I thought Sunday evening would end with a celebrative and a sober mood in the light of the release of RPK and the cause of abolishing the ISA, and remembering the unforgettable demonstration of the people’s voice in last year’s BERSIH walk .
The first “original” planned gathering forced to be at Amcorp Mall entrance gives us a glimpse the evening earlier and ended with the crowd singing heartily our national anthem. Many went home after that, others who were late joined the remaining few who headed to the PJ Civic Centre park. The second rendition of the “NegaraKu” (translated “My Nation” from Bahasa Malaysia) didn’t have the chance to finish properly.
Malaysiakini had the fastest report here saying Police disperse crowd, 24 arrested, Malaysiainsider turned minimalist here with a muted title Opposition reps detained at Bersih rally . Anil Netto again gives us on the ground citizens reporting here LIVE: Pandemonium erupts as police charge into crowd which has the title which captures the essence of what happened
A picture is worth a million words, A video is worth a billion! So, these two videos sent to me below are worth a fortune . or maybe it really reflects the true “poverty” in our nation. How can one’s heart not break when uncalled for aggression was used on peace-loving patriotic Malaysians singing the national anthem?
The people were singing the National Anthem “Negaraku” and were ready to go home. But before they could end . . .
A video clip from another view from further behind. Jarod’s thoughts on the Anti ISA Vigil at PJ being intruded by FRU! raised the same concern I had for the younger children present there.
There were younger children and youth who was there to give support for this movement. I salute them for their awareness. I also want to tell their parents that indeed you are farsighted to bring them there to see for them selves! This will bring an awareness in them about Malaysia politic. However, I do not know how they will react to this cruel incident. I do not know whether do they injured them selves when the FRU chase after those people who were there.
Thankfully, no children were injured physically (as far as I know) but I wonder how the parents are going to explain what happened last night. I wonder what would be the damage on how the next generation will view those who were meant to protect them. Imagine the following conversation:
“Dad, why are we here tonight?”
“We’re here to show that we love our nation, son. We want to show concern for those who have been detained without trial under the Internal security Act (ISA).”
“Oh yes, RPK got released right, so we’re celebrating too?”
“Sure, and tonight it’s the eve of another event where thousands of Malaysians voiced their desire for a free and fair election too! So, it’s a double celebration.”
“Dad, so it’s not just a protest right? Are we safe? I’m a little scared .”
“Don’t worry son, we should be ok. The last few weeks, the candlelight vigils had been very peaceful. We aren’t doing anything wrong.”
* * *
(after running and escaping being charged at by the FRU)
“Dad, why did they charge at us?”
“. . . “
Last night was a history lesson that no one there will ever forget. It’s one evening which none of us should ever forget even though some of us might be tempted to delete it from our memory.
If we even want to imagine and work for a better future, then we need to face the real history right before our eyes, and not give up even the smallest desire to play some role in crafting a tomorrow we won’t want to forget because it was worth remembering. At least for the sake of our children.
I was there last night with my friend and his wife and their 3 little daughters. When it was becoming obvious that arrests were going to be made, I quickly asked my friend to take his family away from the there. Standing opposite near the Lotus restaurant we witnessed the brutality of the police. I’m not sure how my friend is going to explain to his daughters what happened last night. But one thing I know we need to tell our children about evil.
I have two small children myself. Even though I wasn’t there, I believe in the cause. What would be most difficult to explain to the children is why the police who are supposed to keep the rakyat safe were the ones who were beating up people. How to expect the rakyat and their children to feel safe? Who to ask our children to turn to in times of needs?
I went to Amcorp Mall last night. But I did not bring my children this time because I was afraid that it would not be safe due to the police presence, sigh.
Could the peacefulness of the last few candle light vigils be a sort of trap laid by our dear police force? Why should last Sunday night’s candle light vigil be any different that warranted such brutality!!??
And for the Selangor CPO to come out with a blatant lie about the police not manhandling anyone….has he forgotten about the advancement of technology and that our handphones now have built-in cameras?
How ironic that one would view a situation unsafe BECAUSE of the presence of the police. So much for serving and protecting …
sp lim – glad to hear that your friend and the 3 daughters are ok. Suddenly, I’m reminded of the tragic incident from last year’s Hindraf Rally where there were those who were not so fortunate.
Min – I think many are like you are believe in the cause but are unable to be present physically. I believe you can still participate in the cause in your own way by being a catalyst towards bringing awareness to others on these issues and encouraging people to think through what all this means for us and what can we do.
Jay – I was tempted to bring my kids to this round because the last 2 vigils I attended was more like a reunion of family and friends than a dangerous demo. But, it was late this round so I got them to bed before I drove to Amcorp Mall. On your comment, indeed it’s sad when the image of the police is associated with aggression like what we witnessed last night than crime prevention and solving which is their first priority. I think it’s complicated and I’m not putting the total blame on the FRU and those individuals on duty who are merely carrying out orders … their superiors have a lot to explain to the people in the coming days.
Erniejean – I suppose, he might say he is making his comments on the reports he received. But now, with the videos making it’s way on the net. I wonder how they would change the story.
Bob K – Just watching the FRU guard the PJ police station gates with rotation is a scene in itself.
They sent the riot squad to a peaceful candlelight vigil , but the only people who looked like they were rioting are the FRU who beat their shields and screamed hellishly to create an atmosphere of fear and terror.
And these are the same people who are supposed to keep the peace , protect the citizens.
Is it any wonder then, that we feel uneasy with police around?
my ‘guess’ is that the police acted more out of stupidity and poor leadership than anti-Negaraku-ism…given the ‘electricity’ of the evening, whoever was in charge couldn’t differentiate the peaceful folks from the trouble-makers, and so decided to sacrifice the wheat with the weeds.
nobody was thinking and communicating clearly…as per some blog-posts, instructions and orders were badly communicated to the candle-lighters, so one might imagine the same happened for the police as well.
men with baton sticks, nerves fired up to act, especially, would be prone to a mob effect from among their own team.
of course, the immediate reaction by the heads would be to deny it. as with most/all wielders of power, it’s better to look guilty than impotent.
we hope there’ll be an apology and a strong reappraisal by the dudes in power about what happened, but in the meantime let’s remember there are also many policemen and (even) riot-squad members who would NOT agree with the official version of what transpired.
these are the guys who, hopefully, still have an interest in keeping the public safe (as have many of them in the past).