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Over 100 brave rain to attend PJ vigil

Nov 022008

Photos by Rakyat@Work

Eye-witness report by Rakyat@Work:

The night when colours fade:

“Where are all the Indians?”
“Where are all the Malays?”
“Where are all the Chinese?”

Haris: Are we all blind or what? Who cares about skin colours? It doesn’t matter any more! We are Bangsa SATU! We are Bangsa Rakyat!

Yes! I feel a surge of adrenaline overflowing within me, a sudden sense of brother- and sisterhood with my fellow Malaysians. It’s a celebration of Life. I feel good, I really do. So do the rest.

Towards the end of the event, someone discovers a wallet that had been dropped. Marina immediately hands it over to a guy and asks that it be returned ASAP. Someone else whips out his handphone and asks if there are any contact details in the wallet. It is sorted out in no time. That’s the kind of spirit when we say Bangsa Rakyat Bangsa Satu.

Candlelight vigil reaches Seremban

Civil society, Human rights 10 Responses »

Nov 012008

Photos by Rakyat@Work

The first baby steps for Seremban folks but a giant leap for justice and Bangsa Malaysia

Rakyat@Work reports for anilnetto.com on Seremban’s first Abolish ISA candlelight vigil:

Once again, a Eureka experience, entirely refreshing. Kudos to Angela et al for a successful vigil.

2110: The crowd now numbers a hundred or more. First to take the floor is none other than Marina. She gives us an update on RPK. Although his overall health is holding, he has to overcome various daily challenges such as sleeping on a platform which gives rise to backaches; food that is !#$@%. If there’s anything funny, it’s his belly. Flat! Really flat! (Sad, funny laughter from the crowd.)

“Can I buy him a proper bed?” asks someone in the crowd.

“Ya, what about one from Osim?” suggests another.

“Well, well, thanks to all,” replies Marina. “But you know, rules are rules and under ISA, you can imagine by now.”

We need to continue supporting RPK, and judging from the number of witnesses the prosecutors have lined up for his trial, we need even more patience and strength.

Over 300 gather in PJ calling for end to ISA

Civil society, Democracy, Human rights 16 Responses »

Oct 192008

Once again, a crowd gathered in PJ to call for the repeal of the ISA (Photo by Rakyat@Work)

Bebaskan RPK! Mansuhkan ISA! (Photo by Rakyat@Work)

Shackled by the ISA: Over in Penang, the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) held a commemoration of the 21st anniversary of Operation Lalang outside Prangin Mall with live bands, an ISA exhibition and talks (Photo by Mustafa K Anuar. More pics here and here.)

Blog reader kereem sums up the PJ event like this:

Great night! Great sing-a-long too! What an atmosphere… loved it! Felt so safe last week that I brought my daughter and wife along. Hope we will fill up the padang in no time

Rakyat@Work reports for anilnetto.com from Petaling Jaya:

2115: The rain pelts down now; more cars are honking and they are met with more cheers of approval from the crowd. Time to go back. People start leaving…. Well, another night is over.

My mate and I head towards our car, walking silenty and quietly, satisfed with the night. Our thoughts are with RPK, just hoping he was with us. I wonder what he is doing right this moment. We still need to pray hard and to continue until RPK and all the other ISA detainees are set free. That’s our target and that’s our mission… That’s the minimum standard we’re talking about, the new nation and the new rakyat! Good Night and God Bless All.

300 turn up for PJ candlelight vigil

Democracy, Human rights 7 Responses »

Oct 122008

A group of young people at the vigil last night in PJ (Photos by Rakyat@Work)

Part of the “NO 2 ISA” message on the ground where the vigil was held

kkitsam tells us about the messages from Marina and others:

I will say yesterday was a special night, even though the date was bought foward last Friday, and rain from 3.00pm to 6.00pm around KL (after being cloudy all day) failed to prevent a strong crowd of 300 people from turning up.

Marina got the crowd going by lighting the “NO 2 ISA” candles and delivering a message. She thanked the crowd for their continuing support and spoke of RPK’s medical check up a day earlier. The doctor revealed RPK has a good heart, but his back was bad.

Then Gobind got the crowd roaring to fight against the ISA. Both Zorro and Haris also said a few words. It was declared that there would be a Vigil every Sunday at 8.00pm at the same place until every ISA detainee is released.

Rakyat@Work sends in another eye-witness account:

2130: I gotta go ‘cos I have just met a couple who have volunteered to give us a lift back. We leave at 9.30pm. The crowd is still there. As we drive past, our driver honks, like someone else did earlier. Sounds of support and freedom for RPK and the rakyat. Yes! Great night, very satisfying. Please continue to keep RPK and family in prayer.

2100: LKS arrives. Now the crowd has swelled to more than 250 or even 300. Sea change? Fireworks tomorrow? Too noisy now, can’t hear what’s going on in front. Be patient, I suppose. Shortly after this, Marina’s walks around: more hugs, more thanks, then goodbye.

2045: Marina’s here; so is Gobind. Marina leads the way: she lights the candles, making out the words “NO 2 ISA” on the ground. Gobind helps out as well.

Next, Marina updates us with what’s going on and asks all of us to visit the Malaysia Today website ‘cos she has launched ‘My little scrapbook’. Please visit the website – it’s self-explanatory. She thanks everyone for coming from near and far for their support and urges us to continue to seek the truth for justice.

Next Gobind gives us some updates followed by addresses by two well known bloggers.

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