REHMAN RASHID: An ill wind blows no one any good

By : Rehman Rashid

2009/01/25

THERE's so much ballyhoo about this "swing away from Barisan Nasional", there should be a yodelling Tarzan in a leopard-skin loincloth at the end of it. Allow me.

While Pas itself has behaved with a dignified reserve befitting a by-election victory by a margin as slender as BN's in the last general election, the oppositionist media have proclaimed another nail in the coffin of the BN in general and Umno in particular, and are training their sights on a possible by-election in Sabah and state elections in Sarawak, due within two years.

And why not? After their amazing gains of the past year, this is the time to indulge in their fondest dreams.

They're different dreams, but that's what keeps Malaysian politics so endlessly fascinating.

For instance, Pas must find it tantalising now to foresee a near future in which it commands the state governments coast-to-coast across the northern half of the peninsula, from the Straits of Malacca to the South China Sea -- a sort of "Pasistan", as it were, fed by the ricefields of the west and fuelled by the oil and gas of the east.
Pas administrations would oversee the entire length of the border with Thailand, portending changes in the bilateral relationship with the contiguous southern Thai provinces of Satun, Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat.

The natural osmosis between the two Muslim-majority, ancestrally linked regions might facilitate cooperation of a different order from that so cautiously explored in the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle concept.

But the existing IMT-GT mechanisms could be useful nonetheless, in creating a formidable Islamic economic region braced between Buddhist Thailand in the north and, off its southwest coast, the People's Socialist Republic of Penang.

Penang under DAP will always cultivate cordial relations with Pasistan, because it needs Kedah's water.

Kedah, meanwhile, stands to benefit from Penang's development as a business and tourism hub. (Although at some stage it might want a low-cost carrier terminal of its own too; wouldn't everyone?)

Friendly diplomacy should ensure that Penang's socio-economic and cultural preferences need not fear the looming Islamic entity on its mainland, any more than Singapore ever had to fear the rest of us.

After all, it's been widely noted that non-Muslims no longer "fear" Islamic hudud laws, as they now understand that syariah applies only to Muslims and will have no effect on them.

To be sure, there are certain other prescriptions of Islamic governance that may -- provisions regarding the administration of non-Muslim minorities in Islamic states, for instance -- but such considerations would come much further in the future, if at all, and should still be negotiable in the proper multicultural Malaysian spirit.

Besides, Penang need not be as alone as Singapore was -- the former Straits Settlements and erstwhile colonial centres of Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Malacca are also well within DAP's dreaming range. The party is legatee of urban politics stretching back nearly a century, after all.

PKR, however, may have a destiny right out of Joseph Conrad.

The party has been making quite a meal of its promising prospects in Sabah and, particularly, Sarawak. After the non-event of Sept 16 last year, even greater expectations are rising over Malaysian Borneo -- not least because there are grounds for them.

PKR has declared Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim its liaison chief for Sabah and Sarawak, buoyed by the turnouts Anwar enjoyed at test-the-waters events in Miri, Sibu and Kuching this past year.

The entry into PKR of independent Sarawak state assemblyman Gabriel Adit Demong along with nearly 12,000 supporters last November indicated significant sympathy for the opposition, especially among the 28 of Sarawak's 71 state constituencies belonging to indigenous minorities.

Enough of them crossing over -- or losing to PKR candidates in elections -- would enshrine Sarawak among the states to which Anwar would most owe a debt of gratitude.

PKR may also dream of sufficient support in the Malay areas of the peninsula south of Pasistan, and among the aracial intelligentsia, for its Pakatan Rakyat partners to grant it nominal leadership of a federal government (albeit one of diminished national authority).

But it will owe such deference to its traction in Sabah and Sarawak, which will come from Anwar's pledges being read there as promissory notes for greater autonomy and control of natural resources, and the revenues accruing therefrom.

With Pasistan in the north, Dapistan in the west and Sabah and Sarawak dusting off their 20-point agreements, back at the BN fort, the MIC, shunned at the polls and despised by swathes of the Indian Malaysian community, is reduced to a constituency unto itself.

Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu continues to deal with dissent by purging dissenters, thereby ensuring ever-increasing numbers of dissenting Indians outside the MIC, running ever-decreasing circles around it.

The MCA, however, survives. Even if defrocked as the cardinal embodiment of the Chinese Malaysian community, the MCA will nonetheless broker for it.

