Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Hmm…is it a case of “mudah lupa” syndrome? I think since 500-odd cars participated, looks like a good sign of support. Problem is that the information for convoy only came in late Thursday, and on Friday. A bit late for many people to take part. Still, 2000 people gathered on a Sunday afternoon. Not bad.
It could also be that, HINDRAF is showing more restraint, and being a peaceful entity, it has not reason to be more “passionate” as expected by the writer. Those incidents at KLCC and Batu Caves were due to provocation and unwarranted attacks. The organisers know that showing a peaceful side may help the case to release the 5.
Losing steam
Makkal Sakti supporters, who held the gathering, later converged for a prayer session for their leaders at a Hindu temple in Taiping.
While calls from various groups for the release of the Hindraf five and other ISA detainees – estimated to be 80 at present – have gained pace over the past few months, the fire among Makkal Sakti supporters seems to be dying.
Yesterday’s gathering was more of a subdued affair than a fiery protest, which has been synonymous with Hindraf activities for the past two years to secure the freedom of their leaders.
This could have been due to fatigue, loss of interest after the election euphoria or poor organising by the coordinators.
Whatever the reason, the lack of enthusiasm was evident and the passion expressed by Makkal Sakti activists in front of the detention camp was not one to savour.
An estimated 500-car Makkal Sakti convoy from all over the country started to throng near the detention camp at about 2.30pm.
A small group of activists held a banner calling for the release of their leaders while others were mainly passive on-lookers.
Several Makkal Sakti supporters held up portraits of the five Hindraf leaders, and that of Mahatma Gandhi. They chanted `Makkal Sakti’ and `Release Our Leaders.’
The gathering, which apparently was carried out without a police permit, did not last long.
Point made
The crowd lost its momentum when Makkal Sakti coordinator RS Thanenthiran arrived at 3pm and told them to depart from the scene to a Hindu temple in Taiping, the Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani Alayam near Maxwell Hill.
Thanenthiran and his supporters were also warned by Deputy Taiping OCPD Supt Syed Wahab Syed Majid that “the demonstrators could be forcibly evicted if necessary.”
“This is illegal assembly. You all are ought not to be here,” he told Thanenthiran.
Syed Wahab later told Malaysiakini that the warning was given because he did not want any untoward incidents to happen near the detention camp.
Despite Syed Wahab’s warning and pleas by Thanenthiran and one of his deputies, MN Anbalagan, several Makkal Sakti supporters appeared reluctant to move.
Finally by 4pm the crowd dispersed under the watchful eyes of about 200-odd police and the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel.
Thanenthiran said later that the assembly was organised to compel the federal government to release the five Hindraf leaders.
“We have made our point with our massive presence today.
“We will go to the temple to pray for divine intervention to secure the freedom of our leaders,” he told the supporters.
source: http://malaysiakini.com/news/82024
