Kelana Jaya Stadium anti-fuel price protest
Date: 6.7.08 (Sunday)
Time: 10am – 12am
Venue: Kelana Jaya Stadium, Selangor
From Malaysiakini
Kelana Jaya rally: 10,000 people at noon
Malaysiakini Team | Jul 6, 08 10:08amThere is a carnival sort of atmosphere at the Kelana Jaya stadium this morning at the day-long anti-fuel hike rally.
People started trickling into the 50,000 capacity stadium since early morning, to be greeted by vendors selling Pakatan Rakyat party mementos, T-shirts, cassettes and posters.
About 17 stalls had set up business since yesterday with traders reporting brisk business.
The rally is organised by the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes).
Protes coordinator Dr Hatta Ramli told Malaysiakini yesterday that the programme, which would see musical and artistic performances in between political speeches, would start at 10am until midnight.
When the rally kicked off at 10am, about 5,000 people have arrived at the stadium with more on their way. Most of them are in red T-shirts, turning the grandstand into a sea of red.
By noon, the organisers said that the crowd had risen to about 10,000.
About 2,500 volunteers from both PAS and PKR Youth wing have been placed to handle the crowd.
Hatta, who is PAS Kuala Krai parliamentarian, was the first speaker, followed by Hindraf coordinator S Jayathas, DAP Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu and PKR’s Irene Fernandez.
According to programme schedule released by Hatta this morning, representatives from rights movements Jerit and Hindraf are scheduled to give speeches at 12 noon.
At 2pm, representative of NGOs and Pakatan parties would have their say.
Pakatan members of parliament and state representatives would be making their appearance at 3pm, and at 5pm a number of Pakatan mentri besar and chief minister are expected to be at the stadium.
The Pakatan bigwigs are scheduled to appear before the crowd at 9pm with PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim being the star of the show.
Police and military ‘intimidation’
Meanwhile, the nearby Kelana Jaya LRT station is busy with many protestors using the public transport to get to the stadium.
At the station, a small band of uniformed police personnel have been stationed to monitor the crowd.
So far, there is no police presence outside the stadium, although policemen have been put on standby in case of any untoward incident.
There are also two mobile police stations at the stadium.
It is learnt that Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar is at the district police headquarters, keeping abreast of developments.
Vendors at the stadium told Malaysiakini that late last night they saw several police patrol cars and about seven military trucks in the area, but the convoy did not stop at the stadium.
In addition to the palpable police and military intimidation, organisers have to fight off persistent rumours that event would be cancelled.
“Any contrary information that is being disseminated whether by SMS or email are patently false and misleading and are meant to confuse the public.” said a statement from Protes.
“The planned programme will not be cancelled under any circumstances to ensure that the people are able to express their dissatisfaction at the government’s decision to drastically increase the price of petrol and other fuels without strong and reasonable justification.”
#1 by Tulip Crescent on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:10 am
If what I can is true, that Ram assured PM he will always be behind him, where is the judicial independence?
#2 by yog7948 on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:10 am
Tulip Crescent
Thanks for pointing it out;
as Undergrad2 said:
In Malaysia “standing behind” these days are fraught with danger for the person in front
Maybe he has taken the ” join them if you can’t beat them” stand.. Most of his juniors are in higher post then him..
#3 by undergrad2 on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:33 am
“….Ram assured PM he will always be behind him, where is the judicial independence?”
PM should be careful who is behind him. That comes with being independent. You get to choose your place in the queue.
#4 by sjchange on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:34 am
I really njoy the interaction!
#5 by Tulip Crescent on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:37 am
yog7948
Please also remember that he was the counsel for Umno when the Umno 11 filed a case against Umno. If you remember, the original Umno was deregistered.
Then Tunku stepped in to Umno 46, but Dr Mahatir, as incumbent PM, used his position, to form Umno Baru.
What was our Dato Ram doing representing Umno? Was there a game plan in place to declare Umno unlawful, form a lnew Umno so that only their people could get in – leaving out the dissident led by Tengku Razaleigh and Tunku and even Hussein Onn?
So, my friend, be careful. They walk like a duck, they sound like a duck, but they may n ot be the duck that they say they are!
They are volves in sheep’s clothing.
But this country’s psychological psyche has been traumatized beyond all help. I am afraid we are already a failed nation, with the leaders operating Malaysia as areal state and a spare state. Deep actions will be taken.
It is the powers-that-be, the political connected versus the rakyat jelata. Be vigilant.
