So, do we Hartal ISA?
September 14, 2008
Do we?
No? Go on, share your thoughts with us.
Yes? Tell us why and how you think it should be done.
Below, I’ve collated some thoughts that some of you have previously sent in.
Let’s hear from you, people.
__________________________________________________
K W Waran :
This time around, only smart strategies and tactical measures will enable us to overcome them. Emotional outbursts in the streets would just aggravate matters further.
CKoon :
Very well said by Nat Tan, make me wanna cry of out inspiration, thinking of the struggle we are facing now and what Gandhi and co have face before. Gandhi was always my hero of the real world.
Fellow Malaysian, I am wholeheartedly with you all. Let us prepare ourself to stand up and be counted, we have reached a crucial testing time. I would sincerely hope in the end, we shall have no regrets.
aDRIAN :
If RPK could sacrifice his freedom for the people of Malaysia, I believe it is time we Malaysians do something. I for one, will not let his bravery be in vain. For a BETTER MALAYSIA we all believe in.
fergie :
I feel we have become more united now than ever before but sad that it is at the expense of the courageous few who have made a lot of sacrifices on our behalf. May God watch over them and their families.
Patriot 1994 :
I want to know if strike is a good way to send clear message to government. For example, all lawyers stopped working on some days onward, probably only work on abolishing ISA and nothing else. Then follow by other industry to stop working (factory workers, may be). Not working by staying home, is peaceful. Is this a good option?
raj raman :
Kenny Gan and your thought.
All the Rakyat have a peacefull demo and stay home.Its like a time stand still.(its will immobile any goverment of the day.).
I CALL PONTENG.
suz :
As a mark of people protest against govt action of using ISA against Raja Petra, Teresa Kok & Ms Tan, we should stay home & not go to work on Sept 16. Action against ISA & Corrupt Govt (AICG)
Bangang Negara :
Bang Haris, Dah bengang dgn Bangang Negara. Bleh recomen sikit?? Kita boikot perniagaan2 UMNO, MCA, MIC, Gerakan dll parti BN. Kita juga boikot stesen2 minyak, hotel2, restoren2 milik org2 BN. Habih Cerita.
ys :
While its good to have this and that gathering to show our solidarity BUT its not gonna to achieve anything. They will just ignore and shut their eyes.
Hartal will be more effective. And its not an offence to do nothing. Shut down the whole country if necessary from Monday onwards. Hurt them where it hurts most..the pocket!
shar101 :
Nationwide Hartal in the pipeline yet?
Total breakdown in law and order by the BN government matched by total civil disobedience by the rakyat.
Mob’s standing by for relevant poster but I need details, bro.
September 14, 2008 at 1:23 am
Yes hartal it is, but..err. maybe a lot of ppl x know what the word means,esp the younger generation, so b4 we go hartal, we mobilise all bloggers to spread the word on the ground and explain history,significance and EFFECTS, to make sure when we implement it, its a gridlock of tsunami proportion!
September 14, 2008 at 2:04 am
Hartal rocks!! After watching the ’sepuluh tahun sebelum merdeka’ documentary I wish I could have taken part during that time. Make sure no one work in petrol stations then the police cannot drive to catch. XD
September 14, 2008 at 2:11 am
Everyone I spoke to today was aghast about the arrests. The silent majority will support peaceful boycotts and the like. Me definitely and I am not alone! Just waiting for the lead. Together, my Malaysian brothers and sisters shall shut down this vile regime.
September 14, 2008 at 2:17 am
There are so many ways of showing dissent and civil disobedience.
If one feels that street demos are not the answer—why not every enterprise (except the Government Medical and utility services)close shop for the day.That is declare themselves a public holiday!Make it on 16th September irrespective of Anwar’s deadline.This must include THE LAWYERS,PRIVATE DOCTORS,MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES,ETC.
September 14, 2008 at 2:46 am
What a shame! No freedom and Justice in Malaysia! The government can arrest us, as the residences as long as they like to. Since the government loves ISA that much, and loves to cover up news, why not shut down all press and communications in Malaysia, cause we don’t like covered up news… oops, I should say.. STORIES!
September 14, 2008 at 2:55 am
I like the idea. I think it will send a clear msg to the gov.
But trouble is with the implementation. 2008 is not the same as 1947. In 1947, everyone was hyped up about merdeka. There were way less things that kept people occupied. The semangat and fire was there.
Today, unfortunately, I still have friends who asked me what is ISA when i told them about RPK, Tan, and Teresa. Many are still ignorant and self-centered. They will not wanna participate in this.
Unless of course we get the leaders to agree to this. e.g. the boss of a co declaring a hartal for the co, or if Tony Fernandez agrees to not fly AirAsia for the day.
I think that we should only do this if we are certain that it will work out. If only half hartal while the other half dont care, it’ll lose the effect.
Just my humble thoughts. Thanks.
September 14, 2008 at 3:00 am
Day of Prayer and Fasting,
No work – No business, if consumer stays at home and doesn’t buy/shop, open shops will have no shoppers, so it is best the shoppers too join and close business for the day.
Shops won’t loose money, shoppers will probably buy twice as much the previous or next day.
However this is tantamount to a general strike and you know what that means and can do to the Gomen’s reputation
September 14, 2008 at 3:16 am
Lets wear yellow on a certain day to show our disugust
September 14, 2008 at 3:22 am
For now what we have to do is spread the 4 parts video to everyone in our network. Those who could download to CD do it and distribute among those w/out internet. Teachers… spread the news to your students especially those in the secondary school. Don’t be afraid.. just talk about what hartal is.. don’t decide anything for your students…
From my side 40+ emails been out. If half of them can forward to their friends… Come on Malaysians… start the wave..
September 14, 2008 at 3:29 am
Protest by riot = more power to police + more power to ISA = NOT A GOOD IDEA
protest by not going to work = WHAT MALAYSIAN DO BEST = more relax + save money and energy + MORE PREASSURE TO PAK LAH = GOOD IDEA
September 14, 2008 at 3:54 am
Even if it’s not possible to go on strike, i think we should all agree on something simple like maybe collectively honking our vehicle horns at a given time on an agreed upon day (logically in the morning when everyone’s on the road going to work) and/or everytime that stupid minister makes another one of his stupid statements. It’s time to be heard. Hopefully the sound would get through to their thick skulls.
September 14, 2008 at 4:04 am
yes…it has been on my mind since the ISA issue started. But how are we going to mobilize it into action? How many will join? I would definately for sure.
September 14, 2008 at 4:10 am
Harris ,
LETS ROLL
September 14, 2008 at 4:54 am
Words cannot described how angry I am with the present regime. I shouted profanities in front of the computer screen while reading the statement of the bloody Home Minister in his replies to reporters on the detention of the journalist. I definitely wanna be part of something to make the Gomen pay for this sin!
September 14, 2008 at 5:18 am
I have advocated Peaceful Disobedience which was Gandhi’s trademark in my several of my posts in MT.
For this to really work, we need a Politician to be the centre point for people to rally around and there is none better than DSAI.
I believe DSAI should pick a date and call for this Hartal. I can think of no better date than 20th September, the date of the begining of the start of his incarceration.
Why not 16th Sepetmeber? That is because it will take time to dessiminate the information. That is unless PR takes over the governance of Malaysia already.
September 14, 2008 at 6:23 am
The Documentary is ‘rewriting history’. tis not what they taught me in school. Umno is claiming all the credits and has been claiming the championship so that they could get the license to rule and romfcuk. The license that the have been passing down from generation. I could still see the same rakyat working damn hard to make a living today as if the archived pictures dated 60 years ago were just taken yesterday.
HARTAL it is! Lets just do it! Whats there to lose?
