Got the following sms at 2.21 am yesterday :
4/4, Candle Vigil, 6pm dihdpan Kem Kamunting,Taiping tuntut regim UMNO bebaskan Wira2 HINDRAF P. Uthayakumar masalah kesihatan & YB Manoharan. Dtg ramai2. Pakai baju oren & bawa kain oren. Sebarkan.
I was upset that the Makkal Sakti folk still did not see the need to take a more inclusive stance in calling for the release of all ISA detainees, and not just the HINDRAF detainees.
Why just their wira-wira HINDRAF?
What about Mat Satray?
What about the fact that he’s still in Kamunting because his wife, Norlaila,
refuses to ease up on her efforts, through Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA, to secure the release of ALL ISA detainees?
I decided to attend the vigil, not to participate in the same, but for the purpose only of voicing my unhappiness at the continued exclusivist approach taken by the Makkal Sakti folk, and to report on the event.
A team of us got to the detention centre a little after 6pm.
No-one there yet.
Did Najib say that the ISA will be reviewed?
Did this consciousness for the need for such a review only just descend upon him?
Or has he always harboured this view, but given that he was second in command of a repressive regime under the command of Pak Lah that he felt the need to conceal this enlightened side of him until such time as he rose to office high enough to carry through his move to give life to his vision?
Well, maybe you can walk your talk by halting this project to renovate the existing detention facility at Kamunting, eh, Jibby?
Maybe you can turn this detention centre into a museum to showcase the cruelty of some of your predecessors?
Not quite what you had in mind, Jibby?
Or you need to first take directions from Dr M and Rosmah?
You’ll forgive us if we don’t hold out much hope on your translating your words into action.
Your track record does not allow for anything other than disbelief in all that you say and promise.
Jayathas, who I understood was to lead the vigil, and friends arrived shortly after.
Took the opportunity to register with Jayathas, in the strongest of terms, our disagreement with the fact that the announced vigil that evening was stated to be only to press for the release of the HINDRAF detainees.
At the same time that plainclothes police started to arrive, the famous Taiping rain kicked in.
Seemed quite funny, actually, that vigilers and police had to take shelter from the torrential rain under the same cover.
Whilst waiting under the shelter for the rain to ease up, and with the help of Viveg and Nanda, got to chatting with Uncle Segaran.
Aged 76, he was passing the detention centre and saw the slow build up of the vigilers, and having heard that detainees were due to be released, assumed that we were all there to be on hand to receive the released detainees. He was in fact on his way to deliver food to his son, and immediately made his way back to where we were.
He informed us that he had worked on an estate thatonce included the land that is now occupied by the detention centre.
For the last five years, he has been without work and on welfare assistance, receiving RM300 a month. He and his wife survive on this amount.
This small amount, he said, was actually got through the assistance of a Malay lady, his neighbour who felt sorry for him and helped him make the application.
Asked who he would be voting for, he clarified that he did not belong to the parliamentary constituency of Bukit Gantang, but in fact voted in Taiping, for DAP.
Asked what he thought of MIC, his reply was short and to the point.
“Takda guna, lah”.
By now, it was little past 8pm, and the rain had now petered down to a drizzle.
The vigilers crossed the road to the centre and took their positions
All 29 of them, banners and all.
28 FRU personnel took up position, flanking the vigilers on both sides.
Thankfully, in calling to free the ISA detainees, the vigilers and Jayathas, in his press conference, were more inclusive.
Thankfully, too, there was no untoward incident, and thevigil closed just before 9pm, incident-free.
The People's Parliament 
Hamba
April 5, 2009
NO WONDER HAMID AL BLUR SAID THAT THE REPORTER WAS DETAIN FOR HER OWN PROTECTION….THE ISA DETENTION CENTRE IS CALLED PUSAT TAHANAN PERLINDUNGAN KAMUNTING…EVEN THE NAME OF THE CENTRE SMACK OF DECEIT…
yapsir
April 5, 2009
Hi Harris and the team,
Thanks for staying at the front for the ABM.
To all of you,please do take care of yourself.
The works in the ABM have alots to do,we need time and we need you all to be part of this struggle for a better Malaysia to come.
My heart can’t really rest until every one detained under ISA are release.My team of leaders will keep on praying,especially on Tuesday.
God bless all of you.
Navin
April 5, 2009
najib,
RELEASE ALL THE DETAINESS WHO HAVE NOT BROKEN ANY LAWS.
DON’T HOLE THEM UP FOR YOUR BENEFITS AND OF BN.
