In the absence of Haris, I took over the emceeing part. Earlier on in the week I read in MT that Michael was traveling from Singapore for this vigil and would return the same night by bus to Singapore. I called out for Michael and the crowd gave him a resounding ovation. "For what RPK has done for us, I would be here at every vigil if it was on Saturday. It is difficult to pay back to RPK and his family. My presence here is my little contribution." A Towering Malaysian.
After Marina reported on her visit to Pete on Saturday, ex-ISA detaianee Hishamuddin Rais took centrestage and praised the audience for conquering FEAR to be here at the vigil. He had the participants in stitches when he claimed he was the only one amongst us who is certified by the government as clean to mix in society.
Champion anti-ISA preacher, Fr O C Lim despite a bad throat, vehemently stressed the evil that is the ISA. He was followed by MP for Klang YB Charles Santiago, YB Lau Weng San, adun of Kg.Tengku and Professor Robert Chew, PA to ISA-detainee MP Manoharan. After lecturer and activist Wong Chin Huat announced that tonight was the 21st anniversary of Operation Lalang, two young guitarist Marcus and Basil entertained with their own composition.
I was distracted then by a lone voice that asked: Why don't anyone organise a vigil in JB? Suzie and husband had travelled up from JB for this vigil. We talked about this after the vigil and chances are that JOHOR WILL HAPPEN.
Relish those moments caught by delCapo (Danny Chuah).
Whilst he captured the events, Danny themed the young who came with their parents.
Whilst he captured the events, Danny themed the young who came with their parents.
OLD BOY OF KEM KAMUNTING: HISHAM RAIS
How invigorating to see a glittering sea of brave Malaysians who cherish freedom, justice and truth! RPK is blessed to have stout-hearted friends like Haris, Zorro, Danny and so many others - and I'm not referring to the Guinness drinkers, but they are certainly included :-).
ReplyDeleteI will be back in Malaysia next week and look forward to join my brave fellow Malaysians for the next vital candlelight vigil!
ReplyDeleteI was at the vigil last night (10/26)and was very touch with the support of those present and it is my first time at the vigil to support RPK (which I had the greatest respect for him) and the ISA detainees.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely made it a weekly event for me and my friends.
Something in my mind is asking, where is the HINDRAF's supporter (HINDRAF leader is also part of the ISA detainee, right)? During the HINDRAF rally, we see thousand of them, what happen? Does the vigil messages reach them? How about the PKR supporter, where are they?
Is it the word "FEAR" as what Hishamuddin Rais talk about last night?
Anyway, keep up the good work.
May I suggest a 'Theme' song be sung at these virgils? Add a musical touch to carry the message through not only with our eyes but ears. Something like "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" or some old familiar tune which every attendant can sing or hum along. It does make a difference and assume a wider dimension on the purpose of basic human rights rather than it being just a local issue.
ReplyDeletemalsia1206
Seremban is gonna have their own (Friday, 31oct08, 8 pm at old Convent School near Terminal One.)
ReplyDelete_________________________
http://delcapo.wordpress.com/
If possible vigil should be changed to Saturday to enable more to support the cause. Also, it should start at 8.30 p.m as it takes time to travel to PJ.
ReplyDeleteIn addition of the vigil, the activities should be taken to the intermational level. It should have the big impact effect.
Such activities are :
Have the biggest and longest Anti I ASS Air banner in Malaysia with many supporters holding the banner.
Invite international media to report the event.
Personally go to International Human Right Organisation to present protest. Invite international news media.
Have a hot air ballon with banner carrying the Anti Message. Invite imternational News.
Such examples will bring greater and more immediate impact. I trust many people will be willing to contribute to the funds to support such activities.
May God be with the good people and may the evil be condemned to Hell.
Good over Evil.
Sir,
ReplyDeleteI have never yet participated in these anti-ISA vigils. But that does NOT mean I do not vehemently object any form of ISA-ing and do very well support "say NO to ISA".
The point I wish to make is, given the heavy machinery of pro-ISA works, and given the speculation of what's likely in store when the DPM takes over the reins, would all these determined tiny pockets of anti-ISA drives make a significant change?
I am inclined to believe a mammoth nationwide roll-out of an anti-ISA drive counting tens of thousands of people would be more likely an effective chance for change.
Surely all the political big-wigs INCLUDING the Minister who walked out on the BN, the religious, the NGOs and the coalition members - DAP, PKR, PAS, and international organizations for justice can do one mammoth sweep on this.
Can you through you blogger friends help get this message through?
Or do you beg to differ Sir? If so, I am humbled to learn further.
When Nelson Mandela was in prison...some of the most hardcore vigils were held in Glasgow.....likewise ....for RPK...one should be held in Wales ...as Britain clearly frowns upon infringement of human rights.......the pressure must be built... both from within and from outside the country
ReplyDeleteOh the futility of it all!
ReplyDeleteAha JD....what I expected...somebody suggesting something big. The little snowball (weekly vigils) becoming more visible and potent. the little snowball that started in Penang is continued in PJ and will roll into Seremban this coming Friday and JB, hopefully soon. Small bites...cant eat an elephant in one bite. Capital idea yours....but we hope some organisations with more muscle will take this up. We pray someone will.
ReplyDeleteMALAYISA like the flag in distress until the abhorrent act is history and our Raja Petra is free once again.
ReplyDeleteI fully support the suggestion to have the candle light vigils on Saturdays. It is not a breeze for outstation Anti-ISA supporters to come to PJ and back the very night to be in time for work the next day.
ReplyDeleteInnovative ideas such as having huge hot air balloons with the Anti-ISA message and displaying big and the longest Anti-Isa banner held by a human chain in the country to send the message across would be fantastic.
However what is legal and right in the minds of right thinking people is legal to the UMNO elites and their henchmen like the botak.
Would such novel ideas see the light of day? Would these mafia goons allow such displays? Won't they term them as being a threat to (their) security and peace of the nation?
I won't be surprised at all if the botak comes up with one of his gems to use ISA against all those involved for their security.
The police might chip in and declare that they are reliably informed that such displays will incite the dominant race into another 5/13 killing orgy.
Whatever we do to promote and showcase our anger and disgust against the draconian ISA and its indiscriminate use to stifle legitimate dissent, we must never ever give these despicable goons room to intimidate the rakyat.
Inviting foreign media or officials from the human rights network to address the vigil supporters would also highlight its intended purpose to the whole world.
I think if vigils could he held at the same time and day, preferably on Saturdays, the impact would be much greater.
oops, sorry for the error:.........
ReplyDeletein the minds of right thinking people is illegal to the UMNO elites....
any vigil in ipoh !!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bernard for that night in Sban. You were the bugle blower, gathering the troops for us Sban knights.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I really want to thanks all you outstationers who came for our vigil. Please come again to our 2nd vigil this Friday at Dataran Sban Park, 8pm -- Angela