11.10.07
you got a long way to go.
Ok ok I know I said no more political posts for the next week but sod it, this is my blog, I’ll write about my toilet habits if I want to.
And in any case, given the current political condition of this country, to be uninterested or apathetic towards politics is tantamount to being the proverbial frog under the coconut shell.
So I’ve been following most of the ongoings about the rally and did so with my ’support group’ consisting a few close friends, among them Izuan, Kathia, Dahlia and Petra (who was there). I kept refreshing the pages every few minutes, and watched the main news with bated breath. I must say congratulations to the local media—for giving a completely skewered, lopsided story, with NTV7 even claiming that the police had successfully curbed the riot.
By the way, for the record, it was not a riot. It was a perfectly peaceful gathering until the police brought out the tear gas and water cannons. I think the Al-Jazeera reports have been the most comprehensive thus far, find a link here, on Jeff Ooi’s blog, where the journalist himself commented that it had been a peaceful gathering till then.
My heart goes out to those who so bravely marched today, and felt awful that I wasn’t there (grr). I was so antsy all day, and kept anticipating to hear the worst news. I’m so proud for all those who were out there, marching, or giving the rest of us updates regularly. Thank you.
But like Former DPM Anwar Ibrahim said, there’s still some way to go. He made a remark that tickled my aunt and I though: “Not once though has the government said that they will not cheat in the coming elections! Not once!” because this is the most obvious thing. By not making such a statement, I suppose this means they will cheat as fairly as they can then, hey? 
The struggle ahead’s gonna be a tough one no doubt. It is evident that the ruling factions are deeply unimpressed and unhappy about this, but well, the people have spoken. Isn’t this what a democracy is about?
Will blog more coherently on enough sleep another time. Till then, I breathe a sigh of relief that there were no fatalities, or severe injuries, and many thanks again to those who were there representing the rakyat. I end with an appeal forwarded to me.
***
Urgent appeal: 10 November 2007
At least 20 arrested in peaceful rally for free and fair elections
At least 20 persons, including women, were reported to have been arrested during a peaceful rally this afternoon (10 November 2007) in Kuala Lumpur. They are currently being held at IPK Jalan Hang Tuah.
The rally calling for free and fair elections in Malaysia was organised by BERSIH, a coalition of over 70 civil society groups and political parties, including SUARAM. The organisers had applied for a police permit on 3 November 2007 but their application was rejected by the police.
The arbitrary arrests by the police during the rally is a gross violation of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which is the highest law in the country, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Despite the fact that the organisers have given assurances that it will take all measures to ensure peace and public order, the police still attempted to stop the rally even before it even started by setting up roadblocks in several locations near the venue and arrested 20 persons who were merely exercising their Constitutional rights to demand for free and fair elections.
So far, 15 names of those arrested have been obtained. They are:
1. Salleh Puteh (Male)
2. Anuar Abdul Ghani (Male)
3. Muhammad Haji Yaakub (Male)
4. Mariel Fong (Female)
5. Hasnah Hashim (Female)
6. Raja Salim (Male)
7. Asri (Male)
8. Mohd. Afrarouk Hussin (Male)
9. Daud Samad (Male)
10. Yahya Mohd Nor (Male)
11. Wan Zulkifli (Male)
12. Mohd. Mohd. Awu (Male)
13. Zainal Abidin Haji Abdullah (Male)
14. Elias Raja Daud Raja Abdullah (Male)
15. Mohd Ehsan Mokhtar (Male)
Actions needed
Please send letters to the Prime Minister and the Inspector-General of Police to register your strongest condemnation towards the utter disrespect for Malaysians’ fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and to demand for the release of all those arrested.
Your letters should be sent to:
1. Tan Sri Musa Hassan
Inspector-General of Police
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia
Bukit Aman
50560 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 2262 6222
Fax: +603 2273 9602
2. Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Security
Prime Minister’s Office Malaysia
Perdana Putra Building,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62502 PUTRAJAYA,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: + 60 3 8888 6000
Fax: + 60 3 8888 3444
Cc:
1. Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Kuala Lumpur
Polis Diraja Malaysia
Jalan Hang Tuah
51100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-21460522, 03-2485522
Faks: 03-20726786
CPO: Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib Baharudin
2. Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
Tingkat 29, Menara Tun Razak Jalan Raja Laut 50350Kuala Lumpur.Tel: 03-26125600
Fax: 03-26125620
Chaiman: Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman
3. Attorney General of Malaysia. Aras 1-8, Block C3, Parcel C Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62512 PutrajayaTel: 03-88855000
Fax: 03-88889378
Email: ag@agc.gov.my
AG of Malaysia: Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail
—
SAMPLE LETTER
[Letterhead of organisation]
10 November 2007
Tan Sri Musa Hassan
Inspector-General of Police
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia
Bukit Aman
50560 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 2262 6222
Fax: +603 2273 9602
Dear Sir,
Peaceful demonstrators arbitrarily and unlawfully arrested by police; release them immediately
We are writing to you to register our strongest condemnation and protest against the arbitrary and unlawful arrests of at least 20 citizens who were participating in a peaceful rally in Dataran Merdeka this afternoon (10 November 2007).
