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For reasons beyond my control, I wasn't able to participate in last weekend's vigil, which, everyone knows, ended so badly. However, Stephen (in Singapore) and I (in Malaysia) followed the status of the peaceful vigil right up to the point where the 23 arrested were in the police station. While skyping (is that a word?), we were shocked to learn that a harmless vigil of peace-loving people could be made out into something sinister. In all fairness, I didn’t blog about it, as I was not there. Tonight, however, is a different story.
I managed to return from Singapore, just in time, for the 5th PJ vigil. I heard that we weren’t allowed to wear tee shirts nor carry candles. I found it absurd but in life, sometimes we just have to go with the flow. After being alerted around 7.45 pm that only about 30 people were there, my son (driver) decided to cruise by and see if we could lend our support. By the time we got there, the crowd had swelled to perhaps 70 and counting. Even in the first location, people were slowly trickling by with family in tow. Some were even sporting the “infamous” tee shirts. Some also came with their candles. It is heartening to see the spirit of unity and integrity. Many new faces were seen together with the die-hard supporters (too many to name here). Then the awaited man-of-the-year arrived, Raja Petra together with his ever-loyal wife, Marina. People gravitate to him, even me. I find myself at a loss for words when I see him. There’s so much I want to say but cannot find the words. He’s used to it, I’m sure. Marina takes a back seat but there is a look of satisfaction to be doing what she does best, standing by for him. I cannot say how pleased I am that she remembers me. She always gives me a hug. I feel I’ve known her for years. Nice feeling! When we relocated to another area, just two minutes from where we were, people started showing up in droves. Suddenly the group became a crowd and it was impossible to take a picture of the entire group with my HP camera. The usual speeches were made and I didn’t get to hear any of them. It didn’t matter. My objective was to lend my physical presence and that of my son to the “I thought would be less people tonight” vigil. I was so wrong again. The turnout has been the highest of the four that I had participated in. Old friends met up, surprised to see each other there. New friends made contacts. Families came, the young with the old, people from all walks of life. This is the Malaysia that I know and love. This is the Malaysia I remember as I was growing up. Without prejudice for racial background, colour discrimination, or religious ideologies, is how we should meet and greet one another - not only at vigils but every time. Let’s hope that the people who were present today carry with them the knowledge that we should be able to meet in solidarity "anytime" for those that cannot speak for themselves. I also hope that like me, they will share with others about the peace and harmony in the vigils and that making a difference does not mean being a nuisance. Enjoy these pictures taken and see if you can stop yourself from smiling when you see the last one! See pictures at: http://steest.blogspot.com/2008/11/candle-light-vigil-take-5-calm-after.html 
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The Blogs 
Because of past week's events I decided, for the first time, to say a few words. Briefly, my point was how unnecessary it was for the government to activate the ISA. After all, the age of blogs has meant that it's impossible to clamp down differing and/or opposing news and opinions on anything. Further, bashing and arresting people is hardly an efficient way to win hearts and minds. Recognizing this reality, the government should discard the ISA and perhaps gain the support of a certain section of the populace who voted against BN only because of its dictatorial ways. Moreover, there's the matter of resentment when people are denied their God-given rights. As I wrote in M-T sometime ago, the Constitution of Nature (or God) takes precedence over the Constitution of Nation or Man. Malaysians must not be deprived of their inalienable rights of free speech, association, and assembly, and the sooner the state accepts this the better for all.
LChuah