Slideshow photos by an eye-witness at the scene (For best results, view on Firefox browser.)
More pictures at Romerz’s blog here.
A capacity crowd packed the hall at the Teoh Beng Hock memorial forum at the Caring Society Complex in Penang tonight. Hundreds who couldn’t squeeze into the hall, sat in the foyer downstairs while many others spilled onto the corridors outside.
Blog reader Ibrahim reports on the turnout:
To give you an idea of the numbers who turned up on the rainy evening, carpark spaces were all taken up by 7.40pm. By 8.05pm, there were standing room only in the hall, with all seats taken. By 8.15pm, some were seated on the floor in front. By 8.30pm, the hallways outside were filled up. By 9.00pm, the stairs leading to the exit as well as the foyer of the building were full. We, the folks inside, could hear stadium-like cheers from the outside when Guan Eng walked in. I would put the numbers at over 4,000.
Blog reader Christina describes the mood of solidarity at the event:
I was there and the speakers were insightful. The speakers were from Pakatan Rakyat. The crowd was mainly Chinese but I was amazed that the loudest cheers were for the Pas and PKR speakers. This shows solidarity amongst the races…. this was truly 1Malaysia here in the hall tonite. I am so happy that we Penangites showed that we care enough to brave the rain and the forces. And I pray that Teoh Beng Hock’s soul rests in peace…. Let him not die in vain.
Blog reader K W Mark was clearly moved:
Just got back after Kit Siang finished his speech at the forum. Kneeling right in front of the stage of speakers of the night…I couldn’t stand to see the big banner across the hall with Beng Hock’s photo and lost it to my conscience and shed tears… for Beng Hock, his family, his future family and most of all to all fellow Malaysians.
Earlier, another eye-witness told me the car-park was already full after 8.00pm. People arriving at around 8.15pm were unable to even squeeze into the hall. It was that full.
MAY YR SOUL R.I.P.WE WONT FORGET U.
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I think this is clear indication of next election.
Squash the Gerakan!
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PAS,DAP,PKR – all came for the function. Where is HNP or Hindraf? Social justice? Hmmmm…I wonder
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For all those who would have liked to have been there virtually, can we find some more reliable way of getting information back out of these events?
Or you could always have a whip-round for a satellite phone!
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Syabas Penangites.
The people must show up in force and numbers in order to make our voices heard.
May the evil Barisan Nasional tremble at the sight of people power.
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More pictures here.
http://romerz.blogspot.com/2009/07/public-forum-justice-for-beng-hock.html
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[...] An uneasy public clearly wants their questions answered, as a forum held in Penang this evening shows. [...]
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They dont talk cents (sense) but they only talk dollars.
Truth is the last thing they want to know.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.
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i was there! since i was there quite early i managed to get a seat somewhere in the centre. wow! it was great to see all those from PR united in the forum, esp. 2 speakers from PAS including mafuz. they estimate the crowd to be 6000! LKS (or was it LGE) said that if the PM did not call for a royal commission into the investigation, let’s double our number for the future gathering!!
as i get back later (after teh tarik at pelita) no time to blog. will blog about it tomorrow.
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Why is TBH’s death is still being politicised?
http://bananachinese.wordpress.com/
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I have over 100 pics on my blog post too.
http://www.chanlilian.net/2009/07/21/6000-people-at-justice-for-beng-hock-forum-in-penang/
Just like Han Chiang mammoth gathering, only limited by the size of the hall and maybe the last minute notification. However, the spirit of the people is there.
