Update: I’ll add links to pics etc as they come in – Starting with Tergendala Sebentar’s photos and pics from Pat’s Facebook.
I want to express heartfelt thanks for every single person who showed up for the vigil – your attendance touched me, and meant the world to the movement for a better Malaysia.
Penang did a spectacular attendance of some 400 tonight too; we managed a quarter to half of that or so, but for something decided on about 6 hrs before its start time, I think KL-ites have a lot to be proud of :)
You brave souls defied the rain, and the police stationed outside to gather peacefully in solidarity with all those detained without trial; you bravely kept flames burning to banish the darkness that threatens to surround us all; you came together – from all races, religions, ages, and walks of life – to defend Malaysia in its hour of need.
Heartfelt thanks to all those who came up to share really meaningful words, even though we didn’t really give them time to prepare; in addition to the YB’s and high profile figures, tonight’s event benefited even more importantly from the sharings of ordinary Malaysians from the floor, many who may have been speaking up in public for the first time.
It was a source of great inspiration and encouragement, along with seeing all the new faces sharing umbrellas. I think the circle of concerned and conscientious Malaysians grows wider for the day, and in this we take hope.
(Special thanks to Tony Yew, Zorro and AllBlogs who provided the logistical base, Rocky who helped get the ball rolling, and to every single one of you who spread the word via sms, facebook, blogs, e-mails, etc – you made a difference!! Pics and other media hopefully to come :)
[...] over in KL, Nathaniel Tan reports on another vigil at Blog House: Penang did a spectacular attendance of some 400 tonight too; we [...]
Can anyone organize something similar in London?? I will definitely show up and show my support!!!!
Dear Nathaniel,
That was a good gathering inspite of the drizzle.
As they say, “When the Going gets tough, the Tough gets going & God helps those that help themselves”.
Keep it up guys & gals.
Here’s one Divine Intervention – God Almighty is Great…
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”.
Nat, a great show of leadership, what we need now.
To anyone wanting to understand the evil of ISA: just imagine one of your own loved ones is detained and not knowing where he/she is, but you know full well the state has taken him/her, you will recognise such evil. It is no difference from state-sponsored kidnapping, and Malaysia should not be a country in such category.
.brought my wife along and 2 of her brothers were there too. we are all first timers. it was an experience that I would never forget and it was really great to see ordinary people of all walks of life united against such an abhorrent law.
thanks nat for the initiative.
Nat, my pics of the vigil last night are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bandarsungailong/sets/72157607297163523/
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome…….someday!
Anonymous said…
After 51 years MALAYSIA IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE but backward 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???
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.
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.
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
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Zymian // Sep 14, 2008 at 4:07 pm
We are indeed witnessing an attempt by certain hardcore Umno operatives to create unrest amongst the various races. Remember, it is to create the perfect pretence for the UMNO led government to impose emergency law and thus roll back their losses in the last elections!
The ISA arrests are only part of the plan. There will be further provocations! They are desperately hoping that enough unrest and conflict will arise so that they may use even more hardliner’s tactics with the security forces.
I sincerely hope our fellow citizens will remain calm. Fight, I say…but fight smart. Use the net, use it to spread the word that violence and conflict is to be avoided.
The UMNO hardliners (Dr M, Toyo) have run out of ideas. In their desperation, they have become more ruthless. We just need to stay the course….and these jokers will self destruct.