Thousands in anti-Israel protests in KL - Malaysiakini

Thousands of people gathered at the US embassy in Jalan Tun Razak to protest against the ongoing Israeli brutal 13-day attack in Gaza, Malaysiakini reports.

Eye-witnesses said that about 5,000 people started their march from the Tabung Haji building, located less than a kilometre away from the embassy, right after the Friday prayers.

The march was organised by the Coalition of Concerned NGOs - COMPLETE (read here) . The marchers - which included PAS supporters - shouted anti-USA and anti-Israel slogans.

Among the leaders that attended the rally were PAS Kuala Krai MP Dr Hattta Ramli, Youth chief and Kubang Kerian MP Salahuddin Ayub, PAS vice-presidents Mohammad Sabu and Husam Musa, PSM president and Kota Damansara assemblyperson Dr Nasir Hashim and the party’s secretary-general S Arutchelvan.

They carried Palestinian flags, anti-US and Israel banners. Most of the male protesters were seen wearing the traditional Palestinian scarves 'kaffeiyah' in a symbolic show of solidarity with the victims of the conflict.

One female protester was seen carrying a baby doll wrapped in white cloth with smudges of red paint. Nearly a 100 children and infants have since perished in the conflict. Unlike past demonstrations at the embassy, police presence this afternoon was at a minimal with only members of the Light Strike Force deployed.

The police however stopped the protesters from gathering directly outside the embassy but allowed a 15-member delegation led by Husam to submit a memorandum to the embassy officials.While the delegation met with embassy officials, protesters were seen burning, spitting and stomping on the Israeli flag.

Addressing the protesters after submitting the memorandum, Husam called the US ‘hypocritical’ and said the ‘global police’ would have reacted immediately if the victims were US citizens.

“I told them just now, if the victim was President George W Bush's daughter, the whole nation would act immediately. But since this is just ordinary Palestinian women and children, nobody cares,” he added.

The PAS leader also took a swipe at newly elected US president Barrack Obama for his ‘silence’ in this matter.

Meanwhile, about 200 people gathered at the Kampung Baru mosque to protest against the Israeli invasion, and burnt American and Israeli flags to show their anger.

This group was largely made up by Umno Youth members from the Titiwangsa division. who started their gathering after the Friday prayers and were led by an exco member from the division, Mohamed Muizz Shadik Mohamed.

And at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad addressed some 500 people in condemning the Israeli invasion into Gaza.

He repeated his calls for a boycott of American products and their currency.

"People should boycott McDonalds and Starbucks for a month," he said.

He also urged people to leave their jobs from American firms.

The Malaysian Muslim Consumer Association also launched their boycott US campaign at the gathering. - Malaysiakini

"Save Palestine" peaceful rally...

Date: Today, Friday, Jan 9
Time: 2 pm
Place: Gather behind Tabung Haji building in KL city, walk to US Embassy
Notes: Wear black, red or white if possible. No children, please.

"It's being organised by a coalition of NGOs who bonded under the name of COMPLETE, which stands for Coalition of Malaysian NGOs Against the Persecution of Palestinians.

A key member of COMPLETE, in her email said: "It is now over two weeks since the savage bombardment of the Gaza strip. Now reinforced with a full-fledged ground invasion, the Israeli forces continue their invasion of this already fragile and helpless land – one of the most densely populated areas on the planet, home to over a million people – despite international outrage and in defiance of all international humanitarian laws.

Standing in solidarity against this barbarity, COMPLETE will be holding a peaceful dmonstration and handing over of memorandum to the US Embassy on Friday (Jan 9) after Friday prayers.

Anyone who wish to rally behind the Palestinian struggle are advised to gather at 2 pm outside Tabung Haji Complex in Jln Tun Razak before proceeding with the walk to the US embassy across the road.

Attendees are advised to dress in black, white or red colours and any other Palestinian symbols (badges, scarves, t-shirts). Please bring along relevant placards/banners/posters.

The time has come for us, as citizens of the world, as brothers and sisters in the human family, as conscientious individuals, to link hands across the divides of race, religion, and nationality, and to stand together against the tide of injustice and speak on behalf of the voiceless. It is our duty, our sacred responsibility, not only to humanity, but to ourselves. Say - ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!" - save palestine now

Read Rocky'sbru Walk for Gaza at US Embassy here
Also Save Palestine Now here

PAS leader, 26 others held during demolition - Malaysiakini

Malaysiakini reported that 27 people, including a local PAS leader and three women, were arrested in Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah, Johor Bahru, for attempting to stop the demolition of the squatter settlement.

