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