RTM producer Chou Z Lam's (left)axed Bakun documentary, Pusat Komas' "Selepas Tsunami" video seized by the government in Sibu, and Lim Sow Seng's "Lonely KL Press".

While banned publications showcased that night will include political cartoonist Zunar's "Gedung Kartun" and Wong Eng Leong's "Heaven of Demons".

Joining this are Sharon Chin's "Banned Books and Other Monsters" exhibition and Liew Teck Leong's exhibit on "Pull Out: Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984".

The night will also showcase thought-provoking artworks by Fahmi Reza, Five Arts Centre, Tan Hui Koon, Chai Chang Hwang, Satu Hulu Action Group and Teh Hong Seng.

'Propaganda' disobedience

The NGO have also issued an open invitation to the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) President Norila Daud, the Group Managing Director of Sinchew Media Group Liew Chen Chuan as well as journalists, editors and citizens of the Klang Valley to participate in a symbolic action of abolishing the infamous Printing Presses and Publications Act by removing a nail each from the "Pull Out: Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984" artwork.

As a form of protest against what they claim to be the heavy hand of government media censorship, the NGOs are also inviting the public to join in their fight via simple acts of civil disobedience.

Those unable to join the protests in various forms like, flash mobs or writing complaints send to the mainstream media were urged to stop watching and reading what they call "propaganda" media and switch off their TV sets for an hour from 8pm-9pm as well as refrain from buying newspapers today.

'Media complicity'

The group added that while May 3 is World Press Freedom Day and May is press freedom month, in Malaysia, the relevance of this day was reinforced by two exposés of self-censorship in TV stations, one after the other.

NTV7 censored Editor's Time, a current affairs programme, in reaction to a text message complaining about the show.

The former producer of the programme, Joshua Wong Ngee Choong, who resigned on April 20 over this self-censorship by NTV7, claimed that the text message was forwarded from the Prime Minister's Department to his supervisor.

Despite Wong's explanation that allegations in the complaint were baseless, the TV station placed restrictions on the programme.

No discussions on political issues or the coming Hulu Selangor by-election were allowed while opposition politicians were banned from the popular forum.

Just a week later, state owned TV channel TV2, axed a current affairs series after running the first couple of episodes.

The programme's producer Chou alleged that his 10-episode daily programme on the social and economic plight of indigenous people displaced by the Bakun Dam project, was shelved to prevent negative feedback ahead of a by-election in the state.

The NGOs contended that Chou's exposé paints a stark picture of media complicity to deprive the public of their right to information citing distress that in both cases, a by-election was cited as the excuse for abandoning discussion of current affairs. This goes against the public's right to be properly informed before discharging their duty to vote.

KLSCAH location map

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