The good old Towkay's Party is nothing if not learned in the Art of the Deal -- imperious in power, a comprador otherwise.

And Umno, in the fondest dreams of those looking to Pakatan Rakyat to bring about these changes, will balik kampung to Johor, perhaps to run that state, Iskandar Malaysia, the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex and Singapore relations.

Now, none of the foregoing is necessarily a prophecy of doom. Those who would consider this scenario alarming, if not downright disastrous, might take solace in knowing that a near-equal number of Malaysians might not have any problem with it -- indeed, some might even consider this an outcome to be hoped and prayed for.

It bears no resemblance to the only nation we've ever been, but who's to say that's a bad thing? When unity is gone, spin divergence as diversity. When continuity is not an option, stasis is suicide.

To quote my brother Rafique in his song of that title, though: "Do it right, do it well, 'cos if you don't it'll hurt like hell."

ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR: Power to rule in the hands of young voters

2009/01/23

Zubaidah Abu Bakar

Malaysia's young voters appear to be getting impatient with what they perceive as Barisan Nasional's reluctance and resistance to change, writes ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR

WHEN Malaysia holds its 13th general election, in 2013 at the latest, the balance between victory and defeat will hinge on younger voters.

This opinionated group will determine whether or not Barisan Nasional stays in power. And BN should be worried, as young voters have sent a clear message -- not just once but three times in the last 10 months -- that they will only support a political party that shares their aspirations.

Weakened by the March 2008 general election, the Umno-led BN badly needs to secure the votes of young voters, whose numbers are expected to reach six million by the next general election. The biggest headache for Umno and BN is that the majority of young people have grievances with either or both of them, and if this is not remedied within the next few years, the next election results could be even worse.

Based on the country's present birth rate, with 450,000 to 500,000 babies born annually, two million more young Malaysians will reach 21 and be eligible to vote in the next general election.
The power of the young will be further reinforced by four million eligible voters, many under 30, who did not register in time for the 2008 elections.

If all two million youngsters choose to register, the eligible voter population in the country will be 16.9 million, including the 10.9 million currently registered.

This means young voters will hold the power to instigate change, and they can demand that their voices be heard. Ignoring them could spell disaster, as younger voters in the 12th general election and two subsequent by-elections leaned towards the opposition, especially in urban areas.

An analysis of the March 2008 general election results shows that many newly-registered voters and those below 30 supported Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Pas and DAP candidates; all three, to their credit, are ahead of BN in warming to young voters.

Opposition candidates got their messages across through social networking tools on the Internet and mobile phones, while BN relied mostly on newspapers and the broadcast media.

A bitter pill for BN was seeing young voters it ferried back in buses to Kelantan from the Klang Valley, not only voting for the opposition but also persuading their relatives and peers to do so.

In the Aug 26 Permatang Pauh by-election, more than 90 per cent of voters under 30 voted for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

One key reason for this was young Internet-savvy voters obtaining their news chiefly from the pro-opposition alternative media, which they perceive as more credible than the mainstream media.

In the recently-concluded Kuala Terengganu by-election, which BN lost, detailed voting data indicated that the ruling coalition had again lost most support from among those under 35.

Political apathy among youth is long gone. The young are aware of what is happening around them and have varied reasons to vote for the opposition.

BN's disconnect from young people is most alarming in the case of urban professionals, who no longer believe that the ruling coalition is capable of making a better Malaysia.

Non-Malays cannot accept the New Economic Policy, considering it as benefiting only the Malays, while young educated Malays concerned with good governance, human rights and democratic ideals view Umno and BN as corrupt.

Several political analysts think that youngsters tend to favour the opposition because they have more liberal views of democracy, with less preference for race-based politics, which explains the appeal of multiracial PKR.

Young people also do not feel indebted to the government that achieved independence half a century ago. BN leaders should realise by now that campaigning on the basis of track records, especially after Kuala Terengganu, no longer works with younger voters.

There has been no attempt to draw up a plan for Umno or BN to win over young voters since the March 8 electoral setback, despite many politicians talking about getting closer to this group.

It has been suggested that BN field more politicians in their 30s and 40s in the next general election, in the hope that these young leaders can speak the language of young people and connect with them.

