PROLOGUE
This is yours truly second Bersih rally account. The first one was held back in 10th November 2007, wow… 4 years just went by, and the individuals managing our countries still hadn’t really made any headway in improving the country’s competitiveness and all the talks about combating corruption seems to be just that, only talks. Hence, once more, I’ve decided to march with the masses to let the ruling government know that we don’t like being taken for a ride.
Back during the school days, when we were electing our ‘Ketua Darjah’, our teachers will ask the floor to elect a few ‘nominees’, and then to qualify these nominees, they must be a ‘Seconder’ so that the nominated student won’t look so bad, where they will at least have one vote (from the Seconder). And then, the voting will begin, with the nominated students going out of the classroom so that they will not be able to find out who voted for or against them. And then, the voting will begin with the names on the blackboard being called out, and each student is only allowed to vote once. Back then, I don’t think my teacher bothered to validate if anyone actually voted twice, but technically speaking, we are suppose to only vote once. That was how we’d elected our Ketua Darjah for many of those long gone years.
And mind you, the process is very transparent, full of sportsmanship and there’s no money involved. Sometimes, we elected someone as the ‘Ketua Darjah’ just to ‘kenakan’ him… because as the class rep, you will be asked by the teachers to do lots of things.
Now, turning our attention to the way we elect the leaders that run this country, the process cannot be more dirty and biased. To the point where the People had to muster up their guts to face tear gas, water cannons and ‘samsengs-in-police-uniform’, just to tell the government of the day that ENOUGH is ENOUGH.
If you look at the 8 Demands of the Bersih 2.0 rally, you would realize that it’s actually pointing out to some very simple ‘rules’ of holding a fair election.
1. Clean the electoral roll
2. Reform postal ballot
3. Use of indelible ink
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
5. Free and fair access to media
6. Strengthen public institutions
7. Stop corruption
8. Stop dirty politicsFor explanation on these demands, click here.
Nothing new or too advanced for a nation like ours to undertake. Unless of course, some political party stand to lose from these demands. In fact, I really don’t mind that Barisan Nasional still stays in power AFTER these electoral reforms are made. It just shows that Malaysians are hopeless :-P
Fortunately, this is not the case on 9th July 2011. Many Malaysians like me, who don’t have any political standings, has come out of their comfortable homes to gather peacefully to send a message to the government that we still have hope in this country. And it seems that our government did not even try to listen to what we’ve got to say, and adding salt to injury, gave everyone who turned up that day a good thrashing, literally.
Again, your truly managed to escaped the tyrants with a few scratches. And here’s my account on that auspicious day, where Malaysians from all walks of life gathered together for the Yellow Party.
(Text in bold are actual tweets on the day of the rally.)
8:30am: Alarm rang. Instead of putting it into ‘Snooze’ mode like I would normally do, I quickly sprang out of the bed. I had an ‘appointment’ with Agong today, can’t afford to be late. Check my phone for any SMS my friends would have sent over the night. Chyo says he’s in good condition today, after a bad fever attack yesterday. Great, at least now I don’t have to enter the city alone.
9:00am: Left the house, with all the necessary belongings. A night before, I’ve written down all the contacts my wife would need if I got arrested. Come to think of it, there ain’t many people on that list… sigh, guess my social circle is still very limited. Kissed my wife goodbye, and promised her “Don’t worry, I’ll be back in one piece.” Can’t say she’s convinced, because I am not that sure myself this time round. After watching the updates in the past few days, the PDRM is clearly much more prepared since Bersih 1.0 back in 2007. Heck, they’ve locked down the whole city like an Alien Invasion is coming to town.
I’ve decided not to take the LRT this time. I have waited for this day long enough and I was not about to take any unnecessary risk. In 2007, they shut down Masjid Jamek station and other adjacent stations. Besides, there’s a very high chance that police might be searching suspicious commuters.
I started the car and began my journey to Bangsar, cutting through SS2, into Jalan Universiti, and then into Sprint Highway, avoiding the main roads as much as I can.
9:41am: Jln Maarof clear. I finally reached Bangsar Village Shopping Mall. Parked my car near the mosque. Chyo arrived 10 minutes later. And we started walking towards KL Sentral.
10:26am: All quiet and cooling in Plaza Sentral (the Office Complex next to KL Sentral), except for choppers hovering atop. KL Sentral would later become one of the major rallying point. We’re suppose to rendezvous with some more friends here, but they’ve already moved into the town center. Feeling a little hungry, we decided to drop by Brickfields for a quick bite.
10:50am: Breakfast at Brickfields. Traffic police at junctions everywhere, but there’s NO traffic!!! We later learned that many rally participants were rounded up by Police while they are having their breakfast in Brickfields. The unfortunate ones were immediately arrested on the spot, and were carried away in Black Marias.
From Brickfields, we decided to walk to Pasar Seni, bypassing the YMCA building on the right. One of our friend had spent the night in YMCA so that he won’t have any problem getting into the city. However, later in the afternoon, he would later find himself beaten and kicked by the police and cuffed in one of the Black Marias.
