FINALLY LAID TO REST.....BUT WILL HIS SPIRIT REST?

As planned the Special Bunch (SB) took a quick lunch at the Wharf and in convoy proceeded to meet the others at Binary College opposite the IOI Mall.We had decided that we will not add to the congestion by being at the UH Mortuary and at the Taipan Police Station where the funeral entourage would stop for a ritual. Earlier we were informed that 6 people were arrested at the UH and a massive 3000 crowd had waited at the USJ police station where Kugan was allegedly tortured to death.



On receiving news that the hearse was on its way to Puchong we zipped over to the 14th Mile to await the cortege. A crowd was already assembled and we were advised to walk the last mile to the cemetery with Kugans family, as parking would be a problem.


Before the arrival of the funeral procession, as expected the Police made their presence ostentatiously. They parked a distance away. Like us, they knew that this was not the time to be confrontational. That is where they parked and that was where they remained until we saw then again at around 6.00pm.




When the hearse arrived the crowd had amassed and we all began our walk in a slight drizzle, I happened to walk with an almost Indian crowd and I did invite a few curious glances. One guy was brazen enough to ask me if I was from the police (quite a number of police have paunches like mine, yes?). I jokingly told him I was from the SB but quickly explained that I am from the Special Bunch. I doubt he knew the significance. It began to rain ......and then it came down in buckets.


Some walked and some had their motors. I looked for one without a pillion. Madavan was god-sent. But we all got drenched. When I alighted I pressed an ang-pow into Madavan's palms. He refused and said that our presence was more valuable. I impressed on him that this was an ang-pow because it is Chinese New Year. He accepted the small token. The rain, that was torrential during our ride just stopped when we reached the cemetry.


I stayed away from the burial site and took the opportunity to take off my shirt and wring dry whatever was possible. It was more comfortable after that.


Spent and weary, the mother of the late Kugan walks away and I had the opportunity to convey my condolence. Some media people asked me whether she would accede to an interview. I told them to just look at her condition and they understood.

TO ALL WHO MADE TIME WE THANK YOU.

MAY KUGAN REST IN PEACE.