September 14, 2008 at 6:55 am
The political instability is caused by AAB trying to stay in power. Clueless, flipflopping, weak,being bullied by UMNO warlords, living in dreamland, listening to the garbage advice of his 4th floor boys, aided by an incopmetent ISA minister etc etc,
Those MPs in BN who has any conscience must heed Nik Aziz advice. Cross over so that you can help save Malaysia.
September 14, 2008 at 7:15 am
yea, dont really know what hartal means? i guess it is to go on strike.
good suggestion as everyone needs to make some sacrifices for long term benefits. Since RPK had sacrifice himself, it is only fair for the rakyat to show some kind of unity at this time of ‘moral decay’ of the govt.
btw, how come the ‘royal families’ doesnt do anything at all, just enjoying tax payers contribution for nothing, huh?
oh well, God bless Malaysia!
September 14, 2008 at 7:23 am
We need to get rid of the Draconian Law the ISA. The Government has yet to wake to the fact the rakyat is fedup with the way they govern the country. We need to do something more to wake them up but it must done in a peaceful way.
September 14, 2008 at 7:23 am
We should all CELEBRATE Malaysia Day and stay at home.
September 14, 2008 at 7:26 am
We should all stop working, trading and buying for at least 2 days. We should stop paying all bills. We should in short do nothing that oils the evil BN regime. I am so so ashamed of our government and idiotic ministers.
September 14, 2008 at 7:42 am
I say lets Hartal.
But as per the documentary, we need to tell the rakyat what it is that we are against. We are against the ISA. What is the ISA? Why should we, the rakyat of Malaysia, be against the ISA? How does the ISA affect our daily lives? How does the ISA take power away from us, the rakyat of Malaysia, the rightful owners of this land? How is the BN blatantly abusing the ISA and other such laws to make sure that we don’t realise our own power?
Like 10 years before Merdeka, this message must be spread far and wide. Not just through the internet where undoubtedly only those with Internet access will be able to get the message. We need print. We need speakers. We need a nation-wide spread of this.
Any help/contribution/whatever needed, let me know. You have my email.
On March 08, some of the rakyat woke up. Now we need to get everyone to wake up. United, we CAN take back what is rightfully ours.
September 14, 2008 at 7:53 am
Count me in
September 14, 2008 at 8:08 am
Oh, and of course we need a team of lawyers to sit at a round table and discuss what law we can propose that has the appropriate checks and balances that should be put in place of the ISA. We need to show them that we mean business.
We’re in this for change, for a better Malaysia where her people are truly free and merdeka, and not subjected to the whims and fancies of the powers that be.
**ps: What I’m suggesting seems to be something that takes time. But we need a plan. Otherwise, whatever ideas we have today will just be stamped down by the authorities simply because we haven’t “thought it out”. My 2sen.
September 14, 2008 at 8:14 am
Yes, let’s hartal. I remember we had this in Penang years back. We have to take the bitter pill in order to get well but are the people themselves willing to make this sacrifice?
September 14, 2008 at 8:18 am
for me I put my hope for PR to demolish the all so call evil law including ISA etc .
In human right even thougt a criminal also should be charge(respected) by human right .
So that, there was no space for any evil law to use or still exist in the law book.
Don’t make a double standard that ISA can protect people,that is very sellfish and inhuman thought.
September 14, 2008 at 8:19 am
Can we stop paying PCB/income tax for Sept, cos it goes to pay their salaries but in return they give us shit!!!!!
September 14, 2008 at 8:38 am
i may nat be a malaysian but got relatives there like most people of my country get more people to sign the petition—————-PLEEEEEEASE
HAVE NEVER MET rpk ot the chillie padi but i know what i read from thieir blogs
September 14, 2008 at 8:42 am
Totally agree but what i saw yesterday was amazing did you know that people are ignoring those business that are owned by those goons.
September 14, 2008 at 8:57 am
Tomorrow is Malaysia Day which the BN Govt does not recognise.
All Pakatan run states should declare it a “Hartal Day” as well and people stay at home and not go to work as a sign of protest against the iniquity of the BN gormen.
September 14, 2008 at 9:04 am
Let us be united but do not fall into their trap. Let us be at Stadium Kelana Jaya to show our solidarity for RPK.
Please do not give the Government an excuse to declare Emergency Rule!
September 14, 2008 at 9:08 am
My suggestion:
MONDAY: People in banks stay home.
TUESDAY: Lawyers stay home
WEDNESDAY: People in Service Industries stay home
THURSDAY: People in Other Industries stay home
FRIDAY: Everyone stays home
NOTE: Doctors MUST NOT stay at home
Do this for one or two weeks and see what happens.
September 14, 2008 at 9:16 am
1. The Internal Security Minister has admitted that the police had abused the ISA when they arrested Ms Tan to provide protection. There is no provision in the Act to provide protection. Ms Tan should file a civil suit against the Government for wrongful arrest, intimidation and grief.
2. Boycott all shops, supermarkets, fast food outlets, restaurants, petrol stations, car showrooms, workshops that belong to BN politicians. This will teach them NOT to support an immoral and corrupt government.
September 14, 2008 at 9:19 am
3. Stop buying shares from KLSE. Let the index dip below 1000 points.
4. Stop investing in any business venture till the BN government is toppled.
5. Park you money outside the country.
But all the above will be academic if PKR takes over the govt on Sept.
September 14, 2008 at 9:27 am
United we shall prevail.We must show our support to abolish ISA.We shall pray for the early release of the detainees under ISA.
September 14, 2008 at 9:49 am
Hartal is certainly a good idea, but unfortunately i fear its something that will need quite a lot of time to organise. People here are well…disorganised (for lack of a better term)
Plus we need to conince people to stay home and not make money. During these had times…. Also essential services like doctors ambulance drivers electrical engineers etc should’nt hartal for obvious reasons.
September 14, 2008 at 10:00 am
I do not wish to break the high spirits here but I do have to confess that all these ideas and spirits need to be injected to the management of every companies to make the boycotts a success. Even the hawkers stalls,shops etc who had little access online have not known of this activities.
How do we instigate and let it be known to them ?
The MSM have to play a part which is very unlikely. Well how about banners everywhere nationwide to make known to every corner of the country but we may need license before publishing banners around. Time to 916 and authorities may not approve the license unless a number of people are ready to be caught by ISA and police.
Some companies have to take lead and make known to the public. Will CIMB , ASTRO,Maxis,shopping centres…etc which have many politicians as directors play a role ? Maybe we should start with the food industry.
September 14, 2008 at 10:13 am
i reckon, that we the raayat instead of going to the street, we all make the country to a standstill for days,by not going to work and that will bring down the productivity and the economy causing the country to lose,,, till we see positive action done by the goverment. well this will require a lot of cooperation & sacrifices by the rayaat which i think will send a serious message to the UMNO led BN goverment that we the rayaat of malaysia is really fed up and do not want this goverment to BULLSHIT us anymore..they have projected to the world that we the rayaat of malaysia are fools..think bout it seriously..
September 14, 2008 at 10:18 am
Hartal is an option but timing is not right now. You need the support of all segments of society, not just civil society and action groups for it to have some measure of success. I don’t think you can mobilize enough support right now. The majority of the public are not angry or desperate enough yet. They are too preoccupied with making ends meet. The small businessman is trying to keep afloat. The opposition politicians have their cross-over agenda. Keep the hartal option for another time.
September 14, 2008 at 10:24 am
Street demonstrations do have a very positive effect but only in countries where the top echlon of the police force and the army are sympathetic to the cause or stay neutral.
In our country, the security forces have become an oppressive tool of the UMNO-led Barisan Neraka. They would only collude to make any demonstration look anti-national.