The recent United States presidential elections, where more than 63 per cent of young voters backed 47-year-old Barack Obama, is testimony of how young people want leaders to whom they can relate.

According to a Gallup poll in October, even before the polls, young Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 favoured Obama over John McCain by a huge margin of 59 per cent to 38 per cent.

In the Malaysian context, BN leaders need not comprise entirely of the young; older politicians, if they are able to embrace "young people things" and understand their needs and aspirations, are still needed for their wisdom and experience.

What matters to most young people are the two Es: engagement and empowerment. BN needs to engage and give them the recognition they deserve, and help nurture them to explore and expand their potential.

It needs to accept and fulfil sincerely their wish to have a say in the economy and governance.

In trying to reinvent and revitalise, prescriptions for BN to undertake "wholesale reform", "sweeping change" and "fresh initiatives" should be seriously considered.

The focus should be on the economy, political stability, freedom of education, job opportunities and social problems, which are the main issues for youth. Managing the economy will be the key over the next three years, as the economic downturn will affect their job opportunities.

The uphill battle for BN is to rid Umno of its rent-seeking image and hold its own against the attacks of the alternative media, and for all component parties to find new ways and means to engage young people.

Mencurah hasil ke negara lain

Oleh TARMIZI ABDUL RAHIM dan TOREK SULONG

KOTA BHARU 3 Dis. - Pusat pendaratan ikan utama untuk laut dalam di negeri ini iaitu Tok Bali, Pasir Puteh pada tahun lalu dilaporkan mencatatkan pendaratan sebanyak 30,000 tan metrik dengan nilai RM80 juta.

Jabatan Perikanan kini meletakkan sasaran lebih tinggi iaitu sebanyak 40,000 tan metrik atau dengan nilaian RM112 juta pada tahun ini.

Dengan 200 bot laut dalam milik 70 pengusaha aktif, jumlah yang didaratkan dipercayai sekadar separuh daripada hasil tangkapan sebenar kerana sebahagiannya dipercayai didaratkan di pelabuhan negara jiran.

Keadaan itu dikatakan berlaku atas beberapa faktor termasuk sebilangan daripada bot disewa secara tidak rasmi kepada pengusaha asing dengan bayaran dikatakan berbelas ribu ringgit bagi setiap bot.

Ketika usahawan tempatan meraih keuntungan mudah, strategi ini memberikan kebebasan buat pengusaha asing meraih hasil daripada perairan negara pada bila-bila masa.

Mereka tidak lagi menanggung risiko kerugian besar apabila bot dirampas kerana menceroboh selain awak-awak mereka menjadi tahanan di negara ini.

Dengan bot pendaftaran tempatan itu, mereka juga tidak terbeban dengan kos bahan api apabila berpeluang mendapatkan diesel subsidi yang dibekalkan kepada golongan nelayan.

Namun dikatakan tidak kesemua hasil tangkapan ikan yang diperoleh dijual di negara jiran kerana sebahagian kecil perlu dibawa balik ke pangkalan Tok Bali kerana ia menjadi syarat utama wajib mendaratkan ikan bagi mendapatkan bekalan diesel bersubsidi.

Jumlah hasil tangkapan ikan yang diperoleh adalah satu perkara yang subjektif di mana tekong boleh memberitahu bahawa hasil tangkapan ikan merosot atau berkurangan sedangkan sebahagiannya sudah berada di pasaran negara jiran.

Kadar harga pembelian ikan mungkin lebih mahal berbanding harga pasaran tempatan dan mereka juga dikatakan tidak terdesak untuk melambakkan hasil tangkapan dalam negeri kerana ia akan menjejaskan harga dengan agak ketara.

Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Perikanan, Suhaili Lee walaupun tidak membayangkan keadaan sebenar, beliau menyatakan rasa kesalnya kerana terdapat sebilangan pengusaha yang lebih cenderung mencari pasaran di luar sedangkan pada masa yang sama, keperluan tempatan mendesak.

''Jabatan tidak menafikan ketirisan atau aliran ikan ke pasaran luar itu disebabkan oleh faktor penawaran yang lebih tinggi namun pengusaha juga wajar menimbangkan semula pelbagai jenis bantuan dan subsidi yang diberikan oleh kerajaan termasuk diesel," ujarnya.

