Why did police fail to arrest Chinese hooligans?
From Malaysiakini’s Andrew Khoo Chin Hock opinion article,”A spirit of intolerance”
Olympic torch incident
The second event is yet another press report, not denied thus far, stating that_
three people were arrested during the recently-held Olympic torch relay in Kuala Lumpur.
What caught my attention was the apparent offence by two of these persons, a Japanese couple, namely the wearing of pro-Tibet t-shirts.
Are we returning to our bad habits?
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Have we suddenly become so intolerant of dissent
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(or is it a fear of incurring the wrath of the Chinese government)
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that the mere wearing of pro-Tibet t-shirts can now get you arrested by the Malaysian police?
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Once again, are the authorities clamping down on the freedom of expression?
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Are we once again so fearful of minority voices that they must be so powerfully squelched?
Kuala Lumpur for a Free Tibet
Faces of thugs
See that yellow banner? That was mine. These thugs from PRC forcefully took it away from me. Crooks and theives, they are. For background story, read the immediate previous entry.
Then a stranger (in pink hat, in front of the flag) confronted these foreign thugs for stealing my banner.
As she tried to get the banner back, these thugs began to harass her. Many of those harassing her were the ones harassing me.
Then, the whole pack joined in.
The crowd went wild. I felt terrible about not coming to her aid at this point. She came to mine and I failed to come to hers.
And a clear shot of two thugs. I remember those faces.
Some of the photos sent to Reuters. I want these faces to go all over the world. There will be not virtual Great Wall to stop that.
Thugs from PRC
I just got back from the whole event and it was a scary experience.
I have been to several rallies in the US and in Malaysia but this experience is the scariest of all.
I brought with me a yellow banner with the word “LIBERTY” on it.
After awhile walking, I was harassed by volunteers from PRC at the Dataran Merdeka and the police did nothing to help me. About 20 thugs from the so-called volunteers youth from PRC surrounded me while flying their red flags-as if trying to cover up their action-and pushing me around. While doing so, they told me not to politicize the Olympics but I told them back that the PRC politicized the Olympics back in the 40s up to the 70s. And the PRC is politicizing the Olympics even right now. Just look at the shirt they were wearing! That made them upset.
Another person shouted that this is China’s Olympics and it is not my problem, not Malaysia’s problem. He said this is a PRC event and I was told to leave. I told them back that the Olympics belongs to the whole world and THIS IS MALAYSIA, NOT COMMUNIST CHINA. That got them doubly upset and it became physical. They finally grabbed my banner and ran away. Somebody, I would want to emphasize, CHINESE MALAYSIAN woman, came to my aid to get the banner back from PRC thugs. She too was later harassed. This event caused a frenzy (the thugs from PRC were on something) and they were shouting, according to the Malaysian friend of mine, insults in Chinese. The police had to calm these thugs down.
As for the banner, it was gone.
And I am very unhappy with the Malaysian police at the Dataran Merdeka. She was harassed but she was the one given a warning while the thugs got away freely. Are Malaysian police work to protect us Malaysians or thugs from PRC?
But she turned up okay and we were interviewed by Bloomberg later. There was The Star reporter but like that newly met friend of mine said, it might not worth the while to talk to them. But I, trying to be polite, talked to the The Star reporter anyway.
Things calmed down until the relay started. I shouted FREE TIBET but was again harassed. This time one person from PRC grabbed me from behind. Being defensive, I pushed him back and shouting “TOLONG” to two police officers nearby. When the police came over but the PRC guy just walked off into the crowd. After some explanation, the police however advised me to let it go. It seems, the police feared these thugs.
After the whole hoo-ha, I noticed that some thugs were stalking me. So, I stayed close to several police officers, being friendly with them in hope those stalkers would back off. It took some time before the thugs relented.
I was slightly shaken but hey, it strengthens my belief in liberty. I’ve been so far only simulating liberty in my head but this is it. Coercion was used upon me and that is a cause for greater stress in liberty.
These thugs are not used to free speech and they tried to impose their un-free political culture back in PRC on others. To them, I say, to hell with you. And if this is how you treat differences in opinion, I would be honored to have been “brainwashed” by the “western media”.
I left Dataran Merdaka for KLCC to make another banner. Bought a yellow corru board and a blue marker from Kinokuniya (too bad there was no Carrefour around) and started redoing my banner in front of Kinokuniya. Curious onlookers watched me and one person whispered to me: free Tibet.