Also arrested was the villagers' action committee chairperson Jameon Abdullah and secretary Taslim Nani.

Contacted on his mobile phone later, Taslim said they were taken to the Johor Raya police station.

He also revealed that Sameon had fainted when the police arrested him.

Continue below:

According to Taslim, the police had arrested them when they held hands and formed a human barricade on the road leading to the village inhabited by about 2,400 people.

He said PAS Johor state liaison committee member Syed Othman Syed Abdullah was also picked up.

The demolition exercise was carried out after the developer Bukit Lenang Sdn Bhd obtained a court order.

Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) president Hassan Karim, who is also the lawyer representing the villagers, said the demolition was not expected as discussions are being held between the villagers and the developer.

He said that the houses which have been demolished so far are vacant units.

It is learnt that some 100 Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel and some 200 police personnel, including those in plain clothes, were deployed in the area.

The predominantly Malay Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah is believed to have been in existence for nearly three decades.

Meanwhile, lawyers John Fernandez,Kuna Nadesan and Mathews George are attempting to meet with those arrested.

When contacted earlier, Fernandez said the lawyers were not allowed to meet with the detainees or the investigating officer. - Malaysiakini

Police To Stop Protest Procession From Kg Baru Mosque To Petronas Towers

Police may have to close the road leading to the Kampung Baru Mosque after the Friday Prayer today following the planned procession by certain groups from the mosque to the Petronas Twin Towers to protest the fuel price hike announced by the government last week.

Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Wira Muhammad Sabtu Osman said between 1,500 to 2,000 members of the security forces from the police, People's Volunteer Force (Rela) and Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) would be placed on alert to stop the procession.

"Personnel from the Dang Wangi District Police Station and Sentul will also maintain security in the area. We will close several roads leading to the (mosque) area if necessary," he said.

He said the organisers of the procession did not apply for a permit from the district Police Chief but instead sent a letter to inform about the procession, according to a Bernama report.

Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the PKR Youth wing and members of several non-governmental
organisations(NGOs)would march from the Kampung Baru Mosque to the Petronas Twin Towers after Friday Prayer to protest against the petrol price hike.

In KOTA BAHARU, Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat described the federal government's moves in tackling the oil price hike as `not smart' because the approach taken had posed a big burden on the people.

He said that as an oil producing country, the government had other options to stave off the effects of the global rise in oil price without having to increase the prices of petrol and diesel.

"I understand we have oil reserves for the next 20 years and natural gas reserves for 35 years. So, why not use cheaper resources such as the natural gas for vehicles (NGV).

"Besides being cheap,(natural) gas can also reduce air pollution. Why ignore this option and take the easy way out by raising petrol price and let the people suffer," he said at a media conference at his residence in Pulau Melaka.

Nik Aziz, who is also the PAS spiritual leader, said the federal government must be more serious in increasing the number of petrol stations selling gas throughout the country.

The government announced an increase of 78 sen in the price of petrol to RM2.70 per litre on June 7, which was an increase of 40 per cent from the previous price of RM1.92 per litre.

In KUCHING, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said the state government would study the implementation of the oil subsidy system on users of long boats with outboard motors and generators in longhouses in the interior areas following the oil price increase.

He said that like the subsidy given to fishermen and public transport operators who were given the Fleet Card to buy subsidised oil, the suggestion to give subsidy to owners of long boats using outboard motors and generators in longhouses was also being considered by the government

"The Prime Minister who came to Sarawak recently had agreed that the granting of subsidy to owners of outboard motors in the rural areas and users of generators in longhouses be studied in detail before implementation," said Alfred Jabu, who is also the Sarawak Rural Development Minister, at a media conference here.

In IPOH, the Perak Consumers Association (PCA) advised consumers to be more
resourceful in facing the price increase of goods.

Its president, Abd Rahman Said Alli, said consumers should compare prices before
purchasing and to bargain for better prices from sellers.

In addition, he advised consumers to prioritise spending by buying only necessary goods and avoid impulse buying."Consumers can also return a product within 10 days of purchase if they changed their mind about buying it," he said.

"Don't blame the government (for the price increase), it's out of their control," he said while adding that consumers should take their own initiatives in curbing the increase by being more careful in their spending.

