Thank God, Teresa’s freed! Now let’s get the others out

I was just looking for a photo of ISA detainee Teresa Kok to put on my blog when Aliran president Rama phoned with the good news that she was freed at around 1.00pm. That kinda spooked me – but it’s wonderful news.

This is how Kit Siang described her release in his blog:

At 12.56pm, at lunch in Ipoh, my mobile phone rang. I saw the caller was “Teresa” and wondered who was using her phone.

But it was her on the line and wondered how she wangled the use of her phone while in detention.

But no, she did no such improper thing. She told me that she was being released.

Bravo. The irresistible pressures against her unjust and undemocratic detention had succeeded.

And this is Teresa’s reaction upon her release:

I have been released after being detained in solitary confinement in a 6-by-8 holding cell for seven days under the Internal Security Act (ISA). I was informed by the police that they detained me under section 73(1) of Internal Security Act 1960, which means I have incited racial and religious tension and conflict.

After being detained for seven days under the guise of so-called investigations, the police failed to produce any evidence or proof of me being involved in the activities of causing racial and religious tension. Full statement

Now, who says God does not listen to our prayers. How could he not listen to our prayers, some of them found here. This is what happens when Prayer Power meets People Power.

Blog reader Harman Amri urges us to persevere:

Alhamdulillah. And we must continue to pray for RPK, the Hindraf Five and all the other victims of ISA.

Blog reader Penang71 reminds us:

I believe a special effort needs to be made to acknowledge the Malay leaders of Pas, PKR and various Muslim and Malay NGOs (not to forget Zaid) who stepped forward to lend their support, thus foiling the plot to turn her arrest into a racial issue.

Yet another candlelight vigil was held, this time down south, reports blog reader Johnny 99:

Dear Anil, there was a candlelight vigil as the CIC Church Jalan Gereja Johor Bahru last night where not less than 250 persons attended despite the apparent lack of publicity. Let there be more vigils and may the authorities see the light.

Blogger Lucia adds:

The Lord is great! Praise be the Lord!

This is the happiest news I’ve heard this week. Thank you, God, thank you for Teresa’s release.

Even blog reader Seth, who had ranted earlier, is happy

Okay-la God heard your prayers but only took action after hearing my rant….heh heh heh…no hard feelings, ok.

(Meanwhile, Teresa’s accuser Khir Toyo is back blogging again today after an absence of 10 days.)

Even Mahathir has condemned the ISA arrests! (Say what? I never thought I would live to see the day.)

But there should be no let up. We must get Raja Petra, the Hindraf Five and all the others out as well.

Towards this end, the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) will be holding weekly candlelight vigils in Penang beginning tonight at 9.30pm.

I hear there’s also a candlelight vigil in KL tonight for blogger Sheih Kickdefella, who was arrested for sedition.

Meanwhile, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Penang is opening a candle-light prayer corner from tomorrow evening onwards. This corner will be dedicated to praying for the release of all the remaining ISA detainees (see the full list here), for the abolition of this obnoxious law, and for real justice and peace to reign in our country.

Aliran’s P Ramakrishnan has welcomed Teresa’s release and now calls on PM Abdullah Badawi to immediately release Raja Petra:

This  is something he is expected to do; this is something  that he can do;  this  this is something which he has to do; The question is will he come across as a man of compassion and spare the nation from this unnecessary agony?