Anti ISA Rally - A Review

Contrary to my previous blogging styles where I wrote continuously, I'm going to break it down to a few parts because it will cover different segments of what the Anti ISA Rally is about, and what impact will it have on Malaysians in the future. This is one blog post that I do not want my format or my topic to not be in focus.

Included in these segments were questions around blogs and websites (most of them anonymous and stupid) as well as doubts casted by Malaysians upon the reasons for protests and rallies, why must it happen, and many more facts to come. Most of these views are mine and presented by me, so if you want to blast or comment, target me alone. Thanks.

Anti-ISA - Politcally motivated

Many were upset to see the presence of Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Members of Parliaments, and PAS supporters as they turn up at the rally gather points with massive support. They chose to walk with those who were non affiliated with anyone at all. And for some reason certain bloggers and commenters were abashed that their presence turned the Anti-ISA rally into a political machinery.

My lecturer (the best I've had in years) said this, "We have to make do with what we have in Malaysia, even if it isn't ideal,"

The presence of NGOs are too small and too weak in Malaysia to conjure a major support or even possess enough charisma to gather enough Malaysians so that their points are actually through for the government to see. It is unfortunate that garnering political support could only summon enough to voice out or show strength at the face of the government and the royal institution, pushing them to make a firm decision for the issue they focus on. In this case, the abolishment of ISA.

Had there a really convincing NGO that could muster the support of not just the urbanites, but also the rural citizens, then the organisers can march on without fear, without any political affiliation, with help from the many ordinary people who participated or just provide many information so that the rally could go on peacefully.

But until that time comes, Malaysians will have to make do with what they have, and be used to seeing politicians around the citizen arena, if they want to create a civil society.

Lack of participation of other races

Again, this issue had turned to be really stale with the many comments saying "I don't see Chinese around", "Where's Hindraf?", and "95% semua Melayu aje".

My question:"So?"

What's so apprehensive about having a major race parading and marching around the city? Isn't that exactly what the social structure of our country is like? 70% of Malays, the rest all are smaller portions to make into Malaysia. What is the message these anonymous idiots are trying to pass on? That unfortunately the Chinese, Indians and the other races categorised into "lain-lain" do not seem to care about ISA? That they are ignorant about the growth and development in this country especially when it comes to ISA?

How about this, how many of the people from those races actually have been detained under ISA? Not counting the politicians alike? Close to none. So why should it be their issue? And what is it to say about those from other races who actually came out to campaign and march on with the rest of their Malay brothers? Bravery? Political agenda? Self gain?

Think before anymore mentioned about the lack of participation on other race. How about this plain and simple fact: ISA is wrong, and people are campaigning because it IS wrong, not because of ANYTHING else.

Disruption of peace - Why must it be Kuala Lumpur

This comment takes the cake, and what made me angry the most. A somewhat peaceful rally was disrupting the peace of normal KL civilians around, minding their own shopping business, because of them that the police needed to take action, such as firing tear gasses around when people are still DRIVING, and spraying water aimed at protesters but also towards CARS who were there at the wrong place at the wrong time!

Oh yes, it IS the protesters' fault indeed, because KL civilians are unwittingly worried about their families outside. They could be harassed by protesters everywhere because based on the protesters' incessant slogan shoutings that seemed seditious and noisy to the ears of Malaysians, that marching in public raising fists actually meant destroying their property and wrecking buses, or even *gasp* harassment! That the protesters will go around scaring people and threatens to disrupt businesses!

My my, the protesters are scary indeed, where are the news reports about those worries? Zero, Nada. Zilch, Ling. Disruption of traffic yes, but peace? Malaysians never had peace since the March 08 elections. Get used to it, we are living in turmoil times where disruptions will occur every few months or so.

And why must it be Kuala Lumpur? Why can't they do it somewhere, maybe Kota Kinabalu? Maybe Johor?

Kuala Lumpur is established as a capital city for too many reasons, one being the symbol of Malaysia, what with the best looking architecture, and also a "capital city", generating income and finances enough to power up the full country of Malaysia.

But due to its symbol, it IS and WILL BE used for the many rallies held before times, and in the future. The symbol of development and growth starts in Kuala Lumpur and it will not end just here. Soon many other places might become potential rally points. But as long as it covers federal issues, you can bet that Kuala Lumpur will be the major and ultimate rally points.

This is why Malaysians should be proud of Kuala Lumpur; be proud that it is used as a capital city and a symbol of Malaysia, for different reasons, whether for economic development, or showing stresses of law and order abuse.

