I can't speak for the rest, but living in Australia has certainly opened up my mind. A lot. In case you haven't been following Karipap News, we've covered numerous public demonstrations here in Melbourne. Many of which concern human right issues in countries like Sri Lanka, Palestine and Burma (just to name a few).

So, you could say my eyes twitched uncomfortably (like this 'o.O'-> 'O.o') when I read today's news from sweet home, Alabam-err... I meant, Malaysia.

Here are some excerpts from the Star.

Foreign nationals living here were urged not to use the streets of Malaysia to protest political developments in their own countries.

Referring to the demonstration by 700 Iranians, mostly students, in front of Wisma UN here on Monday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein said he had instructed the relevant authorities not to hesitate to take strict action against those that threatened the peace.

"I warned them: Do not use Malaysia as a stage and create disturbances and chaos.

"I have spoken to them and told them not to go overboard on Malaysian soil because the safety and security of Malaysians are most important," he told reporters in the Parliament lobby Tuesday.

I mean seriously... WTF? Creating disturbance and chaos? Why is the government so paranoid? Sure, maybe those Iranian folks should have applied for a police permit, but with due respect to the Home Minister, I think the police has been heavy handed in dealing with the protesters.


Oh yeah. Winning the hearts and minds of protesters. Pic: The Star.

Police presence is common in many of the public demonstrations that we have attended in Melbourne. And get this: The police played a role in guiding, protecting and supporting the demonstrators. I think suppressing non-violent public demonstrations with water cannon and tear gas has a detrimental effect that leads to disturbance, violence and chaos.

*Sigh* When will the Malaysian government understand that freedom of speech is for ALL? Including douche bags?


Oh don't get me wrong, I don't think these people are douche bags. On the contrary... Pic: The Star.

Burma Campaign Australia Candlelight Vigil
for Anniversary of Cyclone Nargis at Melbourne State Library,
May 2 2009.
Reporter: David Yoong
Video prepared by Lutfi Hakim.

(Since Karipap News has been very quiet of late, here's an entry which was written and published days ago in my blog. Old news, but hey, it's better than nothing, yes?)

I've been thinking of late about an issue that had recently taken place in Melbourne. Some reports on a spate of attacks on some Indian international students actually made many Indians angry, and last Sunday, about 2,000 of them took to the streets with an angry demonstration and demanded that the government do something to purge racist antisocial behaviour out of the country (here).

Why, even this guy even lent his views by refusing to accept an honorary doctorate from the Queensland University of Technology (here).


I so f**king kick ass

The rally caused diplomatic concerns (mostly for economic reasons, duh) and prompted the Australian Primer, Kevin Rudd, to step in and declare, "Australia isn't racist" (here), in a effort, akin to trying to douse the sun with a bucket of cold water. The police is taking corrective anti-racism measures (here), which I think, IS ABOUT TIME.

Looking chronological at the reports of racially-motivated attacks in the Age, I would argue that the newspaper is one of the many key catalysts in the mobilisation of people, and I would presume that this infamous picture of Sourabh Sharma undoubtedly triggered off last Sunday's demonstration (here).


Photo: Penny Stephens

When used in a manner that conjures a sense of great injustice, words and images can be powerful tools in promoting social change.

Ironically, I think this is one of the reasons why Australia is a great country.

[updates and follow ups]

An Australian working in Japan is prepared to pay the airfare from India for the parents of a student who was critically injured when stabbed with a screwdriver at a party in Melbourne last month (here).