Malaysiakini: Pack your toothbrush, it's gonna be a while

Well, I can't say I didn't see this coming.

Raja Petra Kamaruddin has been arrested earlier under the ISA.

Of course, even Pete himself saw it coming.

This is a sign, this arrest is a warning. I myself think that this arrest is a prelude to much bigger things to come. Of course, this is expected of course. BN, especially UMNO is desperate now and desperate people resort to desperate measures.

I wonder if the BN/UMNO realizes that it is playing directly into Anwar's hands? Arresting Pete has caused a major outrage in the cyber community. Bloggers and pretty much the pak ciks surfing for news and porn are miffed at this development. This move, the arrest of Pete is sure to bring more discontent and make the government even less popular. People will view the arrest as a evil desperate act to muzzle the noble whistle blower Pete who continuously had aired the government's dirty laundry in public.

Sure, they say Pete insulted Islam. Sure, they say Pete's articles were seditious.

If that is true, then my neighbor is actually an alien from Mars.

There is something called freedom of speech. What Pete said/wrote is covered by this fundamental right. Right now, if you arrest and jail every disgruntled blogger under the ISA, 3/4 of Malaysia would be in Kamunting. That is the truth, the true level of discontent. Do they think by arresting Pete, Anwar would back off? Or would they arrest Anwar again, this time under the ISA as a 'danger to national security'? Come on la, you can't arrest every Abu, Ah Chong and Maniam...

The government wants to thwart Anwar. It is as simple as that. To ensure its own political survival, Anwar must be stopped. The arrest of RPK is the start of that damage control.

All RPK did was speak out.

There are those who wishes for us not to speak. Why? Because while truncheons may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words are the means to meaning and to those who listen, the enunciation of truth and the truth is there is something wrong with this country.

We must speak and think as we see fit but now the shadow of the ISA and the Sedition Act looms over ever poor soul that sees fit to speak and think as they see fit.

How did this happen? Who is to blame?

Truth be told, if you need to look at the guilty, you need to just look into a mirror. The masses who voted for BN, I know why you did it. I know you are afraid. Who wouldn't be? May 13 repeating again? Kampung Medan repeating again? Special rights taken away? Chaos and conflict reigning?

Many reasons corrupted your reasoning and robbed you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you and in your panic, you turned to BN. BN promised you stability, order and peace. All they demanded in return was silent obedient consent.

Fairness, freedom and justice are more than words. They are perspectives. If you don't see the direction we are heading to, then I suggest you keep on 'pangkah BN'. However, if you see as I see, if you hear as I hear, if you feel as I feel and if you seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside RPK, stand beside us, those who seek liberty and equality, those who seek freedom and fairness and together, we shall fight the fear that is being brought onto us and ultimately, prevail in the name of freedom and democracy.

Fear is what is being used against us. Fear of the ISA, fear of the Sedition Act, fear of another May 13, fear of another Kampung Medan, fear of racial riots, fear of our rights being stripped, fear of us being marginalized in our own country. Using this fear, capitalizing on our fear, there had been a total hegemonic power monopoly that profits but a few.

In the name of freedom and democracy, let us stand together to face this storm!

LIBERTY AND EQUALITY,
FREEDOM AND FAIRNESS,
MALAYSIA,
NOW AND FOREVER!

Godspeed,Pete.. Our prayers are with you