Thursday, November 15, 2007

I Was There! (II)

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah...
(Thank goodness I didn't bring my computer notebook with me!)

Ah, finally found someone who took pictures of me there ;-)

Happy faces after successfully handing over
the BERSIH memorandum to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agung.


The bosses having an animated chat before submitting the petition to the King.

Now come to think of it, why is it that the two times when we had a major "march", it started pouring? I certainly remembered getting totally drenched the last time we joined the Bar Council's March for Justice. ;-)

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Its pouring the two times you went marching because:

1) Its monsoon season
2) Hot weather and convectional rain
3) The boys in the fourth floor of AAB ministry sent a plane to seed the clouds the moment they see you marching

Bob said...

Blessings from Heaven.

Dont you guys know, that when it rains, God is sending his "Showers of Blessings!"

It looks like God is also with us...

Fantastic.

Anonymous said...

Tony,

I congratulate you guys's success at the BERSIH rally.

Please take a look at this latest attack on Abdullah Badohwi from the international Human Rights Watch:

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/11/15/malays17345.htm

Malaysia: Investigate Use of Force Against Peaceful Rally
Prime Minister Should Immediately Request a Royal Commission of Inquiry

Anonymous said...

TQ God!

Anonymous said...

We want a clean and fair election process PERIOD.

Tony Pua for Parliament!

din merican said...

Tony,

I enjoyed your presentation at the Sheraton Subang on November 14. It was fact based and well argued. If we seek justice and fairness, as both our parties, KeADILan and DAP are trying to do,then the status quo is just not good enough.

We need to go out there and explain to voters that we must continue what BERSIH tried to do and that is there should be a level playing field where we can compete on the basis of best people, institutions, ideas and programmes to serve the people.

Competition will make us strong. Every Malaysian deserves the oppportunity to be the best that their talents and skills can take them. For me, incentives work better. As the same time, we know that there will be the less fortunate who need help.

Our challenge is how to structure our economy for growth and equity.

Thanks, Din Merican

Anonymous said...

"It is significant that many of the protestors this time were young, working class Malays, compared to the English-educated elite who took to the streets for Anwar (Ibrahim) a decade ago," said a political science lecturer at the National University of Malaysia who declined to be named for fear of reprisals.

Many of the protestors were poor, urban Malays who, despite Badawi's promises, have difficulties making ends meet, with private sector wages stagnant and the cost of living escalating.

"They hold low-paying jobs and live in cramped, cheap flats outside the city and stare at a bleak future," he told IPS.

"These are the people the NEP (New Economic Policy) has left behind," he said referring to affirmative action policy designed to help Malays advance, but according to Ibrahim and others, has been "hijacked" by the ruling Malay elite for their own enrichment.

A host of pent up grievances are behind the show of public defiance last week, civil rights activists say.

"People are angry over the extreme racism, the religious intolerance, judicial corruption and lack of governance, transparency and accountability," said human rights lawyer Haris Ibrahim. "People are worried where the country is heading...who is in charge, really?"

Beth Yahp, a Malaysian author, wrote a blisteringly critical open letter to Badawi urging him to "fully and fairly endorse and practice democracy...that is, democracy for everyone, not just a powerful few.''

The European Commission's envoy to Malaysia, Thierry Rommel, who ended his four-year tour of duty this week, told Reuters, "...this country still lives under emergency. "

"It is not a secret that elections are not fair," he said. "There's a significant part of the population that feels their voice is not really heard because of the way elections are managed," he added. "They feel locked out."

With Badawi likely to call elections soon political experts expect more protests -- and tougher police reaction -- as the government hardens its stance in the face of the opposition's demands for greater democracy. -IPS

by Baradan Kuppusamy

Anonymous said...

Tony,

Take a look at how the beruks lie at Al Jazeera again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KydUhd78KS8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLmA4-tnkac

Anonymous said...

Anyone read the news? Looks like YDP Agong back down. Malaysians' last hope decided to give in to the corrupted government.

