Peaceful Anti-ISA Vigil-Turned-March

The Star reports Almost 2,000 in anti-ISA gathering . The peaceful gathering was on 27 September 2008

Malaysiakini reports Anti-ISA vigil turns into peace march by Andrew Ong and Rahmah Ghazali on Sep 27, 08 8:08pm
updated 11.15pm : A candlelight vigil turned into a 1km march through downtown Kuala Lumpur, which strangely went undisturbed by the police. [VIDEOS INSIDE]
MORE
-> Police presence surprisingly light
-> Crowd dispersed at about 9pm

Malaysiakini also, generously offers some videos :
1) Anti-ISA vigil turns into peace march
2) Incident-free Hindraf Vigil
3) Anti-ISA lantern walk attracts youth

Meanwhile, Haris Ibrahim posted Peaceful birthday, dear Pete. We love you.

"Pete" refers to Raja Petra Kamarudin, who is one of the person arrested using the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA). The walk is primarily an anti-ISA march, with concentration on detained Hindraf leaders and Raja Petra (RPK).

The numbers who turned up is large. It seems that many Malaysians are unhappy with the usage of ISA.

Some participants sang "Happy Birthday to RPK" for his 58th.

Pictures and clips from the Peaceful Vigil-turned-Peaceful March to be posted at in next blog entry. (by this blogger : Sagaladoola, stay tuned...)

In the meantime, Susan Loone posted an entry titled Please join this protest for RPK, HINDRAF & other ISA detainees . It seems she has a proposal for netizens to voice out their concern on this matter.

Arrests and Probes on Malaysian Bloggers

RPK Sent to Kamunting (ISA), Teresa Kok, Kickdefella Arrested and Freed, Negarakuku Rapper Probed

Malaysiakini reported Raja Petra sent to Kamunting , written by S Pathmawathy on Sep 23, 08 9:09am
Raja Petra Kamarudin was sent to the Kamunting Detention Centre today to begin his two-year detention under ISA. He arrived at the camp at 11.50am. MORE
-> He is held under section 8 of ISA
-> Detention can be renewed indefinitely

Few days back, Blogger Kickdefella of http://kickdefella.wordpress.com/ was taken to Kuala Lumpur from his hometown Kota Bahru. He recounts his experience in his three posts, Three Nights in Paradise, and Tears of Sadness , I found Al Ghazali in Dang Wangi and Sheih Is Back . Allegedly, it was over the national flag and the way it is being flown / displayed online. Sheih has since been released.

Teresa Kok, a Member of Parliament as well as a blogger ( http://www.teresakok.com/ ), was detained few days before Sheih. Teresa recounts her ISA experience and questions “What have I done? What have I said?”. Earlier, a Sin Chew daily reporter (Tan Hoon Cheng) was also arrested and released on a subsequent day.

Cops grill Negarakuku rapper, Wee Meng Chee ( http://namewee.blogspot.com/ ) was asked to translate his popular but controversial 'Negarakuku' Chinese rap song into Bahasa Malaysia. Namewee (his popular name) is purportedly probed under Sedition act.

On the same day, this news came out, the famous social-political blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin of Malaysia Today ( http://mt.m2day.org/ ) is being sent to Kamunting for detention under Internal Security Act. It was said Raja Petra had earlier seen it coming.

I disagree with the usage of Internal Security Act on anyone. I feel very disappointed and unhappy. I do not know what will happen to Raja Petra when he is in Kamunting.

Guardian.co.uk , one of the famous news sites and publications in Britain has posted an article titled In praise of ... Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin .

Hats off to all bloggers and reporter who have been arrested. I mourn and will not be celebrating Merdeka for a few coming years until I can feel the real spirit of it.

Malaysia Day September 16 : Of ISA and Anticipation

Sin Chew reporter released by Malaysiakini Team on Sep 13, 08 4:19pm
Sin Chew Daily senior reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was released this afternoon and she is now back at home in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
- Held from 8.30pm to 2.30pm
- 'Detained for her own safety'

I was shocked when I read the news above. I did not know that people could be detained for their own safety. It seems the Detained is the one whose safety is compromised and not the person who caused it. Silly me, this is Malaysia. I should not be too surprised with such a thing. After all, our theme is "Malaysia Boleh". Blogger What A Lulu provides a better opinion on this matter.