#6 by lew1328 on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 1:25 am
Greetings! All
Congratulations to the organizer who’s successfully organized this grand carnival which is held in Stadium Kelana Jaya. Once again, my friends and I witnessed the unity of multiracial being gathered together, hand in hand and with the true heart to spell their unsatisfied as a result from the poor government.
YB, you looked handsome with the red shirt as well.
#7 by mendela on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 1:38 am
I and friends were there too. As usual, no body can beat Anwar in public speaking, no even Maththiu!
It was a wonderful night. No violence and no water canon. All different races were totally united! What a scene!
If there were no road blocks and threats by the Police, the number of participants could easily exceeded 60 thousands!
#8 by yhsiew on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 1:49 am
Anwar said he would swear by the Koran that he was not involved in homo sex PROVIDED the authorities refer his case to the sharia court.
Although I was not there, I think the action of the rock singer, who deliberately pulled down his trousers to expose his underwear, was disgusting.
#9 by kosmoalpha on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 2:07 am
this is the way it should be!!!the opposition hav shown the world they are the civilised lot n not barbaric!!!syabas,it was peaceful but the message is strong!jus couldn’t imagine whether the umno/BN goons could perform on the same par under the similar sort of circumstances?????
#10 by lcclck on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 4:00 am
Dear YB,
I noted your determinations and your endurances all this while.
Indeed I was respectful of your ability to stand up all those humiliations and those injustices they had bullied and jailed you, despite you are amongst all those titled senior malaysians who should be titled better than Tan Sri/Dato seri, and the titles they gave to DAP politicians are none, though the rulers are aware of their lack of information about how to confer you and your son the right titles, and most probably you both will decline gently!
I was wishing you as a grandpa, and as a kind father who led your son to be a CM, and you must be grateful to DSAI, and also the Pak Lah’s flip flop administrations, and then you are owing TDM a big favour as he forced you to be strong and jailed dad and son in Kamunting to enable your HERO image is with your CM son forever!!
Just as I was concerned about any good image we could have now is near zero, and who cares about malaysia indeed!!
Malaysia is rich with blessings from God as we have great resources oil, palm oil, and most important TALENTS like you and us, we had been contributing the greatest exports of talents in the world, and more than half of the senior maangers in Singapore were from Malaysia!!!
But I wish you could now safely step down, and leave your ideals to Tony Pua, and this fine young man will help your son well.
I ntoiced many businessmen are trying to get close to you, but remember to patronize the Hokkein Mee where you were always alone before 8/3/2008, and perhpas, you could bring more client to this heng Kee, and he was the hawker whom had fed you with good Hokkien mee when you are alone having dinner, of course with a CM son, you could affford air conditioned restaurant, if you are not coming to heng Kee for your Hokkien Mee, he would be retiring soon!!!
Do not go for Sotong mi ( Sodomi), just ask for Heng Kee Hokkien Mee!!
But I am glad you will be in the History Book of my grandchildren, i will be really glad once if your name appeared in the textbook to share with my grandchildren that i did know you while I had my Hokkien mee in heng Kee of a restuarant opposite the former RUBY theatre in Seapark!!
Best of luck,
LCCLCK
#11 by lextcs on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 8:41 am
it is so funny that the bloggers who started all these blogs are now so fedup with it……this shows that they have at last lost direction and have not the staminia to carry on the fight. Its just like forest gump going on a run and ended up with herds of people following him aimlessly running nowhere. And when he decided to call it a day…followers just dont know what to do…..but i hope we just carry on yb kit…..afterall there is nothing much to do for people like me and you and you and you and all of you.
#12 by lextcs on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 9:01 am
Are we are surprised by the developments of present times? It is predicted that there will be terrible times in the end of age. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasful, proud, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God – looks religious but lacks its discipline. And that is not all….. we will go from bad to worse! May God help us.
#13 by oknyua on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 9:16 am
How did it ended that that way? Where are those rockers singers from? Don’t we feel insulted?
I am disappointed, to say the least.
I still think DAP and PAS have very much better displine and organisation. Whatever the outcome of that rally, I still support DAP.
#14 by rainbowseahorse on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 9:17 am
For someone who managed to look, sound, and act stupid to fool the almighty Tun M into believing he is harmless and can be controlled, that Badawi surely deserves a salute. Such a man must be watch very carefully as he is indeed the ‘still water runs deep’ type of guy. We all underestimated that cunny fox!
My vote now is that he would still be in power for some time to come and it’s going to take more than mere good speeches and SD with counter SD to remove that Badawi.