Sehubungan itu, katanya, pihak jabatan meningkatkan pemantauan hasil tangkapan dengan mensyaratkan setiap bot mendaratkan jumlah tertentu setahun dan jika gagal mematuhinya, mereka bakal berhadapan dengan masalah memperbaharui lesen.

Suhaili berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas majlis Interaksi ke Arah Peningkatan Hasil Pemprosesan Ikan Negara di sini baru-baru ini yang dihadiri oleh 50 pengusaha laut dalam dari Pantai Timur.

Menurut Suhaili, kekurangan ikan menyebabkan negara terpaksa mengimport lebih banyak hasil laut itu dari negara luar untuk memenuhi keperluan tempatan.

Sementara itu, Timbalan Pengarah Perikanan negeri, Ruzaidi Mamat berkata, akibat ketiadaan prasarana seperti pusat penyimpanan stok secukupnya dan industri hiliran memproses hasil laut menyebabkan harga ikan yang dilabuhkan berada dalam keadaan tidak stabil dan mudah dimanipulasikan oleh pelbagai pihak.

Katanya, apabila ikan dilabuhkan dalam kuantiti sedikit maka harganya akan meningkat kerana permintaan melebihi bekalan tetapi keadaan akan bertukar sebaliknya apabila terlalu banyak bot mendaratkan ikan.

"Formulanya adalah mudah iaitu apabila ikan sedikit maka tawaran harga akan meningkat dan ia akan bertukar menjadi rendah jika bekalan didaratkan dengan banyak," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia.

Katanya, perkembangan industri perikanan Tok Bali dibimbangi tidak mampu bergerak pantas kerana wujudnya ketidakseimbangan dengan perkembangan industri hilirannya iaitu tiadanya prasarana khusus bagi memproses hasil laut yang diperoleh oleh para nelayan.

Setakat ini, hanya terdapat empat kilang sejuk beku yang jelas tidak selari dan dilihat tidak mampu mengimbangi pertumbuhan industri perikanan itu yang semakin meningkat saban tahun.

Tambah Ruzaidi, antara jalan penyelesaian kepada masalah itu ialah mewujudkan industri hiliran yang berdaya saing seperti kilang-kilang pemprosesan untuk membuat ikan sardin dan produk laut lain.

Jabatan Perikanan negeri dalam menangani 'ketirisan' ini telah bertindak proaktif apabila setiap bot laut dalam yang memperbaharui lesen diwajibkan memasang gajet alat pengesan bot (VTU), iaitu seperti alat Sistem Penentuan Global (GPS) yang mampu mengesan dengan tepat kedudukan bot yang berada di tengah lautan.

"Sasaran kita ialah pada tahun hadapan semua bot akan dilengkapi dengan VTU yang akan dapat memastikan keselamatan bot dan memberikan pertolongan dengan segera sekiranya berlaku sebarang insiden yang tidak diingini," kata Ruzaidi.

Lesen bot laut dalam juga tidak akan dibenarkan untuk diperbaharui sekiranya tidak mencapai syarat pendaratan ikan yang ditetapkan iaitu minimum 350 tan metrik setahun bagi bot pukat jerut dan 250 metrik tan setahun bagi bot pukat tunda.

Beliau mengakui pergantungan pada ikan yang diimport daripada Thailand sepatutnya tidak berlaku kerana kuantiti pendaratan ikan di negeri ini sepatutnya telah melebihi daripada kegunaan domestik termasuk pada musim tengkujuh.

Mengikut statistik sehingga tahun 2010, dalam masa setahun, setiap penduduk Kelantan akan memakan ikan sebanyak 55 kilogram seorang iaitu menyamai 77,000 kilogram berdasarkan jumlah terkini penduduk negeri ini seramai 1.4 juta orang.

RAKYAT TERENGGANU SALAH PILIH PESURUHJAYA

Oleh NIK ABDUL AZIZ BIN NIK MAT

1. Saya telah membaca dengan teliti pandangan Pesuruhjaya PAS Terengganu yang kali ini lebih gemar menggunakan nama beliau sebagai pengamal dan penganalisis politik daripada bertindak sebagai seorang Pesuruhjaya PAS Negeri. Walaupun sewaktu beliau berdiri sebagai penganalisis politik dalam mana-mana waktu sekalipun, pada saya, beliau tetaplah Pesuruhjaya PAS Negeri Terengganu. Baik dalam keadaan berdiri, duduk, atau berbaring, Mustafa bin Ali adalah seorang Pesuruhjaya PAS.

