My Experience as one of the 21 charged with illegal assembly

It was my first time sitting in the Magistrate Court’s dock where I used to see RPK sat in there during his trial. Never in my life had I ever thought I too will be in that dock.

On the 23rd January 2009 @ around 10am, the Magistrate Court's Clerk read to me my 2 charges, they were:

1.) Participating in an illegal assembly

2.) Failing to adhere Police’s order to disperse

Then I was asked “ANDREW NG YEW HAN, Mengaku salah atau Tidak?"

“TIDAK BERSALAH (NOT GUILTY)” were the words I said in the dock.

The Court's Dock area which I had the Priviledge to sit in

A few days before the trial, my dad told me; perhaps if I plead guilty, the penalty will be something like RM1000 fine that’s all. Well, he was wrong, I was told later that the charged under Section 27 of the Police Act (for both the offences) may fine me between RM2,000 and RM10,000 and/or a jail term of not more than one year for each charge.

Nearly pissed my pants after hearing that. Maybe those Prison break series I watched might come in handy this time.

After the 21 accused pleaded “Not Guilty” and asked to be trialed, the DPP suggested a RM5000 bail for our release and the submission of our passport to the court. When I heard RM5000 as bail, I felt very uneasy but still keeping my game face in the court.

Gobind Singh Deo, who is representing most of us argued the shrewdness of a RM5000 bail suggested by the DPP. Furthermore, he continues to argue that the majority of the accused are Chinese. Chinese New Year is near and money is needed and begged for the judge’s mercy.

When comes to the DPP’s turn, she strongly believed that the RM5000 bail is important as it will ensure the presence of the accused in the court. It guarantees smooth court proceeding.

Cut long story short, the judge decided that a RM1500 bail for each of the 21 person is sufficient. The date was also set, March 10th 2009 is the date which we all need to report back. After that, we waited for 3hours for the bail process… and we are not allowed to leave the court room until bail was posted.

But I guess the 3hours of waiting was also a time well spent. Though we were charged of offences which has a penalty of jail term and fine, the atmosphere in the court room was very joyful. We talked, we joked, and we laughed, took photos and even ate in the court room. We ate Kentucky Fried Chicken in the court room. I mean, how often one can do that. It was no longer a court room but a Party Hall. Let just say it was like a family day gathering for bloggers and also Anti-ISA believers.

I would like to thank all who came to support us. Bloggers, PJ Anti-ISA followers, the priest, the reporters and everyone, your decision to come this morning and stayed with us till the end tells us that we are not alone in this fight. I would like to thank Haris for helping us before the hearing. To the lawyers from DAP, Bar Council and the Catholic Lawyers for taking the initiative as most of us were clueless about everything. Thanks also to Mr. Jeyapalan for giving me the many words of assurance and encouragement before the hearing. My thanks to Angela, for her motherly and positive attitude which boost the confidence of the 21. And of course my bailer, Miss Erica Hew, I know its difficult to open an account today as it is the last day before the Chinese new year starts, I appreciate your deed. To the other bailers too, RPK, Zorro, Delcapo and Shanghai fish, we thank you.

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The last group to be bailed out

To finish this post of mine, I would like to end with a malay pantun I composed not long ago:

Seekor cacing menelan naga
Mampukah rakyat menelan derita
Semangat rakyat terus membara
Sehingga I.S.A kembali ke neraka

See you guys on the 10th of March 2009!

Road Bully

The road was clear. I turned to the right and all of the sudden i heard a pathetic motorbike's honk... the rider honked for a long time.

I looked at my rear view mirror, it was a motorbike, without headlights. So i assume everything had settled already. i sped off. then i notice the bike was tailing me, trying to cut me off. He managed to come to my side and shouted "BODOH". That pissed me off. I gave him a long stare.

He demanded me to stop the car. The bike cut infront of me and try slowing down my car till it halt. In his dreams, I will never stop for a road bully like him. I was thinking to ram him over but it's high risk = low return.

He gave up eventually. Or maybe he coudn't catch up on me. Come on... Nissan Sentra 1.6 VS Honda EX5???

It was a scary experience. Not knowing what to do. Lay Hoon told me next time just drive straight into the Police station and NEVER ever stop for the road bully.

“Revolusi '48” By Fahmi Reza – Revisioning Our National History.

This is a documentary about the unheard Revolution by Parti Komunis Malaya (PKM) against the British colonialist in the year 1948. What Fahmi Reza is doing is an act of Revisioning, a term popularly used by New Historicist /Historian. Giving the exiled freedom fighters of Malaya a voice, Revolusi 48 is also giving the present generation an alternative choice of Heroes and Heroine.