#15 by limkamput on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 9:47 am
Opposition got no brain. When the government said the demonstration must be held in a confined area, the opposition agreed. That was stupid. That was not demonstration. That was a rock concert. When we demonstrate, we must be able to walk the streets of KL. That is demonstration. IN fact, the government doesn’t mind you fellows organising a few more. SEE how many can you fellows attend. Oppositions have no brain, no strategists. Soon they will let you have another one in Bukit Jalil. NO problem. Wake up lah you fellows.
#16 by smeagroo on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 9:53 am
i agree with limkamput. I dont see the effect of yesterday’s rally. Everyone was having a jolly good time. These ppl might as well hope for more hikes in the future becos govt raise fuel prices, opposition throws them a party.
Instead of joining the rally, i went for my futsal instead. And i bet ya no one in my team dropped their pants.
#17 by Sagaladoola on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 9:55 am
My writing on this issue:
Spinning Report on Fuel Price Hike Rally
Link:
http://sagaladoola.blogspot.com/2008/07/spinning-report-on-fuel-price-hike.html
#18 by oknyua on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 10:04 am
There are effects, to be sure. But were they positive?
Years ago when I was in local campus, we organised the new “Mahasiswa Dynamik” campaign to remove the established groups that had led the student unions for years. We removed them in UKM, UPM, MU, UTM… but found that Mahasiswa Dynamik was a total failure.
We are looking at Malaysia, not just a campus. Can’t the PR come out with something better?
#19 by rainbowseahorse on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 10:15 am
As I said, Badawi is not as he appears to be..which is to look, sound, and act stupid. By allowing, without permitting, an organized opposition “protest” which turns into a carnival, he is giving plenty of ropes for the opposition to hang themselves.
That “pants pulling down” incident could very easily had turned into a nasty situation which will, of course, be blamed entirely on the opposition.
So who won that round?
#20 by Godfather on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 10:21 am
Patience, folks, patience. Walk slowly but carry a big stick.
#21 by oknyua on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 10:29 am
“Walk slowly but carry a big stick” Godfather
“Trust in Allah but tie your camel.” -Arab proverb
#22 by Bigjoe on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 11:02 am
I don’t want to be a party pooper but I would like to voice a cautious view about this protest. Protesting against fuel price increase is the LEAST DIRECTLY RATIONAL of all public complain and yet its the biggest rally we have had so far.
My concern is what if there is a war in Iran (an attack by Israel most likely) and oil price hit stratospheric level?
This protest will give the BN govt an excuse to impose emergency law and purge the opposition. It will be the end of reform in this country and all that has been hard fought in the last few years.
Anwar is a political opportunist too much so and is a means to an end but he does not have a full-game plan for especially for such extreme but possible scenarios.
Frankly, its time to move on to debate the real issue which is reform of govt.
#23 by rainbowseahorse on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 11:58 am
My main contention here is that, with so many opportunities given, and some even handed on a platter, to the opposition leaders to capitalize on forming the new government, yet they seem to be getting nowhere.
Yes, Godfather, patience is indeed a virtue, but opportunities just don’t wait around for anybody. So far I have not seen any ‘sparkle’ of inspirational leadership from any opposition leaders to warrant my optimism for a change in government any day soon.
#24 by badak on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:05 pm
With the rising of fuel,electricity,rice ,steel and what have you..The press and all politicians are more worried about who played whoes back..
Now Perak is saying that PR state will fall to BN.Ex MB said a few PR YB,s will cross over..As i have always said .if any YB,s want to cross over they must step down first ..let the rakyat decide in a by election.Who they want PR or BN.
#25 by lakilompat on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:06 pm
Is Pak Lah crazy or what? demanding increase in Federal Budget, but cutting Penang state budget by RM 4.7 billion, that’s 80% from the previous budget allocated to Penang for development.
Is this man crazy? i hope 10K penangites will slap his bloody face.
#26 by Godfather on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:12 pm
“Getting nowhere” or “getting somewhere” are subjective concepts. The fuel hike has yet to take its full course in everyday life in Bolehland, and its effect is yet to be completely felt and understood.
What is clear is that the BN thieves are very adept at shooting themselves in the foot, and the next rise in fuel prices will almost certainly lead to the demise of the federal government. It won’t be long – the current level of subsidies is still way too high to be sustainable at current global oil prices, and I expect that there will be a new round of hikes in September.
The next round of fuel hikes will also lead to the type of demonstrations that many want – instead of having parties in stadiums, people will take to the streets in increasing numbers.
