KUALA LUMPUR, 18 JAN: The presence of hundreds of thousands of people at Merdeka Stadium in conjunction with the People’s Uprising Assembly 112 (HKR112) on 12 January is the pinnacle of success to all assemblies since 1998 because the police finally bowed to the desires of the people to peacefully assemble.
According to HKR112 Committee member, Hishamuddin Rais, the police had to comply with the desires of the people who wanted to gather which has never before happened at any previous rallies.
“If previously the act of rallying was criticised heavily because it could jeopardise national security, finally, after 15 years of our struggle for justice, the police had to give way to our rights that has all these time been denied,” said Hishamuddin.
HKR112 this time was different from the Bersih 3.0 rally because then, there was violence when the police tried to stop the people from voicing their rights.
“HKR112’s success is not due to transformation by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak but the presence of people of all races and ages that gathered and were allowed to speak out,” said Hishamuddin.
He explained that the real meaning of an assembly is not just to struggle against police violence of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) but to fight against the despotic leaders and the ignorance of the people’s rights.
When asked if such rallies will be organised should Pakatan Rakyat (PR) rule in Putrajaya and still does not fulfil promises demanded at HKR, Hishamuddin said yes and that the people have the right to refuse any tyrannical leaders and governments.
He said this as a panel member at the Post KL112 Forum titled ‘Impact and Direction of the People’ organised by Pak Sako Academy located at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Kuala Lumpur (KLSCAH) last night.
The successful organisation of the last People’s Uprising Assembly (HKR112) which was carried out without violent incidences is a continuity of all rallies and demonstrations held since 1998.
During that time, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was stripped of his position of Deputy Prime Minister and was accused of involvement in a sodomy case causing the people to hold street demonstrations against the Umno-BN Government which was led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Also present as panelists were PKR Deputy President, Azmin Ali and lyricist of the song Awan Nano, Hasmi Hashim and was attended by over 200 participants.
