A SUNDAY WALK WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

Eric and I were to rendezvous with Haris Ibrahim at the KLCC station at 8.30am. At 8.10 Harris messaged that we meet at Dang Wangi, as the Ampang Park and KLCC stations were closed. (If people complained, the running dog media will say it is all because of the Walk.)

As we walked together with the Bar Council Monitoring Team towards Jl. Ampang, the gathering gathered force by the time we reached the Renaissance Hotel. As we walked towards the Wisma Selangor Dredging the air had this irritable pungency that stung the eyes. Earlier the Police had unleashed their chemically laced water canon and lobbed tear gas into a crowd, irregardless of some people having their Sunday breakfast at one of the sidewalk joints. We could not move forward. During this respite, I gave my mineral water to a participant to wash his already teary and bloodshot eyes. I urged him to give his eye a good wash afterwhich he returned the bottle to me, saying, “Uncle keep some for yourself.” That encapsulated the spirit of the day; caring for and sharing with one another.

I HAVE BEEN WONDERING HOW COME THE RED CRESCENT AND THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ARE NOT AROUND TO RENDER AID? AREN’T THEY INDEPENDENT, WELFARE AGENCIES, PLEDGED TO GIVE MEDICAL AID TO FRIEND OR FOE? SOMEBODY, GIVE US AN ANSWER PLEASE!

Except for the acrid haze enveloping us, a calm descended as progress was impeded by a phalanx of red personnel carriers.

I took the opportunity to engage my fellow-walkers. Palani, an electronic technician from Kedah volunteered, “We are here not for the money from the Queen. We are here my friends and I to ask for fair treatment and equal opportunities “ His friends echoed similar sentiments but the most vocal was Sundaraj from Sentul. “Our temples are torn down, our gods are bulldozed into pieces. Samy Velu did not protest for us, so we have to do it ourselves.”

I took a dicey chance but told Kumaresan from Sri Petaling that despite this the Indians will still vote for MIC. His immediate retort had a finality about it: “Not this time, uncle.” However, Kumaresan’s friend, seemingly angry at my statement asked: “You Chinese, why are you here?” “To support you,” I shot back. And he shook my hand. It was a meaningful handshake. It conveyed gratitude and determination. Jokingly while shaking my hand, he said: “I thought you Special Branch, uncle.” How do I qualify for this tag?

At around 9.30am, we heard some loud clapping and cheering that was eventually followed by the sharp popping sound that heralded the launching of volleys of tear gas.

. We retreated back to Saloma Restaurant.

Because we were not making any progress forward we decided to take a cab, headed into Jalan Raja Abdullah, come out to Jalan Raja Muda to sneak into Jalan Tun Razak. Just after the junction to Jl. Gurney the cab refused to proceed. We alighted and that’s when Eric and I befriended an FRU officer who, besides telling us he had not slept since last evening, guaranteed that their job was not to arrest, but to disperse the unlawful gathering. (Notice, no name tag, just FRU). But he sure looked spent and frayed. Somehow I liked him. His body language said amongst other things that he had to obey his commanding officer. Yes I liked him. I could empathize with him,

unlike some who sadistically proved

they derive pleasure from inflicting pain or violence.

Whilst there was no way we could go near the High Commission, we chanced upon Mark and Lucy from Puchong. Mark showed us the kick mark he received earlier. Lucy, his wife concurred. His parting shot to us before he walked away: “I used to scold my wife for always voting opposition. I will follow her this time.”

At 2.40pm Haris messaged that the organizers had asked the gathering to disperse peacefully. That I am sure the people did. Generally, the tone was peaceful except for some shouts of warnings and cheering. I did not hear any tauntings and booing. But, I bet a round of beers, that this overwhelming crowd will never vote MIC again.

Let me just volunteer this to the party in power: “DON’T GIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MASSES TO HATE YOU. TRY CONSCIENTIOUSLY TO RECALL WHAT STARTED THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. I WILL HELP YOU. WASN’T IT HATRED FOR THE RULING CLASS AND THEIR RUNNING DOGS?

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Pics courtesy from above blogs.