The MSM would go overdrive to paint the people and their action as anti-national and declare “subversive elements” should be put away under the ISA.
As such I would like to suggest to go the HARTAL way but to make it very effective, it should COMPLETELY PARALYSE the country for at least ONE WHOLE DAY.
The million ringgit question is, how are we to implement it? Let us NOT do it in a haphazard way. Knee-gerk solutions are not the way. It is the way of the BN.
My suggestions are:
1. One sure way is for all sane and right thinking people who are totally opposed to the BN flip-flop actions to STAY AT HOME.
This action alone would in many ways paralyse the country’s transportation system as it would be totally unprofitable to operate without commuters and customers.
2. Parents should ask their children to stay away from schools, thus paralysing the schools in the country, at least for a day.
We would be doing our children and future generations a great favour by instilling in them not to be slaves to a corrupted and oppressive government.
3. Factory workers should be made to realize the importance of the HARTAL not in monetary terms but as to its impact on their future and the future of their children.
Even if 50% do not turn out for work, production would have gone down or in most cases the factory would become inoperable.
4. Hartal by lawyers would shut down the judicial system for a day and drive home the point to members of the bench that the people are completely fed up with the pitiful state of affairs of the BN government.
5. Other than the general hospitals and government-run clinics all other medical facilities should also observe HARTAL for a day, only attending to EMERGENCY cases.
6. Hartal by petrol stations would also help in the complete shut down of the transport system.
7. On the proposed HARTAL DAY, the rakyat should completely boycot the MSM newspapers. Let it be a resounding slap for being subservient, without a conscience, self-serving and being accessories to the oppressive regime run by BARISAN NERAKA.
The proposed HARTAL SHOULD NOT BE HELD ON September 16th.
People might think it is a public holiday declared by the benevolent government to assuage the feelings of the Sabahans and the Sarawakians.
The HARTAL, if held on any other day, would be more meaningful and effective.
The main aim of this HARTAL should be to FREE RPK, Theresa Kok and the other detainees under the ISA.
This HARTAL should send home the message to the fear mongers and abusers of the security and judicial institutions of the country that the Rakyat cannot be intimidated any longer.
Some of the above suggestions have already been made by others but I have included them as they also reflect my thoughts on the proposed HARTAL.
September 14, 2008 at 10:25 am
sorry for the typo: knee-jerk
September 14, 2008 at 10:29 am
Set the date and spread the words.
September 14, 2008 at 10:36 am
Just have faith that AAB will now do the right thing (RULE OF LAW, there is enough of evidence for AAB to get rid of the heaviest baggage he has been carrying from day1 as PM. You all know whom it is. Now that he has gone against his agreement to wait for 2010 for the succession plan, it is alright for AAB to do a ‘mongolia’ to the one who did a C4 on a Mongolian. We need to pray that “RULE OF LAW” is sincerely and faithfully observe by the enforcement bodies..the Police, ACA, Courts. We pray that someone from this institutions will be brave enough to press charges on this “baggage”to bring justice and peace for all Malaysians.
But my fear is that AAB may take a little longer until things get really bad before someone really brave comes up and press charges against this “baggage” and then a brave police officer will arrest this baggage and put him custody, and a brave judge will put this baggage behind bars! The ones who has to fear most when DSAI becomes primier will be the ones who will create more chaos before AAB decides enough is enough and get rid of this “baggage” once and for all so that BN & PAKATAN can really begin to govern. A nation in crisis will cause “heroes” from all sectors of society. Political parties, NGOs and the Enforcement Autorities ‘where are you HEROS”? Rise to the ocassion and let justice rule so that Peace and Prosperity can be restored to our Beautiful Nation MALAYSIA.
If by now you cannot figure out the “baggage” I really feel sorry for you. Where have you been all this while? But never mind you can a least pray that Justice and Peace will previal in MALAYSIA.
ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA
September 14, 2008 at 10:40 am
Dear Brothers & Sisters, We really can hartal the ISA, my simple advice is stay indoor if there is no work out, make the street of Malaysia deserted, make this coming festivals dull. Lets all Malaysians unite together and show what people’s power is.I personnaly not going to celebrate this raya if pakataan dosen’t come to power by than.
September 14, 2008 at 10:42 am
We have a different environment compared to in 1947. In 1947 we were up against the foreigner and spoke with one voice. But today we have the Anak Bangsa Malaysia/Pakatan vs BN. Each side representing the wide range of our Malaysian society, with BN having an advantage of the security apparatus.
Looking at the past and present attitude of those in power they would take the slightest excuse to invoke the ISA as seen recently and of course very biased or unfair usage of the law. I fear there would be mass arrest of those seen advocating or the promoter of the the Hartal, on the excuse of distrupting the daily life of the ordinary citizen. They are already in a panick situation with infighting for position and the daily slide of their supporters.
No doubt we have the advantage of the peoples power but we have to tread cautiously.
September 14, 2008 at 10:54 am
Dear Haris,
To make the HARTAL 100% effective, get ALL the TRADE UNIONS in the country to direct their members to observe it. After all the UNIONS too have a duty to their members and the country.
Their duties do not end with the collecion of subscriptions but also in the dissemination of vital information as well as to educate their members in every way possible.
To lessen the suffering of the poor workers in the country, they should be encouraged to have enough essential supplies to see through the day.
NGOs who are already helping the poor should go the extra mile during these trying times.
Whatever we do to make the HARTAL a resounding success, let us not expose the innocent ones to physical danger as the police are known for their INDISCRIMINATE USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE. They belive in over-kill. The word dumbo comes to mind whenever I think of our PDRM.
The arrest of Ms Tan and her subsequent release is not because the “danger to her personal safety” has been removed by the police according to the Botak but because of the ANGER AND DISGUST shown by all members of the public.
Please be free as usual to post without fear of favour. We are solidly behind you and all other bloggers who really care for the people and the country.
September 14, 2008 at 10:57 am
Hartal is good but must be well organized. I strongly believe in “passive resistance” like Ghandi. I hope the Malaysian Rakyat are brave enough .. judging from the number of signatures on the Petition to the Agong, we have many “cowards” in our midst. They are not happy with the situation but too scared to act. Let others act on their behalf.. disgusting! I am a retiree living in Penang .. 2 children working. I know my son will support but my daughter is an airhead. I shall check this site for further action to be taken by all who call themselves Anak Bangsa Malaysia. Thank you, Haris and Team .. your efforts are much appreciated. Keep safe!
September 14, 2008 at 11:11 am
The aim is to topple the corrupted governemnt. There is no requisite for street demos, strike or Hartal. Hartal in the mind is the best if one can further indoctrinate the populace as currently happening through the blogs and other media. Harakah and Pakatan media are playing an important role. From my interaction on the ground even the government servants and a large portion of those in the Police and Army are sympathetic to Anak Malaysia’s fight for better governance.
Road shows to all district and setting up of cells or center for information distribution should be considered. If this is not forthcoming, the present PAS, DAP and Keadilan office in every district be utilised to distribute more leaflets. Presently these centers are not seen in the rural areas. It is high time they set up small offices in these rurals areas and new villages to counter the umno and MCA influence.
September 14, 2008 at 11:34 am
A reminder from Gandhi: “It’s very simple. The tyrant has no power. He may rant and scream and hurt and destroy—but if the people hold to it, he’s finished”.
“I believe that no government can exist for a single moment without the cooperation of the people, willing or forced, and if people suddenly withdraw their cooperation in every detail, the government will come to a standstill.”
So I’m all for civil disobedience and civil non-cooperation. The ideas suggested in the comments are some of the ways we can carry this out. But we may need to make it inclusive – so that all malaysians have a part in it.
