According to bmahendran.com, this was an unexpected crowd. Over 2,000 people managed to find time on Saturday night to spend a moment for the ISA detainees. HINDRAF contributed about 500 people while others like WAMI also come. This was a show of unity as people from all walks of life came together. The Chinese community are especially angry at the treatment of reporter Tan and politician Teresa, while others would be Raja Petra’s fans. I think by arresting these people, the goverment had led credence to the misuse of ISA. A bumbling Home Minister also does not help.

Hindraf volunteers and the PDRM did their job well, says Mahendran. I guess the presence of various groups helped in creating a more festive and relaxed atmosphere.

Let’s look at home the three media groups presented their new. Malaysiakini, The Star and NST had their own points to highlight:

Malaysiakini:

About 2,000 people staged a peaceful march through the busy streets of Kuala Lumpur tonight calling for the abolishment of Internal Security Act and freeing detainees under the Act

Initially, two separate groups – Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and coalition of NGOs led by the Writer Alliance For Media Independence (Wami) – had initially planned to hold a candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka at about 7.30pm.

When they came across a police cordon at Dataran Merdeka, the Hindraf-led group numbering about 500 decided to march to the temple opposite the Puduraya bus terminal about 1km away.

The crowd marched unhindered towards their destinations and gradually the crowd swelled to about 2,000 people from all walks of life, with many carrying candles.

The other group, which was in a procession holding Chinese lanterns, eventually joined up with the Hindraf group.

The police were caught off-guard by the huge turnout. Many media personnel had also remarked that the large crowd was unanticipated as past vigils had been small in number.

Shouts of “Mansuhkan ISA (Abolish the ISA)”, “Bebaskan Raja Petra (Free Raja Petra)” and “Hindraf Valga (Long live Hindraf)” were chanted by the marchers.

Eventually, the crowd gathered at the temple compound where several individuals addressed the crowd with highly charged speeches.

Hindraf national coordinator R Thanenthiran said that government should heed the protesters’ demands to free ISA detainees.

“The Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar should listen to us. He alone cannot decide what is best for the country. Tonight, we the people, are the judges,” he said.

Later, Teluk Intan MP M Manogaran told the crowd that a large gathering is being planned to commemorate the first anniversary of the ISA arrest of five Hindraf leaders currently held in the Kamunting Detention Camp.

“We will keep holding gatherings until all ISA detainees are released,” he said.

Meanwhile, the crowd was peaceful throughout and a festive atmosphere permeates in the air.

Several supporters of detained blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin were also at hand to sing ‘Happy Birthday Raja Petra’ as today was his birthday.

By 9pm, protest leaders dispersed the crowd. There were no reports of untoward incidents.

Hindraf national coordinator Thanenthiran later told reporters that the march tonight was proof that Malaysians can gather peacefully in order to express themselves.

“If the police follows the law, we can do the same,” he said.

In a statement immediately after the crowd dispersal, Hindraf leader-in-exile P Waytha Moorthy thanked the police for allowing the march to proceed.

“The government should now accept that Malaysians have sent a loud and clear message that the use of the ISA cannot be tolerated,” he said. Meanwhile, two visually blind participants told Malaysiakini at the scene why they took part in the march.

Ramli Abu Bakar, 51, said he has been supporting the anti-ISA movement ever since it was established because “the country has achieved independence and the act is nothing but a mediaeval law”.

“We have been independent for 51 years and why would we need such a legislation now?” asked Ramli.

Ramli’s friend, Kamal Abu Bakar, 48, echoed his views, saying that the government is “stupid for not abolishing ISA as it is no longer relevant”.

There were also supporters of Raja Petra who were in high spirits in showing their support to their idol on his birthday.

For Sampa Lee, 60, he said releasing Raja Petra and other detainees would be the best birthday gift the government could ever give to them.

“It would be the best present for Raja Petra and all Malaysians as we are all against the draconian law,” said Sampa.

The Star:

Almost 2,000 people from non-governmental organisations and opposition parties took part in a peaceful gathering near Puduraya calling on the Government to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA).

They started gathering there at 8pm last night and dispersed one hour later.

Dang Wangi police chief Asst Comm Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said police had received information that a gathering was scheduled to be held at Dataran Merdeka.

“But we had placed our people at various roads leading to Dataran Merdeka and this had caused the group to change the location of the gathering to an area near Puduraya.
“No untoward incident happened during the gathering and no arrests were made, but it added to the traffic congestion there,” he said. – Bernama

NST:

About 2,000 people marched from Dataran Merdeka to the Hindu temple near the Puduraya bus terminal in protest against the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The crowd started marching about 8pm while carrying candles.

Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said the march was held without a permit.

“However, no arrests were made and the crowd dispersed peacefully at 9.30pm,” he said.

At least all three agreed on the crowd figures.

A photo gallery is at National Express’ Picasa.