Lighting up

Image from Susan Loone's blog

It hit me. Whilst lighting up this part of cyberspace with my thoughts and occasional rantings, I ought to attend, at least once, the candle light vigil. To be a part of the group of like-minded Penangites, as well as Malaysians in general, in opposing the use of Draco's law (ISA if you haven't know). God willing, I will definitely be there.

Camera ready. Batteries loaded. Candles... Now, do they provide free candles?

When the wise speaks, people listen...

"A politician who is educated and has credibility will not make a statements which can hurt other people’s feelings" - NST, Thursday Sept. 25 2008

If the above was made by the Sultan of Selangor (whom I hold in high regards) or the Regent of Perak, then it is something worth ruminating. But I was tickled when this statement was made by one Umno Liaison chairman. I have nothing personal against this man but shouldn't he say so 2 weeks earlier?

Jeopardizing the country's good name and hurting other people’s feelings? He went on to say that his party would have taken action. What do his party members know about hurting people's feelings and what action was taken if not, what appeared to me as just a slap on the wrist?

The country is well-known (read here and here) for using Draco's law (i.e. the ISA) to intimidate, "to protect" and silence the innocent, critics and dissenters.

I won't laugh at this statement:

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. -(Matthew 5:7)

I Say, it's the ISA

It’s a sweltering day with strong 4pm sunlight
As if to bring a burning hope after what transpired last night
I-S-A invoked and 3 people dragged off without being tried
Aiseh, man, TRUTH died when the powers that be displayed its might.

With organised violence as the key to its preamble
To detain Communist insurgents so they go no further
Do you see any of it in a reporter, MP, and an editor?
Aiseh, man, they are not Commies so detain them not any longer.

Was it a desperate act or that of retribution?
Some call it a ruse but I call it a thoughtless and impetuous decision
Worse, it was blindly used on the wrong people with careless ease
Aiseh, man, use it on one with inflammatory disease.

On the 51st lap-year of independence albeit with a blurred vision 20/20
Where speaking up is still a taboo and is discouraged
Where hearsay reports and reporting facts could book you a cage
Aiseh, man, that’s Draco’s way and is most archaic.

Fear not and be strong, ye who are in presumed Oblivion
For where light is, there is no darkness
Be ye encouraged, for ye shall be delivered from the paw of the lion
Aiseh, man, I likened Draco to a lion and I’m out of rhymes.

I'm PISSED

pissed [pist]
adjective (slang)
1. an offensive term meaning extremely angry or upset

Microsoft® Encarta® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
___________________

The title said it all. Need I say more?

Update 2350hrs: I'm sick to my guts. First it's Raja Petra and then Tan Hoon Cheng (Sin Chew reporter; for reporting racially sensitive controversial statement). Now it's Teresa Kok (Seputeh MP) for all the wrong reasons. Read more

Update 0113hrs: Sweet show of solidarity in Penang with candle light vigils outside the state police HQ. On a lighter note, USM graduates do have some substance, after all the varsity don't get an APEX recognition without something to show.