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Revolusi 48, as it is being promoted, to be a propaganda documentary, justifying PKM’s deeds and correcting all false accusation of the past about them. It is a counter resistant strategy towards the British Colonialist and right wing politician which literally paint the PKM’s outlook – leaving out PKM’s contribution to the Malaya independence and giving them no credit while demonizing them.

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In a lay man’s point of view, revolution is a movement or rather a circular religion which pushes and motivates the people to carry out drastic change. The Revolution back then was seen as a great deal for hasten independence in Malaya. The Revolusi 48 has not ended yet. To some, it only ends when the objective of drastic change had been achieved. Metaphorically, the revolusi 48 was packed and sealed into a time capsule by the authority. But when such political enthusiasm was capsulated, it’s a matter of time that the compressed urges of the unfinished revolution began to build from time to time and soon may explode. The outcome of such enthusiasm explosion is still unknown and I’ll leave it to Political and Social scientist to throw in their predictions.

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The Revolusi 48 died not because it is a bad idea but because it loses human support. The lacking of support was due to the massive arrest, British propaganda and the new village projects. A dead revolution can be revived, it only takes a spark.

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Now, on the matter of spreading such information (as in the revisioning documentary of Revolusi 48) to the general public, I’ll suggest that political scientists and social science researchers should study the influence and the reaction of the society upon being edified with such information. Will there be a second great social and political awakening? Only time will tell. Even if its not, that doesn’t mean Fahmi Reza’s documentary fails because I am sure that is not his primary objective.

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Fahmi Reza’s Revolusi 48 is a ‘must watch’ documentary and should be shown in all academic institution, not for the reason to convert people into communism but rather to remind us of the forgotten freedom fighters and to prepare us for a next Revolusi in our nation (only if needed).

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Get yourself a ‘Nama Revolusi’ after watching this. Mine shall be ’Andu’ :-)

Selamat Hari Raya.

Selamat Hari Raya. Maaf Zahir & Batin.
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I really bersyukur because Malaysia is a country with many festive celebration. And festive celebration is very synonymous with good free flow of food. I don't mean to sound like a pig but seriously such habits and mindset had now turn into some sort of culture (or am i speaking this on behalf of myself?)
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I already plan for Raya already, even though it has nothing to do with my ethnicity. Not much invitation this year though. but i guess it is better that way.
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1st day of Raya, No invitation from anybody. that's very obvious because usually the first day of Raya is reserved for praying, visiting the kubur (cemetery) and visiting their older folks.
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2nd Day of Raya, Miss Reene Ariffah invited me to her house. She was my sixth form classmate back in MBS. It will be a small reunion with all my classmates. And yes, i'm ready for all the painful question about my weight and looks.
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3rd Day of Raya, Mohd. Razif. i've been faithfully attending his house every Raya. Although the food is very good, that's not my main intention going there. Reason is, he is oneof my closest malay friend i ever had. I guess for the third day of raya, i'll be there at his place for the whole day.
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After Hari Raya, we still got Deepavali to look forward to.
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God Bless Malaysia.

From the depths of Hell.

I was supposed to write about it right after it happened but the incident was too dramatic and traumatic to write. Now after 3 weeks had passed, I’ve finally found the words to write what had happened. So here it goes:

It was showing some signs that it will soon rain while i was on my way to my hostel right after class. it was time for Lunch and i was a little hungry already.

I was contemplating whether should I 'bungkus' or eat there. But I decided to eat at the ‘medan selera’ near my Hostel at Bandar Baru Bangi Seksyen 1 because I wouldn't want to pollute the world with the Styrofoam wrapping my food.

It rained. Later, the weather got worst. It rained so heavily and the wind was blowing fiercely. This went on for like 30 – 40 minutes non-stop heavy rain. Soon it started to flood the drain. I began to notice the manhole unable to contain the water underneath – vibrates. Yes, the smell was horrible but that was not the worst part of the story.

The heavy rain, I presume flooded the drain and also the underground sewage pipe hole. And because of that, it drove out lots of RATS and COCKROAHES from the pits of hell!!!

Well, where would you think such creature will go when they are floated up by the heavy rain and fast rising flood? Where else if not into the food stall which I was eating, obviously it’s because the place I’m eating is sheltered, dry and the best of all for the dirty creatures – there was FOOD!!!!

The situation was similar with a cheap “B” grade Horror Movie – “The Attacks of Rats and Cockroaches”. Rats were on the table… cockroaches were crawling up customers pants (by the way have you seen white cockroaches before? Ya, it came out from the depths of the sewer to say HI).

