This is the second Merdeka. I will always regret that I was overseas and could not be at Kelana Jaya stadium last night.
I am a cold, cynical character these days, but I nearly wept when I saw these photos of the rally last night. Kudos to TV Smith, who took this wonderful, wonderful series of photos. One day, these photos will become as iconic as the photo of Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1957.
We are so accustomed to seeing the ugly face of Malaysia that we have almost forgotten what the beautiful face looks like.
These are photos of hope, of faith, of love, of pride.
This… is what the beautiful face of Malaysia looks like.
[ All photos by TV Smith. Please visit his/her blog ]
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[…] The Beautiful Face of Malaysia | … […]
Thanks for the link to TV Smith’s page. (He’s a he, btw.)
Messy Christian’s got some gorgeous pictures of the rally up on her blog as well.
http://messychristian.com/?p=496
Being away from home, esp. now, sucks BIG-time.
[ GhL ] – Thanks for the clarification about TV Smith and the link to Messy Christian, Sheena.
It warms my cold angry heart that there is hope for Malaysia after all.
Now for the coup de grace.
I was there with my father-in-law.
Despite the mainstream media saying there is an increase in racial tensions, what I’d experienced was totally different.
We had our prayers whilst surrounded by Chinese, Indian and other races. The other races respected what we were doing.
The various races sat together and listened to the speeches and were civil to each other.
My conclusion, politicians or media personnel who stokes the racial flame should be arrested under ISA or the Sedition Act.
[ GhL ] – It’s good to hear from someone who was there.
By all accounts, this was a far truer display of Malaysian muhibbah than the artificial ‘Merdeka’ stage-events put up by BN – which has never been and will never be interested in true harmony. By defining itself along racial and communal lines, BN is structurally incapable of representing all Malaysians.
The rakyat want change. This is clear for all to see, even the densest BN blockhead can see that. And change will come.
But we must abolish the ISA and severely restrict the use of the Sedition Act when Pakatan comes to power. These outdated laws are too easily abused – by anyone. There are sufficient existing laws to deal with racist thugs like Ahmad Ismail, Khir Toyo and Utusan.
And we will deal with them.
Hey,
Dropped by from mycen, don’t be too angry. I was angry before too, until i realised that there are a lot of people who feel just like us. Drop by my blog and read it some time, I did a posting on my feelings towards Malaysia’s situation, I think you might feel the same.
[ GhL ] – I do, Kell^. Despite my best efforts, I can barely suppress my anger at UMNO-BN’s continually-growing list of misdeeds and outright crimes against the Malaysian people, but I do hold out hope that we can make things better.
Kelana Jaya renews our faith in the Malaysian people.
In the meantime before Pakatan Rakyat takes over, we need to pressure the BN Government to abolish the draconian law – which is against the grain of human rights. It’s just totally wrong!
There are more candle-light vigils lined up in Penang. That’s the way to go, Penang! Visit the DAP blog to get info.
BTW, thanks for dropping by my blog.
cheers
Reports on the Penang’s Anti-ISA Candle-light Vigil: http://www.danielykl.com/blog/2008/09/17/anti-isa-protest-at-gurney-penang/
Now is the time for FORGIVENESS & RECONCILIATION.
Will our ‘leaders’ have the will to preserve and respect human dignity?
Will they behave like real, unselfish, self-sacrificing STATESMEN?