On 31 August 2008, Merdeka Day, a family of three decided to do a candlelight vigil outside the Kamunting Detention Centre. It was certainly brave of them -- a woman, her son, and her brother against the entire apparatus of the Malaysian government.
What was more touching is the fact that this Chinese family was in solidarity with the mostly Malay Internal Security Act detainees in the detention centre, whom the government alleges are Islamic terrorists. The fight for justice transcends racial boundaries.
And they were smart. If there had been four of them, then, under the Police Act, it would have been classified as an illegal assembly and they could have been arrested. But since there were only three of them, they escaped the long arm of the law.
A salute to Chris and her family. Have we finally understood the true meaning of Merdeka? When there are still many being detained without trial, how can we say we are now Merdeka? And since 1960, an estimated 10,000 Malaysians have been detained without being allowed their right to a fair trial in an open court.
What was more touching is the fact that this Chinese family was in solidarity with the mostly Malay Internal Security Act detainees in the detention centre, whom the government alleges are Islamic terrorists. The fight for justice transcends racial boundaries.
And they were smart. If there had been four of them, then, under the Police Act, it would have been classified as an illegal assembly and they could have been arrested. But since there were only three of them, they escaped the long arm of the law.
A salute to Chris and her family. Have we finally understood the true meaning of Merdeka? When there are still many being detained without trial, how can we say we are now Merdeka? And since 1960, an estimated 10,000 Malaysians have been detained without being allowed their right to a fair trial in an open court.
When I announced that we, the Barisan Rakyat Bloggers were celebrating Merdeka Day with a Candle Light Vigil at the Wharf in solidarity with our detained brothers in Kem Kamunting, I received this thank you note:
Mr Zorro,
so kind and thoughtful of you and friends to do this...
hopefully one day all of the detainees will be released..and we have to keep on pressuring the government to release all of them.Some of them might be released but many more still detained...and the government thru their TV1 tried to potray how good the ISA is in their latest documentary shown on the 26th of august..Diari Pasung ISA..
really wish we could join but baru saja came across this entry...
Nashita
GMI
August 30, 2008 8:42 PM