A PKR assemblyperson has reminded the people how “democracy does not come down from the sky on its own”.

Speaking at a candlelight vigil held for currently remanded PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli last night, Simpang Pulai assemblyperson Tan Kar Hing said he was asked by friends on Facebook what else needed to be done as BN and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak are still in power despite people going to the streets.

“My answer was - there has never been democracy that came down by itself automatically from the sky, never,” he said.

The democracy enjoyed today, said Tan, was achieved by efforts to tear down the walls surrounding it.

“And the results will be enjoyed by our future generations. I remember how 10, 17 years ago, demonstrations were not the norm.

“But today, many attend candlelight vigils. So I told my friends, don’t be sad and disappointed because those tyrants won’t be sad, they will instead laugh if they see that we are sad.”

Citing former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who is currently incarcerated for a sodomy conviction, Tan opined that Rafizi is the “second Anwar”.

“So who will be the third Anwar?” said the PKR Youth vice chief posing this to the crowd.

200 light candles for Rafizi

Rafizi was arrested on Tuesday under Section 8 of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) after revealing classified documents concerning the Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT).

He was remanded for three days and is currently held at the Jinjang police lockup.

At the vigil held for him in front of the police lockup, political and civil society leaders, apart from making five to 10-minute speeches, led chants of “ hidup rakyat ” (long live the people) and “ bebas Rafizi” (free Rafizi).

The event attracted some 200 supporters mainly those from the Chinese community. This is not surprising, however, since Jinjang is a Chinese-majority area.

Supporters held lit candles and placards of “bebas Rafizi”, listening attentively to the speeches although they all had to stand, gathering around a large tree outside the lockup during the two-hour event.

Other leaders who gave speeches were Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, Jingga 13 coordinator Fariz Musa, Ipoh Timor MP Thomas Su, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) central committee member S Arutchelvan and Suaram coordinator Amir Abd Hadi.

Vigil to continue

Meanwhile, Johor PKR publicity chief Akmal Nasir affirmed that the vigil was the first of more to come, until Rafizi is released from detention.

“Tomorrow we will still be here at the same time to gather (to show support),” said Akmal, who however cautioned those present not to use up their energy as Rafizi might still be detained up to next week.

Meanwhile, Kuala Langat parliamentarian Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid said Rafizi had told him how he was ready to be detained after revealing the documents.

“This is the person who has exposed all kinds of misappropriations. He set aside riches he had obtained in his time at Petronas back then,” he pointed out.

PKR information chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh meanwhile told the crowd that “we are all Rafizi”.

The Pandan MP, he said, had fought due to his principles and his strong courage to “fight for justice and truth”.

“He was willing to face risks and make sacrifices - characteristics which Umno leaders do not have,” he said.

Pointing out how Rafizi has gained support not only from among party leaders, but from people from all walks of life, be it Chinese, Indian or Malay, from the young or senior citizens.

“What were his faults? He defended retired servicemen, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) scholars and those going for the haj. Were these wrongdoings on his part?” asked Syed Ibrahim to a “No!” from the crowd.

Concluding the event, Akmal jokingly told those present to continue to stay at the area if they wanted to, and that they could even sleep there as there was “24-hour security”.

Urging the audience members to bring five more people each to the vigil to be held tonight, Akmal then ended the event with cries of “ bebas Rafizi”,“ mansuh OSA” (abolish OSA) and “ reformasi ”.

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