The turnout for tonight candlelight vigil calling for the abolishment of the ISA is good. I think it is about the same as the first night, say 300 people?
The vigil starts around 9.30 pm and ends at 10.30 pm. Before that, we get to send a Hari Raya card to the detainees in Kamunting. Of course, I sent mine to RPK and another detainee, Mat Tarmizi. Candles and yellow ribbons were distributed. My blog reader, Momo was there giving away candles. *waves to Momo again*
The police presence is much more than the first night. There are policemen in uniform and Special Branch in plainclothes all over the place.
The banner calling for the abolishment of ISA.
MP Yusmadi from Balik Pulau was there. While he has talking, SB guys were taking notes with pen and paper, taking video and photos. Wuah…..Our Penang CM said on Malaysiakini that Penang has one of the lowest crime rate and highest crime solving….We all canggih, right?
Activisit and also a blogger, Mustafa K Anuar reciting a poem. The building at the back (the focus of my photo) is the High Court of Penang.
Then, this ex-ISA detainee (by the name of Yee Yong?) shared his experience during detention. My Mandarin is very bad but I think he was from Parti Rakyat (the political party with bullhead?). He joked that Teresa Kok two eggs are considered good as they used to eat only salted or kembong fish with taugeh. He said he was questioned for five days continously on the same questions, without sleep. Whenever he felt sleepy, they would let him drink kopi-o. No wonder, he said, when he first saw a detainee, he wondered why they have red face. After he was out of detention, he had to go on parole (or something like that) and cannot even leave Georgetown. He is very semangat and said as long as he is alive, he will stand together and fight for the abolishment of ISA.
The candlelight vigil ended with some symbolic actions like a short procession around the flower pot! But that too, wasn’t allowed by the police. *roll eyes* Then, everyone tore the paper with the word ISA and bin it. That’s what the Penang CM said earlier on Malaysiakini.
And why do we need to participate in such candlelight vigil? To call for the abolishment of ISA and also for free press. MP Yusmadi said what happened to RPK may also happen to any one of us. I whispered to my son, “Yalah, termasuk mak hang.” (me lah)
The next candlelight vigil is next Friday, same place. 3 October, 2008 at 9pm. (be there early because the police normally allow a short time for the vigil only)
Tonight the turnout was better than last week (probably due to DAP’s gathering at Town Hall nearby) and lasted longer than the earlier 2 vigils.
I was there at 9 so I kaypoh to give out the candles and cups. Some one ( from the church?) was giving out yellow ribbons.
Anyway, nice to have met you (at last)!
Nice photos you’ve taken … and as usual you very fast fast put them here oredi. Wah, fast hand,fast leg!
Hey Momo,
so sad lah I never get to meet you to get the free badge (xP) haha.
But nevertheless I gave moral support as I was like few hundred metres away at SXI.
Yeah, last week turnout I should have guessed is low because about 1200 were present for the PCTH forum where our Penang CM was there.
I watched Yusmadi of PKR speak live at PCTH and I think he was good in both humour and substance.
Hi Lillian,
I was there as well and I plan to blog about it but after reading your posting, I find that you had described better with photos so I had placed a link to your blog. I hope you do not mind.
I just mentioned briefly about this vigil at my blog but stress on other subject and that is,
Other than candle light vigil – What else can we do?
I would appreciate if you can have a look at my blog and help to spread this cause further.
Blood-Suckers
Thanks
Richard Loh
Hey lilian, tonight is our turn (KL folks)….
You are lucky to have it run for 1 hour..the last time it lasted not more than half an hour i think… i didn’t go for it previously (slap forehead)
tonight must go and show support.., 🙂
ISA , go to dustbin la!