Hindraf protesters defiant, about 20,000 showed up in rally
Police roadblocks, police warnings, arrests of top leaders and the prospects of being arrested, fired with tear gas did not deter about 20,000 of Malaysian Indian to show up at a mass rally organized by Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf). The rally was meant to petition the British High Commission for Her Majesty’s support in their bid to sue the British Government for bringing the Indian labours to Malaysia and exploited them for 150 years. Hindraf is seeking a total of RM14 trillion as compensations.
Kuala Lumpur is under siege again today. The rally, which was supposed to be a peaceful gathering as claimed by the organizer, did not get the police permit. The police again showed to the people they meant business. Red trucks, tear gas and chemical-laced water were the order of the day. Unlike the Bersih rally which were unfolding in the midst of heavy downpour, Hindraf protesters had to put up with the tear gas and water cannon without any help from rain, which makes it worse for the women and men who had ignored the police warnings and threats of arrests. It is not known at the time of this writing, how many protesters were injured or arrested, if any.
Attempt to read the latest news updates from Malaysiakini failed as the web-traffic to the independent news portal appears to have gounded to a halt, at least from where I am accessing the site. Access to the news site was extremely slow.
Just two weeks ago, the capital city of Kuala Lumpur witnessed tens of thousands, if not more than 100,000, of people, mostly in yellow, marched to Istana Negara (National Palace) to submit a royal petition seeking help from the King to ensure a free and fair elections in Malaysia. Organized by Bersih, the rally went ahead without police permit and were severely dealt with heavy police presence, scores of arrests, tear gas and water cannon.
Many Malaysians believe their beloved country is transforming into a police-state, if not already one. Peaceful gatrherings and rallies organized by those not in favour of the government were never granted permits by the police and very often than not, dealt with upper hands. Democracy is defintely taking a new shape in Malaysia since the sacking of Anwar almost 10 years ago.
[tags]Hindraf, Bersih[/tags]
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November 26th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
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November 27th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
The gov says that their are not scared of HINDRAF…..if the gov stop the indian who are going to ENGLAND…..this show that malaysian gov scared!!!!!
December 2nd, 2007 at 1:33 pm
I don’t think so Demonstration can solve the problem either. Is not only about the government. Is about the public safety too. Public cannot do thier daily life as usual.
They should sit down and negotiate.