There are many candlelight vigils which had been held these past few days, by National Union of Journalists, Pakatan Rakyat, bloggers and Seputeh area residents.

jelas.info : The Blog House Vigil
anilnetto.com : Activists hold candle-light vigil in Penang on a dark day for democracy
Malaysiakini : Short vigil in Bukit Aman

etc. etc.

It seems many are not very pleased with the usage of Internal Security Act. That includes me. According to Malaysiakini Law Minister Zaid 'tenders resignation'. If there is anyone from Barisan Nasional that gets my respect now, that person would be Zaid Ibrahim.

Malaysia Day (Hari Malaysia) is today. It differs from the August 31st Independence Day annual celebration in the sense that Hari Malaysia commemorates the official entry of Eastern Malaysian states, Sabah and Sarawak into the nation.

In short, Sabah and Sarawak became independent on 16th September.

Will Malaysia get a new government for the very first time after more than half-a-century of having the same party (Barisan Nasional) helming the governance?

My friends, family, colleagues are waiting with bated breath. Some of my chinese friends say this is more anticipatory and intersting than the Mooncake festival they were celebrating on Sunday. Whatever the outcome may be, it has been a long wait.

Will we get it? Read Tian Chua's E Contrario : We Are Ready & On Track and judge for yourself.

Note : Visit http://freeteresa.dapmalaysia.org/ for more information on Teresa's current status. Visit http://mt.m2day.org/2008 for more information on Raja Petra Kamarudin, who is one of the ISA detainees.

ISA should be abolished.

Malaysia on International News - ISA, Raja Petra, Teresa Kok and Tan Hoon Cheng

Malaysia made news all over the world.

The incident is international now.

UK, America, Australia, Netherlands, Qatar, France Philippines, Canada, Singapore among the many nations wrote about the arrest of Raja Petra Kamarudin, Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng were held using draconian law Internal Security Act.

It is advisable for all to read this entry by Nathaniel Tan of Jelas.info : Malaysia’s Moment to Unite .

As a Malaysian, I would say I do not support the use of ISA on anybody.

Using existing laws to deal with the situation is more advisable than internet censoring. However, existing draconian laws should be removed and other common laws should be opted instead.

This is a sad day in Malaysia, especially during the month of Ramadan.

Malaysians, please pay attention to Haris Ibrahim's advice in his post : Don’t fear a dying beast’s last strike, but don’t fall for its rouse either

I would like to call upon all Malaysians to do these:

1. Remain calm

2. Do not do anything rash

3. Do not take to the street

4. Do not be instigated by people to demonstrate

5. Just voice it out in your blog, your comments to the blogs, and inform your friends and relatives about the situation

6. Call your Aduns or MPs and voice out your objection about these arrests and urge your representatives to voice out

7. Members of political parties, sms your leaders to pressure them to voice out

We shall object to these draconian acts by using civility and do not fall into the traps of giving the big brother a chance to declare emergency rule……

There are many other things that we should heed from the posting above.

Malaysians - Malays, Chinese, Indians, Iban, Kadazan.. etc all should stay calm and united. We should love each other as Malaysians ....
_____________________________________________

International News

Malaysia: Free Journalists and Parliamentarian Human Rights Watch (press release) - The Malaysian government should immediately and unconditionally release two journalists and an opposition politician arrested on September 12, 2008, ...

Leading website editor arrested under Internal Security Act Reporters without borders (press release), France - Reporters Without Borders condemns today’s arrest of online journalist Raja Petra Kamarudin, for posing a threat to “security, peace and public order” under ...

Malaysian opposition lawmaker, 2 journalists held International Herald Tribune, US - Police arrested a Malaysian opposition lawmaker and two journalists on Friday under a law allowing their indefinite detention without trial, sparking fears the government was preparing a major crackdown on dissent. Opposition parties denounced the arrests as a violation of human rights and a setback to democracy......

