B e n s t a k e s

Read updates in Malaysia-Today - the police have set up road blocks on all major roads leading to the city center. We were asked NOT to wear yellow while getting into city center.

Not knowing what to expect and with a yellow t-shirt stuffed inside a sling bag, hopped on the LRT and reached Masjid Jamek at 2pm. The sight from the station was overwhelming. The Masjid grounds was blanketed yellow. There was another huge crowd in yellow across the road. And there on the road were the ones in black with red helmets, the so called Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), in full riot gear complete with shields and gas masks. And not forgetting, the monstrous red trucks. It started to rain.

Suddenly, there were shouts and people started moving towards the LRT station, the water cannons were in action. They sprayed on the people across the road on the opposite side of the mosque. Though the water did not reach the LRT station next to the mosque, but all in here could feel the chemical in the air, stinging our eyes and skin. The rain helped.

10 mins later, a siren was heard, again the people moved and the cannons sprayed. Some 15 mins later, shots were heard and soon the tear gas fumes filled the air. Tried recording the scene with my cell phone, but could last only a few seconds before I had to turn, and then buckled over coughing, eyes burning. Felt sad for the 70 plus years old couple whose teary eyes looked blood shot. Someone then got them out to wash their faces with rain water. Tear gas fired again some 15 mins later, but I moved off, not wanting a 2nd experience.

3.00pm, meeting place was Dataran Merdeka, but the place was sealed off. There was no way of getting there. I was alone among the thousands. Good friend Siew Too then called, he and Sharon were walking over from KL Sentral, some 3 km away, as the trains were not moving. When they arrived, we had quick drink. But what now, where to go? The crowd was moving towards the Cultural Market, so we followed right up to the Palace area.

4.20pm a slight commotion in front of the Palace and the FRU started advancing. The men in maroon uniform quickly went into action and moved the people back. The crowd then retreated with shouts of "Daulat Tuanku" and "Hidup Rakyat". The WALK had ended. It was peaceful, it was clean, it was exhilarating.

The PEOPLE walked and the PEOPLE showed.


The cellphone pics and the two video clips on YouTube captured for posterity.

The FRU having 'taken over' Jalan Tun Perak


The FRU then 'conquered' the area surrounding Masjid Jamek


The People milling near the Palace


ST Liu and Sharon made the Walk


Road in front of the Palace sealed off (4.17pm)


The People making their way back from the Palace


The Unit Amal in maroon uniform who did a commendable job of crowd control


Dataran Merdeka still sealed off at 4.50pm


The Aggression at Masjid Jamek


The People leaving the Palace area



This picture (below) of Amri from Shah Alam speaks the thousand words of true grit and determination. (Picture stolen from The Peoples Parliament where Haris Ibrahim has written his thoughts).