1600 arrested in Malaysia democracy protest - 09Jul2011

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian police fired tear gas and water cannon and made over 1,600 arrests on Saturday during clashes with protesters who defied government warnings to rally in the capital for electoral reform.

Leaders of opposition parties were among those detained during a massive security operation but it failed to thwart the outlawed demonstration which saw 50,000 people take to the streets of Kuala Lumpur, according to organisers.

With elections expected to be called early next year, demonstrators were demanding changes to the voting process including eradication of vote buying and prevention of irregularities which they say marred previous polls.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who is currently on trial accused of sodomy, told AFP that he suffered bruising to his head and a cut on his leg after he was knocked down in the pandemonium when police fired tear gas.

"They shot directly (at us)... I could hardly breathe and stand up at the time," the former deputy prime minister said from a hospital bed, where the 62-year-old said he will be kept in overnight and was on pain killers.

"I considered it (the demonstration) a success despite the fact that they (police) were really brutal in their action," added a frail-looking Anwar, who says the lurid accusations against him are politically motivated.

Bersih, the broad coalition that organised the rare protest, wants to see the use of indelible ink to prevent multiple voting, equal access to the media for all parties and the cleaning-up of electoral rolls.

The opposition led by Anwar made major gains in 2008 elections against the ruling coalition but said it would have done better -- potentially threatening the Barisan Nasional's half-century rule -- if voting had been more fair.

Saturday's rally was Malaysia's biggest street protest since 2007, when the
opposition led a demonstration in the capital also demanding electoral reforms.

At the height of Saturday's unrest, protesters faced baton-wielding riot police in front of a bus station, retreating at times and regrouping to push back police lines in a cat-and-mouse confrontation in heavy downpours.

Some demonstrators fought back by picking up tear gas canisters which they lobbed at police, AFP reporters said. Many of the protesters shouted "Reformasi!" (Reforms), "God is great" and "Long Live the People."

But police lines held firm and the protesters -- who numbered 10,000 in total, police said -- failed to break through to march to a stadium and to the king's palace to hand over a memorandum detailing their demands.

"Why is the government trying to intimidate citizens?" said Mohamad Manij Abdullah, 50, a businessman who joined the rally.

"We are only trying to reform elections and have a free and fair government," he told AFP.

An official police Facebook page said 1,667 people had been arrested, including 16 children who were brought along by their families, although many were expected to be released on bail.

Among those arrested were protest leader Ambiga Sreenivasan and Maria Chin Abdullah. Ambiga, former head of the Malaysia Bar Council, told AFP she was freed later Saturday without being charged.

Abdul Hadi Awang, president of the Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS), the country's largest opposition grouping, was also arrested.

The protesters had rallied in several areas of the city after a police lockdown rendered the streets eerily quiet in some parts.

Downtown Kuala Lumpur, normally a hive of activity on weekends, was deserted as major roads into the commercial and tourist district were sealed off.

Student Chew Ai Nee, 30, said: "We have to take to the streets because we have not been given any opportunity to express our demands for change... the government cannot silence us when we march."

However, Mukhriz Mahathir, a leading member of the powerful United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), told AFP the government had to act to prevent anarchy.

"We cannot allow a minority group to protest and stir trouble in the country," he said, accusing protesters of provoking the police into firing tear gas "so that they can accuse the government of being heavy handed."

UMNO is the dominant party in the Barisan Nasional coalition led by Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Amnesty International criticised the government for the crackdown and urged the authorities to release those arrested and "respect basic freedom of assembly."

New York-based watchdog Human Rights Watch (HRW) also denounced the arrests.

Meanwhile, about 30 Malaysians living in South Korea rallied in Seoul in support, with another 80 marching through central Hong Kong.

Organisers had called for solidarity walks and demonstrations in countries including Australia, Cambodia, Japan, the United States and Taiwan.



Comments:

Although in oversea, I respect all the protester whom dare to stand in front to show their spirit against BN. Malay, Chinese and Indian stand together! No fear! We salute u!


"...(Njaib) was grateful that there were no serious incidents..."

- what? So the death of someone is minor to you, Encik Najib?


I never said the police was at fault. I'm saying DEATH of a citizen, death of YOUR citizen if you are Najib, is a damn serious incident. Allowing police to open fire on a peaceful rally is a stupid move on his part.

AND, there was no riot. It was a rally, and a damn peaceful one! Riot is when there is violence involved and the only violence I see is from the people in blue.

Korea's Got Talent - 코리아 갓 탤런트 Sung-bong Choi

From owner:

I heard he went to Art High School, but he could barely graduate because of his financial problem. I bet he couldn't get private lessons or support for his vocal training.. I admire him even more!!!!!!!!!!

I seriously cried when he started singing.. just wanna give him a Huge Hug!!
Bring it on Sung-bong!!! :)

** "Manual Worker": People laugh when Sung-bong said "manual worker" because the way he said was kinda slang.. (I couldn't find the right slang in English for that word) People were not laughing at him being a manual worker, but because of his word choice. I hope there's no misunderstanding here :)


Commments:

IF you listen to the message he sings/ brilliant for someone uneducated..genius that he picked this , if that was the case..the words in english are.. In my imagination I see a fair world ..Everyone lives in peace and in honesty there..I dream of souls that are always free, like clouds that float, full of humanity in the depths of the soul..(second verse nearly the same) Just as powerful.

I lost count on how many times I've clicked liked knowing that I already clicked it already. HE IS AMAZINGGGGG!!!

i wish there was a way to make his life better, i felt to bad for him :[

watchin this video made me learn to appreciate everything i have in life... its soo sad.. I hope his dreams come true, someone like him deserves the best... heaven has eyes theyll help him through it all.. FIGHTING!!! ill be cheerin for you!!!

Truth that Cannot Be Covered - Bersih 2.0 09/07/2011

From the owner:

- Only after we cried, we felt the pain, we will treasure our life. For those who want to cover the truth, we hope you can feel the weight of life, and listen to the voice from bottom of our heart. We don't want any tragedy, and so we believe you are. -

Thanks for the support and the love guys. This video wasn't make for blaming or cursing. I believe all who loves malaysia will understand why we share this video.

We join Bersih 2.0 for one reason, a fair and clean election.
We record everything and present some truth that people need to know.
We are not from any party, or any politics.
We only hope a better future for our country.

Please help to spread if you believe what we believe, about justice, and democracy.

We hope Dear PM, Home Minister, Inspector-General of Police can see this.
We hope they can feel how their citizen feel.
We hope of justice, a better future.
We love Malaysia.

Film covered by Canon 550D.
Music are copyrighted and some of videos and photos are used from Internet.

Bersih 2.0 2011

LIVE RALLY 9 JULY 2011 1.45 pm, at Jalan Melayu