When I saw the photo of RPK that Haris posted here, my heart sank. It was the first glimpse of RPK since he was sent to Kamunting under ISA detention. His grown beard, unshaved head and the tiredness in his eyes paint a thousand words. I felt like kicking someone! Jong (from Ipoh), my new buddy from the Kamunting trip was there to show solidarity.
Here is Jong’s email account of this morning:
I just got back to Ipoh 1pm, left the PJ Magistrate Court at 11.15am without meeting RPK and also a possibility that the case would be draggy into the afternoon.
I arrived early at the PJ Magistrate Court vicinity this morning and parked at A&W for breakfast. By the time I went over at 8.30 am, I was told RPK was already inside together with Marina, daughters and some supporters and his legal team. The rest of us were not allowed to go in so I joined the 30 odd supporters waiting outside. Meanwhile I called Sunil, (remember him?) and he showed up within half hour. There were familiar faces around – also Chuan whom we met at Kamunting trip. He’s KLite, resides in Bangkok, a friend of Susan Loone. It was nice meeting up with them and we introduced ourselves. Soon the crowd swelled to over 100, with more familiar faces, bloggers etc.
I just called Sunil on the phone again to find out the latest update and
he said he managed to slip in when a few came out during the 15 minute break and you won’t believe it, Sunil managed to shake hands with RajaPetra! Said he looked good, in his usual good spirit. I’m glad. The court case will continue after lunch hour.
Raja Petra, Marina & family, there are people out here concerned about you. Mature, self-thinking people who can tell between right and wrong. People who will be ready to stand with you through all this. Even if we are not present there, we are always thinking of you and praying for you. Every bit of news about you is like water to quench our thirst and keep our hopes up. So please, don’t despair. We will keep up the noise and keep up the action. You will NOT BE FORGOTTEN!
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October 6, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Sunil
Hi Peng,
Nice blog – Jong told me about it and I decided I must visit. Keep up the great work!
Wasn’t planning on leaving any comments till I read this part that you wrote about RPK – “Every bit of news about you is like water to quench our thirst and keep our hopes up”.
As Jong mentioned, during a short break in the morning’s proceeedings, I managed to get in. And there he was! Many of those in the courtroom at the time (wearing the MT T-shirts – you can see the T-shirts in the pics in Haris’ blog) were going up to him to shake his hand. Couldn’t hold myself back, and I too went for it!
Despite the fact that he had no clue who I was, I got a priceless smile and a firm handshake and saw the twinkle in his eye – Peng, rest assured that the fire and passion in this great soul continues to burn as brightly as ever!
If today is anything to go by, he will not be alone during this trial – even if I can’t be there everyday, I will try to go a few more times.
May God bless him and his family.
Warmest Regards Peng and there is much promise for this lovely nation of ours if there could be more people like you, Jong and the others that I met during our trip to Kamunting.
Hi Sunil,
Thanks for your kind comments.
It’s good you managed to shake the hands of a man who gave up a lot for seeking the truth. It’s also comforting that we have good people like you and so many others who will stand together for what we believe in. Thank you for your note about RPK. I was moved to tears when I saw a photo of him in handcuffs (in Shanghai Fish blog). It’s so frustrating to see such injustice done to a true Malaysian.
Let’s do whatever we can in our own capacity to have our voices heard. One for all and all for one.
God bless. Let’s keep in touch.
peng