YOURSAY 'We admire Asrul Wadi for his conviction; and despite his serious injuries, he never regretted his decision to participate in the rally.'

Bersih supporter hit by tear gas may lose sight in one eye

 
your say Munisamy Sinniah: Asrul Wadi Ahmad, tears ran down my cheeks when I read this article. I salute your sense of belonging to this country.

May the Almighty restore your eyesight soon. I am ready to contribute to your medical expenses. God bless you with a long and healthy life.

Ferdtan: As Asrul had lost his job in Penang, we appeal directly to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to help and reassure the brave Bersih 3.0 victim that the state would everything to help him get a good job.

To the Bersih 2.0 committee, please use your good office to approach either Penang or the Selangor government to ensure that it is done.

As to his medical fees, we hope there would be financial sponsors or a public donation fund drive to help in whatever way we can.

We admire Asrul Wadi for his conviction; and despite his serious injuries, he never regretted his decision to participate in the rally.

He even went further to say that he would join another rally if a Bersih 4.0 was organised. With youths like Asrul, there is still hope for Malaysia.

Flamescanner: Can the Bar Council advise Asrul of his legal rights to compensation? I think it is their obligation to do so.

I also have a feeling that the loss of employment on the grounds of him losing sight is considered 'unfair dismissal' and can be challenged in court.

If there are any legally-trained commentators on Malaysiakini , I would urge you to share your insight.

I am challenged, and at the same time humbled, by Asrul's comment that "as youths of the nation, we have a responsibility to ensure that our country remains democratic".

Asrul, hats off to you. I couldn't say that myself in the face of such adversity. Your culture, upbringing, education and maturity show. You have done your parents and nation proud.

Pakatan Rakyat, this is the kind of candidate you need on your team; not the half-baked, immature, imbecilic bums you seem to attract. Put Asrul up as a candidate in the coming GE and he will make the other guy lose his deposit.

Aku Bangsa Malaysia: I feel the grief for Asrul and I want to help him with some cash. I was there at the peaceful sit-in protest guarded by riot police.

Then the riot police, without warning, shot tear gas and spray from water cannons. I was crouching on the side of the bridge, barely five metres from the police truck.

My eyes began to feel the biting pain as the tear gas hit and I was drenched by the chemical-laced water that stung my body.

I would have escaped the full blast of the police brutality if not for a 10-year-old girl whose mom took her along.

Grabbing her right hand, I was slowed down by her immobilised legs and her terrified screams. So I had to stop and cover her under my body and held her very close to my chest to prevent her from getting hit.

I was visibly shaken by such brutality and felt the police had lost their conscience for humanity.

Satu Malaysian: What an unnecessary tragedy. Totally uncalled for. The police were seen attacking peaceful protesters as they were dispersing around 3pm.

If the barrier was breached at Dataran Merdeka, what was the necessity for the police officers to fire tear gas and water cannons and pursue the Bersih participants all the way downtown, to beat up and arrest those who had nothing to do with the breach at the Dataran?

Whatever cover-up that PM Najib Razak is now desperately scheming is of little use as the people are well aware of the police brutality that many believe was inflicted with an ulterior motive.

As for brother Asrul Wadi, my heartfelt sympathy for your pain and suffering and possible loss of sight in your right eye. I admire your courage in speaking up and expressing your willingness to stand up for the democratic rights of Malaysians.

I wish to appeal to Malaysiakini or Bersih to set up a fund for his medical expenses and also to assist other Bersih participants who were victims.

Dont Just Talk: Asrul should return to his kampung and share his stories to the illiterate, humble, honest and hard-working Malay folk.

The simple-minded rural Malays, who are the fixed deposit of the corrupt Umno, should open their eyes to see why Bersih organisers are shot at with tear gas canisters and chemical-laced water just for asking for clean and fair elections.

Wake up folks, and do the right thing at the 13th general election.

Timothy: Can the eye specialist consider overseas options to to save his eyes? We will help with the financial part. Please explore every option to save his eye.

What is the difference between shooting bullets and tear gas canisters at unarmed citizens? One disables you permanently, another disables parts of your body permanently.

Sue! Sue them for all medical bills and loss of income.

Logger123: Poor fella. So Pakatan leaders, Bersih leaders, are you going to help this guy get his vision back?

When Umno says, "Putrajaya over broken bodies", they mean it. And you knew it. Irresponsible leaders.

It was fortunate that no children got hurt. There are ways to prove a point, but ‘mencabar' (challenge) Umno? Get ready for more. And this is in a way, hudud. Break the law, break your bones.

Odin: Sue the police, the home minister and his ministry, the unelected PM, and the government.

Firing of tear-gas canisters directly at humans is a despicable act. I will donate to any fund set up for you, brother.

I am not a Malay and not from your land, but that is immaterial. I understand one Mohd Fazwan also got hit in the face and his left eye injured.

Skeat: The government will say "we won't be responsible as we warned you not to attend", or "as Bersih was an illegal rally, you should sue Ambiga for your loss".

Kelantanese: Asrul is another hero of the rakyat. He requires support in whatever way we can provide.

Would Malaysiakini please assist in getting Asrul's account number and publish in so that we can help contribute directly to his account?

Bersih and the Penang government can also help further by setting up another fund for his medical expenses while Suaram can help by suing the ass off Najib's sinking Umno-BN government and police for their cruel misdeed.

I am so truly touched seeing the responses of Malaysiakini readers which truly shows the kind of 1Malaysia spirit we should have - not the kind of Najib's often misleading 1Malaysia, which is only to serve his filthy political agenda. Shame on you, Najib.

Swipenter: The first priority is to try to save his eyesight. I am sure that many would contribute to his medical and related expenses, whether the treatment is done locally or overseas.

We must stand together through thick and thin, good times and bad times for his sake as well as for the sake for all of us and our future generations to have and enjoy a better future for our country, free from corruption and governed by rule of law, fair and equal opportunities for all, justice and mercy.

We must be united as one and not divided by race and religion.

Inspektor Klueso: Instead of simple venting of anger at the thuggish actions of the tyrannical institutions of the land, let's set up a fund to accord Asrul the best ophthalmological care in the hope of restoring his precious eyesight.

Here's my pledge of RM500. Let's not only talk the talk, but walk the talk.

Trublumalaysian: Knowing the regime's current bozos; they're capable of saying that the tear gas wasn't shot by them but it's all an act of sabotage by Bersih and opposition.

Sounds far-fetched, but going by the stupidity of their statements of late; it won't come as a surprise.

 

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