Despite the cold and the drizzle, the monthly anti-ISA watch held yesterday in Trafalgar Square by the UK chapter of the Abolish ISA Movement, received an impressive turnout.
Malaysians from all walks of life turned up at the venue, in front of the Malaysian Tourism Office, to show their solidarity to those detained under the ISA (Internal Security Act) as well as those back home who take considerable risks in campaigning tirelessly to end this oppressive law.
Present were a number of human rights activists, students, ex-ISA detainees, lawyers, journalists, bloggers, artists and concerned citizens. Some were Malaysians who had lived in London for up to 30 years and others who were just passing through, having read about the monthly ISA-watch initiative on Malaysia's vibrant internet news portals. There was a distinct buzz and energy in the air as the protest gained momentum on a busy corner of Trafalgar Square, where tens of thousands of people pass each day.
Over 150 passers-by stopped to take information leaflets on the ISA, most of them curious to find out why the tourism office was garnering so much attention. Many were shocked to learn of the flip side to Malaysia's sunny tourist image and the murky depths below its advertised turquoise clear waters.
The protestors carried banners and placards reading 'Stop detention without trial!', 'Malaysia - Stop Human Rights Abuses!' and 'ISA - a violation of human rights and civil liberties.'
London police helpful
The protestors were stopped by the metropolitan police once - but only to enquire that if was running well and if they could provide the demonstrators any assistance. Inspiring young artists and activists added colour to the demonstration by reciting ISA-inspired poetry and songs.One of the organisers explained the catalyst for these London demonstrations saying, "Over the last few months, there has been a sense that the Malaysian government has been trying very hard to spruce up its image abroad.
"London seems to be at the centre of this glossy marketing campaign - with initiatives such as the government sponsored Malaysian Kitchen project, a maiden exhibition at the Chelsea Flower Shower, the promotion of Malaysia as a health tourism destination and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's recent appearance in a design and current affairs magazine, the Monocle.
"Alongside this is Malaysia's re-election to the UN Human Rights Council a few weeks ago.
"Whilst this public relations re-branding exercise is not in itself a bad thing, we feel it's important for the Malaysian government to accept that if they want to play on an international platform, they need to abide by international human rights norms and standards. "Denying people their liberty indefinitely without charge or trial and using this archaic law as a way of silencing human rights activists, journalists, bloggers, opposition politicians and the man on the street, is not acceptable.
"Over a year ago, PM Najib Tun Razak promised a review and overhaul of the ISA. But till now all we have had is silence. This is a our way of sending a strong message to the Malaysian government that if they want their image abroad to be taken seriously, they need to clean up their human rights report card."
Loads of fun
Another Malaysian on a short visit to London said, "I read about the anti-ISA watch on Malaysiakini and thought it would be interesting to check it out. "It's been a really fun day and there is a really good atmosphere. Apart from just chanting slogans ... there have also been poetry recitals and a cool guy strumming on his guitar and singing ISA-blues-inspired songs. I'd recommend it to anyone passing by London on the weekends."As the picket ended and the crowd drifted back into their regular Saturday afternoon routine, the haunting words of a poem, "Please Don't Arrest Me Under ISA" written and recited by one of the protestors, George Wielgus, lingered in the air.
The next anti-ISA watch is on Saturday June 26, 2010 outside the Malaysian Tourism Office in Trafalgar Square between 12.00pm - 1.15pm. For more information please email abolish.isa.uk@googlemail.com
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