2. Dengan demikian, mahu tidak mahu pandangan beliau itu tetap mencerminkan pandangan PAS Terengganu. Lebih mendukacitakan lagi ialah apabila pandangan beliau ini bersifat anti keputusan Muktamar. Sekaligus, ia menentang arus Syura yang memutuskan untuk mengukuhkan Pakatan Rakyat dan tidak sebaliknya seperti yang sedang dilakukan oleh Mustafa Ali. Dalam respons dan setiap ayat yang digunakan, saya tidak nampak sikap Mustafa yang boleh mengukuhkan Pakatan Rakyat seperti yang diputuskanoleh Muktamar secara “standing ovation”.

3. Sepatutnya tugas pemimpin termasuk Pesuruhjaya ialah mendukung dan mengukuhkan keputusan Muktamar. Sifat rajin mengeluarkan kenyataan walaupun tidak disuruh adalah sesuatu yang aneh dan menghairankan. Lebih-lebih lagilah ia mencanggahi keputusan Muktamar. Sepatutnya ceramah atau temuramah bersifat lanjutan kepada keputusan Muktamar.

4. Saya membuat perbandingan antara kenyataan Mustafa di muka surat 1 dan 3 Utusan Malaysia, 11 September 2008 dengan kenyataan Dato’ Johari Baharom, Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri sendiri termasuk kenyataan PM sendiri dalam Berita Harian pada hari yang sama. Mesejnya sama iaitu tidak ada apa yang akan berlaku pada 16 September 2008 iaitu “tidak mungkin ada undi tidak percaya kerana Parlimen tidak bersidang.” Sentimen Mustafa yang “terus terang tidak yakin adanya bilangan sebanyak 30 orang yang akan melompat parti” betul-betul serupa dengan nada Presiden Umno. Betul-betul serupa.

5. Lidah Mustafa boleh dikatakan sudah menjadi lidah Umno. Kita kena faham bahawa lidah ini adalah jurubahasa kepada hati. Jika begitu keadaannya apa yang ada dalam hati, maka lebih baik terang-terang sokong Umno. Hujah untuk “meredakan keresahan rakyat” yang digunakan oleh Mustafa tidak tepat. Apa yang tepat ialah kita kena tanya rakyat resah kerana apa? Jawabnya, rakyat resah kerana pimpinan di bawah Umno selama ini telah menimbulkan seribu satu macam keresahan. Usaha Pakatan Rakyat yang sama-sama sedang didukung oleh PAS, PKR dan DAP ini adalah usaha untuk memulihkan keresahan rakyat. Pemulihan dan keyakinan akan berlaku apabila Pakatan Rakyat menguasai di peringkat Pusat. “Cross over” kepada Pakatan Rakyat yang menuju ke arah peralihan kuasa sama ada 16, 17, 18, 19 atau 20 September 2008 hendaklah menjadi agenda setiap orang : agenda setiap Pesuruhjaya PAS Negeri termasuklah Mustafa bin Ali. Inilah semangat Muktamar yang telah kita sama-sama putuskan secara sebulat suara. “Standing ovation” itu adalah sebulat suaralah tu. Keputusan Muktamar ini, bukan kerja main-main.

6. Apa tujuan kita adakan kursus, seminar, ceramah, tamrin, usrah, doa, sembahyang hajat, munajat, pagi, petang, siang dan malam kalau tidak kerana untuk menumbangkan sebuah pemerintahan yang tidak cenderung kepada Islam. Jika Umno hendakkan Islam, sudah lama dia laksanakan Islam.

7. Saya tidak fahamlah bila Mustafa menyebut bahawa dia bercakap secara bebas dan pendirian beliau bertaraf peribadi; bukan atas kapasiti seorang pemimpin PAS. Pada saya, beliau adalah Pesuruhjaya PAS Terengganu. Dalam Islam, seseorang itu hanya boleh mempunyai satu sahsiah saja. Sesiapa yang cuba bermain-main dengan dua atau lebih rupa sahsiah, tidak layak menjadi pemimpin gerakan Islam. Sebab itu, Islam selalu menekankan soal tauhid, yakni penyatuan segala perkara di atas satu dan menuju kepada satu. Dalam PAS, tidak ada dua wajah sahsiah. Jika ada juga, maka ia sesuai untuk mewakili Umno.

