fear the free and fair.

Get the word out.

bersih yellow rally

http://www.malaysia-today.net/nuc2006/report07.php?itemid=158 - a mad comments page
http://www.jeffooi.com/2007/11/clean_up.php - with comparisons of local vs. international coverage
http://englishsection.com/
http://www.malaysiatoday.com/

No doubt that today will be reported in local newspapers and television as senseless chaos. But there is a great neatness in today's events, something that isn't just simply arranged, and doesn't just happen. Things have to be wrong for a terribly long time for thousands of people to fall into such a sensible structure.

Even today, a peaceful march were surprised by a sudden burst of gas and chemical water cannons, a hasty move by the police. These people had to flee to mosques for cover. Those in the crowd agitating others to start violence turned out to be police moles themselves. Eventually the police resorted to direct violence, even attacking a Swedish journalist with their shields.

I wish I could have been there today, even though I'm too young to vote. This tiny post is all I can do to make up for it.

Malaysian authorities have denied permission to hold the rally saying that it would "jeopardise public order" and they have vowed to arrest anyone who turns up.

Well I think it is a fabulous display of public order.

To Malaysians and the world watching, take a look at the words and faces of the people in the government as they express their anger & disappointment at how well their people come together. They are the laughing stock of the world, and their own people are less inclined to believe their crap. Unity Band be damned, they'll bite at their words for sure, so pay attention, because I think they are terrified. Or at least annoyed, that a fair lot of us still try.

Extra reading:
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/11/09/malays17297_txt.htm
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/09/asia/AS-GEN-Malaysia-Election-Rally.php
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Politics/?id=1.0.1534584258
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/11/10/malaysia.protests/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7088877.stm
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200711101864.htm
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/139691.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/10/2087437.htm
http://10nov.himpunan.info/ (thanks ili!)
http://tragedibatuburok.blogspot.com/

Addendum:
Jeff Ooi's entry on that day (he was there) and also more first-hand coverage at Melvin Mah's. Thank you Nina and Melissa for the kudos. There is a complete media blackout (at least in the English mainstream media) on behest of the Ministry Of Information, funnily enough, so only those privileged with Internet access and curiosity will be able to see the truth in yesterday's events. The rest will probably just conclude that 40,000 irresponsible people caused public mayhem and traffic jams just to stir up some meaningless fuss. Note the last-minute fluff piece right after the rally's coverage in Star on what a good mother the PM's wife is. It looks like a rush job, with an old badly scissored photo taking up half the page.