A friend commented during the announcement of the Ptg Pauh by election result: “This is the beginning of the civil rights movement in Malaysia”. I think he’s right.
September 14, 2008 at 11:48 am
Hi,
Again, my 2 cents worth of comments.
The ISA strength is built on lack of knowledge of how it’s being carried out by the authorities. They always spins a positive story regarding why ISA is being used – without regards to the truth of such stories.
This way, they are able to hoodwink the majority of the voters into thinking that security of the nation was the issue and nothing else. For law abiding citizens who have no access to alternative media reportings, what is being spin is what is deemed happening – who would not support efforts to curb chaos in the country??? – that’s how they had always been able too use ISA with impunity!
Show of force is not the way to go. Show of unity and solidarity is the most important tool available to strengthen the call for abolishing the ISA law.
Citizens need to be informed of it’s abuses and excesses before they are willing to lend support to the cause to do away with such repressive laws.
To get any traction with efforts to dent the malacious use of ISA against it’s citizens, the most important step is to disseminate information (solid information – not rumours) on how the ISA has been exploited by the
keepers of the law.
The case of reporter Ms Tan needs to be highlighted and needs to serve as a beacon that exposes the tyranny and absolute abuse of the ISA law by those deemed to be keepers of the law. When such abuse can result in an innocent citizen being detained and jailed – mistakenly or otherwise (politically or not), it serves as a warning to the citizens that such abuses or ‘mistakes” can ALSO target or happen to any one at any time without recourse to proper justice indefinitely!
As citizens, we normally accept what is being reported as true and that such things will never happen to us. But if such devious laws can now be reported to have happened to innocent people like reporter Ms. Tan for reporting the truth and to executive councillor Teresa Kok for being accused of a crime which she was wrongly acccused (as confirmd by the mosque concerned), then, a lot of people will sit up and think – what if….
With such misplacement of justice, we now have the opportunity to push the agenda to get rid of these repugnant laws by embracing and seeking the victims (Ms Tan and Teresa KOK)to speak out loudly on how the unjust laws had innocently drag them through the nightmare they now had to endure – despite all the safeguards we were assured of. So, nobody is safe anymore from the ISA law – even if they were just doing their job professionally.
Ms Tan and Teresa Kok must now speak out at every opportunity to inform the general public on how easy it was for innocent parties to be caught under the unjust laws. Self preservation will kick in and people will never willingly accept unjust laws especially when it could affect them and THEIR CHILDREN’s future! Ms Tan and Teresa KOK must now become the beacon for the movement.
Also needs to be revealed is how on previous occasions such ISA laws were abused.
September 14, 2008 at 11:51 am
Hartal is the best form of expressing civil disobediense. The Pakatan State Govts. should declare Sept 16 Malaysia Hartal Day so the people can reclaim their independence from the corrupt BN regime.
Also, sell all shares that may be owned on the KLSE. Do not participate in the BN`s corruption – moral or otherwise.
September 14, 2008 at 11:54 am
Sdr Harris,
Yes, I agree to the Hartal…I remember the 1967 hartal..was in MBS Penang.That was about the devaluation of the Malaysian dollar. It was successful, shops closed etc.
Unfortunately, it became a racial issue…Chinese shop keepers & businesses vs Malay consumers.
I was camping at the back of my school in Air Itam with a Chinese friend as part of our scout tests to get a badge, oblivious to what was happening.. My parents came to fetch me home as it was already getting dangerous. We had to put my Chinese friend on the floor boards of the car and send him home to Anson road as we had to pass the Malay kampongs in front of the MBS then.
Now Malays have businesses too..the Melayu Baru corporate types would have too much to loose if there is chaos in the country.So UMNO better think many times if they want to create another May 13…( I was involved in that event too as I was in KL for a LLN scholarship interview.
Yes we should try the hartal ..organise it carefully as in The Bersih demo!!
Salam
September 14, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Yes, let’s go with civil disobedience. But an assembly like we had in the past for Bersih and Hindraf would not be a good idea. The government would definitely use force and the tension would intensify.
A few days after Bersih rally, I was at McDonald’s. It was a normal day except for one thing. While I was having my meal, a group of guys came there, like others, to eat. What drew people’s attention was the fact that these guys were wearing the yellow Bersih t-shirts. I noticed people around were looking at them.
I am suggesting that this time around, we do it in pairs or solo. We do it in scattered locations. We can have each person joining this cause identifiable by wearing the same t-shirt, headband, etc, on one same day, at the same time. In pairs, they could just walk in public spaces like shopping malls, parks, or just sit and talk or eat together. They could continue what they normally do on that day, even at workplace. We could easily draw bigger participation compared to all the rallies in the past because it is more accessible. People can participate remotely and on their own terms.
The police can’t arrest anyone or justify their use of force (not that they had been able to anyway) this way because there would be no “unlawful assembly”. We don’t interrupt anyone, we just doing our own thing. But our message would be clear out there because we were doing one unique thing in unison. But to do this, we need for everyone who believe in it to commit. Set the day and time and let people sign up their pledge on a website, facebook or something. Get them a means to invite their friends and family within clicks. Then reminders would be sent to them on email.
September 14, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Dei kaka
Take the hartal and sumbat it up ur anus. Then go to the toilet and sit on it until it drops off! It will do you and the whole lot of bangsa Malaysia (kaka and thuluqans included) a world of good! trying to grab power via unconstitutional means via frogging, hartal..peratal..or roti bantal… is the pits. show the sort of people civil society is….. whoever opposes.. you finish off by silencing them or ridiculing them. and messing about with Islam will not help either… so why not u and gang hartal yourselves out of malaysia for good.
Onece a kaka always a kah!kah!kah!Kah!.Come on post this!
September 14, 2008 at 12:16 pm
dear all
About a week ago I predicted that the inevitable will happen and Malaysia die yesterday. Therefore I urge everyone for that particular chosen day be it 15th or 20th Sept to go to any temples, churches, mosques or whatever faiths we had in us to pray. Pray for a rebirth of our country, pray for the oppressed, pray for sufferings, pray for Malaysia for all of us.
I believe this way the goons will not stop us
DO NOT FALL FOR THEIR TRICKS Do it a peacful way and after all it is Ramadan Month
September 14, 2008 at 12:21 pm
WHAT’S THE HURRY
We also need to have an informed look at the DNA bill that is now before the Parliament.
When politicians tries to push through laws without due process or giving opportunities for elected representatives to properly scrutinise it closely and make amendments where neceessary to protect the citizens, such laws will always be proven to be lacking in substance and in protecting its citizens or … could there will be ulterior motives – why the hurry??
Citizens interest and rights should be the priority for any law to be acceptable. Clarity, justice and sincerity are paramount qualities of good law. Speedy laws are always bad laws!
September 14, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Haris,
Maybe we should not celebrating the coming Hari Raya. I believe many of us have no mood celebrating Hari Raya without RPK and Teresa Kok.
If this idea not acceptable, perhaps we can boycott any Hari Raya open house of BN leaders?
September 14, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Wait a minute…how is the hartal going to help? That great man Gandhi knew how useful it would be for a people demonstrating against the occupation and exploitation of their own land by a colonising regime, but surely in this case a similar hartal will be self-defeating? WE are in charge of this country, and we will suffer instead…it is our businesses and economy that will be hurt by such all-encompassing action, not the BN’s.
What we need is a selective hartal…boycott only events and things that will hurt the BN government. DO NOT GO TO THEIR OPEN HOUSES. What kind of Muslims do some of them call themelves if they condone such unjust actions? Similar actions will do too. Ultimately however, there is really only one way to do this. And that is to converge on Kamunting and demonstrate against its detention centre, its town residents first and foremost. What will the police do, put us all in? Its a hard decision, but Gandhi knew that demonstrations imbued with the force of truth could be mightily effective. Thats how the Berlin Wall fell. Thats surely how Kamunting will fall too.