Blogger's detention sparks fears BBC News, UK - By Robin Brant Late on Tuesday night, I spoke to Raja Petra Kamarudin. We were supposed to meet face-to-face earlier in the day, but Malaysia's most ...

Malaysia blogger's arrest creates dangerous precedent guardian.co.uk, UK - Even before his arrest, Malaysia's most political blogger, Raja Petra Kamarudin, was attracting hundreds of readers to Malaysia Today, a website renowned ...

Amid arrests and threats, Malaysia cracks down CPJ Press Freedom Online, New York -The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemns the arrests today of Raja Petra Kamarudin, founder and editor of the ...

Malaysia Internet Ban on Anti-Government Web Site Draws Outcry eWeek, New York - has pulled the plug on a popular news portal often critical of the government, sparking protests from a resurgent opposition. ...

Malaysia‘s top anti-government blogger arrested Ottawa Recorder, Canada - Police arrested Malaysia‘s top anti-government blogger Friday under a law allowing ...

KL nabs 3 in ISA crackdown Straits Times, Singapore - MALAYSIA yesterday embarked on a crackdown, arresting controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and a ...

Police arrest Malaysian blogger ABC Online, Australia - A prominent anti-government blogger in Malaysia has been detained under the country's harsh Internal Security ...

Malaysian blogger arrested Aljazeera.net, Qatar - Malaysian authorities have detained a government critic by invoking a colonial-era security law that allows for indefinite detention without trial. ...

Malaysian opposition defers bid for power Gulf Times, Qatar - Malaysia’s opposition alliance has deferred a planned bid to unseat the government, initially set for September 16, although a media crackdown ...

Malaysian bloggers, journalists brace for wider crackdown Inquirer.net, Philippines - AT least two bloggers, a journalist, and one opposition politician were arrested under Malaysia’s Internal Security Act (ISA) on September 12 in what media ...

Malaysian politician, reporters detained under security law Monsters and Critics.com - Malaysian police have detained an opposition lawmaker, a local reporter and a controversial blogger under a draconian law that allows for ...

Malaysia arrests blogger, probes 3 newspapers Reuters India, India - Malaysian police arrested a prominent blogger on Friday while authorities probed three newspapers, including a Chinese daily, ...

Malaysian blogger Raja Petra detained ZDNet Asia, Asia - The Malaysian government Thursday lifted its controversial directive to block access to political portal Malaysia Today but ...

Malaysian Blogger Arrested for Anti-Government Comments Online The Inquisitr, Australia - Authorities in Malaysia arrested editor and founder of Malaysia Today Raja Petra Kamarudin for posting anti-govenment comments on his website. ...

Malaysia locks up journalist Radio Netherlands, Netherlands - Malaysian authorities have arrested Malaysian journalist Raja Petra Kamarudin, two weeks after banning his popular news blog, Malaysia Today. ...

Malaysian Blogger Arrested PoliGazette, Netherlands - Raja Petra Kamarudin, a popular blogger-activist in Malaysia, was arrested by government officials Friday afternoon. The government accuses Kamarudin, ...

As September 16 Grows Near, COINCIDENCE occurences increase

September 16 is very near. Just one week away from the Big Day. Malaysia will probably witness its most significant event in 51 years, the change of government. As the date draws near, many strange incidents begin to unfold.

Study Trip ( Lawatan Sambil Belajar )
Barisan Nasional (BN) suddenly sends its own Members of Parliament for a study trip, "Lawatan Sambil Belajar" to Taiwan. The congregation is not exactly small, as it was reported in the papers, 50 of them. BN has a total number of 140 members in the Parliament, 50 would account for slightly more than one-third (1/3) of BN MPs.

Now, wouldn't that be a big waste of taxpayers money? BN was smart enough to reply the trip is "self-funded". Hearing that, I am still unhappy. Now, why would it be the case since it is not stated as taxpayers money? Perhaps, I am confused with the term "self-funded". Maybe, I am curious as to where the "self-funded" money would come from if it is not from the taxpayers fund. Perhaps, the money of the individual or party. Now, where did the money of the party come from?

