Prayers for the nation and for release of ISA detainees

Anil Netto
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Mustafa K Anuar reminds of what ‘Living in the holy month of Ramadan’ means:

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year, is a time to fast for the sake of God, and to offer more prayer than usual.

During Ramadan, Muslims seek forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance into the future and for ways of avoiding daily evils, and also to try to purify themselves through self-restraint.

It is also during this month that Muslims are required to make extra efforts to spread love, peace, harmony and goodwill.

Hence, in the spirit of Ramadan, I pray that Malaysians, irrespective of their ethnic and religious backgrounds, would make an extra effort to work together towards our collective happiness, peace and harmony.

Furthermore, in the spirit of love and peace, I also pray for the early release of ISA detainees Raja Petra Kamarudin and Teresa Kok as well as other detainees in Kamunting.

May God bless us all.
Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) deputy president Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, for his part, tells us why the ISA is against Islam. Meanwhile, a special Mass will be held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Penang at 8.00pm today to pray for justice and peace in our nation and for the early release of all ISA detainees. Over at the Bangsar Lutheran Church in Kuala Lumpur, Sivin Kit informs us that a silent prayer vigil will be held tomorrow, 16 September (Malaysia Day) from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. “People can come and pray for 5 minutes, or others 50 minutes, it’s up to them,” he says.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19
And here is a prayer published in yesterday’s Herald:
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400 gather in spirited anti-ISA protest in Penang

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The enthusiastic participants of the vigil refused to go home after the “official” proceedings ended. Instead, many of them walked up to the pavement and chanted at passing motorists, who honked back loudly in support

Light in the darkness: This was a motivated crowd that included many first-timers

Some 400 people gathered in a spirited anti-ISA protest in Penang tonight. The event was held in an open space in front of the Dewan Sri Pinang facing Light Street and the Penang High Court buidling across the road. Many passing cars honked in support. In the past, a similar vigil would have drawn perhaps 30-100 people, most of them the usual civil society “suspects”. This time about 400 turned up. What was remarkable about this event – and it reflects how much Malaysian society has changed – was that there were many “first-timers” in the crowd. And they didn’t even look like activist-types. I met one mother, G, who had brought her daughter, a private college student, along for the vigil. “I want her to learn about larger issues,” said the mother. I also ran into a group of three women, Cheryl and her two first-timer friends. And courageous blogger Daniel, who is battling cancer, and his partner. Says blog-reader Romerz:
I was most amazed by the mix of the crowd. Halfway through the event, two Malay men, in their sarongs and skull caps, made their way in front of me and joined in. They must have just come from breaking puasa and evening prayers to lend support to a noble COMMON cause. The movement for change is strong on the ground and it cuts across all races and religions. This is one of the rare occasions when I’m proud to be Malaysian and proud of my Malaysian brothers and sisters.
So these really were ordinary Malaysians – not the regular activist-types. But their enthusiasm matched or even surpassed that of the activists.
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Letter from Marina Lee to Malaysia Today readers

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In case you missed it, check out this letter from Marina Lee.
Dear Readers, I just like to thank the hundreds of support given to me and my family on the arrest under the decornian ISA law of Raja Petra Kamarudin or better known to you as RPK. Me and my children are fine and I assure you that I will never give up and do whatever I can to get my dear dear husband released on this draconion law that they have arrested him. I know that I have a huge family and support out there that I see and feel has given me the strength to be tuff and strong.
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Times have changed; the old racist rhetoric won’t sell

Anil Netto
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In recent days, we have seen how certain politicians and leaders have attempted to drive a wedge between Malaysians with their tired old racist and religious rhetoric. But what is remarkable is that most Malaysians are not buying this nonsense despite the best efforts of those trying to stir up trouble. They can see clearly what is going on. Give them credit and don’t insult their intelligence. The people know there are rifts inside Umno. Many are unhappy about the ISA arrests but they are reacting calmly because they know there are certain people out there trying to capitalise on this.
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ISA vigils in Penang

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Civil society groups in Penang are holding a peaceful vigil in front of the Dewan Sri Pinang at 9.00pm today calling for the release of all ISA detainees and a repeal of this immoral law. Those interested are asked to bring along candles or torchlights. Tomorrow, Monday, at 8.00pm, there will be a special Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (turn in next to the Caltex station along Green Lane, Penang) to pray for justice and peace in our land and for the early release of all ISA detainees.

