The Peaceful Assembly Bill which was passed on 29th November 2011 would have the capability of robbing our constitutional rights as a citizen. One comment on Malaysiakini: "I can't believe i am protesting for my RIGHTS to protest".
My colleague sms me last night and asked whether I would like to participate in this Walk. Frankly, I have no such intention because I seldom care about the affairs in our country (shame on me, yes). Nonetheless, I was on standby with my court attire and on the way to office, my colleague sms me again. I am not as passionate as my colleague to have the intention to do something for the country (shame on me again, yea).
When I reached the office, she forwarded an excerpt of the President of the Bar Council's explanation of the Bill and for some reason, I had the sudden urge to attend. I went online to read about this Bill and felt unpeaceful about it. I made a prayer and said, "Lord, if you want me to go, please let me have my boss' approval".
Prayer answered and I was all set to go. When I reached the place, I could not believe that I was doing something like this. Well, those who know me will understand why I am saying this; and as mentioned earlier, why should I even bother myself with all these, and mind you, there is a possibility of being arrested by the police.
I see members of the Bar getting ready for the walk, and tried to understand the impact of this Bill when I was there. At 12:30, we started our walk to Parliament. When we were about to reach, we could see the police with those shields (erm, you call it FRU?). For the first time in my life, I brought myself in such a situation. In my mind I was wondering, what if they attack us? What should I do? What if I am arrested? What would my parents' reaction be IF they see me on TV?
There were four (4) of us from our firm who participated in this "illegal" Walk. As we cannot enter the Parliament, we need to wait outside. We followed the "leaders" to shout:
"Bebas, bebas!"
"Bebas Himpun!"
"Hidup Rakyat!"
"Hidup Bebas!"
and the like~
We also tried to get the motorist to honk their vehicle when they passed by us. Whenever there was such support, we would cheer. We left at about 13:00 because we had to work (half day gone, that's why I am still here :p)
When I was shouting the slogans with other participants, I felt very touched by the acts and supports of the members of the Bar. In fact, I was close to tears. My colleague was telling me this, "Lawyers deal with the law, and we are the "best" people to voice out this protest because we know what are the implications".
I want to share out my insights on this experience and hope that all of us will take a step further to pray for our country. We make not be able to see the impact of this now, but what about the future, when our children will be living here under the system of this country?
Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Expression & Freedom of RELIGION! This Bill may in a way, affect all these freedoms that are entitled to us under the Federal Constitution~
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| With Ms Ambiga |
I did nothing but to walk and give my minimal support to the Bar. As Malaysians, I hope all of us will give our support in our prayers. Let's pray for Malaysia!
YESUSLAH TUHAN YANG LAYAK DITINGGIKAN
LAYAK DISEMBAH OLEH SUKU-SUKU BANGSA
DENGAN DARAH-MU, KAU TELAH TEBUS DOSAKU
GENAPI TUHAN FIRMAN-MU ATAS NEG’RIKU
REFF:
HATIKU RINDU MELIHAT KEMULIAAN-MU
HATIKU RINDU MELIHAT CURAHAN KUASA-MU
DI TANAH TERCINTA NEG’RIKU MALAYSIA
KUBERDOA MALAYSIA PENUH KEMULIAAN-MU
MALAYSIA BAGI KEMULIAAN-MU
YA ALLAHKU NYATAKAN KEMULIAAN-MU
YA ALLAHKU NYATAKAN CURAHAN KUASA-MU
DI TANAH TERCINTA NEG’RIKU MALAYSIA
KUBERDOA MALAYSIA PENUH KEMULIAAN-MU
MALAYSIA BAGI KEMULIAAN-MU