So far, 15 names of those arrested have been obtained. They are:
1. Salleh Puteh (Male)
2. Anuar Abdul Ghani (Male)
3. Muhammad Haji Yaakub (Male)
4. Mariel Fong (Female)
5. Hasnah Hashim (Female)
6. Raja Salim (Male)
7. Asri (Male)
8. Mohd. Afrarouk Hussin (Male)
9. Daud Samad (Male)
10. Yahya Mohd Nor (Male)
11. Wan Zulkifli (Male)
12. Mohd. Mohd. Awu (Male)
13. Zainal Abidin Haji Abdullah (Male)
14. Elias Raja Daud Raja Abdullah (Male)
15. Mohd Ehsan Mokhtar (Male)
The arbitrary arrests by the police during the rally is a gross violation of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which is the highest law in the country, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Despite the fact that the organisers have given assurances that it will take all measures to ensure peace and public order, the police still attempted to stop the rally even before it even started by setting up roadblocks in several locations near the venue and arrested at least 20 peaceful demonstrators who were merely exercising their Constitutional rights to demand for free and fair elections.
With such a blatant disregard for its own citizens’ fundamental rights, we question the legitimacy of Malaysia as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
We therefore demand that all those arrested by the police be released immediately.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely yours,
[Name]
CC:
Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Security
Prime Minister’s Office Malaysia
Perdana Putra Building,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62502 PUTRAJAYA,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: + 60 3 8888 6000
Fax: + 60 3 8888 3444
Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Kuala Lumpur
Polis Diraja Malaysia
Jalan Hang Tuah
51100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-21460522, 03-2485522
Faks: 03-20726786
CPO: Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib Baharudin
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
Tingkat 29, Menara Tun Razak Jalan Raja Laut 50350Kuala Lumpur.Tel: 03-26125600
Fax: 03-26125620
Chaiman: Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman
Attorney General of Malaysia. Aras 1-8, Block C3, Parcel C Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62512 PutrajayaTel: 03-88855000
Fax: 03-88889378
Email: ag@agc.gov.my
AG of Malaysia: Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail
yell-oh!
Today’s the day of the BERSIH Rally. Undoubtedly, I am grumpy at not being able to attend, firstly because of the Family Factor, secondly because I have a scheduled ‘business meeting’ which is to take place at 4pm in Sunway Pyramid.
So in a show of solidarity, I’m going to wear my yellowest dress. I’ll be impossible to miss 
From what I know so far, people have already started to gather. I’m really nervous for them and hope all goes well. I suppose there will soon be a barrage of news stories about this; indeed, the public has been cautioned to stay away. This story even made TV3 news headlines last night before launching into the usual UMNO General Assembly propaganda. Honestly, watching the speeches seriously infuriates me.
It’s so incredibly contradictory, how even the PM goes on about how the BERSIH Coalition is not challenging him per se, but the rules of the country, deliberately flouting rules. Remember again, folks, if I’m not mistaken (I stand to be corrected on this) the definition for illegal assembly in this country is a gathering of four five people or more without a permit in a public place (Thanks Iz!). So the next time you’re out for a mamak session and happen to be talking politics, don’t be surprised if you get apprehended for illegal assembly.
On the same note of challenging the government, isn’t that what a democracy is?! If you ask me, things have taken a turn for the worse, the way this country is run has made it more of an autocracy than a democracy. 100% ruling party and no opposition, as is aspired by a certain ruling faction? Yup, sounds like an autocracy to me.
Today’s Sun covered some of the more priceless stories, among them dear Information Minister Zam offering to ‘help’ Lim Kit Siang, his aspirations to start a small printing press in a ’small town’ as opposed to global blogging (go figure), how AirAsia’s stewardesses are too scantily dressed and how their uniforms are a source of embarrassment, and some racist fly-related distasteful jokes from a BN Rep from Kedah.
Izuan did me a favour by linking my previous article to his blog, so I’m returning the favour because I really loved his piece
I honestly don’t know how much more the rakyat can take of this bullshit. What makes my blood boil more is the apathetic attitudes of those who really don’t appear to give a rat’s arse about the way things are now. “Oh, who cares as long as my business makes money. They don’t disturb me so I don’t disturb them-lah”. “Who cares, I’m not in the country also”. “I dunno laaaa…”
I understand the frustrations that arise when one keeps oneself informed about the ludicrous ongoings in the world of politics. But I beseech you, if not for yourself, think about your families here. Would you want to raise a family of your own in this political climate? Your kids will suffer in the long run; as will your parents, aunts, cousins. But there’s only so much I can say without sounding like a hardliner, which I am not, mind you—I am merely a concerned citizen.
Open your eyes. Things are bigger than your own personal little cocoon in your middle-class suburbs where everyone knows and loves everyone else.
Ok ok I promise, no more political rantings for the next week -_-” It’s quite saddening that most people tune out at political talk and instead prefer to know where I went, who I saw, what I ate, bought, etc. Sigh.
P/s: This is so weird but here’s a site that gives live updates of the rally. Click and don’t be too shocked ok Remember it’s only one side’s point of view.
/update
I’ve been following Malaysia Today, Harakah Daily and other mainstream news sources with bated breath. I’d like to remind everyone that unless seen with their own eyes, everything’s just speculation, so take it with a pinch of salt ok?
I’ve been having goosebumps with excitement. There’s a storm brewing, literally and figuratively, and I know today will be a day that will go down in history. POWER TO THE RAKYAT!
On another note, fuel prices to go up—AGAIN. Sure, Pak Lah, make sure you include students in your low-income group bracket ok. And I quote from NST: “Abdullah said the RM40 billion-a-year subsidy for fuel was too much for the government to bear. “If the subsidy is reduced, we will have a lot of money to develop our country.”"
RM40 billion. Wow, would that be enough to buy the used Soyuz capsule to put on display and gather dust so we can marvel at the incredible spending power of our government?
