Buy Your Own Crowd Control Gear! (repost)

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[First published 15 November 2007 (5 days after BERSIH). Reposted 22 June 2011]

Living on Fresh Air, Sunshine & Love (revisited)

As the year 2007 rolls to a bumpy conclusion I can't help but reflect on the events that have impacted on my attention over the preceding 13 moons. Since news first broke of the macabre murder of the pretty Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu, the national karma appears to have taken a dramatic dip into a deeper darkness, precipitating a groundswell of discontent and dissatisfaction with the BN government - which has been responsible for governing this country since 1957.

When times were good many turned a blind eye to the clear signs of misgovernance witnessed during Mahathir's 22-year reign as prime minister and president of Umno. While those who ought to know better commended him for his Vision 2020, I found myself diametrically opposed to Dr M's worldview and values. I saw my fellow Malaysians systematically seduced by the promise of western-style industrialization and consumerism ("Look East," Dr M exhorted us, conveniently forgetting that if you look far enough east you'll eventually find yourself looking up your own rear end).

I was totally opposed to his policy of "development" at the expense of our natural heritage and humanitarian qualities. Even as Malaysians became more engrossed with the trappings of material "success" they began to lose sight of humbler virtues. In a community of crooks, liars and hypocrites, an honest soul quickly gets left behind as one unfit to survive - such was the Zeitgeist of Dr M's Neo-Darwinian Malaysia.

We get the leaders we deserve, they say, and the truth of that seems to have been borne out by the disappointing results of the 1999 general election when BN managed to retain its two-thirds majority - despite its brutal, malicious and vindictive handling of Anwar Ibrahim's sacking and the massive Reformasi Movement that it triggered. The shameful manner in which the Anwar Ibrahim trial was misconducted made it crystal clear that the Malaysian Judiciary was abjectly beholden to the Executive - and that this had been so since the inauspicious and unceremonious sacking of Lord President Salleh Abas in 1988.

And yet the people voted BN back into power in 1999. In fact, it's common knowledge that Anwar Ibrahim wasn't very popular with the Chinese business community - and the Indian voter is easily swayed by anyone who appears to be a strongman - in this instance, Samy Vellu had proven his mettle as a vicious streetfighter over a very long career in the politics of pragmatism. Well, in retrospect, Malaysia would have done well to enter the new millennium on a clean political slate. Instead, the unresolved issues of the previous century continue to plague our overfed bureaucracy.

However, it's never too late for change. And going by the renewed resolve of many young Malaysians to continue pressing for a clean-up of the electoral and judicial machinery - without which no other reforms can be successfully implemented - I'm optimistic that a New Dawn is in the offing. Meanwhile, it's extremely depleting and depressing to keep harping on the obscene excesses and the insufferable arrogance of BN politicians. Besides, a few of my fellow Malaysian bloggers have already cornered the market on political scandal. And so I shall change subject completely and share with you a few images that bring genuine joy and a sense of celebration to my heart.

FOLKS, MEET EMMA & SUNSHINE!

Emma (14) and Sunshine (13) have been friends since kindergarten days.

Emma happens to be the only daughter of a very dear friend of mine, John Puracal, who was my classmate in 1967 (when I studied at the Muar High School for six months). Sunshine (whose actual name, Hsing Shan, I find impossible to spell or pronounce) is Emma's best buddy. They recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of their friendship at Magick River. They both passionately love the river and whenever Emma returns from Perth where she's enrolled in high school, she insists that her dad chauffeur them to visit their Uncle Antares.

My favorite bathing beauties in all the world!

I remember the first time Emma and Sunshine showed up at Magick River. Emma was initially apprehensive about playing in the strong currents and felt impeded by her spectacles - without them she was extremely insecure, and with them on she was constantly afraid the river might steal them. Sunshine was the complete opposite. Without a moment's hesitation she followed my example and jumped 15 feet into the Baby Fall (wonderful fun once you've overcome your fear, but for those who haven't, the prospect is nothing short of terrifying). I was so impressed with Sunshine's wild spirit and her natural ease in the water I immediately adopted her as my goddaughter.

The wetter the better!

