When they ban lipstick and high heels, I also didn’t speak up because I’m a man
When they ban yoga, I didn’t speak up because I'm not a Muslim and I don't do yoga
When they ban alcohol, I didn’t speak up because I don’t drink
When they ban gambling, I didn't speak up because I don't gamble
Then they started to ban things that affected my way of life. I tried to speak up but it was too late. They are now all powerful and they even ban me from speaking up.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Rethinking Candlelight Vigils
So far I’ve participated in 5 out of the 7 candlelight vigils held in PJ including the one that were forcefully dispersed by the police. The following day I received an email from a friend sharing his thoughts on this.
You know I have been debating with myself for some time now about whether I should do more or less action, heavy or light, loud or quiet, alone or with others.
When I was young and idealistic, fresh out from that school of light called LaSalle, I would have donned protest gear and distributed pamphlets at every door or some such action.
Now I am not so sure that is a good payload.
I have seen from close quarters how this regime brooks no dissent, 'nipping in the bud' subtly and not-so-subtly.
Not that I have not done my share of protesting and I suppose I am a coward but I can't help thinking that the only effective way to prevail is through cunning. Not dissipating energy through protest after protest, petition after petition and vigil after vigil. Sometimes, I see what is done now is not impactful at all. Futile even. Mostly activity by a few hard core activists, perhaps a few hundred, joined by many just paying lip service. A far cry from the Nov 10 2007 big one. Not concerted at all. Not even noisy with each striking out on its own. Like Lilliputians shooting at Gulliver.
We become sitting ducks, watched and tagged. We can be picked off at any time should our activism heat up. Of what use then are good fighters if wiped out by the Orcs before the war starts?
Look at the sympathisers of the Bali bombers. 50 to 100 of them visit the bombers’ village and swear revenge etc. Stupid to show emotions and write on the forehead for everyone to see. If you were on the opposite side, what do you think you would do? Of course, mark them and pick them off.
The fight should be done covertly, focused and organised as one, with well-timed moves that pre-empt pre-emption. Quiet engagements within government, by-election work, fact-finding, evidence collecting, corrupt people watch, dissemination of information in a concerted way, fund raising, subterfuge that will bring a bigwig down more effectively than banging drums on the street corner.
AI could have been the Obama to lead this. Will he? While I still have hope of change to come, I feel a bit let down at this stage.
I replied
Agree with you. That was why I stayed clear last night as it became obvious they were going to make arrests. You know it when the Black Maria came in. No use being a fallen hero. Live to fight another day.
I heard news that the Abolish ISA movement is planning a big protest next March (maybe to coincide with 08/03 anniversary). It’s going to be something along the line of Bersih. PAS which played a significant role in Bersih has agreed to be involved. Hope 100k will be mobilized.
Even then, I’m not hopeful that ISA will be abolished. If they refused to listen to 50K what makes you think they will listen to 100k or even 500k. Millions have spoken on 08/03. Did they listen? As I see it the only way ISA is going to be abolished is through the change of Govt.
Yes, we need cunning and creative ways to bring down this evil regime.
Having said that I participated in the vigils not so much as to make an impact (I know it doesn’t) but to stand in solidarity with like-minded citizens. What happened on Sunday will make me rethink about this.
After skipping one Sunday because of fatique, I was there last Sunday probably because my OT lecturer the Reb was going there also. He stood up and spoke about his passion in seeing ISA abolished as it is an unjust law based on his understanding of Scriptures.
Recently I spoke to one of the Selangor ADUNs from DAP and he shares similar view with my friend. Though he agrees that the law relating to police permits is unjust, it is the law nonetheless and by disobeying it, it puts people into jeopardy. If we want to protest, then do it in a big and proper way. He said he will be the first one to lend his support as in the Bersih rally.
Well, I think I’ll still go. I want to stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters who share the same passion in seeing the end of this heinous piece of legislation. But I’ll not stick around and get arrested if the police want us to disperse. Of course, if the police want to arrest without giving warning like what happened on the 9th Nov., then so be it. I take the view that unjust laws are still laws. If I am ready to face the consequences, then I have the choice to disobey them.
No unjust laws were ever repealed without someone willing to face the consequences and paying the price for disobeying them or working for their abolition.
They can take our candles away but they can never take away the light in our hearts. It only takes a spark to get a fire going. May the light in each of our heart light another and soon roll back the darkness that is engulfing our beloved nation. Amen
You know I have been debating with myself for some time now about whether I should do more or less action, heavy or light, loud or quiet, alone or with others.