I later ended up at Jalan P. Ramlee but it was pouring like cats and dogs. I took some shots of the Torch but that was it. As with my new banner, the police kindly asked me to put it away. I only obliged since they asked of me kindly, but I informed them why I am doing this. They understood, they agreed with me but they just didn’t want any trouble. In the end, we ended up having a long mundane friendly conversation until I decided to leave for home.
To those in Jakarta and Sydney, be extra careful with these PRC thugs. They are rough and they have no respect for free speech. They don’t mind using force. Make sure you go in groups to protect yourself.
I didn’t have the luxury of going in groups. People like me were badly outnumbered. In fact, three Japanese protesting against occupation of Tibet were thrown out of Dataran Merdeka by the thugs. Not by the police but by the thugs. This makes me wonder, is this OUR COUNTRY or a state under communist PRC?
And that is it from Kuala Lumpur for a Free Tibet. Pictures and more reports will be posted at Metblogs KL. After all, this project is an off-shoot at Metblogs KL.
Jakarta, Sydney, over to you.
Read this remarks in Malaysiakini, “Malaysian hypocrisy over Tibet”, first and kindly continue with my comments.
‘What if Thailand had sent its army and tanks into Malaysia? And then what if Bangkok were to host the 2020 Olympic Games?’
On Olympic torch arrives in KL amid heavy security
Scott Thong Yu Yuen: As our nation’s leader warn against Malaysians holding protests against the Beijing Olympics, I feel compelled to ask a pertinent question – what if Thailand had sent its army and tanks into Malaysia and conquered the entire Peninsula? And then what if Bangkok were to host the 2020 Olympic Games?
Would Malaysians be all smiley and happy-happy about the Olympic Torch relay while our country remained occupied as a ‘rightful province of historic Greater Siam’? Would our neighbours keep officially silent about the gradual replacement of Malaysian multi-culture with Thai customs and norms, just to stay on the good side of the Thai economic giant?
Would our mainstream media newspapers only print letters that bash the West for daring to criticise and politicise the Thailand Games? Heck, what if instead of China Olympics and Tibetan protestors, they were having Israel Olympics and Palestinian protestors? Do you think that the same people calling for the Olympic Games not to be politicised would keep singing the same tune? Do you think that our politicians would call for public restraint, or public protests?
(If you want a hint, just look at the recent hoo-ha over two Israeli members in an English football team who came close to being denied entry to our tolerant nation.) In my honest opinion, it is totally one’s prerogative to protest whatever you want or to condemn whatever protest is being held.
Just don’t act as if you yourself are completely just, righteous and fair-minded. Be honest and admit your highly political biases. I looked at my nation in the mirror, and saw only hypocrisy.
The Star Online letter April 23, 2008
THOUSANDS of locals and pro-Chinese supporters descended on the streets in Kuala Lumpur on Monday to greet and cheer the Olympic torch run.
Among the crowd, hundreds of students from China took the opportunity to showcase their love for their home country, chanting proud slogans, outpouring their triumph and jubilation.
Everyone seemed to be celebrating and immersing in the Olympic spirit of respect, peace and love.
It was indeed a beholding scene, to see so much joy and happiness.
But all these suddenly took an ugly turn when a Japanese family of three tried to unfold a Tibet flag among the crowd. They were jeered, mobbed and besieged by a large number of Chinese students.
Had not the police taken swift action ( Comment: BUT FAILED TO ARREST THE AGGRESSORS) to escort them away, one wonders what might have happened to the three innocent souls.
At that moment, I wonder what happened to the Olympic spirit that we are celebrating?
Aren’t we supposed to promote respect, peace, love and understanding?
How could it be possible for three unarmed persons (two adults and a confused kid) to create chaos or disturb the torch run?
They are there only to exercise basic right of expression and they did it peacefully.
Shouldn’t they too be equally respected just like the hundreds of Chinese students out there to express their side of feelings?
When others do not share the same views as you, it does not mean that they are wrong.
When the crowd are larger in numbers, the voices are louder; but it does not mean that they are right.
LOH LAY LEE,
Penang.
From Datuk Marina Mahathier’s Rantingsby MM site
The China contingent lining the streets. The (PRO-CHINESE)crowd at KLCC waiting for the torch in the rain.
My comment: Shameless insult of those Foreign Chinese on Malaysia sovereignty ?