8. Jika Dr. Mahathir pernah berkata bahawa ia tersalah pilih Perdana Menteri maka dalam konteks ini boleh jadilah Terengganu sudah tersalah pilih seorang Pesuruhjaya. Dalam akhir ayat Mustafa Ali, ada juga saya terbaca beliau menyifatkan isu ini timbul disebabkan keghairahan satu pihak untuk mengambil alih kerajaan. Di sini, saya cukup tidak fahamlah. Seolah-olah pada Mustafa, adalah satu kesalahan apabila kita ghairah nak gantikan kerajaan secara demokrasi. Sejak bila pula Mustafa jadi begini? Kita kena faham bahawa isu menghuruharakan ini timbul kerana sejak 50 tahun Umno memimpin negara, rakyat tidak dipimpin dengan jelas dan betul dari segi Islam atau demokrasi. Keadilan tidak diberi kepada orang-orang Melayu, Cina, India, Siam atau Kadazan. Ini yang kita ghairah untuk menggantikan kerajaan. Kita bawa Islam kerana Islam itu adil. Islam itu untuk keamanan dan kesejahteraan seluruh kaum yang bermastautin di Malaysia. Apabila nampak bahawa Kerajaan BN/Umno sudah panik dan resah sehingga terpaksa melarikan 50 Wakil Rakyat, maka pada saya, ini adalah petanda kejayaan. Tak tahu lah pula saya kenapa Mustafa Ali terpaksa bersusah payah untuk menjelaskan situasi sebenar demi meredakan. Meredakan hati siapa? Hati pemimpin Umno?

9. Dalam keadaan beginilah hati saya cepat-cepat teringat tentang HARAKAH. Saya tak dapat bayangkan bagaimana HARAKAH boleh memainkan peranan sebagai lidah rasmi parti dan organ parti, apabila orang nombor satu yang merupakan Pesuruhjaya PAS Terengganu ini telah mengambil sikap membelakangi keputusan Muktamar. Saya percaya, ini sedikit sebanyak akan mempengaruhi pojok, cerita, berita dan analisis yang dibuat. Dengan dibenarkan penerbitan dua kali seminggu maka lebih cepat lagilah ia boleh merosakkan imej HARAKAH. Pada logiknya, pembaca HARAKAH akan berkurangan. Saya fikir suatu keputusan perlu dibuat mengenai perkara ini.

10. Saya sebenarnya masih mahu mengambil sikap bertangguh dari terlalu cepat mengemukakan respons. Dengan begitu, saya akan cuba ikuti lagi apa rentak yang akan dibawa oleh pemimpin seperti Mustafa Ali. Saya percaya, mungkin ada satu atau dua orang lagi yang bersama dengan beliau. Selaku orang tua dalam parti, saya telah mengikuti orang penting dan orang yang tidak penting keluar masuk ke dalam parti. Bahkan Allahyarham Dato’ Haji Asri Muda sekalipun pernah meninggalkan Parti PAS. Pada waktu itu beliau adalah di kerusi Presiden. Beliau akhirnya masuk Umno dan semua orang tahu bagaimana beliau mengakhiri karier politiknya.



Bertarikh : 11 Ramadhan 1429
11 September 2008.

'My 18 hours under the ISA'

By TAN HOON CHENG

On 12 September, about eight thirty in the evening, I was at my home in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. While enjoying my yew char koay (fried dough stick), I was worried about the show cause letter issued to Sin Chew Daily, and anxious about the days ahead for my newspaper.

Suddenly, a group of plain cloth police officers appeared at my front gate. The person who started to identify the group and the purpose of this visit was a woman officer. She was also the only one in her uniform.

Through the gate, she told me that I have to follow them to the Police station, in response to that I told her that unless they have a warrant of arrest, I will not open the gate. At the same time, I immediately rung up the legal adviser of our company and my direct superior, seeking their advice.

Later, the female officer told me that they are arresting me under Internal Security Act, therefore a warrant is not required. On hearing that, I was immediately was prepared for the worst.

I have to act calm, comforting my parents and reassuring them that my colleagues would be waiting for me at the police station to render assistance. When I was taken away, my parents acted strongly, they kept on asking the police to accord me with proper treatment.

