Tuesday, September 30, 2008

THIS ZAID PIECE HAS THE SMOOTHNESS AND POTENCY OF AN 18YRS OLD MACALLAN.

JACQUELIN ANN SURIN who helms the NutGraph smsed me this morning to alert me to Dato Zaid's Letter to the PM. Like my title says, it has that unfamiliar smoothness and potency that I have to share it with all of you. But before that "Have a Good Hari Raya; Be Safe" and let's look forward to the Next Hari Raya in a New Malaysia.


29 September 2008

YAB Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi
Prime Minister of Malaysia
5th Floor, East Wing
Perdana Putra Building
Putrajaya, Malaysia


Dear Mr Prime Minister,

In our proclamation of independence, our first prime minister gave voice to the lofty aspirations and dreams of the people of Malaya: that Malaya was founded on the principles of liberty and justice, and the promise that collectively we would always strive to improve the welfare and happiness of its people.

Many years have passed since that momentous occasion, and those aspirations and dreams remain true and are as relevant to us today as they were then. This was made possible by a strong grasp of fundamentals in the early period of this nation. The Federal Constitution and the laws made pursuant to it were well founded; they embodied the key elements of a democracy built on the Rule of Law. The Malaysian judiciary once commanded great respect from Malaysians and was hailed as a beacon for other nations. Our earlier prime ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak and Tun Hussein Onn were truly leaders of integrity, patriots in their own right, and most importantly, men of humility. They believed in and built this nation on the principles and values enunciated in our Constitution.

Even when they had to enact the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 1960, they were very cautious and apologetic about it. Tunku stated clearly that the Act was passed to deal with the communist threat. "My cabinet colleagues and I gave a solemn promise to Parliament and the nation that the immense powers given to the government under the ISA would never be used to stifle legitimate opposition and silence lawful dissent", was what the Tunku said. Our third prime minister Tun Hussein Onn reinforced this position by saying that the ISA was not intended to repress lawful political opposition and democratic activity on the part of the citizenry.

The events of the last three weeks have compelled me to review the way in which the ISA has been used. This exercise has sadly led me to the conclusion that the government has time and time again failed the people of this country in repeatedly reneging on that solemn promise made by Tunku Abdul Rahman. This has been made possible because the government and the law have mistakenly allowed the Minister of Home Affairs to detain anyone for whatever reason he thinks fit. This subjective discretion has been abused to further certain political interests.

History is the great teacher and speaks volumes in this regard. Even a cursory examination of the manner in which the ISA has been used almost from its inception would reveal the extent to which its intended purpose has been subjugated to the politics of the day.

Regrettably, Tunku Abdul Rahman himself reneged on his promise. In 1965, his administration detained Burhanuddin Helmi, the truly towering Malay intellectual, a nationalist who happened to be a PAS leader. He was kept in detention until his death in 1969. Helmi was a political opponent and could by no stretch of the imagination be considered to have been involved in the armed rebellion or communism that the ISA was designed to deal with. This detention was an aberration, a regrettable moment where politics was permitted to trump the rule of law. It unfortunately appears to have set a precedent, and many detentions of persons viewed as having been threatening to the incumbent administration followed through the years. Even our literary giant, the late Sasterawan Negara Tan Sri A Samad Ismail was subjected to the ISA in 1976. How could he have been a threat to national security?

I need not remind you of the terrible impact of the 1987 Operasi Lalang. Its spectre haunts the government as much as it does the peace-loving people of this nation, casting a gloom over all of us. There were and still are many unanswered questions about those dark hours when more than a hundred persons were detained for purportedly being threats to national security. Why they were detained has never been made clear to Malaysians. Similarly, no explanation has been forthcoming as to why they were never charged in court. Those detainees included amongst their numbers senior opposition members of parliament who are still active in Parliament today. The only thing that is certain about that period was that Umno was facing a leadership crisis. Isn't it coincidental that the recent spate of ISA arrests has occurred when Umno is again having a leadership crisis?

