As early as 8 o’clock this morning, thousands and thousands of Malaysians began pouring into Kuala Lumpur’s city center from all over the country. From eight designated starting points, they slowly made their way to the iconic symbol of our country’s independence, the Stadium Merdeka, for a historical event, the Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat or the People’s Uprising Rally which was organized by some NGO’s and Pakatan Rakyat.
Many came with salt, mineral water and towel, ready to face another round of tear gas and water cannon. Surprisingly, the police presence was minimal and there was a carnival atmosphere. Traders were doing good businesses selling T-shirts, souvenirs, foods and drinks around Stadium Merdeka.
Hundreds of thousands of people managed to pack into the Stadium and spent the hot afternoon listening to fiery speeches by the NGO’s and political leaders. Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, Ibans, Dayaks and the Orang Asal were all there. Young and old, male and female, came out in full force.
It was an afternoon very well spent. Malaysians of all creeds and faiths came together to demand a better future for themselves, their children and grandchildren. For those who could not squeeze into the Stadium, and their numbers were uncountable, they stood or sat outside, listening to the loud speakers placed all around the Stadium.
It is comforting to see total strangers standing or sitting together in solidarity. We were one people with one spirit. We were truly and proudly Anak-anak Bangsa Malaysia (Children of Malaysia). We clapped, we sang and we cheered with one voice. Everyone helped to pass mineral water around and we also donated money to cover the cost of renting the Stadium. Yes, we paid the organizers to attend, and not paid by them to attend.
Fifty-six years ago, on August 31st 1957, our parents were at the same Stadium when Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed “Merdeka” from the British. Today, it is our turn to be at the same venue to witness Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of Pakatan Rakyat proclaimed “Merdeka, Rakyat” seven times consecutively.
The sea of yellow, green, red, orange and black began to disperse peacefully after singing our national anthem. The traffic police were on hand to control the traffic and there were no untoward accidents nor were there any arrests. The LRT and monorail stations were jammed pack with commuters around 5.30 p.m. as the sun began to set over the evening sky.
Syabas to all who came out to make this rally a great success.
Merdeka Rakyat
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good to know that all is well
It was such a peaceful and awe-inspiring gathering. We had such a great time, wish you were there too that day!
Indeed, an event of a lifetime.
Ipohgal,
I’m so happy for you! It’s been proved all over the world that persistent public protest is the best way to bring about the change you have been advocating so effectively in this blog,
My best wishes and…..keep up the good work!
Thank you, Tom.
Public protests, when done peacefully, should be allowed without questions because it is our rights, as outlined in our county’s constitution. Freedom to gather and freedom to express ourselves are universal rights.
It is because my grandparents, parents and people from that era sat back and did nothing that we found ourselves in all these rots today. I do not want my children and grandchildren to suffer further from all sorts of misrule which I am sure you are aware of.
According to the organizers, some 500,000 people put aside their fear and love their country enough to come out that day. Three cheers for them!
[...] Η Ipohgal παρουσίασε μια σύνοψη των γεγονότων από τη δική της οπτική γωνία: [...]
Not sure what to make of your statement, Global Voices. Are you hinting that there are other ways to view the rally? Whatever the case, I think most Malaysians would agree that, with the harsh restrictions on demos and other forms of government intimidation, the Himpunan represents well the voice of the people, and Η φωνή του λαού είναι η φωνή του Θεού.
Oh my god, Larry! You read Greek too? Has your erudition no limits?
Tom, my Greek is most elementary – some basic stuff when doing a seminar course on Classical Rhetoric. Don’t wanna talk about “erudition” when I can’t even recall English words I’d known as a teenager. Reading blogs and spitting out a comment or two is one way to assure myself I’m not having Alzheimer’s.
I just hope to be able to join you guys – and gals – in our conversations here as often as possible. Not to mention enjoying your sarcasms, Tom.
Larry,
I certainly didn’t mean my comment to be sarcastic, and I’m sincerely sorry that you thought that it was. I was teasing you a bit, but I never tease anyone that I don’t like and admire. It’s just that I’ve always had trouble praising someone to this face, as it were. That’s probably results from insecurity and fear of embarrassment, with a dash of envy added in.
So,I will suppress all that and say, Larry, I want you to know that I truly admire your wide knowledge of our world, and the wisdom with which you apply it. And your Greek is a hell of a lot better than mine! In fact, I’m like the fellow in the old joke:
A fellow walked up to a language professor and said, “Sir I’ve heard that you are multilingual. Is that true?”
The professor nodded.
“Well sir, I speak all the European languages except Greek. Go ahead and try me.”
The professor spoke to him in German.
The fellow shook his head. “Well sir,” he said, “That’s Greek to me!”
I think that’s from an old Vaudeville act, circa about 1920. I add that so that if you don’t find it funny, maybe, with your erudition, you will find it historically. interesting.
Dear Tom:
Do take it easy.
Over half a century ago, an English textbook called “Fundamental English” was one of my favorite companions. It was essentially a grammar book presented in narrative form, with the Bargery family of London as talking points. Many of us grew up with that family. One of the stories had a boy called Henry writing to his mom about his experience in camping. It was written in poetry form beginning with:
My dearest mother, here I sit
Feeling uncommonly well and fit.
Writing to you in a wintry tent
Right in the heart in the weald of Kent.
My desk a soapbox, my seat’s a log…
And so on and so forth (can’t remember much of the stuff, anyway). That poem would start a family conversation between David, the youngest child of the family, Phylis, the eldest, the very good-natured Jane, and their parents Mr and Mrs Bargery. Someone asked how it was possible to have a “dearest” mother when they’d only one. Mr Bargery explained that it meant “very, very dear.” After some criticisms – and praises – someone said that many literary figures such as Shakespeare started writing poems when young and became famous when they reached adulthood.
Jane, a very positive girl, exclaimed proudly: “And if Shakespeare, why not Henry?”
Phylis, who recently learned about sarcasm at school, replied,”There’s quite a difference between the two.”
I believe, Tom, that Phylis’s “sarcasm” is as innocuous as yours. There are “sarcasms” that in reality are more of a ribbing (or, as you say, teasing) than the rude variety. Hence I “enjoyed your sarcasms,” Tom. Sorry if you thought otherwise.
[...] Ipohgalは、この集会についての彼女の意見を次のようにまとめていた。 [...]