The cost aspect would be the least of the concerns. Reporters were smart enough to question the timing of the massive study trip tour. Was it because of potential party hoppers to Pakatan come September 16? "No, no and no" was the answer.

It is just a COINCIDENCE.

What can I say?

DNA Bill
Not to mention there is a DNA Bill being tabled. Some people regarded the way it is being tabled as quite rushed. Suddenly, the MPs are concerned about solving crime using DNA. I am sure it is not about Anwar although there is a Sodomy charge against him ten years after a different charge back then in 1998. Yes, I am working very hard to convince myself.

Maybe, it is just a COINCIDENCE again.

What can I say?

Ahmad Ismail and "Squatters"
Finally, there is this "classic hero" who purportedly said Chinese are "squatters" during the Permatang Pauh by-election. Perhaps, with other attached statements, I am starting to entertain the idea that this is his way of getting support from the non-Malays for his party candidate. How ironic.

Ahmad is not willing to back off from his statement. Najib apologised and said UMNO is not involved in the matter and it was made of personal capacity. Abdullah keeps on asking Ahmad Ismail to explain the issue although the party has yet to decide to take any harsh action on that person.

Suddenly, the Armed Forces chief said "Racial issues can create chaos" and made some suggestions. It is not common for the Armed Forces Chief to utter such public statements on civilian issues.

Perhaps it is by COINCIDENCE that he wanted to say something on this. Oh, what can I say?

Gerakan, MCA and "Squatters"
Gerakan, which is a Barisan Nasional component party, has become quite vocal on this "squatters" statement. Readers and Malaysians should consider this : Did anyone compare Koh Tsu Koon's reaction on the Hishamuddin keris waving issue pre-12th General Election (pre-PRU12) and the "squatters" statement issue post-12th General Election (post PRU-12)?

Which reaction is bigger? The former or the latter? In my opinion it is the latter. It should be noted that Koh is a Member of Parliament pre-PRU 12 and no longer one post-PRU 12.

Wanita Gerakan issued a statement urging the sacking of Ahmad Ismail. There are recommendations to use the Internal Security Act (ISA). Malaysiakini and The Star has the story.

Malaysians should be reminded that Internal Security Act is a draconian act. Suspects can be imprisoned indefinitely. It is mind-boggling that Wanita Gerakan would make such a proposal. As a Malaysian, I will not support Wanita Gerakan's call to impose ISA although I disagree with Ahmad's words. Why did Gerakan propose the draconian ISA?

As Mind-boggling as it is, perhaps, it is by COINCIDENCE again that somehow they get that idea.

I doubt Gerakan Penang breaking out of Barisan Nasional will have any significant impact on Barisan Nasional. If we are viewing from the Federal Government perspective (after all, September 16 is all about that), the impact is even lesser. Gerakan is completely "wiped out" in Penang during PRU-12. It's other Federal MPs come from other states, therefore severing ties from the Penang state level is not entirely fruitful to wake UMNO up.

Furthermore, since Gerakan Penang has no significant number of MPs, it has nothing much to lose. Is it by COINCIDENCE that this move will probably restore some lost credibility on Gerakan Penang among Penangites? If Gerakan is sincere in making its points known, perhaps it should consider to entirely move out of Barisan Nasional from all areas. After all, severed ties in any state can be easily mended.

As for the party called MCA, which has the representative term "chinese" affixed in the middle of its name, its response to this issue is quite unconvincing. Gathering signatures, press conferences and issuing "warnings of severing ties with Bukit Bendera UMNO" are totally ineffective to improve the party's image, which may be perceived in my opinion, as lack of courage.

Comparatively, although as an overall both are not effectively convincing, the least of all, Gerakan Penang took the drastic move. Gerakan executed from the state level whereas MCA only warns of cutting ties with a tiny constituent, Bukit Bendera. Deeds are better than words and indeed, Gerakan Penang performed as spoken.

Conclusion
September 16 is very near and it seems that COINCIDENCES are abundant. I did not believe Anwar when he initially uttered the potential of getting a new government by September 16. My skepticism prevailed until recently. I mean, with so many COINCIDENCES happening, it must really mean something, right?