ORIGINAL POST:
Hi folks, sorry haven’t updated but as some of you may be aware, I am one of the 80 people doing the Olympic Torch Run today. If you have the time, do line the route and cheer us on. I’m Runner No 46 and will be running in front of Sungei Wang Plaza around 4.15pm and I think I’m handing the torch over to Ras Adiba Radzi.
Yesterday morning, there was a wonderful multifaith prayer for peace for the people of Tibet, for a successful run in Malaysia and also for the Olympic Games. There were also some Tibetan monks in attendance.
Dr Amir Farid Isahak gave a wonderful doa for peace amongst all peoples, quoting the Quran about how God had made us all of different tribes so that we may know one another.
Then we all lit a candle for peace amongst all the people of the world.
(Grateful thanks to Jinggo for the photos.)
UPDATE 2: Fellow blogger Hafiz went through a scary experience at Dataran Merdeka.
The funny thing was that, like Dataran Merdeka, there were a lot of Chinese nationals with Chinese flags and banners in Chinese. Along the road to Stadium Merdeka, a lot of schoolchildren lined the sides of the road with banners that were obviously pro-China.
In fact that was the odd thing about the run.
There were simply more Chinese flags than there were Malaysian ( and very large ones at that).
And there were banners which were obviously political in nature, very pro-China. Obviously it was all very well-planned by the Chinese government.
Which was a pity when they are always going on about how the Olympics are non-political.
In fact that was the odd thing about the run. There were simply more Chinese flags than there were Malaysian ( and very large ones at that). And there were banners which were obviously political in nature, very pro-China. Obviously it was all very well-planned by the Chinese government. Which was a pity when they are always going on about how the Olympics are non-political.
MY COMMENTS
Just look at the mainstream newspapers, columns, articles and letters to editors are shamelessly full with one sided support on China. Look like they were paid or by bribed by the Chinese authorities.
And Chinese Communists are using their overseas gangsters and forcing their citizen-students to show force, support, protest and intimidate the anti-Chinese pro-Tibet groups.
Just look at the life TV news. Chinese Flags every where. In their hands, on the cheeks and everywhere. These FOREIGNERS ignore the host country, Malaysian flag. Shameful that the Malaysian authorities keep quiet. These Chinese Foreigners snub the Malaysians’ nose.
Malaysian authorities even threatened the various Burmese Groups. Messages, phone calls and faxes were said to be sent,“We don’t want to see any protest or disturbance. If you Burmese do anything, we will arrest all, even the refugees and all the Burmese Welfare organizations.”
Minor hiccups and a handful of arrests during run
Tuesday April 22, 2008 Star Online
KUALA LUMPUR: Two minor incidents occurred during the Malaysian leg of the Olympic torch run here, resulting in several foreigners including a monk being detained.
At Dataran Merdeka, where the event began, a Japanese couple and their five-year-old son and another foreigner were detained for wearing T-shirts with the wordings “Free Tibet.”
Human barrier: A group of youths blocking a suspected Tibet supporter from demonstrating against the torch relay in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. — Bernama
City police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman said all of them were detained at about 1.20pm, but were released after their statements were taken at the Dang Wangi police headquarters.
DCP Muhammad Sabtu added that a monk was detained when he tried to escape upon spotting the presence of policemen.
He said investigations revealed that the monk tried to escape for fear of being arrested as he left his passport in the hotel.
Another scuffle also ensued before the run in Dataran Merdeka when a group of Chinese national students took away a banner emblazoned with the word “Liberty” from a 24-year-old woman known only as Gek.
(For Chinese communists Liberty is crime. Why come here, the west and liberated world. You should just stay in your bloody Communist China.)
It was learnt that the group hit Gek’s head at least three times and chanted “One world, one dream, one China”.
(Shit! What did you mean? You want to colonize the whole world? You BLOOD COMMUNISTS, GO TO HELL!)
The situation was defused when another woman calmed the members down and told them not to create trouble.
It was revealed later that the banner did not belong to Gek, but to Hafiz Noor Shams, 26, who said he came to the torch relay “to witness things”.
Asked on his intentions in bringing such a banner, Hafiz said that it was only a one-word banner.
“But they are free to interpret however they like,” he said, admitting that he was pro-Tibet.
In a separate incident, several hundred Chinese national students demonstrated peacefully against the foreign media for casting a bad light on China in its reports when the torch reached Stadium Merdeka at 3.25pm yesterday.
(Who allow this, who issue police permit. Why were they not arrested?)
They held banners which read “Stop Media Distortion” and “Respect China’s Voice” while chanting anthems on the sovereignty of their homeland.