In 2001, Keadilan reformasi activists were detained in an exercise that the Federal Court declared was in bad faith and unlawful. The continued detention of those that were not released earlier from the Kamunting detention facility was made possible only by the fact that the ISA had been questionably amended in 1988 to preclude judicial review of the minister's order to detain. Malaysians were told that these detainees had been attempting to overthrow the government via militant means and violent demonstrations. Seven years have gone and yet no evidence in support of this assertion has been presented. Compounding the confusion even further, one of these so-called militants, Ezam Mohamad Noor, recently rejoined Umno to great fanfare, as a prized catch, it would seem.

At around the same time, members of PAS were also detained for purportedly being militant and allegedly having links to international terrorist networks. Those detained included Nik Adli, the son of Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, the Menteri Besar of Kelantan. Malaysians were made a promise by the government that evidence of the alleged terrorist activities and links of these detainees would be disclosed. To date no such evidence has been produced.

The same formula was used in late 2007 when the Hindraf five were detained. Malaysians were told once again that these individuals were involved in efforts to overthrow the government and had links with the militant Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam of Sri Lanka. To date no concrete evidence has been presented to support this assertion. It would seem therefore that the five were detained for their involvement in efforts that led to a mobilisation of Indian Malaysians to express, through peaceful means, their frustration against the way in which their community had been allowed to be marginalised. This cause has since been recognised as a legitimate one. The Hindraf demonstration is nothing extraordinary as such assemblies are universally recognised as being a legitimate means of expression.

In the same vein, the grounds advanced in support of the most recent detentions of Tan Hoon Cheng, Teresa Kok and Raja Petra Kamarudin leave much to be desired. The explanation that Tan Hoon Cheng was detained for her own safety was farcical. The suggestion that Teresa Kok had been inciting religious sentiments was unfounded as was evinced by her subsequent release.

As for Raja Petra Kamarudin, a prominent critic of the government, a perusal of his writings would show that he might have been insulting of the government and certain individuals within it. However, being critical and insulting could not in any way amount to a threat to national security. If his writings are viewed as being insulting of Islam, Muslims or the Holy Prophet (pbuh), he should instead be charged under the Penal Code and not under the ISA. In any event, he had already been charged for sedition and criminal defamation in respect of some of his statements. He had claimed trial, indicating as such his readiness and ability to defend himself. Justice would best be served by allowing him his day in court more so where, in the minds of the public, the government is in a position of conflict for having been the target of his strident criticism.

The instances cited above strongly suggest that the government is undemocratic. It is this perspective that has over the last 25-plus years led to the government seemingly detaining arbitrarily political opponents, civil society and consumer advocates, writers, businessmen, students and journalists whose crime, if it could be called that, was to have been critical of the government. How it is these individuals can be perceived as being threats to national security is beyond my comprehension. The self-evident reality is that legitimate dissent was and is quashed through the heavy-handed use of the ISA.

There are those who support and advocate this carte-blanche reading of the ISA. They will seek to persuade you that the interests of the country demand that such power be retained, that Malaysians owe their peace and stability to laws such as the ISA. This overlooks the simple truth that Malaysians of all races cherish peace. We lived together harmoniously for the last 400 years, not because of these laws but in spite of them.

I believe the people of this country are mature and intelligent enough to distinguish actions that constitute a "real" threat to the country from those that threaten political interests. Malaysians have come to know that the ISA is used against political opponents and, it would seem, when the leadership is under challenge either from within the ruling party or from external elements.

Malaysians today want to see a government that is committed to the court process to determine guilt or innocence even for alleged acts of incitement of racial or religious sentiment. They are less willing to believe, as they once did, that a single individual, namely the Minister of Home Affairs, knows best about matters of national security. They value freedom and the protection of civil liberties and this is true of people of other nations too.

Mr Prime Minister, the results of the last general election are clear indication that the people of Malaysia are demanding a reinstatement of the rule of law. I was appointed as your, albeit short-lived, minister in charge of legal affairs and judicial reform. In that capacity, I came to understand more keenly how many of us want reform, not for the sake of it, but for the extent to which our institutions have been undermined by events and the impact this has had on society.