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IT IS NONE OF MY PROBLEM!! Most Malaysians would say that Teoh death is none of their problem. But please let me tell you a good story… There was this rat, called Ben, who one day was so worried that he quickly ran to Ms. Chicken and said ” Chicken, Chicken, please help me!. The farmer wife has just installed a rat trap to catch me. What should I do? Ms. Chicken told Ben off and said to him : Ben, that’s your problem, not mine. Feeling disappointed, Ben then ran over to Mr. Piggy and told him the same and Mr. Piggy also told Ben that was his own problem, after all, the rat trap would not be catch to trap a pig. So again, Ben hopefully wish Ms. Cow could help him to destroy the trap for him but again, Ms. Cow again told Ben that this trap does not harm to him and that’s Ben own problem. Now, Ben goes back home and hide in a corner and worried over his life span. The same night, the trap snapped and the farmer’s wife quickly ran over the trap and put her hand in to the rat trap but it turned out a poisonous snake was inside and bit her hand. She developed a high fever and fall sick. The farmer was so worry and he killed Mr. Chicken to brew a chicken soup for his wife as a remedy to the fever. However, the next morning, her condition became worse and news was spread in the village. Her neighbours came over to visit her. As hospitality, the farmer slaughtered Ms. Piggy so that the neighbours could have lunch. They left after eaten the roast pig. Again, at night, the wife condition turned worst and she passed away. The whole village people came to pay their respect and the farmer slaughtered Ms. Cow so that every one would not go home hungry.. and the rat, still hiding in the corner and relived that no harm has fallen on him. THE MORAL OF THE STORY???. .. Teoh’s death is still your problem, Malaysians!
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Please start a collection for Beng Hock’s wife and coming baby. We need to give something back to them for the ultimate sacrifice which their beloved has made for all of us.
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I have to say, this is actually quite special. Tan Beng Hock was an unknown, a journalist turn politician, and yet his death has galvanised people across the spectrum across the country and for a lot longer than past cases of abuse.
It is clear that (many) people don’t trust the MACC, Police and Courts – not when it comes to conflict with BN politics and interest. There is no denying the truth that our basic institutions have little standing above the very very simple things in life. That the govt and system is NOT trusted beyond the simple things.
Which basically mean there is no future of BN in govt if we are to progress. There is only one choice then which is to either stay backward and accept our suffering OR BN out of govt is inevitable. I don’t think Malaysian are so apathetic as to accept little progress. BN days are numbered.
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what if, and i mean what if the poor fellow was intimated by some corrupt pr ppl? will the whole saga backfired on pr? dear oh dear.
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Come next election, we will make sure that all (those responsible) pay for all the wrong doing that they have committed.
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Again …why would MACC only investigate on Paktan Rakyat folks from Selangor for mere few thousands (which is mere suspect of MACC, Teo’s case is Rm2,400)while totally king corrupts scot free. This eventually cause death to an innocent political member.
Sure enuff …raised the anger of Rakyat.
Justice is dead too. Evil rule. M’sian must care..its never to late to vote off the present governance away.
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I think the ruling powers is trying to send the message to all caring mothers is that they should not allow their right minded sons and daughters to join politics especially right now when there is such groundswell of support to better governance and reforms. And after Lim kit siang and Anwar… there will be no more opposition left!
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george then
a collection was made during that night and if i’m not mistaken, RM12,000 was collected.
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Teoh Beng Hock did not die in vain… he will always remain in our memories as the young innocent man who was a victim of MACC’s heinous crime. Our memories will remain fresh come next general elections; we will topple the racist BN and seek justice for Beng Hock!!!
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Fencesitter is either damn stupid or a BN lackey! We are talking about the high office of the MACC, and they can’t protect an innocent witness??? And allow someone to be intimidated right under their nose??? Stupid idiot!!!
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i was there and the speakers were insightful. speakers from Pakatan Rakyat. the crowd was mainly chinese but i was amazed that the loudest cheers were for the PAS and PKR speakers. this shows solidarity amongst the races….this is truly 1Malaysia here in the hall tonite. i am so happy that we Penangnites showed that we care enough to brave the rain and the forces. And i pray that Teoh Beng Hock’s soul rest in peace…… let him not die in vain.
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Yes,come next GE,PLEASE,PLEASE booted out this BN/UMNO…. PLEASE.
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Hi everyone,
UMNO’s cronies, including its mass media, is trying to divert attention on MACC’s interrogative process and failings by playing the ‘race card’, when what the rakyat demand is the truth of how Beng Hock came to his demise!
Those who play the race cards are the very ones who invoke and warn others not do so – a ‘reverse psychology’? But remember the people are not that naive anymore!!
If Beng Hock is not the accused, but only helping the investigation as stated by MACC, why then the need to hold him from afternoon till the wee hours of the next morning? It doesn’t make sense!?
It also belies logic that an ‘expectant’ person, who is busy making arrangements for his wedding, would take his own life. Hope that the Police investigation would throw some light on what I perceive to be illogical.
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16th July. A young man died. Lets us remember him in our prayer….
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