the one in dataran merdeka was organized by the so called Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) in support of the HINDRAF 5 who are now currently being detained without trial for 2 years under the ISA (Internal Security Act). it was suppose to be a candle light virgil with prayers and meditation lasting from 8pm till 10pm. the organizers had their application for a permit to have the gathering turned down by the authorities mainly for fear of causing public unrest and disturbances. however, an estimated 300 people were reported to have turned up for the virgil only to find that their planned path was barricaded by the police.
after negotiation between the police and the organizers, the police officer in charged was reported to have gave the gathering of people 10 minutes to conduct their virgil and then to disperse. however, the crowd bravely stood their ground and continued their virgil peacefully outside the barricade. at 8.35pm, the police including the FRU charged in twice to disperse the crowd. water cannon was also used to disperse the crowd of 300. for the unknowing, water cannon in malaysia are usually laced with chemicals that causes irritation to the skin and eyes.
watch this video in youtube.
the second peaceful gathering in batu pahat was in support for the former health minister, Dr. Chua, who had to resign in shame after dvds of him having extramarital sex with a lady friend of his started circulating around. there were very minimal information on the gathering other than a picture or two in the local papers. there were no description of how many people who had participated in this gathering (look at the picture below and decide for yourself) nor were there any mention if a permit was granted. there were also no report if the police form a barricade around the hall and gave the crowd 10 minutes to disperse nor were there mention if the FRU charged into them and fired the water cannon.
why the double standards?? the last i check the malaysian police force is still known as Polis Diraja Malaysia and not Polis Diraja Barisan Nasional. any gathering organised by BN party are lawful, legal and hence permitted. and if a non-BN party wants to organise one, moh tak keng (absolutely No). why? because it is unlawful and will turn violent and disturb the public.
i do not support the HINDRAF movement nor am i against Dr. Chua, whom i feel was an excellent health minister (what he does with his private life is between him and God). but as human beings living in a democratic country, it is our right to gather, demonstrate and let our feelings known, as long as everything is done peacefully.
but here is malaysia, there are no such rights. the authority always using the excuse that such gatherings will turn violent. who are we kidding man. we are living in the age of the internet and youtube. we have uncensored video evidence at the click of a mouse. and judging by the videos posted, its always the authorities that strike first.
why are there so many gatherings of late?? why??
because a substantial amount of the rakyat believe that the direction in which this country of ours is heading is wrong. such gatherings are a show of solidarity of that believe. their plight and grumble are considered not significant by the goverment. and they are fed up and angry about it. if the powers to be would not listen to their grivances, what other ways are there but to demonstrate.
take for example the HINDRAF movement. casting aside their ridiculous allegations of ethnic cleansing and the trillion dollar suit against the british government, all other issues concerning the malaysian indians are not new stories. 50 years of merdeka, and a large number of indians are still in the estates. 50 years on, and they are still fighting for a higher fairer minimum wage for estate workers, equal opportunity towards higher education and civil service.
such rumblings had always been there. the PM said he has "big ears." big ears for what if it is deaf (or choose to be deaf). so when you talk softly and nicely to a deaf person and he cant hear, what do you do?? you SHOUT. and thats what the demonstration is all about. thats what the BAR Council march, BERSIH and the AIM gathering is all bout. shouting, so that the message finally gets through.
and for the HINDRAF case, it brought results didnt it. the PM and our dear Samy (some calls him Semi Value) started listening. they immediately called for a meeting with ethnic indians leaders (non MIC leaders mind you) to listen to their complaints. suddenly all BN leaders are visiting indian kampungs, settlement or tamil school. even a national hotline was setup so that ethnic indians can call to complain.
proponents and supporters of the status quo claims that however unjust a law is, if a permit has not been issued for such gatherings it is illegal and hence all participants are criminals. for those of you who agree with such sentiments, probably you've forgotten your history. from Moses, who defied the pharoah and led his people out of egypt and slavery, to the present day heroics of Aung San Suu Kyi who has been under house arrest for nearly two decades because of her non-violent fight agains the Burmese junta, the history of mankind are full of stories of individual who rose from among the down trodden and fought against oppressive and unjust laws.
are these people saying that individuals like Mahatma Gandhi who led the indian people agaisnt the tyranny of the British Empire a criminal or bad man?? or Martin Luther King in his fight for equality for the african americans. or Nelson Mendela who spend 26 years in jail and in the process got infected with tuberculosis because of his stand against apartheid a criminal as well. what about Rosa Parks, Nehru and even our own Jaafar Onn??? when the government cannot be depended upon the correct an unjust law, it is then up to the people to make that happen.
"It is not the people who should be afraid of the government, but the government who should be afraid of the people."
*just a point to note before i end, from the video clip it is heartening to see that malaysians of all races (malay, chinese and indians) and religion come out to support the detained HINDRAF 5 who are all ethnic indians. and yet there are allegations that such gatherings will incite racial hatred.
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