Taipusam

The grand silver-chariot left for Batu Caves on the eve (29 January 2010) passing by Chinatown. The madness was the crowd itself where worshippers and tourists alike thronged the roads that the chariot was scheduled to pass.

The image of Lord Muruga on a silver chariot punctuated along the four kilometers route to Batu Caves, stopping where there were coconuts to be smashed on the road.

Pick-pockets had a busy night racking in on unsuspected victims (I was one of those got “hacked”).

Taipusam is celebrated on the 10th month of the Hindu calendar, which falls in January or February each year. It is a day of penance and thanksgiving for the Hindus, and this festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Muruga (also known as Lord Subramaniam).

Hindus believe that sins can be cleansed during Thaipusam, and the believers who take part in the festival prepare themselves by cleansing their bodies through fasting and abstinence, usually observing a vegetarian diet for a certain period of time.

Cow’s milk in silver urns was the common sight and the devotees walk with Lord Muruga.

It is all about one’s faith in the Lord where resilience prevails.

It was about 3.30 in the morning and the crowd began to stream into the temple at Batu Caves.

To be continued.

Billiard Wizardry

Clip:Estrelita

SABM Roadshow - Klang Valley, 23 January 2010

In today's new knowledge-based society, we have to brace ourselves with the fast changing faces of the society, be it in the economy, politics and education.

But that alone is not enough. We must also prepare for ourselves and our children for a lifetime of being active citizens.

The derivation of a vibrant society should come from how we rely on the knowledge, skill, and virtues of its citizens and the politicians whom we had elected into office.

A number of NGOs have come to focus on the issues surrounding the necessity to be educated about what the civil society should know.

Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) too is playing its role to purvey to the general public about its concern how we should live as ONE in this plural society.

The man behind this initiative is a lawyer by profession and a man who has gone through untold problems to make SABM to be reckoned with is Mr.Haris Ibrahim.

23 January saw the first SABM roadshow in the Klang Valley and its second in the country. The initial one was in Penang and Ipoh is scheduled to be in February. (For further details, please visit: http://www.sayaanakbangsamalaysia.blogspot.com/

The crowd was overwhelming and such crowd is the driving force that harnesses SABM's principles.

The understanding among the various races will definitely bring forth the cohesiveness for unity that is in the dire need.

The smiles brightened the day and could we ask for more?

Man, woman and child are the testimony for us to sail into uncharted waters.

SABM T-shirts for sale and chow aplenty for everyone to eat, drink and be merry.

Lawyer Jahaberdeen Mohd Yunoos

Pastor Sivin Kit

Lawyer/Columnist Art Harun

The drum beat was deafening. The vibration was enough to generate the effect for Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia to stand together as ONE true Malaysians!

Unity On The Holy Day

HINDRAF Makkal Sakthi will be organizing " A Special Chariot Procession " accompanied with milk offerings & Kavadi's to Lord Muruga in conjunction with the auspicious Thaipusam Festival together with the fulfillment of the HMS 18 points demand, and the safe return of HINDRAF Makkal Sakthi's Chairman, Mr Waythamoorthy to Malaysia .

Venue : Batu Caves Temple
Chariot Starting point at Riverbed ( Attangarai )
Date : 30th January 2010
Time : 5.00pm

In accordance to this special festival, we invite all devotees to join us hand in hand . We encourage devotees to wear safron / orange colour . ( Kaavi colour ) .

' Lets all pray together " VALGA HINDU SAMAYAM" and "VALGA HINDRAF"

Forum on Socialist Movement in the Middle East

A former committee member of the Popular Front of the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Mr Salah Salah will be in town for a short visit.

In his own words, he would like to have a dialogue with Malaysians who have experience in the global socialist/leftist movement from the 70s - 80s to the present day. It will also be your chance to find out more about the leftist movement in the Middle East where struggle for liberation is more important than ever!

Date: Saturday, 23 January 2010
Time: 8.00pm - 10.00pm
Venue: SIRD/Gerakbudaya
(11 Lorong 11/4E, 46200 Petaling Jaya)

Damn, Damn and Damn

This coming 29th. January, dawningeyes will be celebrating its first year in the blog sphere. Guess what happened since 19 January 2010?

All my video clips (political and non-political) had been "mysteriously" wiped out except for images!

Your guess is as good as mine why it happened. My recent postings:

1. Death in police custody (Gunasegaran).
2. Anti ISA Arrest.(GMI).
3. Uthayakumar's sedition charge in court.

When I encountered my TV remote control was not working, I blamed it on gremlin to be at work.

When my video cam gave "two shades" I blamed it on gremlin to be the culprit.

Now my blog has lost all the video clips (political and non-political), I blame in on "real" gremlin to be at work.

This is the case where surreality comes true.

A True Malaysian

The natural reaction of any human when pushed to a corner is to turn around to face the adversity. The consequences of bodily harm are inevitable and to do or die attitude prevails at the very hour of necessity.

In many real life situations, we do not realize such drastic nature because we are not told or to brush it away as “one of those things”.

We cannot feel how the victim feels because we have not walked a mile in his shoes and I wonder anyone would like to walk in that dreaded shoes.