As we’re approaching the turning to Pasar Seni, five police jeeps blaring their sirens were seen rushing into KL Sentral. Along the way, we are joined by many other ‘comrades’ walking towards the same destination, with the same cause and intention. Just as we were about 500 metres from Pasar Seni, a few police cars turned into our way and setup road blocks. There goes our entrance into the city! The police shouted at all pedestrians heading towards Pasar Seni, “Undur! Undur!” The threat was real, as another Black Maria approached the road block, getting ready to haul up any suspicious looking individuals.
As we were scratching our head for a new route into the city, we saw taxis going pass the roadblocks without being stopped. And we paid the opportunist driver RM15.00 for a 100 metres journey. One of the most expensive taxi ride I’ve ever had. He dropped us down at the old KTM station, as we continue to Pasar Seni on foot.
11:19am At Pasar Seni. The police barricades were everywhere. The entire Central Market was sealed off entirely by the police and heavily guarded. Can’t blame them, it’s one of the main entrance into Dataran Merdeka. Most shops in Petaling Street were closed. We decided to join up with the rest of the gang in one of the Mc Donalds. We almost went to the wrong Mc Donalds in Masjid Jamek, where the likelihood of being arrest is 100%, as it is very close to Dataran Merdeka. According to my wife’s intel, anyone caught loitering around Dataran Merdeka would immediately be hauled up- no questions asked.
We made a quick turnaround and ended up meeting the gang in one of the Mc Donalds in Petaling Street.
11:56am Resting in a crowded Mc D, with no air cons in Petaling Street. Barricade at Bangsar to Pasar Seni turning. Police seen inside KTM KL. Wife keeps sending intel of people getting arrested everywhere in the city. Right opposite us is a multi-storey, and we saw policemen storming into the hotel. Last night, we read that police had been raiding budget hotels. The PDRM is very good at intimidating the public- catching housewives driving without buckling up, unsuspecting drivers who forgot their roadtax renewals etc. Later today, they will let the world see just how good they are in this business.
12:09pm: Beware of traps. Move around, observe with full alertness. Wife’s intel says that all LRT stations are closed and tear gas were shot in KLCC and Dataran Merdeka. Looking at the mounting tension, we decided it’s not a good idea to stick in Mc Donald’s for too long.
We went outside into Petaling Street for some fresh air. Many people are already loitering along the street. There were a few curious tourists who joined the crowd, wondering what happened to the usually tourist-packed Petaling Street. A few tourists would eventually join the rally later on, bracing tear gas and water cannons with the locals.
Not about to parade on empty stomachs, we had our lunch in KFC and before we could start eating, the crowd on the street was shouting and pointing towards the Puduraya direction. Some of them were shouting, “Start already! Start already!”
Without finishing our meals, we rushed out to the street, and true enough, a huge crowd has already build up and was marching into Petaling Street. And like a black hole, we were sucked into the crowd and paraded with them along the street, before ending up at Dataran Maybank. People from every corners of Malaysia was on the street, even the Orang Asli in their traditional outfits were parading with us. The tourists might have thought we are celebrating the National Day.
I lost touch with the rest of the gang as the crowd was really gathering in size and momentum. We were later joined by another few hundreds of participants walking all the way from Bukit Bintang. It felt like a great reunion then. Until the police decided that it’s their turn to have fun.
2:14pm Barricade at star hill, pudu. Dead lock. Got stuck at Tung Shin. Raining now! Without anyone provoking them, the red FRU truck began shooting water cannon at us, forcing us to flee into Jalan Pudu towards Bukit Bintang. Many arrests were made and many tear gas canisters were fired into the crowd.
As the crowd starts to retreat into Bukit Bintang, another group of police and FRU sealed off the road, effectively surrounding the crowd inside Jalan Pudu. There were at least 8,000 to 10,000 of us sandwiched between the two police blocks. More tear gas followed, with some being shot from inside the Pudu Station construction site. Tear gas was coming from the front, back and side of Jalan Pudu. This made me wonder what are the real intention of the police. Instead of dispersing the crowd, it seems that their intention was to gas everyone to death.
I have had my share of tear gas and water cannon back in Bersih 2007, but this one in Jalan Pudu takes the cake. It was like the road itself was on fire. The smoke was so thick that even without the gas stinging in my eyes and throat, I was unable to see where I was going. All of us was running in every direction, and one participant was coughing so bad that he took the bottle of water in my hand and began washing the fiery tear gas effect from his face. I did not ask for my bottle back, there was no time to chat as more tear gas was being fired our way.
While retreating, I bumped into a couple who caught me gasping for breath and tears rolling down my bloodshot eyes. They were very quick to offer me a pack of salt (courtesy of Mc Donald’s). And I continued to get salt offers from other people around me… These acts of kindness from complete strangers was repeated for every round of tear gas fired into the crowd.
