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Saturday 1 August 2009

FRU At Anti-ISA Rally Behind Sogo

If you were there downtown, you'd be a first hand witness to how the authorities violated the people's freedom of expression.

There were numerous locations where the public gathered to march. One was at Batu Road. The other was at Jalan Raja Laut.


The FRU were deployed to break up the huge but organised crowd behind the Sogo complex that marched very peacefully.


I was right down where the action was, so I couldn't get an aerial shot that shows exactly how many protestors were milling about in that area. I think Malaysiakini has some good pictures that could give an estimate.


But take my word for it, it was a huge crowd, and it shows people are not going to take it lying down anymore.

The draconian and often abused Internal Security Act has to go, and soon. The Wall Street Journal gives a reasonably accurate account of just how the authorities (the ruling coalition) have used it for their personal interests.

Yet, the crowd was well-behaved and resolute in their protest.

So why it was necessary to break up that crowd in such a brutal manner is a mystery known only to the authorities in their infinite wisdom.


It still amazes me that we need so many members of the riot squad to break up peaceful demonstrations when there are thousands of unsolved crimes out there; missing children, which to date have not been found.

It only goes to show how skewed the priorities of the ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional really are.


This red truck is the water cannon. It was being filled with water from the fire hydrant. The water was mixed with acid chemicals. I was sprayed, and let me tell you, it hurts a b!tch.


It wasn't the only truck there. There were plenty on stand by.


And they were sent out to wreak havoc on the protestors, who knew what was coming and eventually had to disperse.


Gallons and gallons of stinging acid water was sprayed carelessly onto human beings. People dashed for cover as the searing pain engulfed their skin and eyes.

I guess this must be the Malaysian sense of compassion exhibited by the Malaysian authorities in their eagerness to protect public security.

1 comment:

Crankster said...

I'm thankful I don't have any rashes from that. I heard that some from the previous rallies had.