With each river visit Emma began to release her fear. These days she confidently moves around in the water without her glasses - and as a consequence has so much more fun with the natural jacuzzis that abound. Recently she's even begun to leap into the rushing current holding her buddy Sunshine's hand. Believe me, there are few greater pleasures in life than seeing somebody transcend the self-imposed limitations of fear. There's a huge lesson there for all of us: the less fear we carry the more joy we'll feel.

Emma and her Daddy, my ancient classmate John Puracal.

Well, Sunshine called me last week from Bidor, where she's spending the year-end holidays with her aunt and uncle. She tried persuading me to visit her in Bidor - and I certainly would have driven up to see her; but her next SMS informed me that her aunt and uncle said they'd drive her over instead. And I just had a chat with Arif who announced that Emma is due back next week. Now that I know I'll soon be seeing my beloved undines, Emma and Sunshine, all I can ask for is a clear blue sky when they're here :-)

My golden boy, Mr Wong Beng Oi, loves Emma and Sunshine too.

[Happy photos by Antares; the rest pinched from various internet sources. First posted 6 December 2007]

A mini-festival of pre-election videos to get you in the mood to vote...

Birthday Cake confiscated, 3 arrested; Wong remanded for 3 days; Prayers for Perak without Mat Sabu: 1MALAYSIA BOLEH!

Courtesy of Malaysiakini.tv, 6 May 2009

Three activists were arrested this morning for attempting to deliver a cake commemorating the 31st birthday of Altantuya Shaariibuu to the Prime Ministers Office in Putrajaya. [From Malaysiakini]

WALSKI: Butter Cake To Be Charged With Sedition



BERSIH'S WONG REMANDED FOR THREE DAYS NOW
Malaysiakini | May 6, 09 10:44am

The police today succeeded in extending the remand order for polls reform group Bersih spokesperson Wong Chin Huat to three days. He is now expected to be released late on May 8.

Kuala Lumpur magistrate Naziah Alias had originally granted a one-day remand order this morning but the police went to the court again to seek an extension.

And this evening at 6pm, they got their wish - the remand is now for three days.

The police had originally asked for a four-day remand order.

Earlier this afternoon, Wong's lawyers Latheefa Koya and Amer Hamzah Arshad told journalists that they would press for his release today after Naziah's granting of a one-day remand.

“The court upon deliberating and hearing arguments from both sides, has decided to grant a one-day remand and he should be released by this evening,” said Amer.

“We will liaise with the IO (investigating officer) and secure his release as soon as possible.”

Latheefa said she hoped that Wong would be released by 6pm.

“(But) they (the police) can always ask for an extension - that means they will have to file another application.”

Wong in handcuffs and lock-up uniform

Earlier today, Wong was brought to the court complex in handcuffs and dressed in the compulsory orange police lock-up uniform.

The Kampar-born Wong had been wearing black for the past 80 days to mourn the "death of democracy" in Perak, his home state.

His family members and DAP leader Lim Kit Siang managed to see Wong in the court lock-up.

They said that he appeared in good spirits and urged his supporters to wear black as well.

They also said Wong had told them that the police have not recorded any statement from him.

He was arrested at 8pm yesterday under the Sedition Act at his home in Taman Sri Sentosa in Kuala Lumpur and then taken to the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) headquarters for questioning.

He was later whisked away to an undisclosed location about 12.18am. His whereabouts were kept secret.

CCID chief Koh Hong Sun yesterday said that Wong was being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act.

If found guilty, he could face a jail term of up to three years.

Wong's arrest was linked Bersih's campaign - dubbed as 1BlackMalaysia - for the public to wear black tomorrow to protest the Perak government takeover by Barisan Nasional.

Wong had issued the call yesterday on behalf of Bersih, the Coalition for Free and Clean Elections.

Poll reform group Bersih spokesperson Wong Chin Huat was arrested under the Sedition Act tonight (5 May 2009) by a team of police officers at his home in Taman Sri Sentosa in Kuala Lumpur.

PAS LEADER MAT SABU ARRESTED
Malaysiakini | May 6, 09 4:21pm

PAS vice-president Mohamad Sabu was arrested by the police at about 3pm today near the Harakah office in Jalan Pahang Barat, Kuala Lumpur.

