on the 10 nov, there was this mass protest on the streets of malaysia, about 400000-60000 people attended the mass rally according to al jazeera, and about 4000 according to the ever faithful local newspapers if it was reported. well, perhaps, protest is not quite the right word but a public rally to submit a memorandum to the King demanding clean and fair election (election due to be called early next year most probably). whilst i do support the call for free and fair election, i'm not very sure about the call for royal intervention. i was just going to write something rude about the royal families (9 of them or so from each state who then pick one to lead the nation for 5 years or so) or i could be charged under the sedition act for disrespecting the monarch. yep, that kind of archaeic law like the one they use in thailand. nuff said...
another protest, this time closer to `home'. a group of malaysians of indian origins has planned a mass gathering of possibly 10000 or so, to submit something, not sure what it's called to the British High commission in KL on the 23 Nov, yes, this sunday requesting HM the Queen to set up a royal commission or enquiry of some kind for the hardship and oppression they have brought to the families and children of these ethnic indian malaysians who were brought in by the British about 150 years ago. they were promised free and equitable life before the brits handed malaya its independence but the community has been sidelined since independence in 1957 and continued to be so at present day. well, if one hasn't heard of malaysian infamous quota/positive discrimination against other ethnic groups in malaysia to assist the majority malay muslims, just speak to any non malay malaysians and you'll get an earful. it's not my intention to have a discussion about this big social reengineering project, but suffice to say, plenty of ill feelings abound amongs the various ethnic groups in malaysia if one were to open ones eyes and ears (except to listen to the government).
anyway, back to this mass gathering. so, as in any other countries in the east, street protest or mass civil gathering against the government is very rare and unusual or `uneastern', hence, unlawful and people and most importantly, the government are not used to although these government purportedly practice democracy (not sure which dictionary they use). alas, police are setting up road blocks (more efficient than catching the crooks on and off the street if one were to read all the socio-politico blogs by malaysians). so, now there is this massive big traffic jams caused by the police action (but have been solely blamed on the planned protest on the local media propaganda). a quick check on the BBC news hasn't revealed anything yet. i wonder if anyone is going to take this Hindraf group seriously at all. but bravo for their spirits. o yes, and many indian malaysian lawyers who are behind the organisation of the gathering on the 23 nov have been arrested, handcuffed and all that and charged under the sedition act (yes, another legacy of the brit -oops, not trying to put any blame here).
so now, i guess it's just wait and see if there is going to be enough people power to move this arrogant and imbecile malaysian government to do something about this section of isolated, sidelined community of malaysians. and i wonder if the BBC is going to even take up the news or deemed the gathering newsworthy. we shall see...
good luck and bravo to all those to who stood and continue to stand against oppresive, authoritarian regimes. i must admit i've no balls when it comes to that, i can't even stand up for myself to the ward sisters or ward manager or some of my colleagues. am i a bad nurse? can i be a true patient advocate? can nurses be true patient advocate (standing up to the authority or their medical colleagues) - at this moment in time, i seriously doubt it.