Selamat Datang ke Istana Keadilan.
(Is that what they call it? Palace Of Justice, right?)
A welcome from up high too.
What is she saying? Dei! Speak up da! It's hot standing here la.
This morning I joined fellow members of Allblogs and other friends in Putrajaya for a morning stroll in support of the Malaysian Bar Council's Walk For Justice. The latter were going to give a memo to the Cabinet calling for the setting up of a Royal Commission to investigate issues jeopardising the Judiciary which I presume was triggered by the broadcast of the now infamous
Shock-a-Lingam video.
My friends and I arrived early. There were not many participants there yet. Turned out that the police had stopped the buses ferrying the walkers from Dataran Merdeka from driving up to the Palace Of Justice (POJ) which was the proposed starting point of the walk. Those who took the buses had to make the trek of almost 5 kilometers to the POJ. Each tired arrival was greeted by a roar of support from those lucky enough to have driven and let through the barricades. It was quite a sight actually to see all these legal beagles dressed up in black and white jackets and ties standing on the steps of the Palace Of Justice. There was much friendliness and smiles all round. Everyone was in good spirits. Enjoying a good morning out with friends and colleagues. The fact that there was a cause too seemed almost like a bonus. I overheard someone say that it is a momentous occasion because to get so many lawyers together was something very rare. And there was not a drop of alcohol in sight either! That's his joke ok?
We all looked like we were having a good morning tokkok session. Except for the garment (government) flers la. They took it very seriously. Or looked like it.
Soon after I arrived I saw a squad of Federal Reserve Unit men, all dressed up in full riot gear, march up the steps of the POL and position themselves across the main doors. As if to prevent anybody from entering the building at all. But I got in to use the toilet by walking in the side door and nobody stopped me. Maybe because I wasn't dressed in black and white and those FRU flers must have been given their scent way beforehand.
And then it got even more Hollywood-like. Across the road I could see what would have looked like SWAT snipers on the roof of the buildings. A noisy police helicopter buzzed the area. The red FRU water cannon trucks rumbled by and parked within sight of all concerned. And on the perimeter of the Palace Of Justice steps policemen, uniformed and plain-clothed walked about busily speaking unsmilingly into squawking walkie-talkies. I looked around. With everybody smiling, laughing, talking loudly, slapping backs it all looked like we were on a Hollywood film set.
All that hullabaloo for what was simply a group of peaceful, concerned Malaysians who wanted to tell their elected government, "Dei! Something is very wrong here la. So right the wrongs."
Anyway, what was supposed to start at 11 am finally got walking at past noon because of the delay of walkers who had to bus from KL. After a few short speeches through a rather inadequate loud-hailer we got going and walked towards the Prime Minister's office which was at the end of the promenade. Visible in the distance like some huge mausoleum for a terminally ill administration. We walked. Dark clouds covered up the dimming sun. By the time we covered the approximately 2 kilometers and arrived at the foot of the hill bearing the PM's office building I saw that the FRU had arrived first and had formed a menacing barrier, shields at the ready in front of the roads leading up to the building. It was clear that nobody was going to get to see what the PM's office looks like today. (I was told later that members of the committee of the Bar Council were allowed in to present their memo. As to who received it you will have to read somebody else's blog to find out. Anyway, Pak Lah, I understand, is in New York or somewhere far away from this irritation).
Then it started to rain. Heavily. There were hurried goodbyes. People dashed for whatever little cover the designers of Putrajaya planned for these eventualities. Those who had drivers whipped out mobile phones and were zipped away before the expensive suits became too soaked. Those less fortunate scurried into the covered driveway of the mosque nearby. And for once there was a very nice photo op of a truly united Malaysia. Malays, Chinese, Indians, lain-lain. All keeping dry in a mosque. Too bad rains stop.
As I drove my way home I passed a small group. Black and white. Wet. Banners outstretched. Defiantly in front of the bored looking FRU. Shouting slogans. Well, after all it was their do.
My friends and I drove to Country Heights for lunch.
A walk for justice? Emmm...it was a rather nice morning out with other Malaysians. And personally I don't know if it will serve justice, this walk. But it did show, I hope, that if enough of us cared about what happens to our country and show it, things will change. I mean, come on la, the taxi drivers, bus operators, garbage collectors all have learned to use this thing called People Power. How come so many others of us have not?
Niamah!!!
PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR GOVERNMENTS.
GOVERNMENTS SHOULD BE AFRAID OF THEIR PEOPLE.
(V For Vendetta - Alan Moore)
The Incredible Shrinking Ringgit
