Isnin, 30 April 2012

Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar Ibrahim


In Defence of Storming The Barricades at Dataran

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 04:39 AM PDT

Malaysiakini

COMMENT It is sad that despite the success of the Bersih 3.0 rally, the government's media have successfully managed to distract some of us from the larger issue which is the demand for electoral reforms.

Many of Bersih's own supporters, even those who took part in the rally of April 28, have been busy accusing fellow participants of breaking the law and indulging in violence. Some commentators cite the storming of the barbed wire barricade at Dataran Merdeka as the reason why the police shifted their position from "token resistance" back to their old ways.

Others were more crass, calling those who stormed the barricade as "hooligans" who took the law into their own hands despite the court order banning the crowd being inside the square. These so-called law abiding citizens of course do not ask questions like "which law?" or "whose courts?"

Then there are of course others who treat the rally as simply a parade, and that being peaceful means abiding by even the unfair laws symbolised by the barbed wires. Some are clearly been under the illusion that Bersih 3.0 was our answer to the Rio carnival.

Their political loyalty is only laid bare upon reading their 'eyewitness' reports taking pains to point out that majority of rally goers were not opposition supporters. In their inability to overcome their inborn allergy of opposition parties such as PAS and PKR, they even make the claim that shouts of 'reformasi' were not entertained by the crowd.

One eyewitness, none other than the daughter of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, even points out that no political leader in the country could have mobilised something as big as Bersih. (Gentle reminder: 14 years ago, 100,000 people gathered at the same spot in support of a certain individual that her father despises.)

The truth is that shouts of 'reformasi' and 'Hancur Najib' were reverberating in liberal doses on that day. Anyone who was there would tell you that slogans against Barisan Nasional had echoed with the same fury and spirited volume as the "non-partisan" shouts of "Bersih" or "Hidup Rakyat", and spiralled later into the LRT coaches and nearby restaurants.

Those who claim otherwise could be living in their smart sound-proofed walls of wishful thinking, selectively erasing out words they couldn't stomach.

Clamour for reform takes on a life of its own

Whatever the instructions given by Bersih leaders, the fact is that the clamour for electoral reforms has taken on a life of its own. It is therefore naive to expect that the tens of thousands of people who went there should not storm the barricade, having been told to be as close as possible to Dataran Merdeka.

A video clip going around on the Internet purportedly shows PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim giving the green light to his deputy president Azmin Ali (arrow) to open the barricades blocking Dataran Merdeka.

This clip is then used by some to condemn Anwar as the cause of the police brutality that followed.

I for one have never vehemently come to Anwar's defence other than my profound sympathy for the vile allegations that he and family have been made to endure. But if Anwar had indeed called for the barricades to be torn down, I really don't mind putting a photograph of him as my desktop wallpaper!

The truth is that we all went there to break the law. A law devoid of fair play and justice, a law which is enforced to the detriment of ordinary citizens. The barricades blocking our march into Dataran Merdeka are the clearest and most tangible symbol of the government's animosity to the ordinary public. It would be foolish to be there and not dismantle them.

We did not go there to merely shout and punch the air. We probably did so last year, singing in the rain at the gates of Stadium Merdeka.

This time, it is serious business. There is no time to waste. We are talking about tens of thousands of dubious names in the electoral roll, new voters whose citizenship are suspicious, the continued Big Brother mentality of our tax-funded television channels, and many more.

The peoples of Tunisia and Egypt would not have celebrated the downfalls of their tyrants had they followed the law and stayed outside the perimeters of the heavily fortified Tahrir Square. History is full of examples that for change to happen, removing police barricades is a norm, indeed the act has become a main ingredient of peaceful protests to claim back public places and venues denied to them.

It does not justify any high handedness by the security forces. History is replete with such examples. Change could not have happened if Iranians had obeyed the law against demonstrations during the Shah's tyranny in 1979, or if the Berlin Wall had not been vandalised in 1989, or if Gandhi had not picked up salt during his 240-mile Salt March in 1930, or if Rosa Parks had not stuck her butt in a bus seat in Alabama in 1955.

Pakatan Rakyat leaders should not pay attention to the constant focus by the police and the Umno media on the storming of the barricade, as if the act were a grave threat against public safety.

This is no time to defend from accusations of violence and vandalism. People were angry, they want reforms. More importantly, they want them now. There is no need to waste time claiming 'agents provocateurs' amongst the crowd.

Playing into the hands of propaganda  

I find nothing wrong in what some protesters did at Dataran, and simply accusing them of being 'agents provocateurs' is not only cliched but also plays into the hands of propaganda. There is no use compiling evidence to back claims of police brutality.

Now is not the time to seek an apology for the treatment meted out on protesters, but an apology over the way institutions of democracy have been raped and systematically undermined. After all, it is why we braved the tear gas, defied police warnings, and by the same logic, stormed the barricades at Dataran Merdeka.