With your blessing, I attempted to push for reform. High on my list of priorities was a reinstatement of the inherent right of judicial review that could be enabled through a reversion of the key constitutional provision to its form prior to the controversial amendment in 1988. I need not remind you that that constitutional amendment was prompted by the same series of events that led not only to Operasi Lalang but the sacking of the then Lord President and two supreme court justices. Chief amongst my concerns was the way in which the jurisdiction and the power of the courts to grant remedy against unconstitutional and arbitrary action of the executive had been removed by Parliament and the extent to which this had permitted an erosion of the civil liberties of Malaysians. It was this constitutional amendment that paved the way for the ouster provision in the ISA that virtually immunises the minister from judicial review, a provision which exemplifies the injustice the constitutional amendment of 1988 has lent itself.

I also sought to introduce means by which steps could be taken to assist the judiciary to regain the reputation for independence and competence it once had. Unfortunately, this was viewed as undesirable by some since an independent judiciary would mean that the executive would be less "influential".

I attempted to do these things and more because of the realisation that Malaysia's democratic traditions and the rule of law are under siege. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with giving everyone an independent judiciary and the opportunity to a fair trial. This is consistent with the universal norms of human rights as it is with the tenets of Islam, the religion of the Federation. Unchecked power to detain at the whim of one man is oppressiveness at its highest. Even in Israel, a nation that is perpetually at war, the power to detain is not vested in one man and detention orders require endorsement from a judge.

If there are national security considerations, then these can be approached without jettisoning the safeguards intended to protect individual citizens from being penalised wrongfully. In other jurisdictions involved in armed conflicts, trials are held in camera to allow for judicial scrutiny of evidence considered too sensitive for public disclosure so as to satisfy the ends of justice. If this can be done in these jurisdictions, why not here where the last armed struggle we saw, the very one that precipitated the need for the ISA, came to an end in the 1980s? Any doubts as to the continued relevance of the ISA in its present form should have been put to rest by the recommendation by the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) that the ISA be repealed and an anti-terror legislation suited to the times enacted in its place. Containing as it did a sunset clause in its original times, the ISA was never intended to be a permanent feature of the Malaysian legal landscape.

Through its continued use in the manner described above and in the face of public sentiment, it is only natural that the ISA has become in the mind of the people an instrument of oppression and the government is one that lends itself to oppressiveness. Its continued use does not bode well for a society that is struggling to find its place in the global arena. It does not bode well for the democracy that is so vital for us to develop sustainably.

Mr Prime Minister, I remember very clearly what you once said: that if one has the opportunity to do what is good and right for the country, then he must take on the task. I respect you deeply for that, and if I were confident that I would have been able to do some good for Malaysia, I would have remained on your team. Sir, you are still the prime minister and you still have the opportunity to leave your footprint in Malaysian history. I urge you to do so by repealing the ISA once and for all.

Let us attempt to fulfil that solemn promise made by our beloved first prime minister to the people of this country.


Yours sincerely,

ZAID IBRAHIM
Kuala Lumpur

+++++

I am off to celebrate the eve of Hari Raya but we will knock glasses for our Muslim friends who have to be home to help around the house.


dang, the smoothness and potency of that letter from a TOWERING MALAYSIAN......

FOR THE FIRST TIME I WILL GO TO AN OPEN HOUSE....BUT IT WILL BE WITH A DIFFERENCE.


pic:www.thenutgraph.com

StarOnline would not have made a mistake about the open house at PWTC. The first session at 11:30am is for the Privileged and the second is for the Not-So-Privileged. I am convinced I belong to the Privilege class as I was born here and so was my father, grand-father and great-grandfather.
I suppose the second for the Not-So-Privileged are for the immigrant workers. It is good of the BN Government to think of these people who helped build all our white elephants and detention centres. But I ain't no immigrant....not even a squatter. Dang, I did own a property which I have now bequeathed to my son. I am a Malaysian of Chinese ancestry unlike some people of mixed breed but want to SQUAT as Malays,and in the process, defiling the pure Malay strain. Sheesshhhhh.

