I got to the PJ Club just before 7.30pm Had agreed to meet Bernard and Gan there.
Bumped into these lovely people at the club.
Dinesh, at the extreme right, came all the way from Kuantan to attend RPK’s ongoing sedition trial.
Just a little before 8pm, we all made a beeline for the padang.
I’d estimate the crowd, at its peak, at about 300 anak Bangsa Malaysia.
Marina was there. So was YB Gobind and Lim Kit Siang.
And so many new faces!
Also met quite a few commentators on this blog. Was so nice to put a face to those cybernames.
I’ve been to many candlelight vigils but I’ve got to say that there was something special about last night.
Don’t know what it was.
Very emotional for me, it was.
Marina spoke, as did YBs Gobind and Lim, Bernard and I.
And you people too.
Loud and clear.
Free the ISA detainees!
Repeal the ISA.
No, we will not go back to the days when we feared!
Never again!
And we all agreed that we’ll keep coming back every Sunday, at 8pm, to Padang Jalan Timur, bringing along more people each time, until all detainees are free and the ISA is no more.
This coming Sunday, get ready to join and sing along as we sing songs of freedom and liberation.
For other reports on the PJ anti-ISA vigil last night, go HERE , HERE and HERE.
I’m going to leave you with the photos I took but before that, I just want to ask if it was just me, or did the rest of you also feel love in the air at the Jalan Timur padang at PJ last night?
Heck, I’ll leave you this song as well.
The People's Parliament 
panca
October 13, 2008
Absolutely Support, Absolutely RPK, Absolutely Support RPK.
Abolish ISA!
Hazel
October 13, 2008
I was there last night and was glad to meet you in person. Yes, yes definately feel love in the air at the padang last nite; just like the lyrics in the song, we are there to make a better place for living in Malaysia. Will be there again this Sunday, see you then.
Bolehsia
October 13, 2008
Dear Haris,
I was there last night, brought along my family members.
We promised to attend again for the next sunday vigil.
I felt emotional too and in my heart I told myself we must stand up against such blatant abuse of power.
I also felt comfort being able to contribute in a small way for RPK and his family after being on the sideline watching how you all so dedicated and committed in this Anti-ISA protest. I too felt motivated last night.
When we left the place my daughters asked me to wind down the windscreen for she said she wants to let go a shout of “Free RPK” and along the way I blare my horn aloud and you all responded with a louder cheer
which was indeed heartening to hear…and for RPK!
We will be back next Sunday as promised!
Hidup RPK!……and also for you Haris!
Thanks for doing all these good work.
Thanks for all the anak bangsa malaysia.
For a better Malaysia and for our future generation!
splim
October 13, 2008
I was there too. Yes, there were many new faces. Faces of middle class Chinese whom before 08/03/08 will not give a damn about politics much less the ISA. Yes, we have overcome our fear and apathy.
Johnny Chiam
October 13, 2008
Hi Haris,
Nice video. How can I embed it in my website. Thanks
wandererAUS
October 13, 2008
Once again, it was most enlightening to see a crowd that have kindness written on their faces and love for RPK…justice for all detainees.
Unlike the wealthy coalition, they would have brought a few bus loads of ‘bought supporters’ just to make a false impression. No, No, we don’t need that.
It is better to have ONE true believer than to have Ten pretenders.
Thanks for the photos and keeping us overseas readers in touch.
kkitsam
October 13, 2008
yup yesterday was definitely a special night. felt that everyone of us were connected, spiritually, the rain didn’t dampen the spirit either. I will honour my pledge to go every Sunday!!! Thanks Haris and everyone there!!! Hope more will join us!!
sjchange
October 13, 2008
Haris,
Is this coming weekend still the same, on Sunday at 8pm. I will try to invite more friends from Amcorp Mall to attend the Anti-ISA Candlelight Vigil.
sjchange,
Programme might be different but time and venue the same.
Please bring as many friends as you can.
