Now Everyone Must Stay Calm while This Country is being Ripped Apart..

With the detention of Raja Petra under ISA earlier this afternoon, numerous bloggers have make the call for The People to remain calm as not to fall into the trap laid by this desperate ruling coalition. What we can see now is the pattern of history repeating itself backwardly now that we have traveled back to 1987 Ops Lallang. The next major event backwards would be May 13th, 1969.

Malaysia Today came out with this statement to it's readers and commenters:"

Remember May 13. The government is trying to use the same methods to make people angry so that if we all take to the streets to protest, it will basically give them a free ticket to arrest more people. So we must be clear on what NOT to do. Let's not fall into their trap.

I am being told many political party leaders are now talking about what is proper to say in public, so when commenting please exercise the same restraint.

Next, we also need to know that RPK has not associated himself to any power or position. He is just like you and me except that he means well, can swear better and can talk louder. So, there is NOTHING for the government to gain by arresting him except to perpetuate their rule and to create the emotions to help them stay in control.

People are not stupid or ignorant anymore. Today, we have the Internet and mobile phones. We can always alert each other on the progress.

Unlike 1969, when you are thirsty for news, you may get angry and you would go to the streets. Not today."

And The People's Parliament wrote:

"For now, at least.

I’ve received sms’s asking if we are going to take to the streets.

People, do not play into the hands of the authorities.

Let’s not knee-jerk.

If we are going to do any vigils or peaceful demonstrations, let these be planned.

Will keep you posted on these, if any.

What I can tell you is that Pakatan Rakyat is holding a Hari Malaysia celebration on 15th September, 2008 at the Kelana Jaya stadium to commemorate 45 years of the formation of Malaysia, since 1963. The even starts at 8pm.

We are going to utilise that event to show solidarity with RPK.

I will try to get more details of that event and update all of you when I can.

Meanwhile, please start an sms campaign. Please send out the sms below. Can someone do translations in BM, Tamil and Mandarin, please? Send it in and I will put it up."

While Anwar came out with his press statement to condemn this ISA detention:

"I condemn the arrest of social activist and blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin under the draconian and infamous ISA. By sanctioning the use of the ISA to avert the process of transformational change in Malaysia, the UMNO-led BN government is confirming that it has lost touch with the will of the people and is no longer capable of leading within the framework of a just and democratic society.

Raja Petra should be released immediately and any allegations leveled against him by the Ministry of Home Affairs must be resolved swiftly by the due process of the law. Raja Petra should be given access to proper legal counsel, and his wife and children should not be denied an opportunity to visit him while he is held captive under this illegal detention.

Raja Petra’s detention and the show cause letters issued today to Sin Chew Daily, The Sun and Suara Keadilan, and its earlier banning of prominent political websites, demonstrate clearly the government’s willingness to subvert the freedom of speech at a time when expression of dissatisfaction with the government’s policies is at an all time high.

In the aftermath of the March 8th elections and the Permatang Pauh by-election the Malaysian people have demonstrated their courage and commitment to building a mature democratic society. The dastardly act of detention without trial will do nothing to abate the current government’s declining credibility, and in fact will likely hasten its eventual collapse.

KeADILan reiterates its vehement opposition to the practice of arbitrary detention without trial. We have consistently called for the immediate release of all ISA detainees, as such practices have no place in a democratic society. The ISA is used to quash dissent and smother those who in exercising their right to free speech voice opinions contrary to the preferred views of the ruling clique.Invoking the ISA just days before September 16th is clearly an attempt to engineer an atmosphere of fear and instability that would justify the government’s heavy-handed tactics against those aligned with the political opposition."

Here is the latest from MalaysiaKini which came in as i was writing this post.

Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng has been arrested today at 8.30pm at her home in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

It is unclear whether she has been arrested under the Internal Security Act, which allows for detention without trial.

It is learnt that she has been taken by the police to the Penang police headquarters.

Tan had reported that local Umno chieftain Ahmad Ismail had allegedly said that Chinese Malaysians are “squatters” in the country.

Her report sparked a nationwide outcry, resulting in Ahmad being suspended by Umno for three years.

Sin Chew had three days ago came out strongly defended Tan, who was accused by Ahmad of misreporting his comments.

Damn! I can't believe this is happening. Ahmad got away with a 3 years suspension and this reporter got arrested for doing her job... merely reporting what actually transpired that night during the ceramah.

I am getting real sick of all these ridiculous events that happened today.This is the day where Malaysia took a deep plunge into Total Darkness!!

Updates: 11:45pm

Now MP Teresa Kok joins the list of ISA victims taking the total to 3 in today's 'crackdown'. Both Tan and Teresa Kok is said to be charged under Section 73 (1) of the ISA.

Why Teresa Kok? Held for stoking racial tension? Based on cooked-up allegation by the loser Khir Toyo with the help of Utusan Melayu? What about her denial and her counter action of demanding for apology from these parties acting in concert? What about the Kinrara's mosque authorities statement which cleared Teresa Kok's involvement in the said azan controversy?

What they said here just doesn't justify the usage of their barbaric ISA against Teresa Kok. Again, it's based on their beliefs- their reason to believe... which can easily be subjected to Abuses.

Who's next?