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