I thus certify myself as Privilieged and will go to the open house for the 11:30 session I will be wearing this T-Shirt.

So come along if you are not a squatter.
Purchase the TShirt from Gus Gan
016-3021125.


I visited People's Parliament and this is Haris' message for those who want to come along:

"I’ll be meeting up with friends in the vicinity of Secret Recipe at the Mall around 11.00am before moving on to PWTC.

For those of you who must have further details, you may contact me at no.bn.no.isa@gmail.com"



TO MY NEIGHBOR SHAH, SOPHIE, JIM BOY AND DANNY, YOU BET I WILL BE BACK FOR YOUR DO.....IF I AM LATE....YOU KNOW WHAT TO KEEP FOR ME.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA TO ALL MY MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS.























I AM STUMPED!

pic by BODOHLAND


WITH ONE STROKE OF HIS PEN THIS SOB SENT RAJA PETRA TO KAMUNTING.


On 22 September I wrote that the petition rose from 10,521(21Sept) to over 20,000. I wrote that I was dang proud of our people. Today is 30Sept. the eve of Hari Raya and the petition reads a measly 35,517. Did we lose momentum or are we caring less and forgetting. People, gather names, use your email and HIT, HIT, HIT at his link:

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?isa1234

let this be your Raya gift to all our brothers in detention under the ISA.


++++++

PEOPLE DONT CARE WHO WE ARE OR HOW MUCH WE KNOW
UNTIL THEY KNOW
HOW MUCH WE CARE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO REMEMBER OUR ISAed BROTHERS.

AN ODE TO SEPTEMBER



pic per kindness of BODOHLAND

DESIDERATA-YLCHONG REMEMBERS RAJA PETRA

Dear Raja Petra Kamarudin (and Marina and family)
It's the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri
A fellow blogger humbly writeth with warm wishes
And prayers for your wellbeing and safety
That you'd be secure in His abode divine
And to thy family: peace and serenity
I know thou art God-fearing and His Angels will watch o'er thee


My fellow Malaysian, this ode is in praise of thy sacrifice
Out of your deepest love for our NegaraKu
If after all human efforts fail to achieve your liberation
and that of some sixty fellow brothers giving of their life's best
I'll with other peace-loving Malaysians will not rest
We will continue the quest for thy release

We shall remember it's the kind of September ten years ago
Reformasi with thy comrades we sang our ode to freedom
In this season of goodwill
Among brothers and sisters above colour, creed and race
We will light the candle of peace
and seek the final release
From oppression of all human kind
Until everyone other chained by the Cruel one
Is release to the bosomy kiss of the Malaysian sun
and the embrace of tender September wind and showers
of blessing of love, charity and release
from all worldly bonds

Because you taught us to see the face of cruelty of Masters
of abuse, oppression and indulgence
Will one day be overcome by what is inherently Right
So well fought for by one dear to all we call Pete
One day soon, we will again celebrate

Till then, take care
Have faith, believe


Desi, 10.00PM September 29, 2008

+++++

SELAMAT HARI RAYA PETE
WE MISS YOU AWFULLY
from all the fishermen

Monday, September 29, 2008

AHAAA...., THUAN CHYE.....DID WE MEET THE SAME CHINK COP?


Kee Thuan Chye, made a comment on Malaysia Today after reading Marina's Birthday visit to Raja Petra at Kamunting. Good things must be shared and KTSwee have not asked KTChye for permission to post his comment. But he will understand.



Dear Marina,

Please let RPK know he has my support. I was at the candlelight vigil that turned into a march at Dataran Merdeka last night. And proud to have taken part. There were many who called out with conviction for RPK's release. The people I saw taking to the streets were those I would never have thought would do such a thing. But they did, and it's partly because of the empowerment RPK has given them in his writings in Malaysia Today and in his ceramahs. He is an inspiration to Malaysians. We need heroes like him.

I hope he will take heart from all this and keep his spirit intact.

May I leave you with my first-hand account of my experience last night:

I was proud to be there.