With the tear gas being fired more regularly, I figured the only safe haven was to take refuge in Tung Shin Hospital, thinking that at least the FRU are not suppose to attack a hospital. Having surrounded by the police at both ends, most of us eventually retreated into Tung Shin through the main entrance and into the car parks and lobby. We cannot be more wrong, and how could we forget that the PDRM are above the law themselves. And before we knew it, they aimed their water cannon and tear gas launchers at the compound of Tung Shin and fired away.
2:35pm, We’re still stuck in Tung Shin Hospital carpark! Tear gas!!!
2:38pm Tear gassed like hell….. I started going towards the back of the hospital, hoping to find an exit, and the only way was to climb a steep muddy slope. I think it was a school up there. And it’s definitely a better alternative than staying in Tung Shin, waiting for the police to round us up. Once again, Malaysian, regardless of race, skin color and background helped each other up the slope and from there, we regrouped ourselves and continue the march.
3:14pm Just let us gather in peace and we can all go home to our love ones! Am walking with courageous Malaysians! After the episode in Tung Shin, most of my energy was drained. I continued downhill with survivors from Tung Shin towards Jalan Ceylon before regrouping with a huge crowd marching towards Jalan Sultan Ismail.
3:19pm Going into Stadium via Jln SulTan Ismail, gathering Momentum! I kept wondering where did all these people come from. It’s like after being dispersed with tear gas, water cannon and police brutality, we somehow managed to continue marching. One thing is sure for now, the initial plan to march to Dataran Merdeka is no longer possible. The crowd, unable to marched into Dataran Merdeka, were redirected towards KLCC.
3:37pm, We are going thru Jln Ampang, lots of us, and support by all passing cars and bikes. Along the way, cars and motorcyclist were honking loudly and waving at us in show of support.
3:40pm To KLCC now…
4:04pm In the middle of the KLCC junction sitting down. The crowd finally stopped in front of the KLCC junction as one of the leader started to give his speech. And in the midst of it, we started to sing ‘Negaraku’. It was a very touching moment, as the national anthem was sang with so much emotion, considering what everyone had went through. We have come to gather in peace, to seek for a better country for our future generations. Instead, we are treated like criminals by the police and condemned by the very government we’ve NOT elected. I’ve been singing ‘Negaraku’ since was a little kid in school, and I have never sang it this ‘seriously’ before. Patriotism is not about the government, politicians or their policies. It’s about ensuring that the freedom of the country and her people is protected from corruption and dictators who will bend the law to serve their own selfish needs.
4:26pm Stuck in Jln Ampang, police arrive in full force., chopper very close to crowd. Just before the crowd disperse, a very heavy troop of police and FRU charged into the crowd and started to fire tear gas. I was about to run into KLCC to seek refuge but the distance was too far. I ran into the back of Hotel Maya and waited out the commotion.
4:52pm Walking back now…police invasion in KLCC! Sensing that the police has stopped arresting people, I walked out from my hiding place with some other participants and started walking back towards Pasar Seni.
Once again, I was very amazed at how well the Bersih participants had behaved. As I walked on the pavement along Jalan Ampang, the entire street has return to normal as if nothing has taken place. Even as I could still hear the chants “Hidup Rakyat! Hidup Bersih!” ringging in my ears, the almost serene and peaceful street almost betrayed the unsuspecting pedestrian on what has just transpired hours ago.
5:35pm Lepak at Lai Foong before heading back home. It was a rather long walk back to my car. I stopped by at Lai Foong for a Hokkien Mee and Kopi Ais before continuing my journey back to Bangsar to pick up my car. Chyo called up and told me he has reached home safely. He told me Sengtat was arrested.
6:46pm Friends, thank you for the support and wishes, I am safely home… now, I need to mandi and ‘#BERSIH’kan myself :-) Finally reached home. Very tired and very smelly, but it was very worth it to have walked with all the courageous Malaysians.
*****
EPILOGUE
Along the rally, I met many old friends who has sacrificed their safety and comfort at home and have decided that enough is enough. I also was honored to have met many new friends who came from as far as Sarawak, Penang, Melaka and even Singapore. We met as strangers, and it’s very likely I might never meet them again, but I know on that very day, we have come together to fight for a better Malaysia.
And I would like to thank my wife for her moral support and ‘intels’. Thanks to every Malaysian who has followed our journey to seek for a better Malaysia on 9th July 2011. It will be a long walk before we can truly achieve a democratic nation with free and fair election. There’ll be many more tear gas canisters and water cannon along the way, more police brutality and bullying by the ruling party. But what I’ve seen on 9th July 2011, is that there’s hope for this nation and we are not going to stop walking until Malaysia and her people is truly free.
Please join our effort to make this country a better home for all of us. If you’re eligible and haven’t register as a voter, please do so as soon as possible. If you are already a registered voter, please spread the words to your friends who has yet to register themselves.
And here’s a picture of me at Bersih 2.0, thanks to cameraman Yang Fann!
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