On 1st July, my friend Zorro said that it was ok if we all called him a coward.
Zorro was alluding to his decision not to attend the 1 million anti-fuel price hike rally that has been called for by PROTES, for this Sunday, originally to be held at the open field along Jalan Timor, PJ.
Zorro states some of his concerns, which I quote below :
‘Following the events of the past few weeks, it is so clear that certain elements are afoot to thwart any legal attempts towards a change of government. The ruling dumbo elite still cannot get it. The Rakyat said it without much fanfare on 8 March. UMNO is running around like a decapitated chicken; even the two top dogs in MCA have thrown in the towel; the Gerakan has been dismembered and the MIC, what’s that, huh?; the other coalition parties can’t even manage a squeak, although across the waters some roared from the wrong end’
Zorro also said :
‘I dont want to give the opportunity for agent provocateurs to start trouble;
I dont want to see the police clobbering our people at the rally;
I dont want to see our people fighting back in anger and frustration;
I dont want the government to declare a state of emergency’.
Zorro, Gan, TV, Tony and I met at the Wharf last night to talk about the Sunday rally and about these concerns.
And, yes, we’ve been reading a lot lately about joint police and military exercises to ready themselves for any eventualities, and suggestions by the IGP that the military may have to be resorted to maintain law and order, given the events of late.
Are these attempts to intimidate us back to a time when you and I would keep silent in the face of the grossest abuse of power?
I think so.
There were news reports that the police had suggested to Selangor MB that this intended protest be moved to a stadium instead of the intended open field, presumably to enable the organisers to maintain a measure of control over the event.
Well, Malaysiakini reports today that the rally will now be held at the Kelana Jaya stadium in PJ.
I think we are now entitled to expect the police authorities to lend their fullest co-operation both in traffic management and crowd control on the day.
I just got off the phone with Zorro to alert him about this latest development with the change of venue. I told him that with this change of venue, I will come from Bentong in Pahang to attend the rally.
I told Zorro that like him, I too did not want agent provocateurs to mar the event, I did not want to see my fellow anak Bangsa Malaysia beaten by police or to retaliate with violence, or to see the BN government seize the moment as an excuse to declare a state of emergency. For that reason, I must be there to lend whatever help I can to make sure these things do not happen.
Most of all, I must be there because I must not allow a government that should fear us, to get away with attempts to intimidate us.
Zorro has said he will join me.
Please join us to send a message to this government that we do not fear them.
Truly, we do not fear them.
I am informed that the event on Sunday will kick off at 10am.
A map to the stadium, courtesy of Malaysiakini, appears below.
Su
July 4, 2008
It should be make clear that the rally is to protest against fuel price. Not to support Anwar. The two should not be one.
Su,
Truthfully, I too was thinking as you are now until last night.
Unlike those in authority, this man has little chance of reaching out to the masses to tell his side of this most disturbing episode.
Provided he does not turn the whole event into a ‘Hidup Anwar’ episode, I personally will not begrudge him the opportunity on Sunday to say his bit to the masses that do show up.
My 2 sen.
Patrick Oh
July 4, 2008
Haris,
Glad to hear that Zorro is willing to attend the rally. I will definitely be there too.
Just hope that crowd dont get provoke easily by the police. Maybe you all can provide the “guide book” which I found it useful during the last BERSIH march.
Patrick,
Don’t know which guide book you’re referring to, but if enough good people come out to support the rally, I’m sure all will be well.
See you there on Sunday.
sambal muncha
July 4, 2008
Dear Allah, the most merciful,
Please let there be peace on Sunday, for all Malaysians who plan to brave their way to the stadium;
Let there be peace always in Malaysia, give us courage to stand for what is right, and grant us the wisdom to stay united;
Amin, Amin.
I won’t be in the country but my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
And our prayers with you, too, Bro
su
July 4, 2008
My concerns were similar to that of Zorro’s and also that of the first “Su”.
I agree with Haris’ 2 sen. And I think the change of location has been for the better.