Malaysianatheart
October 13, 2008
Yo bro,
Sorry I wasn’t there. But will be next Sunday. Keep it up people! Those morons will never get it – but we gotta keep going.
Anonymous
October 13, 2008
Anonymous said…
Can C4 Altantuya be a respected PeeM of Boleh Nation called Malaysia, if so then Boleh Land’s Rakyats will suffer greater hardship from the UMNO Oppressor???
The use of ISA to protect Nargis is taking a toll on the Nation’s economy, the capital flights were the nett results. It is this tyro Finance Minister who will further sleep with Bodohwi’s budget against the present world economic situation are the issues the Rakyats of Malaysia will further face and suffer greater hardship and took toll on the higher food prices that are not coming down soon. The tyro Finance Minister could not find any solution nor direction in resolving the urgent need to keep food prices down reasonably.
The UMNO Clown Botak and his cohorts will be made to taste their own medicines when the time of reckoning comes very soon.
Leave BN, all Component Parties with a conscience must leave the Evil Master Oppressor UMNO for good ok??? Leave & let them, the UMNO clowns to settle the horse trading & witchhunt between Flip Flop and C4 ok???
Come October 2008 there is nothing left but the Opposition Leader’s Post to Hand Over from Flip Flop to C4 ok???
There should be no peace for Botak if the ISA detainees are not released and the oppressive draconian law is not abolished because such injustices are not tolerated and thus create great discontentment in this modern society. One day Botak and his cohorts should be made to eat their own medicine for the injustices they have committed against the detainees especially RPK & Hindraf Leaders, our Brave Heros no doubts.
We call upon all the Rakyats of Malaysia to sign a Petition to be sent to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to release RPK from his detention under ISA because there is a hidden agenda of a conspiracy of using his detention to silence him so that he could not further release more evidences against the real C4 murderers of Altantuya because all the accused were all fall guys of the real murderers because they all did not have a real & logical motive to murder the Mongolian Lady.
THE NEW DAWN OF MALAYSIA HAS COME & THE FIRST THING IS TO ALLOW APPEALS & THEN RELEASE ALL ISA DETAINEES, ABOLISH ISA, OSA, SEDITION OR WHATEVER ACTS THAT COULD BE EXPLOITED AND MADE PREJUDICIAL AND OPPRESSIVE TO THE VOICE OF DISSENT FROM ALL THE RAKYATS.
It is very easy to generate Police Reports against DSAI by using Penang Mamak Umno’s 25 Members headed by Wan Abidin Zain, who claimed to be non-partisan, using their uneasiness that most Penangites will now be boycotting Nasi Kandar one more round???
It is very Sad that the legacy of Malaysian Independence is reduced by this Moronic Flip Flop Coward into great disrepute and a laughing stock of the whole world and knowing very well that the UMNO Government has technically collapsed and they have lost locus standi to govern but yet he has decided to shamelessly still cling on to power via dubious means like hiding himself via using of the ISA and we cannot imagine that the Malaysia Moronic Flip Flop Coward has now stoop so low and using the Police Deputy IGP as his willing tools especially the Deputy IGP’s clearly taking side as the Police must be neutral and should be not politiking for him. Now the Police and AG had stoop even lower with the tampering of Evidences against RPK and it is the shame to the Malaysian Justice with such behaviors from the Police who are sworn to uphold the Law and Order but committed criminal activities at the direction of the UMNO Clown Botak Home Minister to Protect Nargis the PeeM in waiting.
The Coward Moronic Flip Flop Chicken dare not meet DSAI face to face to settle matters but chose hiding under the use of ISA and that is what you have as a disgraceful cowardice leader for UMNO.