It is believed that he was arrested over his plan to hold mass prayers tomorrow in Manjoi, Ipoh, over the Perak state assembly sitting.

The Masjid Al-Ittihadiyah, where the prayer session will be held at 5am, is about two kilometres from the assembly building.

The prayer session is expected to draw a large number to oppose the Barisan Nasional's power grab in the state.

Mohamad was arrested by about 10 plainclothes policemen just as he was leaving a restaurant to go to the Harakah office.

PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub was with him when he was arrested.

Salahuddin told Malaysiakini that he heard Mohamad shouting that he was being arrested just as he left the restaurant.

He and another PAS member immediately rushed back to try and free him. A scuffle took place.

Salahuddin also said the police did not show any arrest warrant when they nabbed Mohamad. It is learnt that he has been taken to the Sentul police station.

"They also did not identify themselves. They just arrested him and took him away," he said.

He said he has informed PAS lawyer Hanipa Maidin about this.

Salahuddin also did not rule out the possibility that the police action could be an attempt to stop Mohamad's prayer session.

To be sent to Perak on remand

Mohamad's arrest comes just 24 hours after the arrest of activist Wong Chin Huat last night for urging the public to wear black tomorrow to protest against what is happening in Perak.

Wong, arrested last night for alleged sedition at his house in Taman Seri Sentosa, Kuala Lumpur, was taken to court today where a one-day remand order was issued.

Mohamad's wife Normah Alwi told Malaysiakini that a police officer informed her this afternoon that her husband will be sent to Slim River in Perak on remand.

"The event has not even taken place yet, why the arrest?" asked an outraged Normah.

It is believed that a police report was lodged against Mohamad in Slim River.

CONGRATULATIONS, MR PINK LIPS!

WELL DONE, KERISMUDDIN!

Bye bye, Barisan Najis!

IT TAKES SO LITTLE NOWADAYS TO BE ARRESTED

EYEWITNESS REPORT: Orc Attack @ The PJ Uncivic Center

"None are more hopelessely enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


Had a brand new pack of 6 candles ready & an improvised windproof holder, but arriving at Amcorp Mall around 9:15 I saw no activity on the padang. People were gathered in front of the Mall and it was great to be greeted immediately by a few fellow bloggers who recognized me. That's the nicest feature of physically attending these community events - every face you see, even if you haven't been introduced, is already a friend.

Of course a few could be undercover Mat Rempit, SB officers, or plainclothes defectives - I mean detectives - but they are easily sniffed out. Look out for the tell-tale signs: no sign of human vitality behind those humorless eyes. I bear them no ill will because their minds have been implanted during their rigorous and inhuman training, and the poor fellows had their empathy circuits removed so they are quite incapable of independent thought and lack human biofields. One could easily mistake them for Orcs or Uruk-hai .

Haris Ibrahim suddenly appeared and, this being our very first physical meeting, I just had to give him a big hug for inspiring so many with his gigantic spirit and outstanding mind.

Got a call from a friend who said the cops had forced her to turn back at a roadblock, so she decided to go home. She added that a few other buddies were with RPK at a club further down the street so I decided it would make my 3-hour commute to PJ worthwhile if I at least got to say hello to the national superhero in person. True enough, there he was, looking mellow and benign, a digital-age version of man-for-all-seasons Sir Thomas More, being interviewed by a couple of people with videocams. When they finished I gave him a very heartfelt hug (I've only met RPK once before, briefly, in 1999 when he was coordinating the KeADILan website, but after I dropped a hint he did remember our meeting).

Magnificent Marina was there too but got only a quick hug from me because Polis patrol cars were cruising up & down and the crowd started walking slowly towards the PJ Civic Center. Decided to WALK WITH RPK (literally) and when I got to the Civic Center, the Red Helmets were already lined up and beating their shields to scare people. Polis sirens were wailing just for effect. It appeared they had been instructed to intimidate & terrorize the peaceful rakyat gathered there simply because we value democracy and love this nation too much to allow it to be turned into a pirates' lair by a bunch of Scumno scoundrels.