My hopes will be that nothing untoward happens to any of you who will be going.
sjchange
July 4, 2008
From morning 10am to midnight 12.00am?
I will be coming after work at around 7.00pm.
People, do come out please?
The Power of Rakyat Jelata.
Show them our rights.
Do not give up easily.
Make them fear of us!
sjchange,
Thank you. See you there.
sjchange
July 4, 2008
Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power
to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its
sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is
always tomorrow. (Dorothy Thompson)
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
(Winston S. churchill)
Mat Rempit Hubris,Carthage
July 4, 2008
“People should not fear their government. The government should fear the people.”
Nice line Haris…but were not those words plucked from the movie, ‘V for Vendetta’. Unless we forget, we have a moral obligation to always ascribe the sources of our quotes.
Anyway,thanks for for attaching the map. It was kind of u.
Meng
July 4, 2008
Good decision to move to the stadium. Anwar should also say his bit. Its not everday a gathering is held.
giko
July 4, 2008
I agree with Su but the first thing that comes to mind when talking about petrol reduction is Anwar and his promise to reduce petrol prices when he’s PM!
So to split these two would be difficult indeed. I don’t see Pak Lah bowing to this rally by reducing prices.
Heard over the radio that the police said the event can be held even though a permit has not been applied for.
The Ancient Mariner
July 4, 2008
I shall certainly be there this Sunday.
The stadium is just behind my house… heheh
See you on Sunday, Bro
tamade
July 4, 2008
Haris, you are absolutely right.The CPO of Bolehland, again is intimidating he Rakyat. Well,the Rakyat will remember him,and it will back fire for sure.
How long can these Righteous Officers in the Police, Army and AG Dept tolerate this kind of nonsense, I really don’t know.
But enough is enough, these dirty and wicked flurs have tarnished the good image of the Police and Army of the Bolehland.
The Righteous ones must act. Just nab the murderers and sent them to the gallow.
Just kick the butt of their superiors who have committed the crimes and send them to jail.
The Rakyat are with you.
The Other View
July 4, 2008
The Polis would have been orderly. The Polis say no. You go and think who would instigate the rally to turn violent. I say there’s no social contract but only a figment of the imagination. Certain vested parties say it exists, only because it serves their greed. I say the Hindraf 5 do not have any connection with the Tamil Tigers to endanger the security of the Nation. The Police said they did but never came out with any evidence openly for them a fair opportunity to rebut. Saiful said he was sodomised but Anway deny it ever take place. If Anwar need to commit sodomy, he would have chosen TDM, IGP and the AG to fulfil his anal lust. There you have them all. A credible Government of the day. So much respected by the rakyat. And with so much integrity to boot. Hidup Barisan. Ooops, sorry, I mean to say Hidup UMNO.
bondoun
July 5, 2008
Harris: You are pushing the envelope here. Don’t wish something you don’t want! The issues to protest is still within the realm of ISA. Now, these issues are not related to Anwar. Anwar somehow is riding this wave and the little people are getting confused. Please start to explain to them this is two separate issues.
I think you should say the government and the people should heal their differences and respect one another. When all else fails go back to basic. Remember our constitution and rukun negara …
The bloggers are too contagious and some elements are abusing issues by lumping them together with Anwar’s political ambitions.
INFACT, HERE IS A QUESTION ARE WE LOOSING OUR HEAD FOR ANWAR? IS ANWAR WORTH DESTROYING OUR HOMELAND FOR? MALAYSIA IS BIGGER THAN ANWAR OR PM PUT TOGETHER. SO WALK AND TALK FAIRLY TOGETHER WE CAN SOLVE OUR PROBLEM WITHOUT GOING THROUGH UNCHARTED WATERS!
flyer188
July 5, 2008
Dear Haris,
Inview of the new venue, the assurances, etc & with you, Zorro, Gan, TV, Tony & the others rallying your support…….I hope to meet you there to Walk our Talk with all of the rayaat !
Cheers !
