Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes yesterday. Lots of candles around – ‘cept they were not on my birthday cake. Some 2,000 Malaysians, many holding up candles to dispel the darkness of our times, gathered last night in KL calling for the release of RPK, the Hindraf Five and other ISA detainees.
That’s an amazing turnout! Full report, pictures and video clips by DeadAlienX here.
(Listen to RPK speak days before his arrest. The BBC interviews him here. If you would like to send an email to your favourite politician(s) calling on him/them to release all ISA detainees, click here for details.)
The event was organised by two different groups: Hindraf and a coalition of NGOs led by the Writers Alliance for Media Independence. As the original venue Dataran Merdeka was cordoned off by police, the vigil turned into a peaceful march to the Kortumalar Pillayar Temple, opposite Puduraya.
The whole event last about an hour. If you were there, do send in your citizen journalist eye-witness impressions.
Eye-witness kksam reports:
I arrived at 7.00pm sharp, but wasn’t surprised that the police had cordoned off Dataran Merdeka. I saw a few guys wearing orange shirts across the road; I just walked up to them and saw Hindraf printed on their shirts, and I knew I wasn’t alone.
Then I walked to the rear of the Royal Selangor Club, and more than 50 people were gathered there. Marina arrived shortly after and we all had our candles lit up and sang a song for RPK’s “Peaceful birthday”, twice.
Eventually, the police had enough of us and forced us to disperse. We then walked away near the roundabout and gathered by the roadside. Got support from the taxis and some of the drivers who passed by. After some time, we also walked to the temple. Great day! More here.
The event was organised by two different groups: Hindraf and a coalition of NGOs led by the Writers Alliance for Media Independence. As the original venue Dataran Merdeka was cordoned off by police, the vigil turned into a peaceful march to the Kortumalar Pillayar Temple, opposite Puduraya.
The whole event last about an hour. If you were there, do send in your citizen journalist eye-witness impressions.
Zorro Unmasked reports that Marina Lee was allowed to visit RPK in Kamunting for 45 minutes yesterday.
Meanwhile, blog reader Angela Ooi reports from Negri Sembilan:
In Seremban, we held our own little do for RPK to mark his birthday and his incarceration in Kamunting. A group of 12 gathered at City Park with a birthday cake, wishing freedom for RPK. We each held two lighted candles and sang the birthday song for him. I took orders for the T-shirts and exchanged contacts.
Later, PKR’s Sabaruddin came with another member and we made plans for another do at a later date. All in all, there was this feeling of oneness, warmth and general good vibes around.
Abolish the ISA! Check out Daniel’s version of the song ‘YMCA’. He has adapted the lyrics to ‘Why ISA?’
Over in Penang, some 200 people attended the second night of the Freedom Film Fest in Wawasan Open University. Tonight’s the last night of the fest, so do go and support the organisers Komas, who have put in a lot of hard work in bringing the event to Penang. Admission is free.
Related posts:
In Seremban, we held our own little do for RPK to mark his bday and his incarceration in Kamunting. A group of 12 gathered at City park, with a bday cake wishing freedom for RPK. We each held 2 lighted candles and sang the bday song for him. I took orders for the Tshirts and exchange contacts.
Later PKR Sabaruddin came with another member and we made plans for another do at a later date. All in all, there was this feeling of oneness, warmth and general good vibes around.
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i arrived at 7pm sharp, but not surprised that the police cordoned the Dataran Merdeka. saw a few guy wearing orange shirt across the road, i just walk to them and saw Hindraf printed on their shirt, and i know i’m not alone. but then i walk to behind Royal Selangor Club, and then more than 50 people gather there. Marina arrived shortly and we all had our candles light up and sang a song for RPK “Peaceful birthday”, twice. Then the police had enough of us and forced us to disperse, which then we walk away near the roundabout and gather by the road side. Got supports from the taxi and some of the drivers who pass by. After some time we also walk to the temple. Great day!!!
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Days and nights
The candles vigils in our minds
For RPK we wish well
Down in Kah Moon Thing
The government put him there
Tears have no meaning
When he isn’t free
Fighting for justice
For all of us human beings
Only when he is free
The spills of his words
The BN leaders get scared
Asking their running…
Go and …
Days and nights
The light will be burning
Telling him he isn’t alone
Fencing it up in Kah Moon Thing
We want him free
The liberty of our rights
Our representatives forget
Got voted into power
They use it to hit us back!