September 14, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Anonymous said…
We urge all BN Components MPs with a conscience to do the necessary to make possible a New Malaysia for all Rakyats of Malaysia so that all our children and their children & their children’s children’s future will be safe and secured in the Country we all love and not be intimidated by those UMNO Clowns now in power with their oppressive & fear tactics and in the verge of making Malaysia a Police State if left unchecked otherwise.
Moronic PeeM and Botak Home Minister last minutes’ attempts to cling on power by using the fear tactics of the ISA & tried to deny their own actions as they now have no balls to face the wrath of the all the Rakyats of Malaysia.
All Rakyats of Malaysia will see to that these Clowns will be thrown out soon come the New Dawn of Malaysia & that all Rakyats of Malaysia will welcome the New Malaysia on Malaysia Day 916, 2008 for a Malaysia for All Malaysians.
Justice MUST BE DONE for Altantuya and for all those detained under ISA without the trial nor the rights of appeal. Light-up a Candle in the Lantern of the Mid-Autumn Festival for them all to usher in the the NEW DAWN OF MALAYSIA COME 916, 2008
September 14, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Just do it! This hartal will not only coincide the 1947 one, but also the Han Chinese struggle against the oppressive Mongols during the Yuan Dynasty!
Seems like the right festival, right month, right mood, and the best of all..right TIMING to do it.
HIDUP RAKYAT!
September 14, 2008 at 1:35 pm
In the fight against a corrupted government, it is the vast majority of the middle and lower income earners are the ones that suffers the most. Majority of them depends on their daily income except those on fixed wages. If the Hartal goes into effect, the loosing of a days pay means alot to them. Loosing $40-$60 a day means the children also looses. Yes a good fanfare, go on strike or layoff, but when he gets to buy food for the day who sympathise with him as he has less money to spend. The hike of fuel and food prices are already killing them. But mind you they provide the winnings for the Pakatan, a force to be reckon with.
These groups are the silent supporters but strong willed to walk with Anak Malaysia, Can we call them cowards. A majority of user here are well to do, with fixed income or some with fixed pension. Correct me if I am wrong.
Creating a situation close to public disorder and hardship to the majority is definetely out.
September 14, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Hartal for a day will be a good thing but I don’t think everyone can join the hartal as much as they agree with it because they need to worry about their own ricebowl too, esp when getting a job is difficult.
For those who need to work, maybe wearing a yellow wristband or shirt to work would be good. To show that you are against ISA.
We hope this hartal ISA will help but the rakyat will not always resort to this move in future for what they they are not happy about.
September 14, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Money saved from not celebrating Hari Raya or boycotting open house can be donated to ISA fund to help detainees and their families.
Good idea?
September 14, 2008 at 2:07 pm
think mr smith has a great point there. boycott BN and their cronies’ business. Hit them where it hurts most which is their pockets. lets start to get the names and make sure its right so that innocent parties would not be hurt by this boycott. Lets say categorise them in sectors.
1. media companies
2. fast moving consumer goods.
3. fast food companies
4. petrol stations
5. hypermarkets.
6. restaurants…etc
Include those companies where the cronies own 30% in JVs with MNCs, where in most instance given to them on a silver platter because of their linkage with BN. but, we should exclude GLCs coz these are govt assets. lets not mix up with ruling party and govt assets coz both rightfully are distinct.
September 14, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Last year I attended a malay funeral with some Malays friends. After paying our respect and condolences, we were standing outside having a chat. The UMNO YB arrived in his mers and got down and as he walked towards us,all of us turned our backs towards him and ignored him completely. He got the message, went into the house paid his respect and left without even looking at the 40 of us. See how easy it is to get the message through. ..Padan muka were remarks passed by the Malays.
September 14, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Minister Zaid Ibrahim against ISA? Or is it all sandiwara?
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/14/nation/20080914132720&sec=nation
September 14, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Yes Haris, and we should do it soon. We did bring this up sometime ago, i believe? To be effective this hartal has to well coordinated. Just spread the message and keep in constant touch with the PR state govts. As a personal gesture, i’ll start on 0916, not that it’ll do anything major.
September 14, 2008 at 2:52 pm
It was interesting to discuss the arrests with a bunch of different individuals yesterday, and even the UMNOputras were scratching their heads asking what the heck did the reporter do wrong.
They were ecstatic about RPK and Teresa though.
However, most independents I talked to thought that Teresa should be released, the September 16 crossover should be a mass resignation leading to by-elections, and that RPK is too blunt in his articles that he makes a batu lesung look sharp.
September 14, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Please say what & when?
Am cancelling other travel arrangements to make it back in time.
They can help carry this aunty & her payung to the black maria.
PLEASE GIVE ME TIME. It takes bloody long time to get home
September 14, 2008 at 3:28 pm
[...] Ibrahim and his gang at People’s Parliament are busily discussing the strategy of calling a hartal to protest ISA. A public hoilday – especially if also declared as an “opposition to ISA” [...]
September 14, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Dear Haris,
Just boycott the govt functions. Including its leaders’ open houses. What’s the harmony and celebration when these leaders trampled human rights and disregard the rakyat’s plea.
Wear anything yellow as a sign of protest to the ISA. Kind of silent protest but the message is loud and clear.
p/s When the BN-backed illegal immigrants rioters threaten our security in 1986, Sabahans stood their ground.
Why did you back out at the ISA rally? Aren’t the government suppose to be afraid of us and not the other way round?
We know when to run and fight another day. But you have not given them enough ground to ISA you yet.
Stay with us. Stand firm.
Can’t make it to Kelana Stadium. Please be there for me and the rest of us who are far away. Will light a candle for the detainees and to welcome a new Malaysia.
Take care.
(please disregard earlier post under ‘kiut’ id – wrong id and the subsequent post by me – delete this para). Take care and thank you.
September 14, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Yes, hartal can be done. But a NATIONWIDE hartal? That’s a challenge. Not everyone feels strongly enough to ditch their wages for a day. Different people will have different levels of risks and sacrifices involved. We can’t speak for all. And since not everyone has a means to voice their opinions, how do we gauge the actual response? Undeniably most of us that read socio-political blogs or websites will be in unison, but don’t forget the many many more who choose ignorance.
Here in Sabah, we are concerned about the developments of the country, but to be honest, I don’t think the majority is concerned ‘enough’ for a hartal. And this might be the same for the places which are not ‘directly involved’ (unlike Penang, KL and Selangor).
And if we were to wear a certain colour, would Yellow be a suitable choice again? Yellow was chosen for Bersih because (correct me if I’m wrong) of it’s significance as the Royal colour. If the meaning doesn’t matter then any colour is cool.
Finally, Sept 16 is a public holiday here in Sabah. It’s our TYT’s birthday and also the day we joined in to form Malaysia.
September 14, 2008 at 4:50 pm
there’s a vigil at blog house 9pm. spread the word around,please.
September 14, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Just read this piece of news from Malaysiakini that Zaid Ibrahim threatened to resign if the government continued to use ISA. Is that a good sign that eventually there’s a ‘conscious’ minister to say no to ISA?
Hartal ISA? I’m doubted how many of the firms / organizations willing to endorse to this idea. This is similar to the point that you raised at the recent 916 forum. It’s in fact another ideality versus reality. How many out there have the spirit of those fighting for People’s Constitution? The recent petitions to abolish ISA, Agong etc speaks the truth, there’re still many people dared not to reveal their IC number or home address. So, can we expect that many of them will say yes to Hartal ISA?
