A walk for justice
September 26, 2007
What a day!
I am still high from the raw energy that filled the air in Putrajaya this morning.
On the way to Imtiaz office to hitch a ride to the Palace of Justice, I got a call to say that police road blocks had been set up at entry points into Putrajaya.
I hadn’t reached Imitiaz’s office when a second call came to say that the seven buses ferrying marchers had been stopped and were told they would not be allowed to enter Precinct 3, Putrajaya.
By the time we reached Putrajaya, the usual roads to the Palace of Justice were closed.
We also heard that marchers on the buses had started to walk to the Palace.
Managed to find a route that was not closed and got within walking distance of the courts by about 10.40 a.m.
The reception committee was on hand.
And a crowd had already gathered on the steps.
And what a crowd we had. Lawyers and members of civil society, and
blogger friends.
Some very clear about what they wanted.
Decision was made to await the arrival of those who were walking some 5 km or so to get to the Palace. One of them was Shah.
Shah, we salute your resolve and determination, together with all those who walked to the Palace to then ‘Walk for Justice’.
The last of those two-time walkers got to the Palace close to noon.
Bar President Ambiga then made her now infamous ‘when lawyers walk, you know something is wrong’ speech.
And the ‘Walk for Justice’ was on its way.
Finally reached the entrance to the well-guarded PM’s office.
Ambi and her team went in to deliver the memo whilst those left outside had their own message to deliver.
Malaysiakini puts the number in attendance at about 2,000.
Tony Yew and Zorro reckon it was between 2,500 and 3,000.
For me the numbers weren’t important.
The spirit of People Power had been sown.
September 26, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Half a world away sitting in a quiet library I can still feel the uplifting electricity and positive excitement of the day…
The smiles on all the faces say it all: like it or not, we want change!
Only wish that I was there to participate.
September 26, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Bro, you know what, I see hope in Malaysia!
Keep up the fight, people..
September 26, 2007 at 10:00 pm
What did you do, bro? Turn off the flash on your digicam?
Now, the SBs can’t recognise me. Heck, even I can’t see me!
Let’s recap:
a) Est.90 minute 5km trial walk to POJ. In bright sunshine.
b) Est.30 minute 1.5km march from POJ to PMO. In not so bright sunshine.
c) Got totally drenched down to my underwear and socks within ten minutes upon reaching PMO.
d) Waited another 45 minutes in the pouring rain, getting more drenched (if that’s even possible) for Ambiga to re-emerge from PMO.
Hey, bro. When are we doing this again?
“Walk for Justice”. (Another way to scare your PM).
September 26, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Though hundreds of miles away from Putrajaya, I am with all of you in spirit. I am indeed proud of you guys.
Keep up the momentum.
September 26, 2007 at 10:43 pm
God sure has a sense of humour. No water cannons from the red helmets but a thorough drenching from above.
Someone said the heavens opened to weep with us about the state of this nation.
But we left with a sense of exhilaration, knowing we had been part of a defining moment for this nation.
A new page is being written….
September 26, 2007 at 10:51 pm
i walked the extra 5 km but where were you, shar? lol.
September 26, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Bravissimo.
September 27, 2007 at 12:09 am
Good show, wish I was there.
The march was really something, and it made it to the prime time news in SG too.
How nice of the govt to bring out the FRU reception committtee once again to meet a peaceful march. What were they afraid of, that you were going to throw the book at them? Oh wait, that’s exactly what you were planning to do! =)
People power.
September 27, 2007 at 1:37 am
Abdullah Badawi is in New York City till the end of this week. I’m thinking of reminding our PM that he’s got business to take care of at home by staking him out at his hotel or the UN, waving placards about the nation’s judicial rot.
This is terribly short notice and I’m still trying to figure out the logistics but if you are in the NYC area, are interested and would like to help plan, please contact me via my blog or at fiona.lee@gmail.com
September 27, 2007 at 2:38 am
An ocean separate me from the walk for justice. Nevertheless, I was so eager to see the event. From the pics, all can see that those who protest are not always out to make trouble. The FRU & police should have checked whether that publicity-attention-crazy-&-hungry monkey KJ would be present. If the monkey & his gang of monkeys-kena-belacan are going to be there, then the FRU’s & police’s time won’t be wasted.
One of the judge appointed in the investigation of this senior-judge-depend-on-lawyer-to-gain-high-position story (adoh! so shameful!), commented on TV3 that they have to verify authenticity of the video. But who’s gonna do it? Jabatan Kimia? Filem Negara Malaysia? Who is the expert? How come take so long for them to investigate? CSI: Miami, Las Vegas & New York can complete the job within a day!
