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“We have the numbers … tomorrow is D-Day”

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Video courtesy of Sivin Kit

Weeks of anticipation culminated in the announcement that was long awaited by many Malaysians:

We, the leaders of Pakatan, jointly wrote a letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi – it was handed by our representatives today – seeking an immediate meeting to discuss the following: firstly, the immediate release of all political detainees including Raja Petra, Teresa Kok, Manoharan and the rest; and secondly, to discuss the smooth, peaceful transition of Power.

We have the numbers, and tonight on the eve of 916 – and tomorrow is D-Day – we are ready to form…(The crowd’s roar drowns Anwar’s words.)

“The process has begun,” confirms a senior PKR leader. “Tomorrow, emissaries are going to try and meet the PM, and if that doesn’t materialise, Anwar will start the process.”

Earlier I was on the phone with my contact inside the Kelana Jaya Stadium reporting ‘live’ from the scene:

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Penang Cathedral denounces ISA before 800 people

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The ISA must go now: Fr Fabian Dicom strongly denounces the ISA

We shall overcome: They sang loudly while swaying candles held high

Datuks against ISA: Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon and Dato’ Seri Dr T Devaraj after Mass

Hot on the heels of the Perlis Mufti’s criticism of the use of the ISA, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirt in Penang, the seat of the Catholic Church in the northern region, has delivered a powerful indictment of the draconian law in a special Mass attended by some 600 800 concerned Malaysians.

“We are fed up,” said assistant parish priest Fr Fabian Dicom, in a searing denouncement of the ISA. “The ISA must go now. What we are saying here can be found in the verses of our scriptures.”

From Matthew Chapter 5:

5 Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for uprightness: they shall have their fill.
7 Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognised as children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of uprightness: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.

Dicom’s call was echoed in another stirring denunciation by parish priest Fr Francis Anthony at the end of the Mass.

The main celebrant wore purple vestments, “the colour of mourning,” explained Dicom, who concelebrated Mass with half a dozen priests from the Penang diocese including Anthony and Fr Marshall Fernandez, the parish priest of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus.

“We should not rest until we sound the death knell for the ISA,” added Dicom, whereupon the congregation inside heard the faint tolling of a church bell.

The crowd broke out in loud and sustained applause each time the priests called for an immediate end to the ISA and for the release of all ISA detainees. Among those present were Penang-based civil society activists and bloggers as well as folks from the mainland.

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Zaid’s quit letter “rejected”

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Zaid Ibrahim’s resignation letter has apparently been rejected by the PM, the NST reports.

The PM has instead urged Zaid to take two weeks’ leave and then continue with judicial reforms.

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Perlis Mufti slams use of ISA

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The Mufti of Perlis has criticised the government for using the ISA.

This extract from a M-Star online report here:

… Dr Asri berkata, Islam dibina dari hujah dan dasar yang jelas, dan Islam juga tidak memerlukan ISA untuk membela ajarannya.

“Jadi tidak ada alasan untuk menahan orang dengan tidak memberi peluang membela diri. Ini adalah satu tindakan yang salah. Sekiranya orang itu mempunyai kesalahan dari segi hukum agama, buktikan dari segi dalil-dalil agama.

“Cara kita tangkap orang guna ISA atas kesalahan agama tidak akan menghilangkan salahfaham terhadap Islam. Seharusnya diperjelaskan dulu apa kesalahan itu. Kalau misalnya orang itu menghina Islam atau menyeleweng, buktikan dulu berdasarkan Quran dan hadis.

“Perlu diperdengarkan pertuduhan itu kepada orang yang dituduh itu. Mungkin juga, ia hanya satu salah faham. Yang penting perdengarkan dulu hujahnya,” kata Mufti yang terkenal dengan kelantangannya mengeluarkan idea yang berani dan telus itu.

Kata Dr Asri lagi, “Islam bukan agama yang bacul. Perbuatan ISA kerana kesalahan agama seolah-olah menggambarkan orang Islam tidak mampu berhujah, terus tangkap orang. Mereka akan kata mereka benar kerana kita takut berhujah dengan dia.”

Beliau juga turut mengingatkan betapa bahayanya tindakan ISA.

Meanwhile, the NST reports that Teresa Kok could spend the next 27 days in detention.

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Zaid Ibrahim resigns

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He has tendered his letter of resignation over the use of the ISA.

It looks as if he has heeded the calls of many Malaysians urging him to quit.

“He is a very principled man, one of the better Umno men,” said Aliran member Toh Kin Woon in an immediate reaction.

“I have tremendous respect for him for his decision to quit on a matter of principle,” said Kin Woon, who himself recently quit Gerakan. “It’s very rare to have a person like him who can resist the lure of high office to stand firm on his own beliefs and prinicples.”

“Zaid Ibrahim’s action is exemplary and is a model for others to emulate.”

Meanwhile, a three-person Pakatan delegation is reportedly going to the Prime Minister’s office this afternoon to submit a letter requesting an appointment with the Prime Minister. Anwar had said on Saturday that he would be seeking an urgent appointment with the Prime Minister to discuss current developments.

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No gathering at palace tomorrow, PKR warns public

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PKR has warned the public not to be fooled by certain quarters who are purportedly spreading false information that the party is organising a rally or gathering at the Istana tomorrow. PKR secretary-general Sallehudin Hashim said he was informed that posters and banners had allegedly been put up at several locations in KL purportedly indicating that PKR was organising such a gathering, Suara Keadilan reports. The news portal adds that it had also received calls from the public, alerting it to this development.

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 SEPTEMBER (SK) – SETIAUSAHA Agong KeADILan, Sallehudin Hashim menafikan sebarang bentuk perhimpunan yang dianjurkan KeADILan esok di Istana Negara seperti diwar-warkan.

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Tan experienced “unknown strength” in detention

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Sin Chew reporter Tan Hoon Cheng describes how she was filled with an unknown strength during her 18 hours of detention:

During that 18 hours which was filled with a lot of uncertainties, I felt that there was some unknown strength that has supported me throughout; I knew it must be from you all, those whom I knew or have not met!

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All set for Pakatan rally at Kelana Jaya Stadium

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Organisers are expecting a large crowd at tonight’s gathering in the Kelana Jaya Stadium to usher in Malaysia Day. Pakatan leaders are also expected to call for the prompt release of Raja Petra and Teresa Kok.

According to The Star, the police have granted a permit for the event.

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Prayers for the nation and for release of ISA detainees

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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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