September 14, 2008 at 5:32 pm
with this sort of present government in hand…u think they wud care a sh*t abt hartal?its so obvious they are not interested in sorting out peoples problems but creating havoc and chaos among us people.its not abt ketuanan melayu or malay rights to them.its abt how much they can keep stealing fr the people of this country.they hv not gotten enuff yet.fr mahathir till now…god knws how we people hv suffered for their greed.how we hv been manipulated be it ur a chinese ..indian…or malay or other races.and if we are talking abt hartal…these corruopted and dirty lots who give a sh*t abt wats gonna happen to this country.they hv got enuff for them to last for generations to come.lets face the fact…as long as these dirty scumbags are still around….thr wont be a malaysia for all malaysians.
September 14, 2008 at 6:23 pm
September 16th AICG boycott sounds good.. problem is who has a list of all BN-linked businesses?
support the sole proprietor!
September 14, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Haris,
My own view is that the Hartal of 1947 was very succcessful in its participation because (1) It has the support and endorsement of the Left Wing leaders then. (2) The leaders were united. (3) It was very well organized, with pamphlets, brochures, posters, printed and distributed to everyone. (4) There was a long lead time – nearly a month – so that everyone has time to prepare.
Someone suggest Sep 16, which is just 2 days away.
As much as I want to see a successful nationwide Hartal, to do this in 2 days time without (1) to (4) above is doomed to be a failure. DSAI must be behind it, LKS and Hadi Awang must also be behind it. But given that 916 is so near, their attentions are rightly behind 916 as opposed to the Hartal idea, which I’m not even sure if all are aware.
Any Hartal attempt is bound to fail without (1) to (4).
And the manifesto for the Hartal must be made extremely clear, so that Rakyat knows exactly why.
Or else, focus in just one city, where all efforts can be mobiled to make sure the Hartal is effective in just that one city.
Hartal in other cities may be done in later days if 916 is delayed. It can be done like a fire spreading all over Malaysia.
It needs full support by all Pakatan Rakyat parties. The extent and intensity must be greater than what’s done for Aug 26 PP by-election, and greater than what’s done for Mar 8 General Election to send the loudest possible message to PM Abdullah.
I actually think it is better for Pakatan to concentrate its resources to get the MPs to cross over to show their dissatisfaction with PM Abdullah. It is not morally wrong to cross over. In fact, I think it is the MORAL duty of all MPs to “kickdafella” out due to his non-performance and utter failure as a PM.
I have blogged (actually copied from PKR press statement) on the morality of crossovers, and hope you don’t mind me sharing it here – http://fusioninvestor.blogspot.com/2008/09/morality-of-mps-crossing-floor.html
Thanks.
September 14, 2008 at 6:37 pm
hartal…not going out from the house for one day…just that…just do nothin for one day…no business…no outing…no spending..no to Bebal Nasional!
September 14, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Hartal is the mechanism. With the above many readers here will now know WHAT is HARTAL. HARTAL for me is basically a PUASA from doing something resulting in economic impact on the regime.
So, let us consider the following:
1. WHY do HARTAL? – To send a signal to the oppresive regime that we have the real power, not them.
2. HOW to do HARTAL? – there are many ways. Not going to work for 1 day is just one way. The repercussions must be considered. For example some employers could fire people for not turning up for work (e.g. wildcat strike). HARTAL can be done far more silently and with less risk.
(i) For example, we switch off power at home exactly at 8 pm night after night except say one or two lights for reading and security. The resulting drop in electricity will stun TNB and the regime. In the old times, people did not go to work (a strike), work slow, boycotted shops/transport etc.
(ii) another thing we could do is not to make/answer any mobile phone calls or sms for 12 hours (daylight 6 am to 6 pm)unless emergency.
3. WHEN to do HARTAL – in my opinion, NOW is a good time.
4. WHERE to do HARTAL – this depends on the HOW too, the WHERE question could be a location or a type of HARTAL. If you choose swiching off lights, then it is at your home (for example). Anyway HARTAL must have DIRECT impact on UMNO and not indirect (like boycotting MSM) – ANY bright ideas?
5. WHO to do HARTAL – Well I suggest we recommend everyone who voted for PAKATAN start first, Since such people were moved to cast their vote, they would be prime candidates to initiate HARTAL, those who were too lazy or too scared to vote can join in, those who voted for BN can choose again after seeing all that has happened.
So yes, HARTAL is a good idea, no need to be physical hartal like 1947 (now modern already lorr!), a virual hartal is possible.
September 14, 2008 at 7:39 pm
I am so mad and disappointed with this syed botak idiot explaination by arresting civilian using ISA for achieving their own agenda.
ISA are meant for terrorist like this syed botak and his terrorist UMNO (United Malay Nazi Organisation) gang.
Is there any more hope in Malaysia run by these animals?
It is time for us, Malaysian to stand together and make our wish for our future known.
September 14, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I’m not celebrating Deepavali this year. Many Indians I asked said there is nothing to celebrate when the Dark still rules.
I’ll donate the money I’d use to a new dress, to whatever cause that will end ISA and other draconian laws that persecute the rakyat.
Yes, we need to send a clear message. Start a t-shirt campaign.I know plenty of people who would wear them. Close your shops for a day.
And to Warrior 231,
if abusing Haris is with a slur like that is your contribution, well, I just pity you.
ISA is a law that these asswipes use just to intimidate. If you are one of them, well up yours too!
September 14, 2008 at 8:25 pm
start by giving us a list of bn owned companies. long term boycott. no point pissing about with a day or two of protest by not going to work, etc… go for the root, which is $$.
since they are prepared to unleash hell just to protect their pockets and future earnings, let’s plug their pipeline by switching to non government owned entities.
example : switch to digi, pump petrol at shell or esso, fly other airlines (or cut down on travelling, save money instead), go online for news (and if you are still buying papers, start sharing instead of getting a copy each), bank with non local banks, buy insurance from non local agencies, etc…
keep at it and spread the word around because we need long term measures to be effective.
this way, we keep the economy going but we aim to starve the ones that matter.
we simply change how and who we spend on.
September 14, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I am totally disgusted with the bn govt and especially the antics of some umno members. The utter irresponsible behaviour and actions which have culimnated with the ISA ARRESTS, leads me to believe Malaysia is bring governed by a bunch of lunatics who have taken over the asylum. This includes the flip-flop decisions and bersumpah saiful, pusrawi DR’S notes, Police selective prosecuting and threats leads one to be astonished at what lengths some people will go to stay relevant and in power. With utter disgust, as my up bringing will not allow me to utter 4 letter words I have therefore come up with a few rejoinders,
I have a new title for umno & BN cabinet members. for acting and behaving like morons and retards,
YANG BERMORON
YANG BERRETARD
YANG BERDUMBER
YANG BERGILA2
YANG BERTAUBATLAH
YANG BERKUTU
YANG BERPUTAR-BELIT
YANG BERKRONY
YANG BANKRUPT
YANG BODOH
YANG BEREPEK
YANG BERKURAP aka kucing kurap
YANG BERKUMAN
YANG BANYAK-KOTOR
YANG BERKORRUPSI
Yang berSCUM-BAGS
AND LAST AND NOT LEAST
YANG BLUR
So the next time you call them YB, DON’T FORGET THESE TITLES.
September 14, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Raja Petra in the news in a US website
http://www.physorg.com:80/news140438601.html
September 14, 2008 at 9:03 pm
My family and I can last for 1 week without going out. All employees stay at home, no banks, no trading, no shoppers, no cars ie no toll, children no school, save our petrol. Let’s give BN the silent treatment. In fact, no need to celebrate Hari Raya at all unless we get our new PM Anwar.
