Late last night, a group of us met up and, very quickly, the conversation turned to RPK’s ‘Probably my last message’ post.
The discussion became very heated.
Tempers flared.
At the heart of all that was said was an earnest concern for a man who has come to mean so much to so many of us.
A man who has thus far displayed such tenacity in pushing for change, in pressing for greater transparency and accountability in governance, and tirelessly working to free so many from the mental bondage inflicted by a media so long subservient to their corrupt, political masters.
Yet, we feared that it was this same tenacity that would leave our friend dead in less than two weeks.
[Read the rest at Haris Ibrahim's blog, The People's Parliament.]
Monday, 23 February 2009 marks the day the would-be Malaysian emperor Najib Abdul Razak gleefully awaits word that his wishes have been faithfully carried out and that his archenemy, Raja Petra Kamarudin, would have his freedom curtailed under the grotesque operation of an obscene and archaic law, by order of an utterly despicable and unscrupulous home minister named Syed Hamid Albar.
Raja Petra Kamarudin - the only truly royal and noble personage in our midst in that he wholeheartedly loves his country and all its people, regardless of ethnic origin or cultural imprint - has vowed that, if he be rearrested under the obnoxious ISA, he will not let his persecutors have the pleasure of encaging his spirit. Instead, he will refuse all food and drink and sit silent in his cell until his soul separates from his physical body; and by those ascetic and non-violent means he will set himself forever free.Is it any wonder that Raja Petra Kamarudin (or RPK as everybody calls him) has won the hearts of all honest, truth-loving citizens; and has become Malaysia's greatest living hero, mobbed by fans wherever he goes? RPK's indefatigable support for Anwar Ibrahim and the Pakatan Rakyat government in the making helped swing the votes against Barisan Nasional on 8 March 2008. A large portion of the credit for the political tsunami of 2008 therefore goes to RPK - and that is precisely why the nefarious Najib Razak and his Umno supporters want RPK safely locked away.
Would it trouble Najib's conscience if RPK died within a couple of weeks of being reimprisoned? Not at all. However, if this scenario were to happen in the coming weeks, RPK's may not be the only death that symbolizes the death of participatory democracy in Malaysia. A handful of RPK's loyal friends and ardent freedom-fighters have sworn to accompany him on his fast-to-the-death, in protest against the travesty of justice brought about by a neutered judiciary, subservient to the political order of the day.This would focus international attention on the tattered state of justice in Malaysia and put the spotlight on Najib Razak's immense unpopularity as a potential prime minister, making his bid for power an accursed and illegitimate one in the eyes of the rakyat.
I salute the courage and fortitude of those who are about to lay down their lives for freedom, justice and truth in Malaysia. And I spit upon the cowardice of those who continue to carry out unjust orders rather than risk their jobs by making a moral stand at this critical juncture of our history.
Why RPK chooses the timing now? Is this the last resort?
ReplyDeleteHe surely, by his Death, can teach or educate or enlighten the people on the art of dying and living. But, I believe a living RPK can contribute more than an eternally silenced one - unless it is the last resort.
Please don't encourage him to commit suicide. This is not the best of times - unlike those times that of a Buddhist monk who burnt himself to death to stop the Vietnam War.
But, anyway, his posting raises some moral and legal issues. If he really chooses to commit suicide, is it immoral and illegal to force-feed him?
Surely there must be another way ?
ReplyDeleteNot like this ? Thats called quitting isn't it ? I thought he's the one who says lets fight to the end , not like this ? Not surrendering ? You have to convince him that there is another way . He must be patient. You owe it to convince him . We real Malaysians owe it to him . Tell us what we can do other than watch and wait
Oh..no no..this is not a good idea, imagine if Nelson Mandela had deployed this tactic , he would'nt have become the first democratically elected South Africa's president and apartheid will still be around.
ReplyDeleteRPK please drop the idea of fasting to the end.
I am sure we all want to see the day Barisan Najis got booted out from Putrajaya in 13th GE.
How many years can a mountain exist
ReplyDeleteBefore its washed to the sea?
Yes, n how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, n how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind,
The answer is blowin in the wind.
Too many inequalities
Dear Antares,
ReplyDeleteA beautiful piece you have penned on the the subject of our National Blogger Icon YM RPK.
I shed a tear reading his message, but do not blame him for how he felt the last few months to this point, with the the ongoing "Gutter Political" charade developing in this great nation after his "Sacrifices & Struggles" for our Barisan Rayaat's Anak Bangsa Malaysia cause.