O the nights will be long
RPK and other ISA prisoners
The people will fight for freedom
The final crush will be on October 13
So hang it there
The candles burning in our minds
For you it worth the march
Down with ISA
Bin it to eternity
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One Love, One Heart
Let’s get together and feel all right
Hear the children crying (One Love)
Hear the children crying (One Heart)
Sayin’ give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right
Sayin’ let’s get together and feel all right
Let them all pass all their dirty remarks (One Love)
There is one question I’d really like to ask (One Heart)
Is there a place for the hopeless sinner
Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own?
Believe me
One Love, One Heart
Let’s get together and feel all right
As it was in the beginning (One Love)
So shall it be in the end (One Heart)
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right
One more thing
Let’s get together to fight this Holy Armageddon (One Love)
So when the Man comes there will be no no doom (One Song)
Have pity on those whose chances grove thinner
There ain’t no hiding place from the Father of Creation
Sayin’ One Love, One Heart
Let’s get together and feel all right
I’m pleading to mankind (One Love)
Oh Lord (One Heart)
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right
Let’s get together and feel all right
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…Say, why don’t you start a boycott of thie Ahmad’s business …Including his cronies/friends outlets who caused trouble in Penang recently.
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well i just started my blog, and have posted pictures on yesterday night.
http://kkitsam.wordpress.com/
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Hi Anil,
It’s so encouraging to see so many people from all walks of life coming together with one purpose – To call for the abolishment of ISA!
Check out my version of YMCA by The Village People. Re-written, now it’s called “Why I.S.A?” – Abolish ISA Song – by The Global Village People. Enjoy!
http://www.danielykl.com/blog/2008/09/28/abolish-the-isa-song-why-isa/
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Wow,I wish I could be there. Penang people should come out in such great force too. Come on Penang.
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good job anil…………..go on …….until isa abolish…..dont stop……..we dont need isa any more in malay ….
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It is such a pity, a peaceful Conscience Awareness gathering, needed to play a ‘cat and mouse’ game with the authority…simply to display, their displeasure and objection to the use of ISA on innocent citizens. It is about time, this bunch of leaders from the ruling party need to undergo, a morality reform course.
Nothing will suppress human spirit and their will to fight for fair play and justice, the earlier these evil heads realize it, the better for Malaysia.
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Dear Anil, I have requested from you the contacs of Baradan Kappusamy which I couldn’t get from anyone though I have tried and I didn’t receive an answer or help. I hope you can help with it. My email: qaadisiya100@yahoo.com Thanks.
Happy raya to all.
Dear Abdullah, So sorry, I do not have his contact details. cheers Anil
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I was there!
http://chinyauchia.blogspot.com/2008/09/no-isa-vigil-27th-september-2008-kuala.html
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Managed to post my own vids & pix…
what a nite!
!!! Mansuhkan ISA !!! Bebaskan RPK !!!
_________________________________
http://delcapo.wordpress.com/
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It was great to be part of the democratic process in Malaysia last nite.
Here’s a short report:
http://www.jerrymohan.blogspot.com
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I was there too. What a nite and i was really happy to see the unity between all . Abolish ISA ! Free RPK & hindraf heroes & all others.
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Dear Anil,
Was wondering if you could provide me the softcopy format of the abolish ISA leaflets? Me and my friends are planning to print em out and start distributing it around our neighbourhood.Thanks man
Dear Jeremy, Please contact Suaram Penang at 63B-01-07, University Heights, Jalan Sungai Dua, 11700 Penang, MALAYSIA Phone/Fax: +60-4-6582285 E-mail: suarampg@gmail.com
cheers
Anil
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hey anil…nice one!!!
keep up the good work…
being stuck in the UK…keeping posted with your blogs etc is crucial for us…to keep up to date…
chat soon
(fellow johanian)
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The Free Democratic World & Peace Loving People salute all who march to call for the end of ISA – a cruel draconic piece to detain anyone deemed by those in power ( usually the Crooked & Corrupt ) without trial !
You are all laying the foundation for future generation of Malaysians to live without fear of arrest simply because of difference of opinions & to seek justice for all esp. the weak & downtrotten.
Hidup REFORMASI ! Malaysians deserve a Better Government in
Keadilan-Pas-Dap Pakatan Rakyat !
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