After 51 years MALAYSIA IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE but backwards because of the Oppression from the UMNO goons’ divide and rule fear tactics the Rakyats have matured & you must see all this coming because All The Rakyats of Malaysia are all fed-up & can no longer with-stand the hypocrisies, bullshits, lies and deceits of these UMNO Clowns now in Power ok??? What Oil Subsidies IS nothing but a hoax that the UMNO Government MAKE BELIEF THAT THERE IS AN OIL PRICE SUBSIDY TO THE PRICE OF FUEL BUT IN FACT THERE WERE NONE THIS IS BECAUSE MALAYSIA IS THE NET EXPORTER OF OIL THAT IS ONLY AFTER DEDUCTING DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION THE BALANCE IS EXPORTED TO EARN FOREIGN EXCHANGE. THESE LIARS MAKE US BELIEVE BY CONTINUOUS PROPAGANDA THAT THERE ARE OIL PRICE SUBSIDY BUT IN FACT THERE WERE NONE BECAUSE THE PRICE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACTUAL SALE LOCALLY AND THE PRICE THEY INTENDED TO SELL ABOARD IS AN OPPORTUNITY COST NOT PRICE SUBSIDY.
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. Save RPK as he is the midst of a conspiracy of the real murderers of Altantuya to silence him for good, instead of being C4ed he could be poisoned and worse off if he is on hunger strike by himself. The Acting IGP is defending the Police position after being made the tools of UMNO’s fear tactics & so he is now making lame excuses for being the Stringed Puppet to be easily manipulated by the Puppeteer, power that be. The Deputy IGP must be held personally responsible for the safety of RPK who has been heard to be tortured otherwise he must be made to eat his own medicine come the New Dawn of Malaysia.
Moronic PeeM and Botak Home Minister last minutes’ attempts to cling on power by using the fear tactics of using the ISA at their whims and fancies selectively against dissent & tried to deny their own actions as they now have no balls to face the wrath of the all the Rakyats of Malaysia. ONE DAY THE MORONIC BOTAK AND FLIP FLOP AND C4 MUST BE MADE TO TASTE THEIR OWN MEDICINE OK?
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 NEW DAWN OF MALAYSIA COME 916, 2008 and the New Government in the New Parliament Sitting come this Monday.
anucia
October 13, 2008
How ignorant I was to not know about this!
See you all there on Sunday..
p-loon
October 13, 2008
It was good meeting you and everybody there last night, Haris, and thanks for capturing me and the family in one of your pictures. However, I don’t know if turning this into a weekly affair is a good idea. The crowd could peter out progressively. Still, you’ve my support, of course, but not next Sunday, I’ve a wedding dinner to attend.
PS a friend suggesting getting Zaid Ibrahim to join us; any chance of that?
p-loon,
Will try to get Zaid
Ashleigh
October 13, 2008
Hi Haris,
I was one of the new faces you saw last night… we took picture together with YB Lim… 🙂
I was so proud and honoured at the same time for being among great people like you, Marina, Bernard etc… my friend and I have agreed that we’ll be there this coming Sunday and every coming Sunday as long as we are in KL. Will bring more friends as well.
Keep it up Haris… we need you to guide us along this fight for a better tomorrow!!
Jong
October 13, 2008
Thanks Haris, your pics speak a thousand words! Good for you guys, keep up the spirit!
The Whisperer
October 13, 2008
Haris Bro,
Love was not the only thing i felt last night and throughout Pete’s sedition trial.. There was Passion in each and everyone of us out there.. And.. and there’s this Sense of Oneness which brings Us together.
It just felt Great to be out there, to be with everyone in One Unison Voice. Truly an Anak Bangsa Malaysia spirit.
Very touching and moving euphoric experience. If This is What We can Expect with Change, Then This Fight is worth Fighting for… Lets Fight the Good Fight!!
Amen
Mag M
October 13, 2008
You people are great. Love ya all for the support given to RPK. Keep it up.
Penangites, please come for the candlelight virgil on Friday.
Lyon
October 13, 2008
Dear Haris,
Well, I came alone, could’nt find a soul to accompany me. I kept wondering how and what motivated me to come. Imagine having a game of strenous badminton (only 4 players for 2 hrs), a quick shower, a quick bite and with aching limbs, a 30 KM drive from the north of KL to the south in PJ. Something’s in the air and its contagious, I’m sure we will find more “NO TO ISA & FREE RPK” friends the next time.