When there is nothing left in a person and without any means to fight for anymore, then the person learns to live with it by hitting the bottles or become dependent on hallucinatory drugs to drown the emotional pain.

Such aggravation is with Hobson’s choice is like taking a journey of no return. Should he be blamed when his beloved had made peace with his Maker?

Let me tell you about Gunasegaran who had died in police custody. A man in his twenties laid the hospital mortuary waiting to be collected by his next-of-kin. His only sister had to accept what had come to fate.

The distress call was then loud and clear and good Samaritans flocked to the scene. These good Samaritans chose anonymity and they sought legal help. From the concern of such compassionate people who unselfishly help others, the inquest into Gunasegaran’s death now comes with a hope to ensure that he had not died in vain.

This young and energetic lawyer, Mr.Visvanathan with painstaking efforts took up the case. It pains me and I am sure to you as well to learn what he is doing has gone unnoticed by the general public. The on-going inquest has made a significant impact and with his expertise, one after the other. the worms are crawling out from the can.

It is indeed gratifying to see this unsung hero who is using his time and spending his own money wanting to see justice prevails for the have not. I will be doing injustice to myself if I fail to highlight such good deed done by Mr.Visvanathan.

Let us hear what this unsung hero has to “sing” in the video clips.

Duta Court - 15 December 2009.

Duta Court - 14 January 2010

They Stood Their Stand!

Malaysians despise Internal Security Act (ISA). 01 August 2009 saw the people went down the streets in thousands to protest this draconian law.

Those arrested were on bail of RM500 each and today's hearing was postponed to 03 February 2010.

The man behind the abolishment of ISA Initiative is Mr.Syed Ibrahim.

Seditious Charges - Uthaya Kumar 14 Jan 2010

Lawyer Surindren has been fighting over the years for the cause for democracy. A persistent young lawyer wanting to see justice done has come a long way.

Sedition is a mistaken word in Malaysian context. It lies on a thin line between fact and fancy. When and how sedition can be wrong is mere interpretation for those who wail the power.

The truth lies in what you hear from the horse's mouth.

A Harmony of a Two-piece Band

Orchestrating a perfect harmony, this two-piece band could not escape my curiosity. The tune Rythem of the Falling Rain was dedicated to my request to record these young talents showing their prowess. Thank you.

On The Crest Of The Waves

Clip: Estrelita

Baby, Light My Fire!

Lawyer Mr.Francis Peirera asked Hakim Mahkamah Puan Balqis Hini to recuse herself from the hearing over the 23 peaceful vigilers arrested on 09 November 2008. Lawyer Mr. Gobind Singh Deo concurred.

The case is then postponed to 22 January 2010.

Our local candle makers are fantastic because they could produce an exceptional high-tech candles that could strike fear. Is it a laser flashing gadget (Star Wars wannabe type) that is well-camouflaged like a candle? You bet your "tutu" it is!

Teoh Beng Hock's Inquest - 07 Jan 2010

No one can steal time except procrastination. Time and again, we see the delay to the truth of Teoh Beng Hock’s death.

The coroner cited contempt of court over the police report by MACC officers on Thai pathologist Dr.Pornthip Rojanasunand. The intimidation is actually a blessing in disguise but to Beng Hock’s family and many Malaysians, it is the dreaded frustration.

Let us wait for the contempt proceeding to be heard first and let us see what happens next on this 15 Dec.

Patience is the word. This case is in good hands and thanks to Karpal Singh, Gobind Singh and Malik Imtiaz Sarwar.

62nd. Independence Day - Burma

The National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) Malaysia commemorates their 62nd. Independence Day. 03 January 2010.


Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is the people’s hope to see Burma has her independence again.

Ever since 1962, the military dictatorship had destroyed the fine fabric of the Burmese society. The Burmese lost in millions fighting the Junta for independence but in vain, against guns and bullets. Not only the Burmese have lost their independence but also their right to live a decent life to the looters – the Myanmar military.

2010 is their election year and to have a free and fair general election, international supervision is inevitable. The Burmese who are scattered around the world want to go home. They do not want to live in “charity” in foreign countries but in their own.

The world must help them to return home and build their country to a prosperous one. The military junta must be crashed and brought to justice!

Burma (Myanmar) has her freedom in fetters, and the National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) Malaysia called for:

Review the draft of 2008 constitutions.

Immediate and unconditional release of NLD Vice Chairman U Tin Oo, General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Khan Tun Oowho and other political prisoners.

Recognition in some way of the 1990 election result.

Unconditional dialogue participated by the decision makers should be commenced base on the principles of mutual respects and national reconciliation.

Free and fair general election is to be held under international supervision.

A Night To Remember For The Rasa-rians

02 January 2010. Rasa – a quiet town in Ulu Selangor came to life with nearly 2000 people celebrated the “Makan Night” with the Menteri Besar and the “YBs”.

Intermittent rain came and the function continued in the sheltered hall cum basketball court.

The crowd was a good mix with Malays, Indians and the Chinese together to celebrate the occasion.

Such get together night is a good sign to integrate the people with the state government, and it should be organized in other constituencies as well.

The Pakatan Rakyat lion dance team took the limelight. The two lions welcomed the VIPs and were officially anointed that night.