September 14, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Hartal is good – I am all for it but if not properly organised or its significance not explained to people will not be successful, leaving the ‘goons’ to bask in the glory of our failure!
One credible person is required to organise it too. As it is we people are not used to the idea of civil disobedience and may just go ‘Duh’ at the mention of it.
All or none law should be applied – either a significant majority participate or do not have it at all. Essential services should be exempted, be they government or private – otherwise it would be counter productive, leaving lay people to suffer.
September 14, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Ditto Harris,
Which day shall we do it,just name it. I am sick and tired on how these babboons have been raping this country and the people. Enough is eenough…..lets do Gandhi’s Ahimsa ( non-compliance) They can break my bones and hurt my flesh but never have my obedience.
September 14, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Maybe we can boycott this coming Hari Raya open house by the gomen to show our dissatisfaction to them, this way we can show them the People’s Power
September 14, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Meng you are right. That is why is said ‘I do not know if others will make the sacrifice’. I think the poor or hard pressed will find it difficult to do so and it is not fair for us to judge them if they don’t. However, they can offer their fervent prayers and let us who can, do so. Together we stand strong to act against this evil, corrupt govt.
September 14, 2008 at 11:54 pm
ha2, thought i saw the last of cybertrooper Warrior. vwow, he is back.
readers, just ignore him and thats the best way to deal with imbeciles like him.
bye warrior.
September 15, 2008 at 12:36 am
We should consider sending e-mails ( and letters too) to the MSM and the PM’s department.
A clear message- Repeal the ISA and release all ISA detainees.
The mass effort will overwhelm their servers and drive the point home. But we must use our real names. We must be willing to stand up and be counted. No hiding behind the virtual world.
It must have the credibility of being sent by real people and not some ’spam generated mail’.
And we keep sending the mails. It has never been done. What have we to lose?
Its time the government actually begins to fear the people.
September 15, 2008 at 1:15 am
Dear Haris,
It is good idea but you & your team need to consider & Brain-storm on the implications -legally (with Bolehland’s Goalpost Laws shifting everytime, to cover their grounds), socially & financially (for our less fortunate citizens trying to make ends meet raising their young family), employer’s threats/punishments/sacking of staff (Powers-that-be intimidating all employers), etc.
Here’s one Divine Intervention –
Malaysiakini – Beh Lih Yi | Sep 14, 08 2:42pm – Quote – “Law minister threatens to quit over ISA….
De facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim today threatened to resign if the government continues to use the Internal Security Act, which allows detention without trial, against any individuals. ” Unquote.
“Devine Intervention” works wonders & with the “Anarchy” developing within their ranks of “Wannabe Young UMNO Heroes” vs the “Righteous Leaders”, they are having their own “Enemies” from within !
PM & DPM have lost the “Plot” altogether & this “UMNO Anarchy” will be the “Mother of the BN Self-Desruct” mechanism in full action.
Just give them more rope to “Hang” themselves at every turn towards their “Demise” soon.
We have to be virgilant, stay UNITED, stay calm, have Faith in God Almighty for His Blessings, Protection & Guidance so that we will not fall into the BN “Chaos Trap”.
September 15, 2008 at 6:11 am
@ Avtaran 12.26am
The sending of emails and letters had previously been kick-started by SUARAM and GMI before, and not once, but a lot of times. Somehow I doubt that it was very successful.
I think we’re past the writing letters stage. Something more serious needs to be done.
September 15, 2008 at 8:23 am
We need to be very sure that the hartal is only to FREE RPK, not to be confused or mixed with other agendas, especially the interests of the politics.
September 15, 2008 at 10:49 am
…. yet again you seem to have the support of the majority – who visit your site. However, unless the HARTAL is organized properly, it will lose its sting! And organizing this on a nationwide scale ain’t going to be easy. How many will be prepared to stay home and not report for work?
Lets see what we can do tonight at Kelana Jaya Stadium. How about you try your persuasive powers on the masses all in one go at the stadium? I expect at least 50,000 to turn up tonight. Get yourself a slot to speak tonight bro. If we can persuade 50,000 people to stay home tomorrow, I reckon that should be enough. And the chances are these 50,000 will be able to persuade another 50,000 to do the same. Now, that will certainly make the powers that be sit up and take notice!
September 15, 2008 at 11:24 am
How about a pay strike! How about refusing to pay income tax? We can request our employers to stop our income tax deduction and this will may hurt them as they won’t be able to pay salaries etc. This will take off faster than mobilizing the masses to go on work strike. This will show who are willing to walk the talk!
We have 10 days to act before pay day!
September 15, 2008 at 12:07 pm
thought i saw the last of cybertrooper Warrior. vwow, he is back.
readers, just ignore him and thats the best way to deal with imbeciles like him.
THATS NO WARRIOR…THATS A WIMP
No more handouts from BN which is why he is quirking He He
Bye Warrior
September 15, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Haris we can strike and fast till kingdom come!But it it not going to melt any of these HYANAS!Anyway none of these UMNOPUTRAS. are working.So it does not make any difference to them .And they will say “At last the Rakyats are also not working just like us.No big deal”
September 15, 2008 at 9:17 pm
How to close down the petrol station??? no malays ians want to work there.. only foreign low pay workers. no work no pay… 0 annual leave!
September 16, 2008 at 12:38 am
Hi Haris,
If any form of civil disobediance or hartal is going to take place, I’m praying that it will be before 24th September. This is because I’m scheduled to leave for a 3 week overseas trip on that day. I do not want to miss out on the fun bro..
September 16, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Haris, howdee
Hope that follicularly-challenged alleged loony and legal entity has not yet got you (or that Sonntag-like Helen Ang)in his clutches.
Anyways, on the hartal, here’s a novel idea that just sort of peskily popped into the head whilst reading here.
How about at least 100,000 of you smart people of the rakyat taking a week off on annual leave and then going to Sungei Buloh or Kamuntung everyday from wherever you live and demanding to be arrested under the ISA and incarcerated in solidarity (for doing nothing wrong) along with RPK, Theresa Kok and the other 70 or so detinees?
Camp there in defiance if they don’t want to arrest you and refuse to leave until they arrest you!
If you did that everyday for up to a week, maybe that would most potentially
HARTAL the ISA down for good.
Oh, and make sure you send lots of
nice photos everywhere so that the whole world can see what you are doing, individually and very thoughtfully and without any violence or organisation whatsoever to cause any hassle to the authorities and their 
“Asian Values”.
WE SAY YEAH!
AND HARIS FOR AG AND RPK FOR IGP!
September 16, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Some of you have quite rightly stated that the Hartal must be sounded(called)by someone of goodstanding. I agree.Let’s see:
1)If Anwar calls for it:- No good. As a future Leader of the countrty he should not squander his chance.There will be a lot of flak.If he has not got the numbers–it’s OK to go ahead!
2)If the call comes from Zaid-who has just resigned becoz of ISA misuse…I think it will carry a lot of weight.Dont feel slighted that he is not a Pakatan and is trying to steel the thunder from all of us die hard People Power chaps.If that is acceptable Harris shld talk to him.Anwar should not involve himself initially as if it backfires..u know..the bastards will have a field day!
3)Hey…if we could just smuggle a letter out from jail..RPK’s clarion call for a nationwide Hartal would be the best!I can almost feel the sound of silence in Malaysia.The country will come to a standstill.
Then of course you need time to send the message around.
Just food for thought!
Panic
September 16, 2008 at 10:33 pm
When a hartal is called by the civil society movement, the evil BN government will probably think that the situation would pass with ineffective protest meetings and unheeded petitions. The BN government leaders will think that a little display of force; water Cannons, tear gas attacks and baton charges would suffice to break the backbone of the hartal. As such they will attack the people with batons, tear gas and sprayed with chemical laced water at the people participating in the hartal to disperse them. Will their tactics work? Not in the face of a determined group of people showing the act of non-destructive civil disobedience.