I have a suggestion, why don’t we spare a minute to pray in silence, in our way, for all the ISA detainees and also for the repealment of the act.
Cheers mate
Drachen
October 13, 2008
Haris,
It was truly an honour and privilege to finally meet you and shake your hand – twice! Haha!
I agree you need a programme. Get the people to mingle instead of just standing around. Give them a target of getting to know 5 people or something like that. The time spent is more productive.
Malaysia First
October 13, 2008
Yup..last night was very meaningful. Went there with my son and also realised some of my other friends were there.
Yes I will be there next Sunday also.
MANSUHKAN ISA! Release RPK and all detainees.
mala
October 13, 2008
Looking at you guys… I feel like taking the next flight and travel for 14 hours to join you all next week. …..
I have another 6 months over here… But my sincere hope is when I come back for good there won’t be any reason for us to hold the vigil… hope … hope…
Take care all of you.
with love…
Farida
October 13, 2008
Haris,
I can’t attend this coming Sunday but here’s a song for all to sing to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”:
We will, we will overcome,
We will bring Kamunting down.
People Power, yes, we are,
Together we’ll take our nation far.
We will, we will overcome,
And enter the future arm in arm.
Come, my brothers, sisters, all,
Will you step out when we call?
There’s no need to be afraid,
We have to be bold to move ahead.
We will, we will overcome,
We will bring Kamunting down.
truebluemalaysian
October 13, 2008
Last night was my 1st experience at a candle-light vigil. It was truly a very heart-warming experience, not from the heat of the candles, but from the warmth of all those gathered there. There was a feeling of togetherness, amongst mostly strangers. I was really moved by Marina’s effort of moving amongst the crowd, to individually thank all those who were gathered there. She did not wait for people to go up to her, to shake her hand, but she came to us. For me, I felt that what I have done (ie, showing up at the candle-light vigil) is nothing in comparison to what RPK has done, to bring awareness to us. For me, Marina showed such great level of humility, a trait that’s often missing from our leaders today.
Anti-ISA
October 13, 2008
Please support the Global Online Freedom Act of 2007, H.R. 275, without any amendments that would hinder its ability to prevent U.S. Internet technology companies from cooperating with repressive governments attempting to limit freedom of expression and access to information.
Governments are now making Internet and technology companies allies in their effort to censor and repress the Internet. For example, the Chinese Government pressured Yahoo! to turn over to its police the names of political dissidents who use the company’s e-mail service. One such dissident, journalist Shi Tao, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being identified by Yahoo!. China convinced Microsoft to shut down Internet blogs in which Chinese users were criticizing their government, and persuaded Google to censor its search engine results.
As it now stands, H.R. 275 would help ensure that the Internet remains an open forum for free expression in every part of the world, and help American companies resist pressure from foreign governments to compromise their U.S. values of free speech. Specifically, I ask you to protect the key provisions of the Act, which prohibit U.S. companies from locating personally identifiable information in a country that represses freedom of expression and resist providing repressive governments with personally identifiable information of users (except for legitimate law enforcement purposes).
Internet companies have an invaluable role to play in the realization of freedom of expression and information. To help ensure that U.S. companies operating in repressive countries can influence the development of the Internet in a positive way, they must operate on a higher standard than do local providers. Thus far, the leading U.S. companies are not doing so. Their task of standing up to repressive governments is more difficult, though, without clear rules of the road and strong engagement from the U.S. Government.
This bill helps companies stand up by requiring them to tell the U.S. government what terms they are using to filter, limit or affect search results based on a request or policy of a foreign government, and the content they are removing or blocking. This transparency is essential if we are to combat restrictions on freedom of expression around the world.
There will be increased scrutiny of abuses to freedom of expression and access to information in China, and around the world. At this critical time, we call on the U.S. Government to demonstrate leadership in ensuring U.S. companies are not a party to censorship, but are truly a force for greater Internet freedom in the world.