I got there with my wife, my son and my close friend before 7pm. I parked my car right at Dataran Merdeka. But there were only a handful of people around. And I had just received an SMS saying that the vigil would start at 8pm. I had all this while thought it would start at 7.

We moved off towards Masjid Jamek and ecnountered a group that was being harassed by police. They were threatened like children and told to snuff out their candles. The officer in charge, a Chinese guy, even said he was giving them five seconds to snuff out their candles. They asked him not to threaten them but he reacted even more strongly. He started the countdown: "One ... two ... three ..." The disempowered crowd moved off.




I was disgusted and was about to move off with my little group when we saw the WAMI people walking in a procession with tanglungs (chinese lanturn) towards Dataran Merdeka. We automatically followed them. They gave us tanglungs and we joined in the calls to abolish the ISA and free RPK. The leader of the WAMI group, Wong Chin Huat, talked briefly about the significance of the event. He also thanked the police for their generosity in giving us 10 minutes to gather and then he told us to disperse.




As we walked off, we sang "Happy Birthday" to RPK.

At that point, I wasn't sure what to do next. Would there really be a vigil after all? Would there be enough people present to make any impact? Or just a mere handful or a few pockets of people milling around? I was about to give up hope.

Then Hishammuddin Rais and his friends came by. I asked him what was happening. He indicated that Tian Chua was just across the road. We went over to join him. He knew where to go so we tagged along. We walked towards Jalan Tun Perak. As we neared the junction, we could hear the roar of a large crowd. They were shouting "Mansuhkan ISA!" We were greatly cheered by it.

When we turned the corner, we were amazed to see the huge crowd amassed in a procession heading down Jalan Tun Perak, chanting "Mansuhkan ISA!", "Bebaskan RPK!" and "Valgha Hindraf!" Where did they materialise from? Where were they when we first arrived on the scene just before 7pm?

We lit the candles we had brought along and joined in. The energy of the crowd was infectious. It was a fantastic feeling being in the midst of a large crowd of people with the same aim and the same mission. I was moved to chant along at the top of my voice. Numerous times, my voice cracked with emotion. Only those who know what it feels like to be passionate about something can understand that feeling. Only those who know what it is like to commune with other like-minded, like-hearted people can understand that feeling.

For a gloriuous half hour or so, we wended down Jalan Tun Perak and then turned into Jalan Pudu, past Menara Maybank. When cars honked in support, my heart soared. I saw someone inside a car give a thumbs-up sign. It was a moment of camaraderie and communion that inspired joy and hope.

Finally, we turned into the temple area and continued our vociferous chanting.

It's not often that I feel I've done enough for my country, but taking part in something as momentous as this march against the ISA is one thing I can be truly proud of. For once, I felt I made a significant contribution for the sake of my country.

Freeing RPK and all the ISA detainees, and abolishing the ISA forever cannot but be for the good of this country we all love.

Mansuhkan ISA!

Kee Thuan Chye

+++++++

Kee Thuan Chye (born May 25, 1954 in Penang, Malaysia) is a noted Malaysian dramatist, poet and journalist.

Kee graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 1976 and received his masters in drama from England’s Essex University in 1988. Kee served as literary editor and occasional film reviewer for the New Straits Times, arts columnist for Business Times, theater columnist for New Sunday Times, and is now associate editor in charge of the English column, Mind Our English for The Star (Malaysia). His Sunday Star column Playing The Fool began in April 2001 and ran for only two installments until it was cancelled. Other publications featuring his articles and reviews include Asiaweek, Far Eastern Economic Review, and Asia Magazine.

Kee has had poetry published Malaysian national newspapers, and in local and international journals such as Masakini, Pacific Quarterly Moana, Southeast Asian Review of English, Sands and Coral, Solidarity, Ideya, Ariel, Kunapipi, and Focus. Two of Kee's plays have been featured in at UK Festivals. "The Big Purge" was read at the Soho Theatre in 2005, as part of Typhoon 4, the International East Asian Playreading Festival. "The Swordfish, then The Concubine" was shortlisted at the 21st International Playwrighting Festival 2006.