When I was young and idealistic, fresh out from that school of light called LaSalle, I would have donned protest gear and distributed pamphlets at every door or some such action.
Now I am not so sure that is a good payload.
I have seen from close quarters how this regime brooks no dissent, 'nipping in the bud' subtly and not-so-subtly.
Not that I have not done my share of protesting and I suppose I am a coward but I can't help thinking that the only effective way to prevail is through cunning. Not dissipating energy through protest after protest, petition after petition and vigil after vigil. Sometimes, I see what is done now is not impactful at all. Futile even. Mostly activity by a few hard core activists, perhaps a few hundred, joined by many just paying lip service. A far cry from the Nov 10 2007 big one. Not concerted at all. Not even noisy with each striking out on its own. Like Lilliputians shooting at Gulliver.
We become sitting ducks, watched and tagged. We can be picked off at any time should our activism heat up. Of what use then are good fighters if wiped out by the Orcs before the war starts?
Look at the sympathisers of the Bali bombers. 50 to 100 of them visit the bombers’ village and swear revenge etc. Stupid to show emotions and write on the forehead for everyone to see. If you were on the opposite side, what do you think you would do? Of course, mark them and pick them off.
The fight should be done covertly, focused and organised as one, with well-timed moves that pre-empt pre-emption. Quiet engagements within government, by-election work, fact-finding, evidence collecting, corrupt people watch, dissemination of information in a concerted way, fund raising, subterfuge that will bring a bigwig down more effectively than banging drums on the street corner.
AI could have been the Obama to lead this. Will he? While I still have hope of change to come, I feel a bit let down at this stage.
I replied
Agree with you. That was why I stayed clear last night as it became obvious they were going to make arrests. You know it when the Black Maria came in. No use being a fallen hero. Live to fight another day.
I heard news that the Abolish ISA movement is planning a big protest next March (maybe to coincide with 08/03 anniversary). It’s going to be something along the line of Bersih. PAS which played a significant role in Bersih has agreed to be involved. Hope 100k will be mobilized.
Even then, I’m not hopeful that ISA will be abolished. If they refused to listen to 50K what makes you think they will listen to 100k or even 500k. Millions have spoken on 08/03. Did they listen? As I see it the only way ISA is going to be abolished is through the change of Govt.
Yes, we need cunning and creative ways to bring down this evil regime.
Having said that I participated in the vigils not so much as to make an impact (I know it doesn’t) but to stand in solidarity with like-minded citizens. What happened on Sunday will make me rethink about this.
After skipping one Sunday because of fatique, I was there last Sunday probably because my OT lecturer the Reb was going there also. He stood up and spoke about his passion in seeing ISA abolished as it is an unjust law based on his understanding of Scriptures.
Recently I spoke to one of the Selangor ADUNs from DAP and he shares similar view with my friend. Though he agrees that the law relating to police permits is unjust, it is the law nonetheless and by disobeying it, it puts people into jeopardy. If we want to protest, then do it in a big and proper way. He said he will be the first one to lend his support as in the Bersih rally.
Well, I think I’ll still go. I want to stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters who share the same passion in seeing the end of this heinous piece of legislation. But I’ll not stick around and get arrested if the police want us to disperse. Of course, if the police want to arrest without giving warning like what happened on the 9th Nov., then so be it. I take the view that unjust laws are still laws. If I am ready to face the consequences, then I have the choice to disobey them.
No unjust laws were ever repealed without someone willing to face the consequences and paying the price for disobeying them or working for their abolition.
They can take our candles away but they can never take away the light in our hearts. It only takes a spark to get a fire going. May the light in each of our heart light another and soon roll back the darkness that is engulfing our beloved nation. Amen
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Opposed Palm Oil as Cooking Oil - Threat to National Security
Do you know that you can be arrested under the ISA for opposing palm oil as cooking oil in favour of oil derived from soy beans? This was what an ex-ISA detainee arrested under the infamous Operasi Lallang said;
One charge was that I was alleged to be pro-Iran and against Saudi Arabia. The second charge was that I opposed cooking oil from oil palm as preferring cooking oil derived from soy beans of the US. All the other charges were even more ridiculous and had nothing to do with the security of the country.
Perhaps the Government thought by so doing our oil palm industry will collapse which ultimately may lead to the collapse of our economy and therefore threaten our national security.
Read his letter to Malaysiakini for the account of his arrest and what he thinks was the real reason for his arrest.
One may be tempted to laugh at such a ludicrous charge, but to lose your liberty for eight months is laughing matter.
I hope more ex-detainees or their family members will come out and speak and write about their experiences and the gross injustice that they were being subjected to.
