'I will be there, and I fervently hope the numbers will speak for itself for a change of government or for anyone else replacing them.'
Bersih to march on July 9 for free, fair elections
Paul Warren: The Umno-BN government would be wise to just issue the police permit and let the rally happen. The rally will end in a matter of hours.
But if they try to be clever, which no one seems to be able to tell them that they are not, then, Tunisia, Egypt and Syria beckon. Just let it happen and let the police help to ensure a peaceful rally. It will not be news and Al-Jazeera will be disappointed.
Unfortunately, since we have idiots in our cabinet and a bigger idiot in our home minister, I guess he thinks a show of power is what is needed. Well, I have given my advice for free.
Toffeesturn.blogspot.com: Count me in for this rally. I shall be there and I urge all peace-loving Malaysians to be there. It is after all a peaceful protest, and we should up the ante, make it a million people. Malaysians can do that.
To get Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim out of the picture so that they can break up the opposition coalition, they have accused him of all sorts of things, and now they are threatening his family. They seem willing to do everything, including pulling an Aquino on Anwar.
We have to fight for Anwar for in fighting for him, we fight for justice for all Malaysians.
Patriot: This is a show of support for, by and of all Malaysians, and if we are sincere and care for the welfare and goodwill of all and for our national interests, then our presence is needed as a symbol of what we all stand for and expect of our elected representatives.
I will be there, whatever the outcome maybe, and I fervently hope the numbers will speak for itself for a change of government or for anyone else replacing them.
Dev: I will be there! Let's make it HUGE, guys.
Cannon: A suggestion for the organisers to consider - can they hold this rally in a big stadium, preferably near to LRT station, like Kelana Jaya Stadium? It will facilitate security and crowd control.
The organisers must not allow the other side to plant agent provocateurs to cause trouble and provide an excuse for the police to stop the rally.
Chandran Sukumaran: Holding rally in a big stadium will not give much impact to the cause. A street rally will show the whole world and visitors to the country the kind of government we have in Malaysia.
As for de facto law minister Nazri Abdul Aziz's statement on ‘everyone entitled to free speech', I think he meant only for Umno supporters. Some good examples are Ibrahim Ali, Perkasa and Utusan Malaysia .
Others are troublemakers and they are not entitled to express themselves in the open.
Dood: Expect the Polis Raja Di Malaysia to be there. And unlike Perkasa and Umno's protests, don't expect them to just stand by the sidelines to watch.
Docs: It looks like the FRU (riot police) has been given ample time to prepare for this peaceful demonstration by Bersih. They can ensure that their water cannon are functioning well and they have adequate supply of tear-gas canisters.
Also it's best to give the FRU trucks a good paint job. After all, I'm sure the FRU would like to look good on international TV when the FRU assault takes place against the peaceful demonstrators.
Umno too will have time to get their speeches/reasoning ready for the international media covering this ‘FRU crushing peaceful demonstration' when they interview them. My suggestion to Umno - restrain Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and Nazri from making comments.
These two fellows will try to outdo each other on making the ‘stupidest' public comment.
Voice: The blocking of major roads to stop people from flocking to Kuala Lumpur is not a good idea. The reason is Bersih or Pakatan Rakyat may not just concentrate on the rally in KL.
Of course, they will aim for the big one in KL. But if obstacles set in such as the blocking of major roads, they may have alternatives plans at hand. They can aim for numerous rallies in other parts of Selangor such as in Shah Alam, Klang, Rawang/Serendah, etc, with around 10,000 each.
This alternative rallies can create impact as well and will surely reach out to more people. So I hope the government will not take any measure to stop this rally in KL and deny the people's right to freedom of speech.
Anonymous_4031: Let us hear from Nazri and Hishammuddin, that it is the "norm" for Malaysians to walk peacefully and demonstrate for ‘free and fair' elections.
Orphanage landslide: 16 dead, nine survivors
Cala: It may be too late to find fault as to the causes of this latest tragedy. Still to be fair to the families of the deceased, one would be interested to know whether the said building was ever issued with a proper set of certificate of occupation for human habitation.
If there was, whether the architect/consulting engineers had submitted proper plans for the local authority's approval? Were the relevant laws as prescribed in Street, Drainage and Building Act, Local Government Act, and Uniform Building By-laws complied? Had they received approval for earthwork plans?
I hate to speculate. But given the context of the tragedy, I would not be surprised at all that the immediate environment of the said building was totally ignored by omission or by commission by persons concerned. In particular, the crime of the latter is not excusable.
Anonymous_40f4: The orphanage has been preparing an event for Finas (National Film Development Corporation) to make a documentary. Now after the collapse, they say the orphanage is illegal and not registered.
Tmf: There are many spots around Templer's Park/Perangsang Resorts with recent landslides and other signs of soil erosion due to illegal felling of trees and also other illegal earthworks.
Numerous written complaints to Majlis Perbandaraan Selayang and even police reports were made. As expected, no action. Must lives be sacrificed before those in authority take action?
Anonymous_3f4b: My utmost condolences to the families of the departed 16. The fact that they are orphans without the immediate care and love of their parents made it all the more painful.
May Allah the most gracious and merciful take care of them in the hereafter. May their souls rest in peace.
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