#27 by Godfather on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:13 pm
“We are not in the business of cheating the people.” AAB, 2005
#28 by citizenwatch on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:14 pm
(Godfather Says:
Yesterday at 22: 23.59
What is wrong with the leadership of this country ? I mean, a person makes startling statutory declarations, gets hauled up by the police, retracts the original statutory declarations, goes missing with the entire family AND NO ONE IN GOVERNMENT EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT THE TAMPERING OF JUSTICE ?
I can understand if one or two bad apples or even 10 bad apples are part of a conspiracy, but what about the rest ? There must surely be some good men around who are appalled by the “lawlessness” of this particular situation and are prepared to stick their neck out for justice. Or am I simply too optimistic and the entire barrel of apples is rotten ?)
*******************************************
The way one by one ministers have been coming out to discredit Anwar and alleging he is diverting attention from his sodomy charge looks like one grand design of a conspiracy of BN, more specifically, UMNO. “We are in this together, we’ll sink together”.
#29 by citizenwatch on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:15 pm
There are claims of a third party involvement and instigation in and to the Najib-Anwar ‘spat’. Assuming that’s the case it can only point to a micro situation of a perennially sleepwalking individual seeking political survival with the assistance of an Oxbridge pseudo-intellectual primate together with the think-tank of Level 3a (we are being superstitious here).
#30 by RealWorld on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:23 pm
How can PR form the government and administer the country when they cant even behave themselves during a concert??
100 days, already ACA is investigation the Selangor MB’s close aide.
Throwing bottles and raining punches on some singer at a rally organised by PR??
Malaysia will descend in utter chaos if PR be the government.
#31 by lextcs on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:24 pm
as usual…everyone here thinks of changing the world but nobody thinks of changing himself……double parkings, beating traffic lights, spitting in public, cursing, swearing, robbing, rapping, backstabbing, etc etc…..PAS where are you? time to HUDUD malaysia.
#32 by cheng on soo on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:29 pm
After at least 27 years (since 1981) of misrule by BN, many still hope BN will reform itself, and are so impateient with PR, who had ruled barely 4 months in 5 states, giving marks (report card) for PR, why nvr give marks to BN?
Wake up lah, BN is a gone case, if it continue to rule, the country will very likely go to the drain in 15 years’ time (when no more oil) or even less time.
#33 by citizenwatch on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:29 pm
Ah, RealWorld. You appear at such an opportune moment to comment without going deeper into the reason of the fracas at the stadium. Your perfunctory observation of matters do not work here, I’m afraid. You don’t to be the ‘butt’ of more jokes from the denizens here, do you?
#34 by oknyua on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:43 pm
Realworld, I agree with you..BUT… the BN administration have been doing the same thing for years. They investigate one miserable guy, which itself result no lose to the nation whereas they clear-cut AP queen was never investigated.
OK it happen in Kelana Jaya, what about Section 7 ADUN compleks – are you in Shah Alam? Have you been there? What about opposite the highway where Bukit Cahaya forest reserves have been raped? Ehh… how come you never see the rape of that piece of land?
And that rockers.. didn’t you see Adenan Yacob doing the f**k sign on you-tube? Menteri Besar konon doing that! Aiyo, cannot see eh? And what about the “snake and indian” speech in ADUN? Still cannot see ah?
#35 by Godfather on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:44 pm
Ah, RealWorld is back after having holed up for weeks in Mike Tyson’s house.
Is that all you can say, RealWorld, after weeks of internal strategising ? If your boss had really implemented his KPIs, you’d be out of a job.
#36 by gundam on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:46 pm
whether the rally was a concert or not, it was not for anyone to judge on the effects especially those who talk cock and do nothing.
it is our rights as a citizen in a democratic country to send a message to the government peacefully.
kit siang was there, RPK was there, Anwar was there, thousands of ppls were there, where were u?
#37 by Godfather on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:47 pm
How’s your Bentley performing, RealWorld ? 6 litre car must be literally drinking petrol….maybe you should consider switching to a hybrid car being peddled by one of your UMNO masters ?
#38 by Godfather on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 12:49 pm
RealWorld: can we get AP allocations for camels ? Ask your UMNO masters.
#39 by taiking on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 1:04 pm
Political bickering some smart alec said.
So its all nothing more than bickering merely?
I am not pronoucing NR guilty. I cant. That is for the court to do. So let the court do it. The court must do it. For this to happen, first, the police must do their job. Investigate.
What RPK said in SD is really serious stuff and it must be investigated on thoroughly.
Bala’s SD echoed RPK’s words.
That makes the whole matter more urgent.
And Bala’s retraction of his SD after questioning by the police gives the whole issue a foul smell.