++++++
Thuan Chye, I still am guilty....I did not fulfill a promise I made.
Am I forgiven?
If not, what is my penance.
But dont be too hard ok?




"COME IN MAS, COME IN AIR ASIA....FLY THEM IN."

Puan Norhata, whose husband is in Kem Kamunting, waits for the day Abdul Jamal Azahari will be returned to them. Norhata and her six children regularly sits on the stairs, expectantly.
"I miss Abi(father) so much.I want to see him in the camp but I think its impossible...." said Naseem, 12 who never studied in any school like any kids of his age.

Currently, Naseema is working in the chicken farm, collecting chicken eggs for RM10 per day. "I want to help lessen mum's burden to get enough income for the family" she added."


You may think that these happy kids have forgotten their Abi. For the moment they are happy because they just received duit raya from Harakah.

the ISA took their father away
will the ISA also take away their chance of normal living....like visiting Abi or going to school?


YES NOW EVERYONE CAN FLY
BUT THIS FAMILY CANNOT AFFORD TO FLY

AND BIG BROTHER MAS, WITH YOUR LOW FARES
HOW ABOUT DOING SOMETHING FOR FAMILIES IN SABAH AND SARAWAK
LIKE FLYING THEM IN.

FLY THEM IN
AND LEAVE THE REST
TO US.

GO TO MERAH HITAM FOR NORLAILA'S VISIT AND STORY.

"ROCK ON BLOGGERS" SAYS A SMALL GROUP OF MALAYSIANS IN THE BAHAMAS.

A MALAYSIAN MUM writes from the Bahamas:

If we all have this sensitivity and abhorrence to bullying, no matter when we realise it, we cannot stand by while bullying occurs, whether it's by a kid on a playground or by an unjust government. We have to thank the educators in our midst, the teachers, the activists, the volunteers, the whistle-blowers, the journalists, the investigative reporters and Barisan Rakyat bloggers in Malaysia; individuals who have decided that it isn't enough to be good only in theory. These individuals who take their guts in their hands each day to stand up for what is so wrong even though it is institutionalised. In Malaysia, these individuals who have come to shout together and educate their fellow people are Bangsa Malaysia. You people who have stood up and not only shouted out your concerns and your ideas and you willingness to ACT, but have actually ACTED; I say to you: ROCK ON KAWANS! You have even influenced the tiny group of Malaysians here in the Bahamas to identify ourselves as Malaysians and not Chinese-Malaysian or Indian-Malaysian. YOU ROCK! Don't stop now, you have come so far in such a short time. The time is right for justice to be served. Baha'u'llah; Prophet Founder of the Baha'i Faith exhorts us to uphold justice "'O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbour. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behoveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.'
Baha'u'llah, The Hidden Words, 2

ROCK ON ZORRO! ROCK ON RPK! ROCK ON HARIS! ROCK ON BANGSA MALAYSIA! ROCK ON!


Read HERE why she blogged on bullying.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

LATEST ON T-SHIRTS


ORDER HERE
ORDER HERE

PEOPLE OF NEW MALAYSIA. WHAT SAY YOU TO THIS.

just a comment from a reader.......

Anonymouskamal barsha said...

when Anwarista's like zorro start demanding that we free terrorists, we know that this country is headed to the dumpsite if AI comes into power.

Have you guys lost your marbles?
do we have to wait for the twin towers to be blown down ala 911 for you to wake up?
listen to yourselves? free JI? are u crazy? we forgot the weapons seige the pulled from our military camps? u forgot the terrorist training ground the ran in the jungle? or their plans to blow up places where islam is threatened - niteclubs, beer refineraies etc..

what next? freedom for racists to hold seminars ala KKK?

have u guys so much hate for BN that caused your rationale to go all bonkers?

this is crazy. Bn may have many shortfalls, but its sad to see u all just hammering them for everything not right in this world..

terrorism is real..remember 911, bali, london trains, spain, taliban, pakistan....
do u want a big headline with 100 dead before u wake up?


idiots!

September 28, 2008 4:07 PM




A BASTARD OF A CHINESE COP MARRED MY PEACEFUL ANTI-ISA MARCH.

