A rally was held to protest against the ISA Act on 1 Aug 2009. The starting point was at Sogo Shopping Complex along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman to Istana Negara as the final destination to hand a memoradum to our King.
Knowing the traffic congestion, my son and myself took a commuter from Seputeh station and alighted at Kuala Lumpur.
Our objective from the very beginning was to support the Rally but "NOT TO BE ARRESTED AT ALL COSTS". After what I saw and experienced my earlier preception changed. We must stand up and be counted for what is right even to the point of being arrested.
We went on foot to Masjid Jamek station and many people had already gathered there. The procession started around 2pm and soon after there was shouting and yelling and people were running helter-skelter.
The Police were already arresting the people and people were shouting Reformasi, Hidup Hidup, Hidup Rakyat, Mansuhkan ISA, etc. and we ran with the crowd seeking refuge behind buildings.
There was the cat and mouse game came into play.
As time went by, many rounds of tear gas were fired and those closest the MFRU suffered the most with reddened eyes and were soaking wet.
I was told that water could be contaminated and I was running even faster to avoid it. Along the way, I saw a Chinese youth pouring his limited water to a breathless Malay man which immediately reminded me of the Good Samaritan parable right before my eyes. I couldn't keep up the pace with my son and I had to hold on to his shirt tightly and another hand gripping my umbrella. 
As we were running we were given free table salt to defuse the effect of tear gas and the true spirit of Bangsa Malaysia cannot be disputed. All races became friends like we had known each other for a long time and we were all very concerned about each other's safety.
The March continued without fear to PAS HQ as the alternative venue. Why the march because those who had died in detention can no longer march or speak so they need us to do it for them.
My big sunglasses and a face mask gave some good protection but I could still feel the burning sensation on my face and eyes. My son was not so well protected and he was coughing and gasping for air like many others.
We ran through a tall building and a water hose from above provided drops of water which gave some relief and people were scrambling to wash their faces. As we ran further we came to a sugarcane bush but we had to run again because the MFRU were inching in.
We ran from side to side of the road seeking shelter but the shops immediately pulled down their shutters and we had to continue our run. Along the way, I met a young girl who was lost and was sobbing. I told her "Do not be afraid" and we continued our journey until we arrived at the PAS HQ at Jalan Raja Laut. There was an enormous crowd and the road was closed. We felt safer at this place because of the astonishing crowd.
Many people suffered many hours of traffic congestion on the roads of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor but this has to happen for the sake of our children and our children's children.
See you at the next Rally.
Pictures from Star Publications and Malaysiakini.com
During one of my trips to Singapore, my aunt, a very smart businesswoman cum lawyer took me to visit a Home named Ju Eng.
