Norlaila, with her son by her side, shares her experience of having her husband detained under the ISA for more than six years

The mystery woman ‘M’

Rakyat@work reports from PJ:

2400: As we parted, Benz says to me. “Tonight was something special indeed; more new faces, more new testimonies, more new insights into the rakyat’s hopes and dreams; in fact, every vigil night, there is something new and refreshing to take home.”

I couldn’t agree with him more. God is good and so are our bros and sis who are blind to race. It feels so good. See you all next week? Over and out.

2210: Vigil ends.

2200: Well, its getting late now, the latest so far. Somehow, the crowd is reluctant to leave. There’s something special about tonight. Richard Yeoh once more leads us into our national anthem, Negaraku, and boy, it sounds a lot better now. No off keys this time, ha ha, it almost sounds as if it’s coming from a CD or tape recorder.

2135: Next comes a gentleman from the PKR. He speaks of the good old days when anthems were sung with such pride and unity among all races. What a contrast to today. It’s a sad, sad story these days… when we are plagued with ‘man-made’ problems.

It’s ironic, isn’t it? While other nations battles with natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis and droughts, we, in Malaysia, have to contend with problems created by ourselves.

A woman speaks of the fear of standing up to be counted. She encourages her friends to come for the vigil and shares with us how many others are being either ‘brainwashed’ by fear or living in bondage.

Another speaker, Lokman, asks that the momentum of the vigils be sustained. Have faith in the rakyat playing their part, he says. He has experienced the change and is convinced it’s already working. The good news is that many more Malay sisters and brothers are coming out now.

2110: After Norlaila comes the next surprise! Most of the crowd are caught unaware… not by the FRU but by the presence of a brave lady.

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The sixth and last weekly candlelight vigil will be held today (Friday) at 9.00pm in front of Dewan Sri Pinang. This series has been organised by the Gabungan Mansuhkan ISA (Abolish ISA Movement).

On Sunday, GMI will be holding a commemoration of the 21st anniversary of Operation Lalang at the open space outside Prangin Mall in Penang from noon to 10.00pm. It looks as if there could be another candlelight vigil in PJ on Sunday night.

If you have not already seen the latest issue of Aliran Monthly, go here for more information. This issue focuses on the ISA and the unholy concept of a ‘national security state’.

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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. Continue reading »