I could sense the FRU guys pumping up their adrenaline - and for a moment thought it would be wise to not linger. But RPK was speaking under a cluster of yellow balloons and I moved closer to hear him describe what an emotional torture it is for some ISA detainees who don't even get one visit from family in 3 months - because the families are too poor or live too far to make regular trips to Kamunting.

We felt a ripple of aggression emanating from the Red Helmets - some Polis officer must have received a call with instructions to nab a truckload of law-abiding taxpayers just to show the Rakyat you can't mess with the Biggest Bodoh in Bodohland. A voice said, "Let's sing Negaraku before we disperse!" and with surprising sweetness & authentic sincerity, the national anthem was sung wholeheartedly by the 250-300 souls gathered around RPK. Before we could finish, I heard batons banging on shields and knew the Red Helmets were about to charge.


"Let's split," I said to my companion, "it's rather inconvenient to spend the night in the copshop!" As we turned to walk away, what sounded like Orcs on the rampage reached our ears. I turned around and saw the crowd being shoved around like waters in a lake being churned up by a descending helicopter. Good thing I was wearing a black shirt over my red No Holds Barred T-shirt. I remembered to blow out my candle so as not to draw unwanted attention and vanished into the shadows between some large bushes and then got back onto the path leading towards the main road. I could hear harsh voices and the sound of batons smashing on shields (or heads, I couldn't be sure and wasn't inclined to turn around and find out).

We managed to get safely back to New Town and found a coffee shop still open - a few of my friend's friends were already there. They, too, had been at the vigil and were outraged and shaken at the unnecessarily violent turn it had taken.

Home minister Hamid Albar vehemently denied any knowledge of the heavy-handed Polis action until this morning. What an incompetent home minister, to be entirely clueless about an event so politically significant - and to have so little control over the behavior of his own Polis force! Deserves to be sacked on the spot! Everybody knows that only a couple of days ago Hamid Albar suffered the humiliation of being ticked off by an honest judge, when the home minister was accused of abusing his power and bending the law to malicious and partisan political ends. It was nothing less than a public slap in his fat face.

No doubt the Usual Suspects were frothing at the mouth because RPK had the audacity to even exist - what more as a free man and evidently the most beloved, respected and celebrated Son of Malaysia!

Within 15 minutes I was receiving SMSes filling me in on the details - two DAP MPs pulled in (heard Tony Pua and Lau Weng San had been roughed up). Abolish-the-ISA activist Angela Ooi nabbed, along with a Malaysiakini videographer, and around 20 others, including Ashok Kandiah, a member of the legal team that had sprung RPK on Friday. One guy had apparently made a run for it but was chased by eight Red Helmets who knocked him down and pinned him to the ground before whacking him up. Now this is what the public would like to see being done to child rapists, snatch thieves and kidnappers - not to peace-loving citizens doing their democratic duty; assembling to call for the repeal of a tyrannical & oppressive law by lighting candles and singing the national anthem.



This video reveals that the red-helmeted Orcs not only failed to show respect for the national anthem by standing to attention - they actually attacked unarmed citizens in the middle of expressing their patriotism and rudely clobbered some of them, arresting others. I know a few of us did sing Negaraku offkey but is there a law that says the punishment is to be kicked in the stomach and truncheoned in public? Selangor Chief Police Officer Khalid Abu Bakar stated that those arrested were wearing red and yellow T-shirts. I know those are the colors of the Selangor state flag - but since when has it been a crime to wear those colors on a Sunday night?

What now, Malaysia? From Bodowiland to Mahathirville via Najibia? Or will the Sun break through the clouds sooner than we expect, signalling a New Dawn?

PUBLIC SERVANTS SERVE THE PUBLIC!

Photo courtesy of hidupku

Press Statement For Immediate Release

ALLOW FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY

The Centre for Public Policy Studies regrets the police prohibition of and use of violence on a number of recent gatherings in Kuala Lumpur.

Two weeks ago on the 10th November 2007, BERSIH, a coalition of non-Governmental organisations and political parties, organised a march to submit a memorandum calling for measures to ensure free and fair elections in the country.