Education

I believe the Malaysian citizens should be more educated about the purpose of certain rallies and protests. This is why my FYP had something to do with the media and its educational purposes. The way the media represented issues like ISA are demeaning, if not there's no partiality, and not transparent. They are like wounded dogs (pun: Media supposed to act as watchdog), who could bark but will whine when their pressure points are pressed hard by their owners.

The Online Media have also represented, if not, different individual's view about the protests, rallies, politics, and also about different views. Read them CALMLY. If you don't agree with them, don't end up commenting over something stupid. This is for your educational needs and thinking, not to rebuke or presenting your views harshly.

I guess Malaysians are still far from being civic-minded. But I'd also be beefed if I needed another politician to remind people about having "first class infrastructure, third class mentality".

Lack of awareness

Of course, go on to many of the websites, especially Rocky's Bru, and a couple of other blogs to see the many comments that were demeaning and unsupportive of the Anti-ISA rally, based on the comments above which I have split up to (oddly enough, they are all anonymous. Coincidence?)

The lack of awareness was really frustrating. Especially when it comes with the protest that says it is a disruption of peace. True maybe, for that day, but please tell me any countries that has rised from development without any sort of protest rallies or even riots that occured around the nation.

If you want your country to develop, these must persist to happen because not everyone is like you, who's happy with every policy the government makes or uphold. Not everyone is like that. And as time passed, everyone starts being unhappy with them except you.

So who's being unaware and uncivilised now?

Lack of youth participation

Youths are not many in numbers compare to the many who appeared in the protest march. But I still don't see why is this a big issue. So the youths are worried of the tear gasses and water cannons. Big deal, everyone's afraid of that, plus the threats by police, the arrests. What is it that youths have to participate in it?

And the education that majority of the Malaysian youths received are not exactly giving much exposure on how is it like if people want to join or participate in this. So if there are lack of youth participation, maybe people should start empowering them or providing them the right and necessary information. It is after all, their choice if they want to go or not.

Actions from now on

If dear fellow Malaysians are not the protest kind nor do they want to be caught in the hype, at least follow up on issues that concerned you the most.

Register as a voter, and actually went out to vote. You don't have to announce to the world who you support (since most of you, especially youths out there has a blog). Cast a vote to show about who you really want to see to grasp power.

Read the mainstream media, but if you have access to the internet, go there, read up the other reviews. They may not be pleasant, but thinking and making a decision was never pleasant.

For rally goers, Join a rally when you have the mentality to. It's understandable that not everyone can just march up to the streets with throngs of other people, but when you can and are prepared, calm enough to react without panicking. Go ahead.

Stop asking obvious questions. Most people knew perfectly well why certain events had to go on and yet they don't want to give a definite answer to the questions, fearing that it will be the ultimate answer they have to admit to. Why, you should be doing that now would you?


Conclusion

I remember reading a blog by a girl my age 2 years ago, 2007, when I did not talk much about politics because I don't blog about things I'm not clear of. She was talking about how esctatic is it to join a big crowd, to deliver a memorandum to the Palace 2 years ago. The Bersih rally, the rally before March 08 that further led Pakatan Rakyat into power.

In her own words, "So Inspiring! :)". Her own words, she said she was proud to become part of history, she said her family and her boyfriend were so proud of her. She was not attacked by tear gas or water cannons, and they managed to peacefully hand in the memorandum to the King.

True, it was inspiring written 2 years ago. Me and her, we were both 19, we were both filled with idealistic inspirations, both wished to see that there is hope in Malaysia after all. That triggered me to join political science as a minor, there was even that slightest idealism as we studied the difference between ideals and realism.

2 years later, 2009, I joined the Anti-ISA rally. I was there, because I was being a journalist. I needed news for my mock up newspaper, which was an assignment. All I can think of was to be safe with my friends, not separating from them. I was tear gassed and chemical water was sprayed. My family was not that worried because they know I'm being impartial. Ephyon however, could not resist sms-ing me every few moments just to keep contact with me.

See how different rallies are 2 years ago from now? It's no longer inspiring, it's no longer for an idealistic purpose, but to push and force a reason out from the government, to take practical actions, like abolishing the ISA for good. It's no more fun and games. Rallies will keep happening and happening. Because Malaysians will get more fed up in the end if nothing changes.

As for that girl, nothing was said about her involvement in this rally.

I think she grew up. I think I did too. Learning about political science, and being in internship changed my perception.

Fighting also has a right purpose.