THEY ARE NOT GUILTY AND THEY MUST BE FREE – IT IS THEIR RIGHT
LChuah
April 5, 2009
I wonder if the “Hindraf” people mentioned here are those who’d been supporting Pakatan all this while, or whether they’re BN moles reputed to have infiltrated into that organization. This matter about ISA deserves public airing whenever the occasion arises, though the folks I met at Taiping (several from the Bukit Gantang constituency) seemed more caught up with the worsening economic situation. Beyond that is the sheer ineptness of a government afflicted by extreme racism, a good example being a local sports center that has been left to rot for many years instead of letting it serve the local townsfolk, most of whom are non-Malay Malaysians(one day I’ll write more on this, which was another reason I went to Taiping). In many cases, religion has served to limit Muslims in various sports activities, since the “proper” attire often hinders physical movements.
Like most Malaysians I’ve little faith in the liberal transformation of Najib, but for the present that’s all the hope left for a tolerable Malaysia. Meantime, it’s important for activists to continue with their pursuit of expanding democratic space for all.
My2cen
April 5, 2009
Sokong BN jika 5 pemimpin Hindraf dibebaskan….
Jimadie Shah Othman | Apr 5, 09 5:03pm
Sekiranya tiga lagi pemimpin Hindraf dibebaskan, masyarakat India akan memberikan sokongan penuh kepada BN dalam pilihanraya kecil Bukit Gantang, dakwa sepupu salah seorang pemimpin Hindraf yang masih ditahan di bawah ISA.
“Hari ini kita dengar perdana menteri akan datang. Kita minta beliau bebaskan tiga lagi pemimpin India.
Kalau bebas kita semua orang India akan sokong BN,” kata A Latha, sepupu kepada K Vasanthakumar – salah seorang daripada lima pemimpin Hindraf yang ditahan di bawah ISA.
Empat orang lagi pemimpin Hindraf yang ditahan di bawah ISA ialah P Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan dan V Ganabatirau.
Ganabathirau dan Kenghadharan dibebaskan pada jam 1.20 petang ini dan dihantar terus ke kediaman mereka di Shah Alam dan Kelana Jaya, Selangor.
Latha berkata, keputusan itu dimaklumkan kepadanya oleh Vasantha sendiri kepadanya dalam pertemuan ringkas setengah jam di pusat tahanan itu pagi tadi.
Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita tengah hari tadi, setelah dua hari berturut-turut berkumpul bersama ahli keluarga dan penyokong pemimpin Hindraf teresbut, di depan Kem Tahanan Kamunting bagi menyaksikan pembebasan dua pemimpin organisasi itu.
Mahu jumpa PM
Lima minit selepas Ganabathirau dan Kenghandharan dibebaskan, lapan lagi tahananan – dua daripada Jemaah Islamiah dan enam Darul Islam Sabah dibebaskan.
Sebelum itu, pada 10.45 pagi, tiga tahanan ISA warga asing dibebaskan dan dibawa pergi dalam sebuah van.
Latha juga berkata, Vasanthakumar bersedia berkempen bagi memastikan kemenangan BN dalam pilihanraya kecil Bukit Gantang.
Ditanya sama ada sepupunya itu dapat memaafkan kerajaan pimpinan BN yang menahannya selama ini,
Latha berkata, perkara itu “boleh dilupakan”.
Beliau juga menyatakan hasrat bertemu Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak bagi menyampaikan perkara tersebut.
Bermula awal pagi, kira-kira seratus pemberita, penyokong dan ahli keluarga dua pemimpin Hindraf itu
berkumpul di depan pagar utama kem itu bagi melihat pembebasan mereka.
My2cen
April 5, 2009
That’s HINDRAF, willing to eat out of Nojib’s hands… after all the sacrifice, they are willing to crawl back to UMNO.
Ptui!!
Wave33
April 5, 2009
I am too, disappointed with their support which is non-1Malaysia. Their present at the PJ weekly candle light vigil was not fortcoming. I’m… mmm… it would be a very long battle ahead if we are not united enough for a better 1Malaysia.
jaytee
April 6, 2009
Haris and all the faithful vigilers, please continue your work. I remember that RPK said that there was renovation because of the “new intake” that was going to happen or rather coming soon. My heart is pumping for these brave people. May real Malaysians who love the nation and ALL people groups irregardless, work for a Bangsa Malaysia.
There should be no need for ISA should this “brotherliness” occur.
anna brella
April 6, 2009
What I simply cannot get is why Waythamoorthy and Uthayakumar cannot still “enlighten” their HINDRAF followers that what is good for them must also be good for ALL others if what they are fighting for is to stand up to moral scrutiny and be worth the salt of their efforts?
And did not Uthayakumar say that he must be the LAST to walk out of KDC? What is it about that clearly stated intention taht these so-called Hindraf supporters still do not understand?
It is that inability to understand the important fundamentals of their actions that has sadly, really kept the Malaysian Indians down in poverty and at the mercy of those who have marginalised them so successfully, with the conniving, backstabbing support of MIC in UMNO/BN.
“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.
