I attended the Hindraf anti-ISA candle light vigil on Saturday night. It was a great feeling to speak in unison with the masses of people gathered there, to let our voices be heard, loud and clear.

The event began with the Hindraf group, numbering several hundred, walking from the Masjid Jamek LRT station to Dataran Merdeka at about 7.15pm. They gathered at the entrance to Dataran Merdeka on Jalan Tun Perak and which was blocked off by a police cordon. Negotiations did not help in getting the group to gather in Dataran Merdeka.

The group kept swelling by the minute and soon there was probably over one thousand protestors gathered there chanting “Mansuhkan ISA, bebaskan peguam kita, Hindraf valga" with a thousand candles held high above their heads. What a beautiful sight it was. The chants continued louder and louder.

The Hindraf group was then joined by about several hundred Chinese supporters, all with candles.

Seeing that Dataran Merdeka was blocked, Hindraf leaders decided to lead the group on a march to the Kortu Malai Pillayar temple in Pudu. This was a wonderful move. What would have been a short stand at Dataran Merdeka turned into a high-visibility and extended peace march.

Then there were also many Malays taking part in the march, making it a truly multiracial one. I was very touched when I was offered a candle by a Chinese participant, who said “Brother, here take this, do not burn your fingers”.

The group marched very peacefully along Jalan Tun Perak. Such marches are always peaceful, unless there are agent provocateurs or the police take a high handed approach.

Sometimes I wonder at the need for all the FRU personnel, water cannons and tear gas. Why can’t our government allow us to speak, hear us out and act on our grievances? Malaysians are a wise bunch, all the government needs to do is listen to us with some humility.

It was an exhilarating feeling - though fleeting, to feel the strength of the people in this united expression against oppression.

The group, which I estimate at about 3,000 now reached the temple junction after about a one kilometer march - chanting in unison all the way "Mansuhkan ISA, Bebaskan peguam kita, Hindraf valga. Bebaskan Raja Petra".

The group slowly ascended the little hill to the Kortu Malai Pillayar temple. There, prayers were offered by a group while the rest waited patiently. Then, banners were raised, the Hindraf anthem 'Tholvi' was sung and speeches were made. At around 9.45pm or so the march ended. What a wonderful night it was!

The message was abundantly clear - the people are increasingly tired of the arrogant and deaf ways of the Umno-led BN government. The people are no longer cowed down by the government’s bullying tactics of sending in the police and their Special Branch and using the draconian ISA law , so they can keep the real issues of the people swept under the carpet.

The people are clamouring for a more open, transparent, fair and just system and are now more willing to show it, especially the youth of our country. Note the fact that Chinese Malaysian youngsters who typically shy away from such events are beginning to show up.

Note also the multiracial character of the group - this is a historical development. People are willing to show their feelings together - they are not afraid of harassment or arrest, and being associated with or led by groups portrayed by the BN-led media as radical.

The other significant fact to note is how Hindraf continues to lead the movement for change in our country. I believe Hindraf is the vanguard for change in our country. It has and continues to navigate through many obstacles to do this. The fact that Hindraf can do this despite the major obstacles it faces, is testimony to the objectives of Hindraf - national policy change to bring about national change for a more just , democratic, peaceful and prosperous Malaysia for all Malaysians.

It is therefore in the interest of the nation that the BN regime hears this loud expression and immediately releases all the ISA detainees, and abolishes the ISA. Continuing to hold them unlawfully, will be acting in total disregard of the wishes of the people.

Wake up, BN. Let the people speak, and listen to what they are saying.