September 27, 2007 at 3:00 am
You penguins did excellent! So dashed proud of you!
I couldn’t join the walk physically but really wanted to be there to lend to the energy. So I stayed up from midnight till past 3:00AM my time, clicking Rocky’s blog in between YM-chats with a couple of friends in other parts of the globe similarly disposed, to hear of updates.
After the 10th or 11th posts in RB’s comment box, I couldn’t keep the lids open anymore. So when somebody posted “as they march towards the PM’s office, the sky shed tears…,” I took my own short walk to the bedroom.
The Heaven crying? I’d like to think that it was a sign that the cleansing has started…
September 27, 2007 at 9:45 am
What is the Bar Council’s plan for VK Lingam?
Fiona,
You can let sleepyhead know he is urgently wanted somewhere else instead of being at NY. Take care
September 27, 2007 at 10:21 am
whats next? the press for reform is urgent before the nation sinks further into the blackhole. for the sake of the children, dont let the country be like Zimbabwee or Burma before we act. the petition to the King is of utmost paramount now.
September 27, 2007 at 10:51 am
the FRU rolled out their underutilized, squeaky trucks and armoured vehicles yesterday.
- Hide quoted text -
and what a day to test out the new armour vests on in the rain.
i came from the masses. went down to the streets.
and now i take the street back to the masses for them to join me.
September 27, 2007 at 11:04 am
[...] Yew : Justice. We want justice Politykus : I marched. All 8kms of it People’s Parliment : A walk for justice Nathaniel Tan : The faces of justice Kudos to all Malaysians who participated in the Walk For [...]
September 27, 2007 at 12:52 pm
polytikus:
shar was right at the back. he was carrying what seemed like a placard but i think he was using it as a cover from the scorching sun as well. i got 2 pics of shar, one showing his butt and the other a frontal assault. taken aboiut 1 km from the road block when you all had to get off the bus, shar was still all smiles then.
haris,
the bar council was expecting 500 people to turn up. numbers aren’t important except when they are used to measure one’s expectations and confidence. and after this march, it’s time the lawyers raise theirs by several bars.
it was a great day and, i believe, a start to many good things.
for personal reasons, i was mighty proud to see you, imtiaz and edmund there.
Rocky,
Imtiaz’s and my expectations were far greater than the Bar’s. In fact I’m going to try and persuade Imtiaz to take me on the holiday he’s won on a wager as to the expected turn out.
Raise the bar? Yes, not just the lawyers but every anak Bangsa Malaysia.
And yes, I too was damned proud of every person who marched for justice yesterday.
September 27, 2007 at 6:43 pm
2000 lawyers and others marched and Nazri said there is no crisis. Perhaps when the petition is submitted to the Yang Dipertuan Agung, 20,000 can march to the Istana to submit the petition. Everyone who has signed the petition and in the country should be there.
September 28, 2007 at 4:21 am
[...] Pix by Rocky but he didn’t use it. Zorro did. (Click on pix for handsomer version, puhleeez). And if you wish to see another version of me, all pooped out and wheezing away, gasping for air, go here. [...]
September 28, 2007 at 12:20 pm
I have always felt and it is publicly known that our Judiciary, Police, Courts, Prosecution, the entire Civil Service and the private sector is for sale and the precedent has been set long ago but I see a glimmer of hope finally. May this ripple effect be contageous for the right reasons. May this blessed land shine in spirit and as a land that every nation in the world see as the hope and example for this world. But we have a major obstacle…. our clownish businessmen sitting in the parliament. They are not custodians of our rights and well being. They disguise in the name of truth and behave untruthfully. May this nation rise as one people regardless of race and religion to rid these corrupted and heartless ” businessmen in parliament” Long live Malaysia and Malaysians!!!! May God be behind you in this truthful journey. My prayer continues…….
September 28, 2007 at 2:06 pm
I hope this is the beginning of a new beginning for the people of Malaysia.
October 12, 2007 at 1:56 pm
impressive…
March 2, 2009 at 1:54 am
I read recently in my local evening newspaper in the UK, that a local Labour party councillor has announced that the name “Walk for Justice” is now a trademarked name. Does that mean that you and others can no longer us it? I find this very disturbing.
March 2, 2009 at 1:56 am
Please add to my comments sent in one minute ago, that the name of the councillor is Barbara Dunne – readers may wish to contact her.