E Contrario

As early as 04:00hr in the morning I began to receive reports of police attack. A few phone call woke me up from my sleep telling me that Gobalakrishnan and Kalai have been arrested, and police were using force to disperse people in the temple of Batu Cave.

I made arrangement with our KeADILan and Reformasi activists to meet at Jln Yap Kwan Seng at 07:30hr. Dispite checkpoints and tight security, I was able to drive into town without hindrance. However those who took LRT had problem as the authorities closed KLCC and Jln Ampang, the two stations nearest to the British High Commission.

At 08:00hr, a friend joined us. He was at Batu Cave. He told about the story attack in Batu Cave:

Bt Cave

“People began to assemble at Batu Cave around midnight. Gobalakrishna and Kalai Vanam, two KeADILan activists were among the crowd. At about 02:00hr Police charged the crowd of several thousands, and they escaped into the temple compound for refuge. Then FRU encircled the temple and locked everyone inside the temple compound.
“The police shot tear gas and water canon at the people inside the temple. They people tried to break out to escape but without success. Some FRU even went inside the temple ground to whack protesters including women and children.
“I saw Gobalakrishna arrested, and Kalai might be arrested too. People were trapped inside the temple and cannot get out.
“Finally at about 04:00, I managed to avoid the police and escape from a small back gate, I walked all the way to here (Jln Yap Kwan Seng).

At 08:30hr, our group which included Sivarasa, Manikasavagam, Jenabala, Suren, etc. began to move towards KLCC. We received information that the police had condoned off the entire area around British High Commission, the crowd was building up on Jln Ampang, both sides of KLCC.

Hindraf Jln YKS

As soon as we arrived Jln Ampang, there was already a huge number of people assembled at the junction facing the Twin Tower. Heavy security forces station at the front entrance of KLCC and broke the crowd into to two. My estimation was that there were 6-7 thousands people each side. Our group, Siva, Mike and I were trapped on the left (towards Ampang Park) side of Jln Ampang. Presumably HINDRAF leaders like Uthayakumar and others were on the other side.

The FRU were determined not to allow the crowd from both side to converge. In less than 10 minutes of our arrival, the water canon started to spray at the crowd. However, due to its limited range, the assault was combined with tear gas.

From 08:45hr onwards, tear gas canisters continuously being shot towards the crowd. Despite that, the people did not disperse. However by 09:00hr, the gas got thicker and thicker, people were forced to withdraw. Unable to endure the gas, I walked (blindly) with the crowd. Soon I found myself back to Jln Yap Kwan Seng.

We are again trapped with a few thousands people at Jln Yap Kwan Seng. By now, I believe the crowd had swollen to 30-40 thousands, were scattered in a few main locations: Jln Ampang (towards Bkt Nanas), Jln P. Ramlee/Jln Pinang, and around Ampag Park/Jln Binjai.

Siva, Mike and others discussed and concluded that we must try to gather the crowd at different locations into one. Only that can ensure we have the mass strength to withstand police attack, both for protecting the protesters and maintaining discipline.

We made an attempt to march towards the British High Commission via Jln Tun Razak. However, police too have sealed off the junction between Jln Yap Kwan Seng and Jln Tun Razak. Then we heard that Uthayakumar and his crowd was at Jln Ampang, in front of the BSN/Pakistan High Commission. We decided to lead our few thousands people to join them.

As we reached the junction of Jln Ampang, again heavy shelling of canisters. The procession was broken and people rushed for shelter in confusion. Many people especially women were running about desperately looking for water.

With great pain in my eyes and separated from Siva and the rest, I walked slowly along the fringe of Ampang Muslim Cemetery, and finally got to Jln Ampang and joined with the main group. Here I found Siva, Mike and others.

Uthaya was speaking to a large spirited crowd. A few others spoke. I was invited to speak too.

At about 10:30hr, some activists informed me that several thousands people still hanging around Jln P. Ramlee. Our friend Nasir Isa the Reformist was there with the group. There was a standstill with the police as the group could not pass the police barricade. We again went over to direct the crowd to join the main group at Jln Ampang.

By 11:00hr, most of the demonstrators had already converged at Jln Ampang. Uthaya and other HINDRAF leaders continued another round of passionate speeches and duly declared a victory.

As I moved back to Jln Yap Kwan Seng, I found several thousands protesters remained there. The police had blocked them from marching, so they were unable to join Uthaya. The people sat down quietly on the road while a few HINDRAF activists tried to negotiate with the police to allow them to move forward.

I walked away from the crowd as I was about to leave the rally to attend to my next appointment, I received news that the FRU launched another concerted assault of water canon and tear gas. At about 11:30hr, the FRU sprayed and gased the entire street of Jln Ampang to disperse almost everyone. I think it was the time a few dozen activists were arrested.

I understood that HINDRAF leaders announced the event a success and declared an end then. However I was later informed that people continued to linger around the area. Police continued their brutal action on remaining crowd.

The people continued to resist the order for dispersion from the police, but they remained highly discipline and peaceful. At about 15:00hr, I heard from the radio, police announced removing all restrictions into the city center.

25 November will be recorded in the history of Malaysia as a day of pride. Within a short timespan of two weeks, the world witnessed People Power is re-emerging here in Malaysia.