Could those be the signs?

Note: If the words "Warganegara Malaysia"appear on your authentic National Registration Identification Card and you are born in Malaysia, then that shows that you are a "Malaysian citizen" and not a "Malaysian squatter / immigrant".

I would like to call for all Malaysians : Malays, Chinese, Indians etc. to respect and refrain from using sensitive labels on each other although we may dislike what others have said.

Why Is It Hard to Accept An Apology In My Personal Capacity?

Yesterday, Najib, whose job includes the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, the chief of Barisan Nasional whip and the Vice-President of UMNO apologised publicly for a racially-slanted statement made on Malaysian Chinese during the Permatang Pauh by-election.

Malaysiakini reported that Ahmad Ismail, division chief of Bukit Bendera UMNO purportedly described minority Chinese as "immigrants squatting" in Malaysia.

1) One must truly notice the irony of the situation. It was Ahmad who was alleged to have uttered such words but the person who apologised is Najib. Why Najib but not Ahmad?

2) Why did a representative apologise only after the Permatang Pauh by-election and not immediately right after the statement was made?

3) Certain leadership within the Party had tried to distance it from the unbecoming statements by attaching the term "personal capacity" on this matter.

Are leaders allowed to make such statements in personal capacity during election or by-election campaigning and get away from any punishments while another party representative apologises?

4) If the answer to the above (2) is a "Yes", then try to imagine this scenario.

Let's say (imagine), if most (take for example, 6 out of 10) leaders campaigning for their own Party in an election/by-election of constituent X tell the voters that certain races are "squatters" in Malaysia, would that still be considered statements made in "personal capacity" and not a party stand?

Wouldn't that be ironic or strange if it is considered of "personal capacity"?

5) If the answer to point (2) is a "No", a necessary question to ask : Will there be any punishment meted on leaders from the party uttering racially-sensitive slanted statements not in line with the stand of Party and causing dissatisfaction within Barisan Nasional components?

Isn't unity an important element within BN?

To date, the person who made the statement in "personal capacity" is standing by his words.

6) What if one of the person who said something like this holds an important position within the ranks?

Isn't Division Chief an important position?

There is something called "leadership by example". Can any leader who possess such sentiment and not apologetic about it be a good example to members? Can such leader still be trusted to represent Malaysians as a Member of Parliament?

7) If a leader said something which is not in the form of good leadership, not setting a good example, not synonymous with the party stand, not in the spirit of the Barisan Nasional coalition, not settling, in fact causing much Malaysians to be dissatisfied, not jiving with the spirit of unity in Malaysia, will the Party hesitate to take any publicly-widely-known action on a leader?

Did the Party advise the person to apologise personally on his statement made on "personal capacity"?

There is a plus point that Najib is willing to come forward to apologise but perhaps these issues should be addressed and the questions answered.

Is Malaysia Totally Screwed Up? BN or PR?

Blogger Che Det had just posted an entry titled WHY DON'T I DO SOMETHING . I can't help it but notice point number 15 to 18.

It would be something like, if we have Barisan Nasional at the helm of the governance, we are in a bad shape. On the other hand, if we have the current opposition form a new government, the country will also suffer.

Perhaps, we are screwed either way? The particular personal opinion describes the future as all dark and gloomy.

Like it or not, we have to choose.

The citizens can easily identify the methods of the current leadership of BN and predict where it will lead the nation. Malaysians have seen much these few years and I would say many are not pleased.

Whereas, Malaysia has never experienced a change in government. Perhaps, a slightly different way of handling things would suffice. Would Pakatan Rakyat be enough?

I am still waiting for significant improvements on "governance" within Barisan Nasional, especially UMNO. A reform is certainly needed. I do not consider a party that retains a leader who describes non-Malay Malaysian citizens as immigrants and not apologetic for his statements, to be a positive reform plan. Almost all non-Malay Malaysians, especially Malaysian Chinese are born in Malaysia. Second-hand apology is 'unacceptable'.

Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat? My current choice would still be the latter.