Haris and I got permission to attend this candlelight vigil at the Dataran Merdeka. We met friends at the Selangor Club. At 7:30pm no vehicles passed by the clock-tower except some police cars making their presence felt; tourists were not allowed on this Saturday night onto Independence Square as the authorities did not want them to witness unruly citizens put fire to their lethal weapons - wax candles. Lighting candles is now a crime....it is no wonder the whole world laugh at us. However we left the security of the club and gathered at the extreme right of the club premises. There were many unfamiliar faces.....the new faces of an impending New Malaysia.....new people who realise that they want to make a stand on the Abolition of the ISA.

Adun of Subang Jaya, Hannah and I exchanged greetings. By now the gathering increased to some 50 and it being RPK's 58th birthday we sang "Peaceful Birthday To You" whilst gathering around a poster made by one of the participants. Go here to view the poster that was later presented to Marina.




And then it happened. A group of policemen approached us. Were they irritated by our birthday song to Pete? But this group of Indian officers were polite when they asked us to disperse. Negotiations were polite all round. Then comes along this Chinese copper who shouted at us to disperse. We stood our grounds because of his unprofessional behavior....typical of bastards who hide behind a uniform and a gun. This worm is only strong when he is in uniform and wield firearms and have numbers behind him. One of these days I want to take this bastard down - a fist fight I am talking about....bare knuckles....no knuckle dusters like how we fought in our young days. His face is securely registered in my memory. I can recognise him anywhere. I will invite him to attack me. And I will floor him in the 3 seconds 5 sequence moves. I kid you not. The fifth move, depending on my mood then, might damage his pecker into disability. I kid you not. I reserve the 5 sequence only for bastards, like this vomit. You know what the maggot did when we stood our ground? He signalled for more help and shouted like a kindergarten teacher: "I will count to 20 and I will arrest you all if you do not disperse." When he counted to 5 and we still hung around his counting became more delayed. "13........15" and that was when I shouted....."chinaman, how come no 14?....Don't cheat. You are a disgrace to the Chinese." And that was when I was pushed away by a former student Raymond Hon and dragged away by Jaya.Thanks guys for your concern. I gave in because I still remember what RPK said to Haris: "You’re useless to me in your present state. Have that fury when we strike. I need you calm and cunning now". and what Pete said to me: "Don't get angry. Get even." So Chinky Bastard Copper, when you feel ready just pass the word around and I will be there.....eyeball to eyeball....one on one. Remember I will offer you to strike me first.....which I must warn you will not land where you want it to land....that's a promise from one chinaman to another bastard chinky copper.
We gathered again and were encouraged by the honking of buses, cars and motocyclists.
We definitely got some mileage here but was informed that the candlelight vigil had moved to a temple opposite Pudu Raya. As such we moved on, this human wave determined on the Abolition of the ISA.



The assembly at the temple lifted up my spirits. I was not angry anymore and morever enroute I heard a familiar voice call out, "Zorro" . It was Shieh, Kickdefella, who was incarcerated for 4 days and 3 nights. We embraced.....no time for pleasantries....happy that we will stick to our cause.....the nation in distress. I met up with some members of the Dandelions, Andrew of Malaysikini, DelCapo, Black-in-Korea Amin, Gus Gan of the Wharf and some fishermen Balraj, Desmond, Jennifer, Serena and Benny. New Baldie Nat Tan and I hugged and I kissed future lawyer Kelly of Wansa Maju who brought along World #1 law student Ging-er.

The cops were around but they controlled traffic unlike that Chinese Bastard Cop who tried to control us.

Back at the Royal Selangor Club and at 11.55pm Tengku Vic called for the last birthday song for Pete....and then we went to get some baits.

WE MISS YOU AWFULLY PETE!

BARISAN RAKYAT BLOGGERS THANK ALL YOU NEW MALAYSIANS WHO TURNED UP TO LEND SUPPORT TO THE ISA DETAINEES.

VISIT DELCAPO HERE FOR A GOOD TAKE.