The Watcher
July 5, 2008
Keep in mind, that a confined location is a perfect trap for a massive crackdown. The have learned well from the random distribution of people associated with the Bersih and HINDRAF rallies. It is a military strategy and its no coincidence that the two are now in cooperation that you find this request coming from the police. Stay safe. And be alert.
Michael Sun
July 5, 2008
Though faraway in UK, our prayers and hearts are with all the brave people of Malaysia.
If not now, when?
If not for our children, for whom?
Let us all Bangsa Malaysia, reclaim a country called MALAYSIA
Siew Eng
July 5, 2008
Will go not to protest but to support fellow citizens’ right to assemble peacefully. Really tired of the broken record played by the police and media over this fundamental human right that is all the more crucial in the restrictive media environment.
As for not falling for agent provocateurs’ acts, let’s all do our part by reminding each other loudly of this when we’re there and see something suspicious and chant “bertenang!”
Lastly…NO TO ARMY INTERFERENCE! If the army comes, we’ll have to march against that, too!!
Hellraiser
July 5, 2008
If the police make it into another anti-HINDRAF affair, it won’t be good for Malaysia.
I like chopin
July 5, 2008
Unlike those in authority, this man has little chance of reaching out to the masses to tell his side of this most disturbing episode.
Dear Haris,above is your reply to su(July 4 2008 5:56pm)
Please correct me if I am wrong but this week I read somewhere in other blogs that AI planned to go on a nationwide road show to explain to his supporters about the recent sodomy charge brought on him by Saiful.
If he really go ahead with this plan,can it still be considered little chance of reaching to the mass to tell his side of the story?
Like su,I preferred it to be solely about fuel hike and nothing else.Anwar can speak but please speak only about the fuel hike and his way to solve this problem.
I hate to see him hijack this event by bringing up the sodomy charge and Bala’s SD to fire up the crowd with little regard for our safety.
I will be there too but will walk out the stadium the moment he open his mouth to speak on his problems.I have nothing personal against him but I am beginning to grow very tired of all the mud slugging…..
Been caught in a terrible stampede before in a concert and was traumatised for days.Hope it won’t happen again tommorrow.God bless Malaysia and the besieged rakyat!!!
Yes,let’s stand up and give the gomen a piece of our mind tommorrow albeit knowing it won’t change the gomen’s stand.
I like chopin,
No argument from me on all that you have touched on here.
Heck, I might even join you and walk out.
Patricia
July 5, 2008
Dear Haris,
I must confess that I was one of those who congratulated Zorro on his deciding to not attend the rally tomorrow.
But I take your point as well – and you are right. We should be allowed to gather freely and voice our concerns: a fundamental right in a free country.
I have been reading the comments in your blog, and in the other blogs, and I feel that too many people are very angry and frustrated. As such, it will take just a small thing to set them off. But, despite this, I hope sanity prevails and that nothing mars this gathering. I hope DSAI does not fan the emotions of the crowd, and that this in turn does not lead to a repeat of what happened at the Hindraf and Bersih rallies.
I shan’t be with you all tomorrow, but you will all be in my heart, and in my prayers. May you have a safe and fruitful gathering, and may we move closer to the Malaysia we can again be proud to call home
tkapple
July 5, 2008
URGENT!
dear haris,
please consider Seriously my humble opinion :
for the fuel hike protest, i think leaders such as pakatan MPs, civil society leaders, etc should at best stay outside the stadium (as observers and not participants!) or not be there at all
we ordinary people have no doubt of their stand and sincerity.
like a chess game, it is important Not to sacrifice the king, queen, bishop, knight and castle, so that they may plan, strategise a rescue plan.
let’s not weaken our position needlessly.
besides, having these important leaders there would be a temptation to the ruthless BN regime to “kill 2 birds with one stone”
if the leaders are not in the stadium, maybe BN regime will be less likely to employ force, thus making it safer for the joe public.
please do not allow people’s “light of hope” to dim.
we should always remember that “the pen is mightier than the sword”!