One charge was that I was alleged to be pro-Iran and against Saudi Arabia. The second charge was that I opposed cooking oil from oil palm as preferring cooking oil derived from soy beans of the US. All the other charges were even more ridiculous and had nothing to do with the security of the country.
Perhaps the Government thought by so doing our oil palm industry will collapse which ultimately may lead to the collapse of our economy and therefore threaten our national security.
Read his letter to Malaysiakini for the account of his arrest and what he thinks was the real reason for his arrest.
One may be tempted to laugh at such a ludicrous charge, but to lose your liberty for eight months is laughing matter.
I hope more ex-detainees or their family members will come out and speak and write about their experiences and the gross injustice that they were being subjected to.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Ya Allah, segeralah hancurkan makhluk yang zalim itu ....
This was the prayer of the wife of a ISA detainee against the Home Minister after yesterday incident where the police & FRU charged without warning at peaceful citizens who were trying to finish singing our national anthem.
To read more on her blog you can go here.
To read more on her blog you can go here.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Repay them sevenfold O Lord
I attended a course on the History and Theology of the Exile from Wednesday to Saturday. Among other things we considered the place of imprecatory psalms and prayers in our prayer life. Some of us were uncomfortable with praying such prayers after being told for many years to love our enemies.
I think is completely legitimate for Christians to pray such prayers in the face of injustice and oppression. Maybe not to the extent of wishing for Syed Hamid Albar's children to be dashed against the rocks and bless the one who carried out such action. But it's certainly legitimate to ask God to pour forth His wrath on this scum. Our lecturer pointed out that the psalmist never took revenge himself but left it to God. The psalmist merely prayed. After all God said 'Vengance is mine'.
We must be careful not to use it as a personal vendetta. We only pray such prayer against those who misuse their power to oppress and commit unjust acts. As a result, the people suffered. I would hesitate to pray such prayers against those who have wronged me personally.
I just returned from what supposed to be a peaceful candlelight vigil against the ISA and to remember the 1st anniversary of the Bersih rally. Unfortunately very early on all the roads leading to Amcorp Mall were sealed by the police. We parked our cars at a distance and walked in. To cut the story short the FRU and police charged at the crowd while they were singing 'Negaraku' and arrested some people, among them MP for PJ Utara Tony Pua.
Those cowardly bastards came with batons, shields and tear gas cannisters against citizens who were armed only with candles and the sense of justice in their hearts. Yes, LORD repay them sevenfold for the evil that they have done tonight. They include those who carried out tonight operation, the one who ordered it, the IGP, the Home Minister and the whole evil BN Govt. May your righteous wrath, O LORD consume all of them. Amen.
Update: I should include that blatant liar, CPO of Selangor Khalid Abu Bakar. May his lying tongue be cut off and his lips be sealed forever.
I think is completely legitimate for Christians to pray such prayers in the face of injustice and oppression. Maybe not to the extent of wishing for Syed Hamid Albar's children to be dashed against the rocks and bless the one who carried out such action. But it's certainly legitimate to ask God to pour forth His wrath on this scum. Our lecturer pointed out that the psalmist never took revenge himself but left it to God. The psalmist merely prayed. After all God said 'Vengance is mine'.
We must be careful not to use it as a personal vendetta. We only pray such prayer against those who misuse their power to oppress and commit unjust acts. As a result, the people suffered. I would hesitate to pray such prayers against those who have wronged me personally.
I just returned from what supposed to be a peaceful candlelight vigil against the ISA and to remember the 1st anniversary of the Bersih rally. Unfortunately very early on all the roads leading to Amcorp Mall were sealed by the police. We parked our cars at a distance and walked in. To cut the story short the FRU and police charged at the crowd while they were singing 'Negaraku' and arrested some people, among them MP for PJ Utara Tony Pua.
Those cowardly bastards came with batons, shields and tear gas cannisters against citizens who were armed only with candles and the sense of justice in their hearts. Yes, LORD repay them sevenfold for the evil that they have done tonight. They include those who carried out tonight operation, the one who ordered it, the IGP, the Home Minister and the whole evil BN Govt. May your righteous wrath, O LORD consume all of them. Amen.
Update: I should include that blatant liar, CPO of Selangor Khalid Abu Bakar. May his lying tongue be cut off and his lips be sealed forever.
Friday, November 7, 2008
The fight goes on ...
Today we have won a battle with the release of RPK by the order of the Shah Alam High Court. The war is still on going. We will only rest when the ISA is abolished. The weapons of our warfare will be hope and perseverance.
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