Run Makkal Run

November 12th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions Leave a reply »
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Odinan, odinan, ellaiyai thandiye odinan (He ran, he ran, until over the boundary he ran) – a well-known dialogue in Tamil comes to my mind.

Well, DAP is taking the fight/campaign to free HINDRAF 5 ISa detainees to a different level. Its organising a Run for Freedom activity which involves a distance of 350km! Yup, all the way from Klang to the gates of Kamunting detention center. Many Pakatan Rakyat MPs and ADUNs will be running in order to get some airtime and publicity as well. It will be like the Olympic torch run, where only one person will be running at a time and will pass the “torch” (in this case a special flag) to the next runner.

I Wonder how the police going to stop this activity. Easiest is to claim “no permit”.

The organisers are looking for 5000 people to participate. So, those who are concerned about the HINDRAF 5 and oppose ISA can show their support by taking part in the run.

DAP Selangor has found a novel way to increase awareness on the continued detention of the five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders and to add pressure on the government to free them.

The party is organising a run – dubbed the ‘Makkal Sakhti 5 Freedom Run’ – over the weekend (Nov15-16).

Organising chairperson Dr Wong Ang Peng said he expects some 5,000 people to participate in the 350km run, which will kick off in Klang and end at the gates of the Kamunting Detention Centre in Perak.

He said there will also be a ‘special flag’ which will be passed from one runner to another during the entire journey. The last runner will hand the flag as well as ‘three larger banners’ to Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming in Kamunting.

DAP Selangor will also canvass for signatures from the public in support of the cause.

Later in the night, an anti-ISA candlelight vigil will be held to call for the release of the five and protest against the Internal Security Act.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai will be the first runner when things get off the ground at 8am on Saturday in Klang. The run will be suspended at 7pm in Sabak Bernam and will resume the next morning.

Meanwhile, various Pakatan Rakyat leaders are expected to take part in the run. PKR’s Manikavasagam will run through his Kapar parliamentary constituency as will PAS’ Dzulkefly Ahmad through his Kuala Selangor seat.

Also figuring in the run will be DAP Selangor chairperson and Selangor exco Ean Yong Hian Wah, Puchong MP Gobind Singh, Selangor exco Ronnie Liu, Klang MP Charles Santiago and Selangor state speaker Teng Chang Khim.

Controversial blogger and just released ISA detainee Raja Petra Kamaruddin will be present at the start of the run in Klang.

The freedom run will pass through Kapar, Kuala Selangor, Sekinchan, Sg Besar, Hutan Melintang, Setiawan, Pantai Remis, Simpang and Taiping before reaching Kamunting.

“Traffic will not be obstructed as there will only be one runner at a time on the road,” explained Wong.

Those interested in participating can contact Dr Wong at 012-6644432.

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3 comments

  1. Killer says:

    Well, keep running guys…you are only delaying their release by carrying out such stunts…

    FYI, the police wanted to release 3 of them before Deepavali but thanks to HINDRAF’s Hari Raya fiasco, the plan was aborted….

    • Killi Valavan says:

      ya correct correct correct …. i tot the release delayed due to monsoon rain …. u know it’s banjir here and there….

  2. Killi Valavan says:

    besides i dont see any big mistake of organizing such ‘running’ event to create public awareness . For example , a cancer treating hospital in Pg organized such a noble running event for similar public awareness , with support from traffic police for safety of the runners . Should they be blamed for wasting time too ?