Indiran
April 6, 2009
Sam,
What is happening to Hindraf struggle? The past few days the Hindraf directions seemed to be not focused on it’s original struggle. Is this a ploy by MIC to deceive the rest of Malaysians…
We should support the free ISA, not matter indian,chinese or malay being held at the Kamunting camp…
Satu lagi muslihat kerajaan BN untuk rakyat…
anna brella
April 6, 2009
I can’t believe that some apparently have said thank you for having been released from KDC by the same people who inflicted that torture and locked them up under the ISA in the first place?
I just find that amazing!! Are Malaysian people so lacking in self-value, self-esteem and self-respect over there as to actually feel gratitude and so obliged to those who have harmed them?
Malaysiakini reports that apparently AAB was quoted as saying in Bernama: “It is good decision. A good move. I am sure the time has come for them to be released, so he released them”.
The time has come for them to be released? Really? So why only release thirteen and not the others?
Each one of the released ISA detainees must now sue the pants off the Home Minister, the IGP and the Malaysian Government, either individually or in a class action.
They must take the matter as far as it needs to go in Malaysia and if need be, outside to an international court of law.
What has been done so arbitrarily to these ISA detainees (who are all innocent Malaysian citizens) and to their families – and who are all supposed to be living in a democratic nation where their fundamental human rights and freedoms are guaranteed and protected by their democratic Constitution – is against all standards of civilised behaviour and justice, and even common standards of human decency, that exist within all civilised nations and societies today.
And yet, the Home Minister and IGP failed to grasp the nettle and understand priorities, and callously decided that it was somehow still “okay” to delay their release and extend these innocent people’s incarceration further because of some pointless, irrelevant paper-pushing exercise, which could have been done in five minutes if they had put their minds to it!
The Home Minister and the IGP have failed to act within the standards of normal professionalism, care and the required urgency that was expected of them and clearly required in this important matter. Such a failure in carrying out their public duties is not acceptable. It is not only a dereliction of public duty, but it is also against the public interest to allow such high ranking public officials to act in such a cavalier manner over such critically important matters.
And in case anyone still does not understand what the ISA really is I will reiterate.
ISA = Psychological/Political Weapon based on deep-seated human FEAR.
The ISA has been used as a weapon in a criminal and unconstitutional manner against innocent Malaysian citizens to terrorise them – so, UNPARDONABLY – by those the good Malaysian People trusted and elected into governing power to watch over them and their nation’s growth in good faith. It has been used indiscriminately as a political weapon of convenience by UMNO/BN to quell and control all political dissent, whether legitimate or otherwise, under the misleading and shameless charade of “protecting national security” and which lie was communicated so effectively to the citizenry through the Government’s toothless lapdog, the powerless non-free MSM.
And the further important point to get here is that the psychological weapon of FEAR is also potently employed in a systematic manner by terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and the Taliban to frighten and so control the minds of the governments/people in the targeted nations/societies in order to force/effect self-affecting change in order to destroy that nation’s/society’s established way of life and its free, democratic, progressive growth from within.
So, if the new PM had been a real leader and had wanted to be taken seriously by anyone including the people he is supposed to be the “leader” of, he would have released all the ISA detainees by now, made immediate plans to hold a reconciliation meeting that would be televised to the entire nation so that he could publicly and unconditionally APOLOGISE to all of them on behalf of the Government and Malaysian People, and to offer suitable reparatory compensation to them for having been wronged in that horrendous manner. He would also have by now, got that sorry excuse for an AG to start the comprehensive review process to repeal the ISA, the Sedition Act and all other such unjust, bad legislative excrement from the nation’s statute book that has been either left behind by the British colonial masters or added to over the last half a century by the bad motives of UMNO/BN.
Now, why was that so hard to do for the new PM? Why did he not choose to do something really GREAT like that, which surely must have been possible for him to do, instead of the way he did what he did?
Anyone still wants to say thank you to the new PM/UMNO/BN and eat some more shite perhaps for…er…having been f***ed over? If you do, then you deserve everything that you get or has happened to you!
“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.
L700
April 6, 2009
Setiap kali nampak papan tanda projek pembangunan BN, saya sayu melihat jata negara hanya sama taraf dengan jata jkr sedang logo BN tinggi di atas. Itu tidak ubah seperti menghina negara sendiri!
amnikhassim
April 7, 2009
i really2 hope all ISA detainees to be released, not just HINDRAF. what about all those who have been accused without any proof as KMM n JI? don’t they deserve the same release as HINDRAF?
If all the detainees have been prove wrong in the court, then they should be put into the jail, not in ISA (Ikut Suka Aku)
anna brella
April 8, 2009
As a final point on man-made evils such as the ISA, I attach the following links that help prove that Justice does exist in this world and that it does catch up in the end with those who perpetrate gross abuses of power and inflict unacceptable wrongdoings on innocent, defenceless people.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7986951.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7921311.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_Trials
“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.