Zaid Ibrahim ready to quit over use of ISA on civilians

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Two more days to go … and another sign of restlessness in the ranks. De facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim has come out openly to say he is willing to resign for his principles. He believes that the ISA should not be used on civilians, according to a report in The Star online. He says the ISA should only be used against terrorists and those out to topple the government by force.
“I will seek a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to have a frank discussion about this issue to seek his views as soon as possible,” he told reporters. “I know I am breaking rank here … I am prepared to face the consequences. If I am told to resign, I will do so.
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PM concerned over attempts to change transition plan

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Something is up. While most of us were focused on the ISA arrests, we could have missed this. We are seeing differences between Abdullah and Najib or Muhyiddin or both over the transition plan – which was supposed to be a done deal, under which the PM would hand over the reins to Najib in 2010. But now we see Najib saying that it should be left to Umno delegates to decide. And Muhyiddin saying that 2010 is too far away. And Abdullah is expressing concern. The Bernama report below says Abdullah has reiterated that the decision on the transfer of power had already been agreed upon by him and Najib, and endorsed by the other party leaders and the cabinet. Meanwhile, Anwar is due wants to meet Abdullah tonight as soon as possible ostensibly to discuss the ISA arrests.
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Pray for justice and peace in our land

Anil Netto
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The next few days are likely to be filled with uncertainty. But do not fear. All people of goodwill in this land – sisters and brothers of the Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Sikh faiths and of other spiritual traditions – need to pray for justice and peace. Or else send out positive thoughts and energy for good things to happen to Malaysia and for evil plans to be thwarted.
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Typhoon hits Taiwan as BN MPs due to leave

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This must be a memorable trip for the BN MPs in Taiwan. They departed for Taiwan on 8 September and as they reached Taiwan, a 6.1 earthquake struck off the coast on 9 September.
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Sin Chew reporter released

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Just received word that the Sin Chew Daily reporter, Tan Hoon Cheng, has been released by Bukit Aman. A vigil had earlier been scheduled outside the Sin Chew office in Penang from 2.00pm to 6.00pm.

Tan may be released soon; “no more arrests expected”?

Anil Netto
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So Tan Hoon Cheng was detained for her own safety! Interesting sort of protection scheme, I must say. Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar says the Sin Chew Daily reporter may be released as early as today, according to The Star online. He said Tan was detained to ensure her safety as police intelligence indicated that there were threats to her life after she reported on Ahmad Ismail’s allegedly racist remarks.
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Updates on ISA arrests

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Check out the Aliran website for updates on the ISA arrests.

Message from Raja Petra’s wife Marina Lee

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Teresa Kok detained under ISA as well

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She was detained at 11.18pm in the KL area. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng speaking at a press conference described her arrest as a “travesty of justice” and “a mockery of democracy”. There appears to be a massive crackdown to prevent 916 from happening, he observed.
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Sin Chew journalist detained under ISA

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Update at 11.43pm: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is now giving a press conference. Sin Chew journalist Tan Hoon Cheng has been detained in Penang. She is the journalist who reported on the Ahmad Ismail statements.
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Aliran, Kin Woon slam RPK’s arrest, show-cause letters

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Here are a couple of quick reactions. A statement from the Aliran exco:
RPK’s detention is unjust as it denies him his democratic right to defend himself. He should have been charged in open court in relation to the earlier charges made against him under the Sedition Act. By resorting to the ISA, his innocence can no longer be proven. This is indeed undemocratic, unjust and un-Islamic. Full statement: Release Raja Petra and retract show-cause letters
Aliran member Toh Kin Woon has also come out strongly:
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Raja Petra detained under ISA as 16 Sept nears

Anil Netto
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As I mentioned in the earlier posting, the show-cause letters to three newspapers were reminscent of Operasi Lalang in 1987. And now a couple of hours later, we hear Raja Petra has been detained under the ISA. So they lift the block on Malaysia Today one day, and then detain Raja Petra the next day. What kind of warped thinking is this? Are they trying to silence him as he has threatened to expose everything in court?
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Deja vu as 3 newspapers receive show-cause letters

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Barely a day after the Cabinet order the lifting of a block on certain websites, theSun, Sin Chew Jit Poh and Suara Keadilan have been issued show-cause letters, reports Malaysiakini. Just when you felt that they had done something right by lifting the block on websites, they now do this.
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Anwar’s credibility on the line as 16 Sept draws near

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But is he alone? Many Malaysians – incredibly, even those who not-so-long-ago were not the least bit interested in politics – are practically willing him on. Check out this SBS video documentary, looking ahead from the Permatang Pauh by-election.

916 possibly delayed: Pakatan

Anil Netto
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It looks like the 16 Sept target has been officially delayed. This excerpt from a Pakatan statement in Kit Siang’s blog.
Kepimpinan Pakatan Rakyat yang bertemu hari ini yakin proses pembentukan kerajaan baru yang berlandasan Agenda Reformasi sedang berjalan secara lancar. Kami percaya kerajaan Barisan Nasional akan diganti dalam masa terdekat. Pakatan Rakyat yakin mendapat bilangan ahli Parlimen yang mencukupi untuk mempunyai majoriti dalam Parlimen yang membolehkan penubuhan kerajaan baru. Bagaimanapun tarikh sebenar penubuhan kerajaan mungkin terpaksa dilewatkan dari 16 September sebagaimana rancangan awal akibat beberapa ahli Parlimen telah dipaksa ke Taiwan.
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