The April 28 rally is not a tea party or simply a 'walk' as some who participated in it would like to think. Those who feel we should not have stormed the barricades at Dataran might as well stay home clicking at the 'like' button of anti-government Facebook pages, or disappear into some obscure stadium as suggested by the Kuala Lumpur mayor, in keeping with the stand that DAP vice-chairperson Tunku Aziz Tunku Ibrahim has taken.

My only regret was that I was not part of the crowd who tore down the barricades. I was suffering from a tear gas attack near Masjid Jamek, with the multiracial 'hooligans'-cum-'pharmacists' coming to my help offering toothpaste, salt and water, before charging towards a police force that is armed to the teeth and trained to injure.

To those who fail to understand why we defied the law that day, I have this to say: "Kalau takut dengan risiko, jangan bicara soal perjuangan". Pull aside, chew the gum of defeat and watch the show. That will be better than accusing those who risked personal safety to hammer in the urgency of reforms. To paraphrase a verse from the Qur'an, not equal are those who stay home and those who strive hard with their wealth and their lives.

Nostalgia 98: Himpunan Rakyat Di Dataran Merdeka

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 02:20 AM PDT

BERSIH 3.0: A Celebration Of Unity, An Awakening For Liberation

Posted: 29 Apr 2012 11:34 PM PDT

28 April 2012 shall go down in the nation's history as Merdeka Rakyat when 300,000 rakyat spoke in one voice to demand a free and fair election. The women, youth and men of all races and ages who came down in full force were encouraged by a sense of justice to demand liberation from usurpers. Their message cannot be mistaken – a free country cannot be enslaved anymore.

BERSIH3.0 represents the hopes and dreams of all Malaysians that the political legitimacy of any government in the future can only be attained through a genuine democratic process.

The authority's response to BERSIH3.0 participants who represent million others across the country is thus an utter disappointment. It is a classic statecraft of authoritarian regimes using the state controlled media to turn the masses who are victims of oppression and brutalities into criminals.

I bear witness to the political awakening of the rakyat as I marched with them from Masjid Negara. The atmosphere was one of enlightenment, rejuvenation and hope. It was an exemplary conduct of a peaceful assembly; a celebration of freedom and unity in the truest sense.

This is the achievement of BERSIH3.0 that will stand the test of time. The rakyat will commemorate 28 April 2012 as the day Malaysia woke up and marched for liberation in one voice.

We shall not be intimidated by continuous lies spawned by the state media. We have a much potent and effective media in our hands as the 300,000 rakyat carry the messages of BERSIH3.0 and liberation to every corner of the nation.
Let the rakyat speak and justice prevail.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
KETUA UMUM KEADILAN
LEADER OF OPPOSITION
30 April 2012

Tengahari Tendang Polis, Petang Tangkap Peserta Himpunan

Posted: 29 Apr 2012 11:29 PM PDT

 Harakah

Ketika pimpinan PAS mempertegaskan ahlinya bersih dan berdisiplin, tulisan bekas Setiausaha Umno Bahagian, Zahrin Mohd Yasin bahawa sekurang-kurangnya 2,000 anggota polis memakai baju Bersih Sabtu lalu menarik perhatian ramai.

Dalam tulisannya Sabtu lalu, Zaharin atau Sang Kelembai itu menulis, “polis dah lebih cerdik dari dulu… dia bahagikan anggotanya dua pasukan, satu pakai uniform polis, satu pasukan lagi pakai baju Bersih, tergelak saya jumpa seorang kawan yang masih polis, pegawai lagi dari Pahang, pakai baju kuning dan terpekik ayat reformasi.”

“Saya tak tegur dia pun. Tapi bila tengok kat lengan dia ada getah warna kuning.

“Dan, saya jumpa banyak yang pakai getah yang sama… saya rasa terjaminlah dalam kumpulan pencacai yang tidak tahu apa benda ini,” kata beliau.

Apabila seorang pengunjung menjawab tulisan asal itu dengan berkata, “ramai itu.”

Zaharin terus menulis, “Jika berapa pun dia kata… kena tolak tak kurang dua ribu adalah polis dalam kumpulan Bersih.”

“Yang menafikan mereka pun puak pakai kemeja-T Bersih untuk rempuh sekatan polis, yang baling objek pun saya rasa polis, macam mereka buat latihan demonstrasi kat polis depoh. Hehehe, puak-puak Pas bodoh ini iut nyer,” tambah Zaharin dalam tulisan itu.

Gambar-gambar mula tersebar kini tentang polis yang dikatakan menyamar itu.

Misalnya aksi seorang peserta perhimpunan membuat ‘flying kit’ ke atas seorang polis trafik.

Beliau juga didapati kemudiannya yang menangkap para peserta demonstrasi yang lain.

 

(Gambar siapakah ini yang menendang polis dengan gelang kuning di tangannya.  Gambar ini kini tersebar luas)

 

Ada dua tempat peranan agen ‘provokasi’ ini dikesan oleh orang ramai.