Look. It is about a life that has been sacrificed.
Its body has been shattered, presumably so that its soul would not return in a complete form and hence can do no harm.
Assuming (just an assumption, I could be wrong) NR is involved somehow, then he has to face the music.
More than that, he can no longer be a political leader.
If sodomy is such a great issue (that anwar should be damned for it, assuming he really did sodomise someone), then acts that led directly or indirectly to the death of someone must be a greater issue.
Let us not downplay the issue to mere bickering.
Its a very serious matter.
#40 by stjames on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 1:20 pm
Opp. needs to put forward a new de facto leader as a credible PM for PR.
Cant comment on DSAI’s sodomy cases, but the fact is being ex-UMNO/DPM, there is too much against him, more will be hurled at him & some rakyat still have doubts about DSAI, all of which will be a drag to PR as a whole. Notwithstanding that, DSAI is equally important for PR to win, but he is better of playing kingmaker/strategist than PM to be, for the sake of PR, for the sake of rakyat.
#41 by lakilompat on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 1:55 pm
“Realworld” – don’t judge a party capability by taking a concert versus the future of 27 million Malaysian.
BN goons has created too many jokes for a country once known as Malaysia. Our past glory has been damaged badly in international stage, i hope the US will push the BN government like they push the t4l1b4n and s4d4m regime. Our country is rich in oil, so i think it’s worthwhile if BN goons can’t manage a country, let the US attack us, Najis wun be having his Shukoi jet to be assembled in time to defend the US blackhawk, and that scorpene submarine are not in time to come back Malaysia to defend the country sovereign as our water is too shallow for a submarine.
Well, if DSAI was shot by Najis or kidnapped by Najis like he kidnapped Bala and his family and using c4 to destroyed the hapless Mongolian lady, US is the last resolution or drive for our country democracy unlike Myanmar, our country have oil, and the US knew it well.
#42 by lakilompat on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 1:56 pm
US (defender of democracy) is like a Hawk in the AIR, will strike any time, if the BN goons continue to defy Democracy.
#43 by voice on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 2:17 pm
News report in TV3 about this event is in completely different tone, they still don’t realise their mistake.
#44 by Godfather on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 2:23 pm
Alamak, now RealWorld has to go to Mike Tyson’s house in his Bentley to seek further instructions. They are real masochists, these UMNOputras.
#45 by lakilompat on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 2:38 pm
In every civilization we need a breakthrough. A saviour is killed like king leornidas of the spartan, only then people will awake and walk to the street for CHANGE.
Who is so powerful to force Mr. Bala to make “SUMPAH” and the retract again the oath, and now hiding including his wife and 3 childrens. Those 3 childrens are very sad, can’t go to school and play with their friends no more for some time. And this Mr. Bala as a Private Investigator are well paid, can’t afford a vacation?
#46 by gundam on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 3:06 pm
till today these umno guys still debating abt setting up signboard in mandarin at tourism spot….
how narrow-minded especially tis pasir salak…
#47 by malimdeman on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 3:21 pm
“Rock singer! ” Kids and family there lah, not suitable. Next time get other music group.
“Audience throwing bottles”: Suppose to be peaceful rally! Behave a bit lah! Malu only!
#48 by lakilompat on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 3:23 pm
“debating abt setting up signboard in mandarin at tourism spot….”
Do u think tourist DARE to come MALAYSIA today, there are many street rally, traffic jammed, rampant crimes, everything increases, robberies, and criminals who use C4.
Malaysia is no longer the tourist favorite spot.
#49 by limkamput on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 3:29 pm
gundam,
I think you are talking cock, not us. If we did nothing, we still have every right to be here to give our comments. So what you have thousands of people there? What impact have you got? If we want to send our message peacefully as you said, then do it in the Parliament or State Assemblies. Demonstrations and marches must serve their purpose, i.e. to demonstrate and to march. It is to create attention and to exert pressure. So you think you have done great stuff because you were there? We can’t even get our focus right? Is it a political rally or is it a buttock showing concert? Who is in charge? If they can’t control a political rally, do you think they can control a government? Is it a political rally or is an avenue to sell some t-shirts or ice-cream? Honestly, if this is what the oppositions got, the government does not mind you have one every month – in Bukit Jalil, Shah Alam Stadium, etc, no problem. It is just like watching football matches.
#50 by gundam on Monday, 7 July 2008 - 3:45 pm
mr lim was implying tat anwar, LKS, ronnie liu, tian chua, teresa kok, RPK etc were talking cock there and served no purpose.