Business administration student Yue Hou Min, 23, from Beijing said her country was being made to “look bad” by foreign media such as the BBC and CNN.
(Pity Yue Hou Min your bloody UGLY CHINA is already its BEASTY FEATURES!)
Last of all, why the group that hit Gek’s head at least three times and shouted at are NOT ARRESTED? Not investigated. Are those gangsters affiliated to any political party?
I was at the KL Towers earlier this morning and I caught up with the relay test run:
I found out from a forestry department personnel that the torch run will cut through the Bukit Nanas Forest Complex. As many as 500 individuals will crowd into the small path that cuts through the minute forest reserve. They will enter the reserve through Convent Bukit Nanas entrance before reaching the KL Tower.
I wanted to shout “FREE TIBET” but I thought I’d want to save my voice for tomorrow.
A number of major roads will be closed tomorrow to accommodate for the run. During the BERSIH rally, people complaint about the rally causing traffic congestion. I wonder if the same voice would be heard when the torch run causes the same congestion tomorrow…
Well, I’m almost ready for tomorrow. I bought my banners and all from, drum roll please, Carrefour.
Yup, they’re French.
Exact route now known!
The exact route is now known.
The relay starts at 2PM at Dataran Merdeka and ends about 6PM at KLCC.
According to sources, runners will not run the whole stretch. They will run from one place to another and then get on a bus before dropping off further down the route to run again. Basically, run, bus, run, bus…
I plan to be at the Dataran Merdeka at noon and KLCC at 5:30PM.
Judging by the words on the streets, there will be a lot of people: those sympathetic to the PRC, to Tibet, to Falungong, to Darfur, CIA operatives, special branches, Martians… Look out for Chairman Mao!
See you there.
Relay starts at 2PM at Dataran Merdeka
The relay will start at 2pm from Dataran Merdeka and end at KLCC. Among the roads/landmarks the Olympic flame will be passing through are Jalan Mahameru, Stadium Merdeka, Bukit Bintang and Jalan Tun Razak. [Torch run honor. The Star. April 17 2008]
I’ll be at the Dataran Merdeka at noon.
More information about the Olympic Torch Relay route
The run will begin at Dataran Merdeka and end at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Along the way, it will pass by Wisma OCM, the City Hall building, Parliament House, the National Museum, National Mosque, Old Central Railway Station and the Chinese Assembly Hall. [Police to ensure smooth Olympic torch relay on Monday. The Star. April 18 2008]
For the protest, let’s hang around the two stairwells leading to the LRT tunnel just outside of the Petronas Twin Towers from 9AM to whenever the torch will arrive the Towers.
And heh:
Internal Security and Public Order Director Commissioner Datuk Hussin Ismail said all the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure the 16.5km torch relay ran smoothly.
He said there were indications of people wanting to disrupt the run. [Police to ensure smooth Olympic torch relay on Monday. The Star. April 18 2008]
I don’t know about disrupting. I just want to hold banners.
And the best thing:
“We are in the midst of collecting the necessary information to ascertain whether these people are from outside or within the country. [Police to ensure smooth Olympic torch relay on Monday. The Star. April 18 2008]
(Sarcasm starts) Yes, I work for the CIA. If you are really curious about our facilities at Langley, we have this excellent network of terminals where we play Warcraft whenever we aren’t conspiring against any government. (Sarcasm ends).
Dalai Lama is popular at the University of Michigan
Dalai Lama will be giving a speech at the University of Michigan on sustainability in celebration of Earth Day.
I think, the question of PRC, Tibet and the Olympics will come up.
And judging from the ticket “sale”, he seems to be popular. Or maybe, that’s just economics in action
Free press will solve bias
Supporters of PRC argue that western media is biased while reporting on Tibet. Well, everybody has their biases, including Chinese media. It is really hypocritical for supporters of PRC to accuse other sources critical of PRC’s handling of Tibet as biased when PRC sources themselves are controlled by the state and only report what the communist state approves of.
There is only one way to solve that: allow free media and let individuals make up their own mind from competing sources.
EU may join boycott
The snowball is rolling down the hill.
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution urging EU leaders to boycott the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony.
MEPs want China to begin a dialogue with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama by August.
The resolution firmly condemns “the brutal repression” by China in last month’s crackdown on Tibetan protests. [MEPs call for EU Olympics boycott. BBC NEWS. April 10 2008]
Filed under: English Article, Human Rights, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged: Chinese Olympic, Malaysia, Malaysiakini, Tibet
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