It was raining, customers cannot run away. The restaurant workers were helping the customers to calm down. And the workers thought it was a good idea to kill the rats and cockroaches by hitting them with a steal rod. Bad idea. The smell of dead, wet and bloody rat made customers puked.

As soon as the rain slowed down, I immediately went to my motorcycle. Started my bike, and guess what popped out from my Jaguh’s exhaust pipe – a rat. Probably seeking dry and warm place to rest. And I think I squash one underneath my tire as I rush my way out from that place, I heard a squeaking sound in pain.

Just as I thought everything was over, as I was unpacking my bag, a cockroach crawl out from my bag. That “SiewKeong” was History.

Just watched Ratatouille two days ago. Many watch it as a comedy, to me it was horror.

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It's great to be back!

It's great to be back in Penang...



But this is not a long term break.



I need to head back again to UKM Bangi by this saturday.



Got class, you see.



But... i feel like skipping that class.



And stay a little bit longer.



Maybe till the end of this month...

When April fools with you...

I got this sms from an unknown number in the morning saying this:

Kepada yang mengenali SITI MASITAH, apabila membaca sms ini diharapkan byk2 bersabar dan tenang kerana beliau telah pun meninggalkan kita pd hari ini 5.21pg td.. Diharapkan dapat memperbanyakkan doa kepadanya agar beliau dirahmati ALLAH kerana beliau telah meninggalkan kita sekaligus meninggalkan bumi tercinta..

This girl Siti Masitah is my classmate. I don't know why, but i guess in the drowsiness of waking up in the morning to read such sms, you tend to believe it. So, i did. I was so sadden by it, shock beyond my life, i was talking to her last saturday only and now she died? By the way i have been hearing a lot of bad news abot friends and relatives died lately, so when i heard such news again, i believe it.

I call my one of my friend, Krish and told her about it convincingly. She was shock but she said something which made me re-evaluate everything. she said this: "Andrew, Please dun play a fool ok. are you sure?!?!"

After hearing the word 'FOOL', i knew that i'm a victim of April Fool's prank. I check the SMS again. I scrolled the sms further down (which i hoped no messages will appear and even hopeful that Siti was actually really dead by now), and this appear:

...dari saat ini untuk menjadi angkasawan ke-2 mewakli M'sia ke ISS slps Syeikh Muszaphar... Hehe, APRIL FOOL..

I want to kill myself... i will be the laughing stock this friday in class.

The Job

I got a job offer for this two months semester break...

I was just simply applying... I thought cannot get one.

I'm thinking should I or should I not take the job.

I told the employer I'll get back to them by mid-April right after my semester end.

Can I do it?

Am I up to the standard to become a...

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Gong Xi Fatt Chai?

It all started like this. My aunties, uncles grandparents and my dad were preparing the taoist preparation to usher in the Year of the rat. Because I'm not a taoist, i was bored... but at the same time, was being very respectful as well. Taking photos of them praying and worshiping the "god of heavens" was the least i can do to show my gratitude for allowing me to stay in my uncle's house.

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My uncle understand how i felt last night, he knew i was bored, till my uncle presented me with this:

That's my brother kissing what thought by us as the weapon of mass destruction of the neigbourhood's peace. My uncle gave me rockets that blow up so loud that his miniature pinscher could had ear bleed if it wasn't lock in the house.

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That's my cousin Benny. That thing sparkling in our hand is what we call "Saddam Bomb" as in Saddam Hussein from Iraq. The shock wave... it blew up so strong that it gave us a thump on our chest. Anybody with a mechanical heart or an artificial pacemaker will need to stay away from this. It might just stop your heart.

It took only one person to start the exploding their fireworks, and like a chain reaction, everyone start their own explosion. That night, it felt like a warzone in Iraq.
The fireworks activity sort of ignite my younger days. My immature self reign and rule that night. Ideas such as blowing up cicak and blow up fireworks in the drain which made the water to splash and splattered dirty muddy water on people's cars and many more. We have another silly idea (picture above) to aim our rockets into the near by school. It was fun... until this happen:

What excuse do i have, when one is caught red-handed. Just look what i have in my hand. BUSTED! What a great way to start off my Chinese New Year.

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I'm short of one packet of ang-pow this year... if you know what i mean.

The Public Transport

I take the public transport (mainly KTM train and LRTs) to everywhere in KL. It is more convenient, less stressful and of course cheaper than driving and parking around KL. It is good too as it makes me walk and sometimes run a little to enter the closing door of the train. It has become my only form of exercise ever since I left high school.

