Nov 072008
 

Scenes of jubilation in court this morning after the decision Photo by Rakyat@Work

In a stunning development, Raja Petra is to be freed from ISA detention after a successful habeas corpus application.

Shah Alam High Court Judge Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad ruled that Raja Petra’s detention was illegal and that the Home Minister had acted outside his jurisdiction when he issued a two-year detention order under Section 8(1) of the ISA.

“The atmosphere here is fantastic,” says Rakyat@Work, my contact at the scene. “When the verdict was read out, everyone erupted in jubilation so much so the judge had to admonish the crowd and remind them it was a court of law. We couldn’t help it though! A lot of people were crying openly.”

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Nov 052008
 

Some 150 people turned up at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus for an Abolish ISA Mass, which could be the first in a series of Wednesday night Masses in Penang to express solidarity with and pray for ISA detainees.

The main celebrant tonight was parish priest Fr Marshall Fernandez, looking almost like an Old Testament figure with his flowing white beard and long white hair tied neatly in a pony-tail. The Mass was concelebrated with Archbishop Emeritus Soter Fernandez, College General Rector Fr Edwin Paul and College General acting Dean of Studies Fr Simon Labrooy.

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Nov 052008
 

I am surprised. I thought that the Abolish ISA campaign’s momentum in Penang would fizzle out after six weekly vigils. But no – there are more events coming up.

Today (Wednesday), there will be a Mass for ISA detainees at 8.00pm at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus (next to Convent Pulau Tikus).

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Oct 172008
 

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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