Police ordered the participants of an Abolish ISA vigil at the Civic Centre in PJ to disperse minutes after the event had started.
The vigil began at around 8.15pm but about five minutes later the OCPD of PJ ordered the participants to disperse.
“The authorities care a lot for the safety of the rakyat,” reports Rakyat@work, tongue in cheek. “They sent more than two police personnel for every vigil participant.”
Blog reader Adeline reports:
We came late to the vigil and saw only FRU and police personnel rather than ‘vigilers’. Met some ‘vigilers’ at the adjacent car park and was informed the gathering had dispersed. The main road leading to the MBPJ building was blocked off as we approached. There were at least four Black Marias parked at the main road shoulder.
Pure police intimidation. Feel so incomplete without my Sunday Mesra Raykat. We must meet more often!
Adds delCapo:
We actually managed to burn some candles, had one full speech and one short interrupted speech and a round of Negaraku before dispersing peacefully.
Still… it was a case of harrassment, intimidation and violation of the rakyat’s rights.
According to Rakyat@work, about 80 participants had gathered for the vigil but they had to contend with over 200 police personnel, riot police and plain clothes personnel. Three FRU trucks were parked by the side of Civic Hall.
“But we obeyed their orders and dispersed obediently.”
Unlike previous vigils held at the same location, the vigil this time apparently did not have a permit.
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS MALAYSIA: The Red Book – Police and Your Basic Rights In 2006, The Malaysian Bar Council took the initiative to launch a publication titled “The Red Book – Police and Your Basic Rights”. The Red Book contains a lot of information that you will find useful if you have to deal with the police (plain clothes or uniformed). For example, the book contains information on your rights and what you can do and cannot do if/when you are stopped, arrested or questioned by the police. Other useful information in the book include the colour schemes of police… Read more »
you think it gonna be reported in our local press?
Was there, heard a good speech and a bit more. Sang Negaraku, made my way back. Will be there next Sunday. Have not missed a single one yet! Have been to Seremban twice. No probs.
Yes, the number of ppl at the vigil was only about 60 to 80 the most, as others were blocked by police from driving in. The police plus FRU total more than 200!! Plus 2 or 3 Official fully geared camera man.
This is sheer ‘overkill’ just by the numbers,no? I mean against peace loving rakyat? Fortunately, for the rakyat and the police, this time they allowed the national anthem to be sang without any disrespect to all. God bless Malaysia.
They arrested the JERIT cyclists alleging children were used in the campaign. BUT Minister of Education Hishammudin Hussein wants to assemble schoolchildren to protest against Israeli cruelty in Gaza…. double-standard!
Slight correction:
We actually managed to burn some candles, had 1 full speech & 1 short interrupted speech + a round of Negaraku before dispersing peacefully.
Still… it was a case of harrassment, intimidation & violation of the rakyat’s rights.
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http://delcapo.wordpress.com/2009/01/11/110109-pj-candlelight-vigil-we-were-outnumbered/
P/s Of course my application was turned down. The reason? The place ( Dataran Park) NOT SUITABLE for such gatherings. Never mind that we had earlier held it 3 times without any trouble and the suitability was a non issue. Damn disgraceful, unjustified behaviour of the blues whose salaries are paid by US, the rakyat.
This is why I am camped here in KT for 2 weeks. When I applied for my Sban vigil, I had to fill 5 sets of forms (each set had 6 pages) and most questions in it was not applicable. This was cos I was just an ordinary old lady with no political party affiliation and no other agenda except I felt strongly ISA was unjust and should be abolished immediately. Therefore most pages were blank and could not write ‘weekly’ affair, I HAD to RE apply EVERY week if I wanted to hold it weekly. Damn this BN Govt… Read more »
I hear it takes ONE WHOLE DAY to get one police permit for one vigil!
We came late to the vigil and saw only FRU and police personnel rather than vigilers. Met some vigilers at the adjacent car park and was informed the gathering had dispersed. The main road leading to the MBPJ building was blocked off as we approached. There were at least four Black Marias parked at the main road shoulder.
Pure police intimidation. Feel so incomplete without my Sunday Mesra Raykat. We must meet more often! Our thoughts are with voters in KT. We want change, please vote for HOPE, vote PR !!
What about the permit at the embassy??????????
read the latest article by RPK. Two sets of laws are now emplaced by the cops. One for BN and the other for non-BN. For BN, anything goes. For others, nothing goes. Hurray, PDRM job well done.