Pertama, siapa yang memulakan tindakan melempar kereta polis dengan botol air sehingga pemandunya hilang pertimbangan dan merempuh tiga orang di perkarangan pasaraya Sogo.

Yang kedua adalah tindakan memecahkan tembok penghalang yang dibina oleh DBKL mengelilingi Dataran Merdeka.

Siapakah mereka sehingga kini masih belum dapat dikesan dengan nyata.

Pihak penganjur Bersih 3.0 pula menuntut kerajaan membuat siasatan menyeluruh terhadap perhimpunan kali ini.

Peranan media tradisional yang dikuasai Umno dan BN juga mendapat kecaman dari pemerhati antarabangsa yang datang untuk membuat pemerhatian mereka terhadap perhimpunan kali ini.

Bercakap dalam sidang media mereka  semalam, Senator Nick Xenophon dari Australia berkata, “perhimpunan ini aman sehinggalah mereka diprovok.”

Beliau juga mengkritik laporan dari TV yang jelas melaporkan secara sebelah pihak.

"Mainstream media berat sebelah dan tidak adil. Kami lihat lebih laporan Perdana Menteri Najib (Tun Razak) di Sabah dalam TV dari peristiwa yang lebih besar tentang rakyat Malaysia," kata Xenophon.

Seorang lagi ahli dari pasukan 7-anggota itu,  India Times editor MJ Akbar, berkata peserta sebenarnya dalam mood berpesta.

"Orang ramai mempunyai masa yang cukup kalau mereka mahu bertindak ganas. Tetapi mereka berpesta sehinggalah berlakunya provokasi," kata Akbar.

Siri Jelajah Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim Ke Perak

Posted: 29 Apr 2012 11:07 PM PDT

1 Mei 2012 (Selasa)

Pasca Bersih 3.0
1) 9.00 pagi – 6.30 Ptg – Konvensyen Pakatan Rakyat Perak
Lokasi : Dewan Bulan Sabit Merah (Tepi Stadium), Ipoh

Penceramah:
i. YB Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Ucapan Penutup – 5.00 ptg)
ii. YBhg Dr Mohd Nur Manuty
iii. YB Dato' Ngeh Koo Ham
iv. YB Dato' Seri Nizar Jamaluddin

2) 9.00 – 12.00 mlm – Ceramah Perdana – Pasca Bersih 3.0
Lokasi : Pusat Khidmat Rakyat Tanah Hitam, Chemor

Penceramah:
i. YB Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim
ii. YB Dr Mohd Nur Manuty
iii. YB Lee Boon Chye
iv. YB Kesavan Subramaniam

3) 9.00 – 12.00 mlm – Ceramah Perdana – Pasca Bersih 3.0
Lokasi: Dewan Bulan Sabit Merah (Tepi Stadium), Ipoh

Penceramah :
i. YB Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim
ii. YB Lim Kit Siang
iii. YBhg Mat Sabu
iv. YB Nga Kor Ming
v. YB Sivakumar

Kami Tidak Arah Rempuh Sekatan Polis

Posted: 29 Apr 2012 10:49 PM PDT

Malaysiakini

Ketua umum PKR Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menegaskan bahawa beliau dan timbalannya Azmin Ali tidak mengeluarkan arahan supaya untuk merempuh pagar kawat duri polis yang dipasang di sekeliling Dataran Merdeka pada Sabtu.
Anwar bagaimanapun berkata, beliau akan mempertahan tindakan mengalihkan sekatan berkenaan yang disifatkannya bukan satu kesalahan.

Dengan sinis, beliau bertanya sekiranya memasuki Dataran merupakan satu kesalahan besar berbanding perbuatan menipu dalam pilihan raya.

BERSIH 3.0: Rakaman Penuh Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim Di Dataran Merdeka

Posted: 29 Apr 2012 08:25 PM PDT

Nota Admin

Diatas merupakan rakaman penuh peristiwa di Dataran Merdeka yang berlangsungnya demonstrasi Duduk Dan Bantah. Kelihatan jelas sekitar minit 4:30 dimana Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim memberi arahan kepada peserta untuk belok ke kanan iaitu kearah Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.Sementara itu Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim juga meminta YB Azmin Ali turun berunding dengan pasukan Polis agar membenarkan peserta masuk ke Dataran Merdeka.

Amat memalukan apabila melihat pihak tidak bertanggungjawab terus memutar belit fakta memfitnah kononnya Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan YB Azmin Ali memberi arahan kepada peserta untuk merempuh masuk kedalam kawasan Dataran Merdeka dan menjadi punca kekacauan. Dalam rakaman ini juga jelas ada suara peserta yang mengesahkan bahawa arahan kedua tokoh tersebut untuk berundur ke Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman manakala suara Chegubard amat jelas memberi arahan yang sama menggunakan pembesar suara.

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