The ‘Public’ transport. As the name itself speaks out of the gathering of the general people into one device that was made possible to serve the community. Now, one will see that the definition of the word ‘public’ connotes a singular meaning. But if you are observant enough, while you are taking the public transport you will see that the real meaning of public is too complex to even define it as a general statement.

But I guess I already side track what I am trying to write here. What I am trying say here is that the public transport is a device that attracts all kinds of people. The people need it. They depend on it. It is a system that runs their lives. And it is from this place where I am sitting or standing in the train that makes me want to write about them. The stories in them, once studied and understood perhaps may edify me to merge and make sense the complexity of this race, of this country, of this world and also of this God who creates them so uniquely.

Shaking Powerful Hands

I attended a dinner organised by a chinese temple which my aunt and uncle faithfully attend and pray there. I had no choice, I got into a car and they took me there. So,I’m taking this positively, with this opportunity I’m able to see how things are in the territory of God’s enemies…

But little did I know, my aunt was invited to the dinner as a VIP. And I dressed up like how Joshua dressed up long time ago (Click here to see example.)

But all in all, it was worth it. It was the first time I ever got to sit on the special table. The table is cleaner, the food always arrives first and a lot of people want to shake your hands like you’re some famous people.

Sitting with famous people I did not, BUT sitting with influential people I did. In that same table (since it was a VIP table) was MCA’s representative to that dinner. YB Dato Hoh Hee Lee, the ADUN of N27 Balakong, Selangor. (I bet no one knows him. I also don’t know him until my aunty introduce me to him.)

I must say, shaking hands with people like Dato' Hoh Hee Lee feels different. I remember shaking hands with Dato’ Lat the cartoonist. After shaking hands with him I see caricatures differently and not just apiece of lowly crappy art.

The Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Mustapha Muhamad shook my hand while I was waiting for Lay Hoon’s Convocation to start. On top of that we made a small talk while both of our hands locked firmly. Since then, I promise to study hard and kick him out from that minister post and become a minister myself.

I wonder, how would it feel to shake the hand of Jesus.

Anyway, Dato' Hoh Hee Lee is a good guy. He deserve another term to represent his people of 'N27 - BALAKONG'.

A Failed Christian

Today, one of my Schoolmate died. Same age with me. So young. Just graduated from USM. Just like me, he got the whole world in front of him to take on. And death took it all away from him.

I haven't met him for a long time already. Right after we ended our Form Six, we went to the same University but never really met and chat. After graduation, i did not see him at all but did heard about what he is doing from friends.

But lately, I've bumped into him a few times. I saw him near Northam Hotel, last week. Both of us just gave a quick wave to acknowledge each other's presence and went back to what we're doing.

Lay Hoon and me saw him in PC Fair. He was working there. Lay Hoon asked me whether i wanted to go to his counter and say "Hi". I said "No", He is busy anyway. And that was the last time me and Lay Hoon saw him... He died 5 days later.

According to my friend, he complained of stomachache. After that vomit. Went into a seizure. Then died. It was a sudden death. There's nothing anybody can do about it.

I was on the phone with Kean Chai just now. I told him, somehow, i felt a pinch of responsibility upon his death.

I said to Kean Chai... "I've failed my role as a christian since i'm a friend to someone who do not know the Salvation of God".

Perhaps GOD, was giving opportunities for me. 2 weeks before his death, i got 2 chances to speak to him about God's only son, about after life, about forgiveness and about Hell. Now that he's dead, there's nothing else to tell.

I got this feeling of not attending church this Sunday. Like a son who had brought shame to his father and family... I just cannot face God for a moment.

Bersih Rally

As was planned, My dad traveled from Penang to KL to attend the Bersih Rally. Since my semester in UKM had finished, i've decided to stay back in KL and join him in this rally.

It ended already. Here I am, Still alive and free. tak masok lokap or beaten up by police.

Me and my Dad was own our way to the Bersih Rally meeting point. We were on the LRT going towards Mesjid Jamek when suddenly the Train Operator announced that the Station from Majid Jamek - Pasar Seni was closed. not knowing what happen, we stopped at Pudu and went down there. We were told that people were already waiting there since 12noon. We were told, just before we reached, there was an incident happened, a huge group of crowd were fired at with torrents of chemical-laced water and Pepper Gas were released to dispersed the peaceful demonstrators... Scary isn't it? But, thankfully... no one was injured. everybody ran into the mosque to seek refuge. As far as i know, that was the last high climax event throughout the whole rally.