Commenting on the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad's statement that the government was expecting a chain reaction to the new petrol price, Abd Rahman said that this would only encourage sellers to increase their prices. ---Bernama

"No" to Hindraf's planned gathering today

Update:

Teargas, water cannon used to disperse Hindraf Rally

Police used tear gas and chemical-laced water to break up a crowd of 300 in a rally , organized by the the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), at Jalan Raja Laut here this morning.

About 130 people, were arrested but most of them were released after their particulars were taken down. Only nine, including two women, all aged between 35 and 40, were remanded.

Around 100 policemen, including riot police with helmets and shields, turned up to disperse the protesters waving the Malaysian flag, portraits of the Malaysian king, and orange banners that read, "We want our rights, No to the Internal Security Act".

The protesters - among them children as young as 10 - had planned to gather outside parliament to hand a protest note and roses to the Prime Minister Datuk Abdullah Badawi, but they were halted by police a short distance away.

Police had earlier set up road blocks and closed the road leading to Parliament building. The road closures resulted in Hindraf changing their destination to the Suhakam office at Jalan Raja Laut.

At 9.20am, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd at Jalan Raja Laut after repeated warnings went unheeded. Many of the supporters scattered to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Masjid Jamek areas.

Hindraf first announced the protest in January to demand for the release of five of its leaders jailed under the ISA soon after more than 10,000 Indians marched here in Kuala Lumpur last November to complain about a lack of job and education opportunities, in response to a call from the group.

Read Reuters Tear gas scatters Malaysian 'flower power' protest
Zorro's entry Makkal Sakti! Makkal Sakti! Makkal Sakti!
Hantu Laut's The End Justifies The Means

Earlier story:

Police have rejected the appeal by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) to hold their gathering at 9am Saturday (today) in front of the Parliament building to demand for the release of several of its members who are being detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The appeal, which was the second submitted by Hindraf on Thursday, was rejected because it is not a registered organisation and the gathering would involve 200 children, Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman said.

Police had earlier on stopped polls reform group Bersih from holding a press conference in front of Istana Negara and arrested PKR’s Information Chief Tian Chua. Also arrested was a PAS member identified as Jalaluddin Abdul Manap.

Police Disallow Hindraf Gathering Saturday, Says KL Police Chief

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- Police have rejected the appeal by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) to hold their gathering at 9am Saturday in front of the Parliament building to demand for the release of several of its members who are being detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman said the appeal, which was the second submitted to him by Hindraf Thursday, was rejected after finding that the organisation was not registered and that 200 children would be involved in the gathering.

Hindraf had applied for the permit on Feb 11 at the Sentul District Police Headquarters but the application was rejected, and it made an appeal to the Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police Headquarters.

"We fear that the safety of the children would be jeopardised and the group was also providing 30 gangsters purportedly to provide protecttion for the children...but we believe the presence of the gangsters would lead to more serious crime," he said at a press conference at his office here.

Muhammad Sabtu said stern action would be taken and the children involved would be detained and placed under the care of the Welfare Department.As a precautionary measure, police would set up roadblocks within the Klang Valley to maintain security and prevent undesired elements from coming to create trouble.

In the operation codenamed `Ops Padam' beginning this afternoon, the roadblocks would be set up along 12 roads. They included Jalan Kuching, Jalan Duta Toll Plaza, Jalan Ipoh and Besraya Expressway and the Federal Highway.

He also said that police had detained two members of `Bersih' about 2.30pm Friday when about 50 members of the group gathered in front of the Istana Negara to hand over a protest memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"We have detained two members of the Bersih group namely Tian Chua and Jalaludin Abdul Manap for being involved in a gathering without valid permit in front of the Istana Negara this afternoon," he said.-- BERNAMA

Musa: More freedom now

A Malaysian leadership where freedom prevails – both in speech and in expression.

This is how former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Musa Hitam has described the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Taking a shot at his former boss, he said Malaysians were now enjoying more freedom of expression and speech compared to the era of Abdullah's predecessor.

"This was unknown during the leadership tenure of my best friend,” he said in an obvious referrence to former Prime MinisterTun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

On demonstrations, he said: "We can even have demonstrations without permits...(and) the people have less fear.

Oh really? You too Tun? Also mudah lupa or buat-buat lupa? Then what about this, this and this?

Continue reading below:

Musa said that nowadays the media could even expose the mistakes and failings of the Government.

