Anti-ISA vigil
Anti-ISA Vigil on 16 November 2008 at PJ Civic Centre, Petaling Jaya
Last Sunday night, 16th November 2008, about 200 NGO activists, concerned citizens and politicians opposed to the use of ISA gathered peacefully at the forecourt of PJ City Hall (MBPJ). We gathered there for about two and a half hours; no significant police presence seen except for some special branch personnel.
You might wonder why we gathered at MBPJ for the anti ISA vigil; this was to protest the brutal arrests and crackdown of the police on the crowd that peacefully gathered at the park in front of MBPJ on the night of 9th November 2008.
The NGOs and NGIs and I had a press conference Nov 11, 2008 at Parliament house to condemn the arrests and violence displayed by the police on Tony Pua, Lau Weng San and others.
In order to avoid another confrontation with the police the following Sunday, I asked MBPJ councilor Richard Yeoh to apply for a police permit for a citizens’ gathering at MBPJ. The police approved his application but with some rather silly conditions e.g. no anti ISA T-shirts, no anti-ISA banners; with the ‘funniest’ condition being ‘no lighting of candles’. These conditions made many of us mad.
That Sunday night, I took my parents out for an early dinner. After dinner, I told them about the stringent conditions set by the police for the anti ISA vigil that night. I then wore my “Free RPK, No to ISA” T-shirt and went for the anti-ISA vigil.
I joined the candle light vigil crowd with my red “Release RPK” T shirt.
I was asked to say a few words at the new “speakers’ corner” at MBPJ.
Raja Petra, with me and one of his supporters.
Thats the way to go Teresa. Just make sure these politicians goons especially that pea brain arrogant baldie toad on their toes. Do not let them live in peace.
I sincerely hope great response to your anti-ISA vigil from the rakyat.
WE must keep on fighting for justice for all irrespective.
Well done angel….
As per your comment, I will join and write write write, until the abusers of ISA, themselves get ISAed…
Before we do away with ISA, I suggest the “doctors” get to taste their own medicine…
cheers…
ISA defeats the basic principle of proper usage of power of state to arrest.
There is no need to justify a detention so does this lead to sloppy or all together neglected investigative and prosecution work? A man or a woman needs to be proven guilty otherwise he or she is innocent. ISA gives the power not to prove anything at all.
ISA is created at a time where there was an unconventional armed conflict in Malaysia. In the 21st century today, the targets of this piece of legislation have deviated much from its intentional targets. Instead of armed terrorists, we have reporters, bloggers and lawmakers. I fail to see what physical harm they could have done.
True, terrorists must be dealt with by most stringent laws as they threaten life and quality of life. So does corrupt politicians who diverted tax payers’ money from health care, welfare and infrastructure. In either case, ISA is not the complete answer. We can consider other relevant legislation such as fire-arms act, penal code and others.
YB Teresa, you as a former detainee of the draconian ISA without any rhyme and reason, I commend you on your persistent and committed efforts and stand for the oppressive and out-dated piece of law to be repealed and abolished by attending to all sorts of activities like holding candlelight vigil, public forums and the like. You have the utmost support and encouragement of all peace-loving citizens in the country to see that one day the fearful ISA would be dumped into the dustbin of history.
You and the supporters of the anti-ISA campaign nationwide have done the right and honourable thing to let the BN government know how we feel strongly against the dreaded ISA. All the best in your endeavours!
TOGETHER WE SHALL PREVAIL AND SUCCEED!
Teresa,
u’ve done DAP, S’gor gomen & PR proud ! rakyat were proud to hv u guys, d true HEROS of m’sians !
corrupted regime racist umno was in big trouble & struggling to survive. all regime’s MSM propaganda has failed miserably !
rakyat has realised regime umno has cheated them & rob d nation legally >50years !
all regime’s ‘korek korek gomen machineries’ polis, AG, ACA & Judiciary has been fr bad to worse !!!!
ISA has outlived its usefulness. It’s highly unlikely that the situation in the country could become like that in the 1950s and 60s again. Yes, we now live in the 21st century, and should there be any racial disturbance or widespread violence the situation can be nipped in the bud given today’s advanced communication and intelligence. The consensus of the rakyat is probably ISA should be abolished.
The ISA is not an evil law, only that it is not suitable to use in today’s situation. Most leaders are like that, when they are in power they just can’t see their mistakes and smug to believe they can do anything they like, including destroying your political opponents by every means conceivable.
It would be too late by the time they realize it, as can be seen from what has befallen former President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan, the late President Marcos of the Philippines, etc.
YB and others are doing the right thing by making the rakyat aware of the unfairness of this ISA issue.