I share his "Grief" at this point & NONE of us could ever have "SURVIVED" all the unfair "Injustices, Harrassments, Imprisonment & Sufferings" that the "Powers-that-be" have imposed on him & Marina & family.
I am confident that through "Devine Intervention", the "Opressors" will "FAIL" & Allah will ensure "Justice" will be done.
Allah's anointed "Defenders of Truth, Justice, Freedom & Equality" will prevail, Insha'Allah.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We must accept finite disappointment, but must never lose infinite hope.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
For all RPK's supporters :
True peace is not merely the absence of tension, it is the presence of justice.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
May Allah bless, protect & guide RPK, Marina & family.
Non omnia possumus omnes ...
ReplyDelete"You must die erect and invincible. It is not important if we gain more days or even years in our life, but it does matter very much how we die. We were born in a merciless world."
(Seneca: Epistulae 37,2)
I Hope you Know what i am saying here ... My Soul Bro !
Death is an ultimate reality, look at it from the religious point of you or not.
ReplyDeleteBut the point is that RPK's death, should it come, would not be suicide, it would be a dishonor to him to call it that. It would be murder, plain and simple.
As the political boil is coming to a head and itching to burst (duck everyone!) I'm reminded of the words of another great human being, Nelson Mandela, who said, "Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation."
ReplyDeleteSo I really hope that RPK doesn't have to go as far as giving his life for his principles, but I really respect and cherish his willingness to do so for the sake of upholding decency, honesty and fair play.
But let us not forget that the decision doesn't just lie with the court, it lies with each and everyone of us that call Malaysia home.
I want to be remembered as being part of the great generation, the generation that finally put a stop to inequality in any shape or form, the RPK generation.
So how about it? Shall we seize the day? It's down to each and everyone of us to stand in our integrity to make sure we don't leave a stinking toilet of a country to our children and children's children. As Jean-Luc Picard would say, "Make it so!"
"And I spit upon the cowardice of those who continue to carry out unjust orders rather than risk their jobs by making a moral stand at this critical juncture of our history."
ReplyDeleteallow me
"harrk tuiiiiii"
*with green stuffs*
:-)
I don't doubt that Augustine Paul has already written the judgement. Raja Petra lives truth,courage & sacrifice, but it is his wit, wisdom and good humour in the midst of all the trying that they are really after. After reading his last missive, I fear they have succeded in stealing some of the lightness of his being. Let us look through the fiascos of this present time for what they really are and lighten up ourselves even as we support him in all the ways we are called to.
ReplyDeleteI can already see Najis grinning and rubbing his hands in glee at the thought that he would, once and for all, have RPK off his back......
ReplyDeleteBut should RPK give this rogue this pleasure so easily.......
Look like nobody understood RPK message. He is hinting that we all should participate in this struggle together and not one person if we want a better malaysia for our children.We should at least gather 100,000 people peacefully on the trial day this will be the tsunami wake call to the present government.Malaysian are not like the Gandhi followers whom were selfless and fearless.What have you got to lose? Eventually all us will die one day.Even we can stop our vehicle in the city to create a stand still till justice is done.
ReplyDeletethey would only put on their smug expressions yet wooden all the more, in their minds there are none of any niggling doubts, as long as their precious ketuanan is safe. What can the rakyat hope for being bereft of any institutions that could give respite. Oh Obamas of the world please lend your concerns!
ReplyDeletetaik besi
they would only put on their smug expressions yet wooden all the more, in their minds there are none of any niggling doubts, as long as their precious ketuanan is safe. What can the rakyat hope for being bereft of any institutions that could give respite. Oh Obamas of the world please lend your concerns!
ReplyDeletetaik besi
If RPK's soul leaves his body, then Syed Potato Hamid just sign his own death warrant.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that it has come to a point where people are actually idolizing him. I wonder if he is enjoying it and letting it all go to his head.
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 3:32PM - Consider yourself fortunate if you have outgrown the need to idolize anybody, even childhood heroes like Krishna, Buddha, Jesus & Muhammad. Remember, these culture heroes & icons of cultural & social change were all human beings to begin with - just as RPK is. Are you envious that some other human being has earned a measure of greatness & immense popularity for sticking to his guns? What's stopping you from being a hero yourself or doing something really amazing? To start with, you could sign off as yourself instead of anonymously.
ReplyDelete