“The freedom given by the government is mostly enjoyed by us, the middle class. Nowadays, we can even have demonstrations without permits ... (and) the people have less to fear.

“This was unknown during the leadership tenure of my best friend,” noted Musa, at the Universiti Malaya Alumni Day 2008 Malaysian Development Vision Forum yesterday.

While it was true the authorities had used water cannons and tear gas to disperse illegally-assembled crowds, he said even developed nations used such tactics on such demonstrators.

On blogging by detractors and the opposition, Musa welcomed it as a form of digital democracy as it allowed them to vent their anger, without going to the streets and causing harm or public disturbances.

“However, I must remind the middle class to be more rational and less emotional about certain issues, and take a more balanced perspective.

“As the middle class, we should not be reactive to issues but be more proactive by studying, listening, being open minded and do researching,” he said, adding that the people should mingle with one another to achieve greater understanding. – Bernama

15,000 MIC members to demonstrate support for the PM tomorrow

More than 15,000 MIC members will meet the prime minister in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow as a demonstration of support for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the government

Organised by the Federal Territory MIC and dubbed "An Evening with the Prime Minister", the event at the Cheras Badminton Stadium will gather the largest ever number of MIC members at one location in recent times, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today.

Datuk Samy vellu told Bernama the gathering will pledge support for the Barisan Nasional (BN) and the prime minister.

This is the start of a series of such gatherings throughout the country aimed at bolstering the party's strength and support for the BN ahead of the next general election.

Carrying the theme "Unity and Solidarity with the BN", the event would set the stage for a more cohesive and coordinated effort to unite the Malaysian Indian community.

Samy Vellu is expected to use the gathering to speak on the need for the country's 1.8 million Indians to continue to lend their support to the ruling BN government and why they should be wary of tactics employed by the opposition parties to hoodwink Malaysian Indians at large.

Read the full report: here

Yes to demos ...

...but Not on the streets, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Now you (the rakyat) can demonstrate if you want to. Not on the streets but only in enclosed places such as stadiums because street demonstration is "not our culture".

Hold a ceramah (at such places), if you want to. You can even yell and shout to your hearts content because it does not matter to the Government...

Here's the "good" news.

KOTA BAHARU, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Thursday it was preferable for demonstrations to be held in enclosed places such as stadiums than on the streets.

"If (the people) want to demonstrate, the Government can allow them to do so (even) at the Bukit Jalil Stadium (in Kuala Lumpur).


"They (the demonstrators) can gather there for `ceramah' (talks) or to yell. We are not bothered so long as they do not demonstrate on the streets. That's not our culture."

"Street demonstrations can spark off chaos in the country," he said in his address at an assembly of Kelantan educators, here.

Najib said those who were inclined to hold street demonstrations knew that they could not get elected in the usual, clean way.

They had to resort to such means because they have run out of political capital and issues to win over the people, he said.

"They know they have little chance of winning (in elections). Therefore, they resort to holding street demonstrations. This is their political agenda," he said.

Najib said the government would not be apologetic in handling these groups of people because the nation's interests were involved.

"The government exercises patience in such matters but when the public interest is jeopardised, we will act and it includes using the ISA (Internal Security Act) against them," he said.

The yellow March...

...the peaceful march for electoral reforms, for fair and clean elections




The rain did not dampen the spirit of the people who wanted a message sent to the Agong, and to the increasingly detached and arrogant leaders of this nation.

The crowd was easily 30 times more than the Bar Council's "Walk for Justice", says Ahiruddin Attan/Rocky, who joined more than 60,000 Malaysians in the walk to the Istana Negara.

Police used teargas

... and water cannons to disperse...


...the crowd who tried to march from Jalan Tun Perak to Dataran Meredeka despite threats from the Prime Minister, Pak Lah, and the IGP


One of the 245 people who were detained


But they finally made it when BERSIH's representative Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi succeeded in handing its memorandum to an Istana Negara official at around 4pm, cheered by thousands of Malaysians who braved the rain, and the police's water cannons and tear gas. And their mission accomplished.

More reports & pix by AlJazeerah here, jeffooi, Rockybru , Harakah, Shanghaifish

Also, for more pix, go to sagaladoola

In case you didn’t see the Al Jazeerah TV coverage, Marina Mahathir has it here

And read BERSIH Rally in London here

pix: courtesy of rockybru, shanghaifish Wee Choo Keong,Harakah.