More recently, on Sunday the 25th November 2007, Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) organised a rally to submit a memorandum calling for equal treatment of Indians, highlighting their socio-economic marginalisation in the country.

The Government has responded by saying that demonstrations are unnecessary, that memorandums should be handed in personally, and that any concerns can be brought up in forums through a consultative approach.

However, such forums, panels and meetings have been conducted on numerous occasions to little avail. These articulations are compiled into reports and submitted to various committees, but it is precisely inaction and non-response from the Government that has fuelled frustrations amongst those groups who have not received equal treatment.

Article 10 of the Federal Constitution guarantees that every citizen has the right to assemble peaceably. This is affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The BERSIH and HINDRAF rallies were peaceful gatherings and should not be misconstrued as otherwise.

1. The CPPS calls on the Government to recognise the rights of civil society to freedom of assembly. The right to freely assemble peacefully is one of the hallmarks of a democratic society. If we want to consider ourselves a true democracy, then the police should stop immediately its highhanded excessive use of force at dispersing peaceful crowds, including the use of tear gas and unrelenting water cannons at peaceful demonstrations and rallies.

We need to urgently review the policy and processes regarding the provision of permits for peaceful assembly as guaranteed in our Federal Constitution. If the police had given permits to assemble and march peacefully, subject, of course, to reasonable and agreed-upon terms, the unnecessary disruption and subsequent chaos would have been avoided.

2. The CPPS also urges the Government to examine the root causes of the deep sense of grievance and frustration that underlie these rallies and demonstrations . The issues being raised by civil society organisations recently are valid and should be urgently considered. The views and opinions of this large cross-section of society cannot be swept under the carpet. These expressions of frustration and anger arise from a significant proportion of the Malaysian public. These must be factored into policy-making processes, and not ignored.

3. At the same time, it would be useful for the Government to meet the leaders of these rallies and find out more about their grievances, taking action to resolve outstanding problems that have adversely affected sections of the Malaysian society. New approaches are urgently needed to ensure greater national unity, peace, stability and progress.

Tan Sri Dato' (Dr.) Ramon V. Navaratnam
Chairman,
Centre for Public Policy Studies
26th November 2007
Kuala Lumpur

For more information, please contact Ms. Tricia Yeoh or call 03-20932820.


Batu Caves, early hours of 25 November 2007. Photos from IndianOnline.com

A Different Kind of Music Video...

Just viewed this homemade music video called A Tribute to BERSIH People's Gathering on YouTube. Lots of other video clips from the Yellow Wave that swept across KL in the wake of a heavy downpour on the momentous afternoon of November 10th, when an estimated 40,000 Malaysians refused to stay home and watch TV. Instead they flooded the heart of KL with their passion for electoral and judicial reform.

The "Royal" Malaysian Police - what irony, since they were hardly showing loyalty to the rulers by attempting to forcibly thwart the people's collective will! - who have spent hundreds of millions of taxpayers' hard-earned cash on crowd-control equipment, were only able to prevent protesters from assembling peacefully at Merdeka Square and the National Mosque.

Photo courtesy of Nat Tan's blog.

However, they were powerless to stop 30,000 or more others from marching to the Palace, where the Agong's private secretary graciously received the petition signed by citizen groups and opposition parties beseeching the Yang di Pertuan Agong to intervene and rescue the ship of state, now in danger of sinking owing to abysmal piloting by Barisan Nazional, the incumbent political party which has been in power since 1957.

Though I generally avoid taking politics too seriously, there are crossroads in a nation's destiny when the opportunity for positive change presents itself. Failure to seize the day and reclaim our democratic aspirations will put us in the same situation as the poor residents of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck. Why did so many die and why is New Orleans real estate being bought up by giant corporations now that the low-income black population has been literally flushed out? Why? Because some folks are way too greedy, that's why. And they don't seem to know when to stop pigging out at the natural resources trough. Here's another homemade ad for the 10 November BERSIH event found on YouTube:



Don't you just love digital tech and broadband... and young people with ideas and ideals? I salute all those who resist tyranny with courage, intelligence, and compassion.

OKAY... TIME TO GO, BN!

BERSIH event makes top news on Al Jazeera! Not a good ad for BN's attitude towards dissent...