A perfect example of this mode of civil disobedience in Malaysia against the attacks of tear gas and water cannon will be the November 25th 2007 rally by Hindraf. Nearly 40,0000 protesters managed to bring the Kuala Lumpur city center to a standstill for nearly 6 hours from 6.00 am to 12.00 p.m. The people stood up to their tear gas attack and the cat and mouse street battle lasted until the organizers called off the rally.
Mind you, that is only 40,000 Malaysians who locked down KL city center for 6 hours. Imagine what 200,000 to 300,000 Malaysians with similar willpower and nerves can do if they converge in KL city with the main intent of breaking the backbone of the beast we call BN. Just by having a sit-in protest on the roads of KL will paralyze the entire city.
If the civil disobedience of 300,000 people is replicated in all the major towns like Ipoh, Penang, Sg. Petani, Kuantan, Seremban, JB etc, the resources of our police force will be stretched to its limit. They can no longer bring in reinforcements from others states to control the people as they did during the Bersih and Hindraf rally. By then, the people will outnumber the police rendering their fear tools impotent.
But there are obstacles to implement the above. How do we get the Malaysians to come out of their comfort zone and take some risks to save our nation. The luke warm response to Haris Ibrahim’s petition to the King seeking his intervention for judicial reform, is a clear example of how “Kiasu” Malaysians can be. So far only 26,598 people have signed it. This figure was only reached after a few postings from both RPK and Haris requesting for signatures. How then can we get all these people to come out all over the country?
In some countries, hartals were wildly successful because they were called by powerful unions. A perfect example will be the French truck drivers’ union strike which nearly crippled the French port operations, the country’s transportation network and commercial ventures. The Malaysian union bodies cannot be depended to even remotely ask their members to go against the government. They have become subservient to the BN, in fact many became the lapdogs for BN. In this perspective, the mode of hartal must be changed. Switching to an economic hartal of all government linked institutions and business entities will be a better option:
Action 1:
Boycott all banks linked to the government like Maybank, CIMB, Bank Simpanan Nasional etc. Take out all our money from these institutions. They depend on the money we deposit to maintain their cash flow and hence maintain their banking system. Immediate withdrawals of billions by all Malaysians will cause a financial meltdown.
Action 2:
Identify all shops belonging to the political leaders from BN parties and boycott them. PAS members have been doing this for many years against UMNO linked shops. After the March 08 election, UMNO organized a demonstration near KOMTAR with a lot of Indian Muslims shouting “Hidup Melayu”. The Penangites retaliated by boycotting Nasi Kandar. The owners of these restaurants had to plead with the people to not punish all of them for the actions of a few people.
The same can be applied to all business all over the country. We will hit them where it hurts, to bring them down to their knees; their wallets.
September 17, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Set the date and do it
September 17, 2008 at 10:29 pm
[...] ‘So, do we Hartal ISA?’ by Harris [...]
September 17, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Well, gathering everyone in one place is just gonna make it easy for the police to stop us, so may I suggest the following instead ?
Get everyone to wear black for a week to mourn the death of democracy. Ask everyone to tell all their friends to do the same via email/sms/msn/facebook/friendster/etc …
Since this does not involve gathering in a single place, there is no risk of being blasted by water cannons and such. However, if there are enough ppl doing this, we could see major cities/towns all covered in black. This would send a strong msg about ppl power
Dennis,
The hartal we have in mind would have everyone in the safety of their respective homes, not gathered anywhere.
September 17, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Hmmm … well, whatever it is that is decided on, would be good if it’s something that almost EVERYONE can participate in
…
Ready and waiting for orders …
September 17, 2008 at 11:22 pm
People are still not aware what the word ‘hartal’ means… Most of all, they are only having ‘busy body’ attitude and don’t really have the heart to take any radical action… How do we make more awareness on this ‘hartal’ thingy? ‘HARTAL CAMPAIGN?’
Zuanne,
Zorro has an informative write-up on hartal. You can access it at http://zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com/2008/09/dont-push-us-no-more.html
September 18, 2008 at 12:34 am
RPK’s heart enthusiasm to fight for the rakyat’s freedom has really touched me. And all thanks to him that young malayians like me are able to know what is going on with our country and we can’t let the corrupted government to continue to rule our beloved country.. so we must fight for it.
I agree and am ready to go against the abused authority of ISA with full spirit. Hartal ISA!
May God Bless Malaysia.
September 18, 2008 at 3:26 am
If ISA and BN were to be put down in the abyss by Hartal, so be it?
Even if the both are unshaken by Hartal, at least the tremor of unity and togetherness would only be accelerate further with Hartal. So, therefore, Hartal is for UNITY of ALL Malaysians!!
September 18, 2008 at 8:44 am
“vega Says:
September 16, 2008 at 10:33 pm”
Vega talks sense. Take out one bank, say CIMB. That is easier to do and much more effective than trying to organize a hartal.
September 18, 2008 at 10:59 am
Although I have long supported this cause, it pains me to see that for every Malaysian who is aware of the problems in this country and willing to take some action for positive change, there seem to be 3 others who are either completely ignorant of the issues or who would rather remain silent critics. We have developed into such a selfish society where only if a problem affects us or those close to us directly do we then want to take action. My spirit for the fight is strong but yet each time I engage in conversation with those who remain ignorant or silent on the issues plaguing our country and society today, I lose a little bit more faith…
September 19, 2008 at 3:20 am
Something else to bear in mind about this planned Hartal is that any move right now that will hit the economy even harder, and so hit the poorer members of the rakyat most hard, may best be avoided for now.
And as to the latest political intrigue and moves by the BN….one can’t help marvelling at how astutely shrewd the PM’s latest move is in handing over the…er… poisoned Finance portfolio chalice to the DPM and taking the defence one in exchange (as a protective measure perhaps?) in what looks to be like…er….a just-in-time tactic before those diffracting ripples from the financial-market meltdown tsunami originating from the US hits most world economies and clobbers them with increasing force over the next eighteen months or so.
Casualties from (mainly US) financial market mismanagement through gross incompetence and the financial sector’s general propensity for unbridled greed plus an overload of off-balance sheet loaded risk from crappy derivatives and other highly-suspect financial drivel-instruments are piling up day by day with some of the dead or dying being listed here as follows: Bear Stearns, Lehman Bros, Merril Lynch, Freddie Mac, Fanny Mae, HBOS, US$85bn bail-out of insurer AIG, US$37bn write-offs at UBS….????..so, who knows who’s next to die/fall ungloriously?
As this economic climate is unprecedented and dramatic in nature with nothing like it seen since 1929, one has to ask this valid question: Is our new Finance Minister a financial wizard, super bean counter or financially astute and experienced in some right and necessary way?
“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.
September 24, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Hari Raya Hampers for all ISA detainess from Malaysia Today readers!
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A suggestion.
Is it possible to organise a Fruit Basket and some flowers for all at Kamunting Detention Camp?
We could all chip in. But must act fast! Any local Ipoh Florist can organise it at a special price.At RM 50.00 per basket for 100 detainess only comes to a small figure of RM 5 K.
Can someone make the arrangements.I will be happy to start the ball rolling with
RM 50.00.It would go a long way to show that we care for RPK,Hindraf and all other souls who are doing time at the whims of a brutal regime!
Maybe we could delegate the task to Tersea Kok.
Or why not Harris could organise it for us?
ABOLISH ISA!FREE RPK, HINDRAF AND ALL OTHERS!!
(Apologies I am not sure where I could post it)