I was brought to Seberang Perai Tengah IPD (district head office), and I was placed in a chilling cold room while waiting for the police to begin their paperwork. I was accompanied by a female officer who seemed to be trembling as a result of the low room temperature as well. To break the silence, I initiated a conversation. She told me, “You seemed to be very calm.”

I told her, “I am arrested under the Internal Security Act, even though I am scared, I have to face this reality. But I am worried about my parents, friends and relatives, they must be very worried about me.”

To be frank, I was very cool-headed. I believed that there must be a lot of people out there supporting me, giving me the strength that I need, so I must stay strong, to be with these people who are supporting me.

The police recorded all my personal belongings, these were later taken away from me. After that, I am considered ready to be sent to the Police Contingent Headquarters in Penang. When I was brought out of the police station, I realised that a lot of my colleagues in the media, together with representative from different parties and groups were already waiting outside the Police station to show their support. Seeing this,I was deeply touched, I could no longer hold my tears.

When the police car arrived at the station’s entrance, my superior, Puah Eu Peng, our Northern Region Manager, tried to halt the car with his body, to slow the police car’s movement. He knocked at the window, to make sure that I was in the car and gestured to show me his support.

I instantly wiped off my tears, I realised that a lot of them are staying with me, I must be with them as well.

After taking my thumbprints, I was given my dinner and arranged to spend my night in remand. It was not to my knowledge that my colleagues in the profession and people from different groups and parties were there to show their support, right outside that station.

I requested the female officer to keep the lights on. She told me not to worry, she will not switch off the lights. The police also informed me that I would be meeting my parents tomorrow morning at eight. I have spent a very long time, thinking of everything that I have to tell my parents. I have lost touch with the outside world this is my only opportunity, I must cherish it, to clearly explain everything to my parents.

After clearing my mind and organising my thoughts, I tried to sleep while lying on the wooden bed with the company of the mosquitoes and the noise of water dripping. I have no idea what tomorrow holds for me, but I know I have to be in my perfect condition to handle everything.

I have never suffered from insomnia and this very night, I finally experienced it. Deep down in my heart, I know that those who care about me, would also be experiencing the same, my heart wrenched thinking of that.

At 6 o’clock in the next morning, when I was about to wash up, the female officer passed me the clothing brought by my parents. I was surprised; everything was new, the toiletries, t-shirts, shorts, panties.

I later discovered that the ‘parents’ that the police officer was referring to were a bunch of my colleagues. While waiting outside the Penang Police Contingent Headquarter, they have prepared all these for me. They were uncertain when I would be released, but they told themselves that they must get these necessity items ready in the briefest time possible.

I met my parents and bided them goodbye, the police informed me that they would bring me to the Police Headquarter in Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur. My heart sank, I told myself this is the beginning of it, I must brace myself for everything.

After few turns of event, I was eventually brought to the Perak Police Headquarter in Ipoh. After a brief interrogation session, I was brought back to Penang Police Headquarter again.

It was here, where I was interrogated further. I told myself to keep my mind clear, I must tell them the truth, and respond appropriately.

After the interrogation session, I was brought to see another higher-ranked officer, he told me, “We can both go home now!”. Both of us turned to the clock on the wall, the time was 2.25p.m.

This my 18 hours under ISA. I have gone through a lot

After being released, I received a lot of messages, telephone calls and bouquets. My colleagues in the press, representatives from political parties, society leaders, schoolmates, classmates, friends and relatives have visited me at home. Of course, not forgetting the readers and the public who called up or visited Sin Chew Daily’s office in Penang or the Head Office in Petaling Jaya.

Calls, messages, well wishes, and visits from readers and friends. To all of them, I have to express my deepest gratitude. During that 18 hours which was filled with a lot of uncertainties, I felt that there is some unknown strength that has supported me throughout, I knew it must be from you all, those whom I knew or have not met!

I realise that our journey is still full with challenges and obstacles, so we have to continue the same righteous spirit and courage that we have all shown this time! Our society needs this spirit, to build a better tomorrow.

I have finally been freed, but I hope Teresa Kok and Raja Petra Kamaruddin and all those detainees under the Internal Security Act, could be released as soon as as possible. If the authorities think that they have broken the law, they should brought to the court of law to receive transparent and fair trials.

This article is reproduced here, with permission, from www.mysinchew.com