Although they blocked all roads heading towards Dataran Merdeka, which was the gathering point for everybody, the organisers were able to moved into plan B which is to meet ouside of the Royal Palace. Everybody went. According to Malaysiakini.com, it was a 40,000 strong demonstrators' marched. It's crampy and wet due to the rain but it did not dampen the spirit of the Rakyat Malaysia to march a long way to the royal palace to hand in the memorendum of asking a 'Bersih' Election, predictably, the next year election.

IT was an experince to be a part of a public demonstration. And also to be a part of a historical event... since this is the largest demonstration ever held in Malaysia.

Al--Jazeera's Media Coverge on This Event:

Click here for the news article report.

I'll Be There...

Gimme a Shout if you see me...!

Dark Blue Uniform

Dark blue uniform
With white stripe on
You march humbly into the dorm
To seek our welcome’s warm

Dark blue uniform
With badges adorn
Can’t be seen, smeared with loam
Covered by ashes since born

Dark blue uniform
With black boots shine
No one knows where you’re from
Never will and never mind

Dark blue uniform
Do fasten your Lace
To flee out like a worm
You, with no name, with no face

Dark blue uniform
No one knows you
So, run away into the storm
Cause no one need you

(Note: Definitely not about the police... incase you thought)

Hybrid Car

I told myself... the first car i will buy is a hybrid car. It's enviromental Friendly and it saves fuel money. (Picture below is a Honda Civic Hybrid)

Till today... i checked the price. The only available car in the Malaysia Market is a Toyota Camry Hybrid (picture below). This Hybrid Car (according to the Salesman) is assemble in Japan and will take a process of at least 1 year to enter and driven in Malaysia. "First Kastam will tahan your car then after that JPJ will withold your car for inspection somemore.... the officer will drive until they puas-puas then oly they give you."

Okay... let say, i'm patient enough to tahan all those crappy import and administration process... a Toyota Camry Hybrid which is the one in Malaysia Market cost about USD29,500!!!!! withoutimport tax yet!!!! That will be around RM99,462.31. WITHOUT TAX yet!!!! It will easily cost more than RM100K above for a hybrid. In the world market, the cheapest hybrid car for now is the Honda Civic Hybrid (1st shown above) which cost around USD22,000 which is also RM74,148.41... without TAX!!!!

And IF.... miracle happen and i got the car... repairs and service on the car can't be done in any mechanic shop. The spare parts has to be original and that will cost... a lot! Insurance for the car will be higher because it's a one of a kind car just like the rarely seen Ferarri. And i heard that the battery pack in it will need to change after one year or so depending on your driving, just like any other rechargeble battery (handphone, laptops,etc..) And do you know how much it will cost? Around USD2000 - USD3000: that's RM8,426.46 for us! But some company are willing to warranty these batteries for a lifetime, i.e. 8 years or 80,000 miles.... that's a relief but i think there's term and condition attach to it.

So, will i get a hybrid car? I'm still thinking of it. One thing i learn is that all this saving the world and the enviroment come to say one thing: If you wanna go green... that's exactly what you gotta spend... Green: the color of an American Dollar.

Genting Highlands' SPACE SHOT!

It's the closest thing to suicide. The only different thing is, you'll not die.

I tried dying twice... it was worth it!

Insane Teachers

Majority of the patients who admited into Malaysia Mental Hospital are Teachers (sources unknown). It could somehow be true. Through out my years of studying, primary - secondary school, i've seen a lot of teachers whom i consider "Gila".

In my 6 years of experience in Pykett Methodist School in Penang - i am sure that one teacher is seriously crazy. Cikgu Tuan Syed. He taught me Pendidikan Seni. I rated him crazy because he was a cold hearted malay bastard. His tongue was as sharp as a samurai blade that sliced bits of my heart little by little and then finally smash it with a sledge hammer. His mood swings like an out of control pendulum. - I was finishing my drawing of "nelayan fishing by the sea side" when he walked around to check the students' progress. When he finally saw my drawing, he burst into anger! without saying a thing, he took my drawing and show it to the class and say that the fish i drew look like a circumcise Penis!!! He said that i was drawing lukisan lucah (pornographic drawing) and in the future i will become a male prostitude!!! ("What the hell!" i thought.) Then he wanted to report me to the headmaster. But he didn't - He tore my Drawing block apart in front of everybody. I was only standard 3 that time. Imagine the trauma i had that time. Thanks to him, now i'm a low self-esteem drug addict. I scream everytime i see Fried Fish.

New Creation

What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:17 I will, I do, I shall, I must! ( just in case you are wondering, it's not a gay wedding ceremony)

I'm done... now, where's the starting point of the race? Bring it on BABY!

Baptism

I'm getting Baptize today. 9am. Stella Marris. :-)