More arrested for hanging about in groups to make a statement

Just got back from Pudu jail. The flaking rainforest mural draped across its high walls remind me of another time: of Botak Chin, notorious gangster who was hanged there; of a one-of-its-kind rave apparently organised by some hip and happening socialites in the 90s; of a brief transitory moment as a tourist attraction featuring heavy breathing and whipping sounds in the Capital Punishment room soundtrack.

Two hours ago, it was holding one of my friends, a grrl I got to know briefly at a Mambo CMS workshop, Tian Chua who is fast becoming a Malaysian democratic hero and a fiery grrl I just met today. In addition, 15 other nameless Burmese whom I will probably never have the chance to meet. Especially the five who are still detained right now.

The crime? Not entirely sure. There was a protest to be organised on the ASEAN Summit, to rupture the nice diplomatic handshakes and expensive cups of coffee with very real problems of the region. Grotesque phenomenons such as women being systematically raped in Burma as a weapon of suppression and control, the conflict in Southern Thailand, human rights violations across the region, violation of refugee and migrant workers' human rights...

It didn't even have a chance to happen. There were more international press and police officers (mostly not in uniform, so their identity is questionable though their actions weren't) than there were protesters. Two boxes weighed with the symbolism of birds did not have time to crack open and exhale into freedom. Banners did not unfurl. Just as they were about to be transported from one space to another, the authorities like efficient semut merah swarmed in. Fat fingers dug into flesh, bodies toppled to the ground, limbs twisted into immobility, rolled up banners snatched, voices barked -- and all around, cameras clicked and flashed like diamonds in a tacky fashion show.

Four Malaysians and fifteen Burmese protestors were hauled up into the police truck. Shadowed within its protective canvas, one untagged officer grabbed Tian Chua by the neck and swung a heavy punch into his face with particular vengeance. I guess he must have encountered this "problematic citizen" elsewhere. Perhaps when Tian Chua was detained under the Internal Security Act previously.

Taken to Pudu, where the beetles, bugs and ladybirds of society swept by 'Malaysia' from its streets in greeting of our ASEAN friends are being swiftly collected. This is a different scenario from when we were arrested for chalking. We were sent to Dang Wangi station, with no trucks, no cuffs, only police sirens wailing through the evening traffic and a couple of rifles. Here, blue was the predominant colour. People were shoved, pushed to the ground, grabbed, cuffed, and punched. They are taken to a location which used to stand as a prison. The space is ominous. Mobile phones disallowed. Individually, the detainees were taken through a labyrynth to a place where the 113 Statement (suspect statement) could be taken, in isolation. Would you trust that you wont be beaten up and thrown into a corner to be forgotten?

I wonder what the KLCC shoppers who witnessed the event were doing by that time. At 3pm, when the ability to walk away free and meet up some people for dinner is uncertain, or to not come out with more broken capillaries and skin than before is not a guarantee. I wonder if the KLCC shoppers wondered for a moment about the few who tried to do something about what is just not right about the state of our region. About those who decided to risk their personal safety and stand in for, stand with, in the spirit of 'neighbourliness' perhaps, with the Burmese refugees who are sick to their bones of being controlled through the hollow point of guns. About our jiran-jiran from Burma who are not dressed in national costumes or have nametags with a very different sort of police entourage, knowing that they will be stuck in our locally designed hell-hole in probably Semenyih to celebrate of new year.


Is it all worth it?

My mother narrowed her eyes in anger masking fear, hitting me sharply with, "You better stop this nonsense. Don't think you can change the world!"

Did I think I could? I thought we all could, somehow, by seeing things for what they were. It's not so complicated. Right? I mean, going about bullying people into submission through fists, guns and a bloody uniform shouldn't be right. Husbands thwacking the soul out of their wives is insane. Brutally shoving penises into women's vaginas simply because they stand in for an idea is just utterly fucked up. Saying we are democratic and it's the people's rule when most people can't even summon up the energy to vote or think it is relevant to their lives is simply... stupid. We walk around, giving up our power voluntarily without a second-thought, implicitly trusting a hypocritical and implicitly flawed system, whilst putting time, energy and all our ability into amassing money because this is where we think we can somehow be empowered. This is where power lies. We are so narrow in our lives.

The four walked out at 5pm, to claps and bottles of mineral water from the other human rights activists and lawyers who were waiting outside. Jokes were cracked amidst the showing of new bruises and marks. Details of the event clarified, noted down. Only alternative media and press showed up. I wonder where the swarm of foreign press went. Probably covering the closing of the Summit.

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From SUARAM's website.

Six arrested for protest on the ASEAN Summit

12/14/2005

Seah Li Ling
Suaram

Six participants of a peaceful gathering at the KLCC this morning were arrested. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) condemns in its strongest term the arrest and the highhanded measures employed the police.

The gathering was held to protest on the ASEAN Summit to highlight several unresolved and long-standing issues, including the worsening situation in Burma, Southern Thai, and many parts of Southeast Asia; protection of refugees and migrant workers; and, environmental crisis such as haze and disease control.  

This morning, the police acted against the protestors even before the gathering kicked off. The police tried to snatch away banners and placards from some participants, including two women. The police personnel dragged and pulled the participants forcibly, as well as manhandled Tian Chua, the Information Chief of the opposition party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

Six, including two Burmese and two women, were arrested consequently. They are Tian Chua, Fiqtriey Al-Hakimi, Ginie Lim, Jasmin Ng, Kolatt and Jadoi. They were subsequently brought to Pudu Jail.

Worse yet, SUARAM has also learned that Tian Chua was physically assaulted by a Special Branch officer on the police truck while being brought to Pudu Jail.

Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The authorities’ actions to halt the gathering and to act violently against the protestors are totally uncalled for.

SUARAM calls for your support and solidarity by calling the OCPD of Dang Wangi Police Station at 03-20702222 to protest against the arrest and call for their immediate release. For latest development, please call their lawyer, R. Sivarasa 012-2138613.

 

Photo gallery of the arrest