This is something I wrote for Asia Times:

An air of nervousness has hung over Malaysia in sight of a potential confrontation between civil society organizers and pro-government opponents. A ”walk for democracy” planned for July 9 by a coalition of civil society groups known as Bersih 2.0 to campaign for clean and fair elections sparked a government crackdown reminiscent of the country’s old authoritarian ways. Continue reading »

 

Twenty one people were arrested during a peaceful Workers’ Day gathering in KL. Not the best way for the government to observe this day in honour of ordinary workers.

Among those arrested are Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj and several other top PSM leaders, including its secretary general S Arutchelvan. Continue reading »

 

Photos courtesy of The Edge via Flickr

For other live coverage in English of the Abolish ISA gathering in KL, click here.

For live coverage in Malay, go here.

For live photo updates, go here.