November 16, 2007 14:12 PM

Tuanku Mizan Regrets Claims He Supports Illegal Rally


KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- Yang di- Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has expressed regret over claims that he and the Palace approved and suppported Saturday's illegal rally in the city.

In a statement issued here today by the Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja of Istana Negara, Datuk Wan Mohd Safiain Wan Hasan, the King also regretted the gathering which was organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) and supported by the opposition parties.

Tuanku Mizan stressed that he and Istana Negara had at no time approved or given any support, directly or indirectly, to any quarters that organised or was involved in the illegal assembly or any other activities that contravened the law.

On Saturday, Bersih, which comprises several non-governmental organisations, as well as some opposition parties had gathered their supporters at various spots in the city, including around Masjid Jamek, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and the National Mosque, before marching to Istana Negara to hand over a memorandum to Tuanku Mizan.

The following Monday, PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar said Bersih had decided to submit the memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after the ruler himself approved of it, and that the presence of Bersih at Istana Negara was to hand over the memorandum to the King's representative.

In the statement, Tuanku Mizan said as the head of state, he was responsible in ensuring that the country's administration based on the constitutional monarchy system as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, was respected and adhered to by all.

He hoped that the people would act in accordance with the law and not be involved in any illegal action or activity.

"Every Malaysian citizen is responsible for maintaining public order for continued peace and stability in the country," Tuanku Mizan said.

The King also hoped that the people would together work at preserving unity and harmony to ensure that the country would continue to develop, prosper and be respected.

Meanwhile, Wan Mohd Safiain said that Istana Negara, for the first time, summoned the media to publicise the content of the statement as the King viewed the matter seriously.

"Normally, Istana Negara would issue a statement via facsimile but this time, we had to call the media here to ensure that the King's message reaches the people," he added.

-- BERNAMA

Anonymous said...

Corruption, Corruption, Corruption!!!!
Why the people at the top can lie with eyes opened, can lie without blushing.

Where is the justice? Why people can easily be blinded or bribed. Why the authority doesn't want to listen to the people?

What's going on? I just want a proper management of the country. I just want the reasonable planning and careful handling of country's resources. I just want a capable government and NOT THE NONSENSE TALKING!!

What's the future of Malaysia if they are to be our top management for the next 10 years, not to say 50 years. Only we, the people, will suffer.

Let's make a change.

Anonymous said...

Dear anon 7.30pm,

Do not trust everything you read from mainstream newspaper. I suggest you read this article before you draw your own conclusion:
http://www.malaysia-today.net/nuc2006/index.php?itemid=326

Regards,
Ordinary Malaysian

Laksarian said...

To anon 7:30,

Don't listen to Bernama's bullcrap, read this if you want to know what really happened.

http://www.malaysia-today.net/nuc2006/index.php?itemid=326

Anonymous said...

According to Raja Petra Kamarudin of Malaysia-Today, the guy with the fanciful title of Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja (actually a butler or equivalent to an overpriced chamber maid)has no business in issuing the statement on behalf of The Agong. That guy is actually a spy implanted in the Istana by the PM department.

Wow, if what RPK said is correct, a small fart can so easily put words into our Agong's mouth (akin to getting away woth murder).

Let's see what happens next. Is our Agong so lembik?

Anonymous said...

来届大选,BN 的 LOGO 要换了,两边的秤,一个已经送去太空了,所以。。。。!已经不是公平秤了。

政府无能, the worst government ever! 应该投反对党, vote any opposition!! Why??? Let me tell You? Once upon a time, The chinese Based Party who called MCA (MONEY CONTROL ALL) come and joined the most powerful Malay Party UMNO ( U MUST NOT OBJECT). They received a lot of benefits but not for the citizens. Then Indian Party felt jealous, ask the government, MAY I COME (MIC).

They now work as a term to reap the country's resources for their families and cronise. More than 80%of ordinary citizens are now suffering and feel the pinch to make ends meet. Their salary has remained almost stagnant for more than a decade and inflation rate is at all time high. They use the mainstream media to fool and fear voters. Do you still want to vote BN?!