Nationwide Convoy to Abolish ISA on 27th April 08 _Event Report

The were almost 500 cars came down from all over the nation.
The first group with more than 250 cars reached Kamunting at 2 pm lead by RS Thanethiran ( National Hindraf Coordinator) from Juru R&R.
They went around Bkt Merah R&R, Simpang, Taiping and Kamunting road with convoy and get supports from the local with hons and wave cheers.
This team went ahead to the KEMTA though 2 road blocks were setup to stop the cars.
The cars insist that they have prayers near the camp and need to be allowed. The group reached KEMTA and gathered in front of Kemta.
The group chanted Hindraf mantras and request to appeal ISA under heavy watch of police and small FRU team in front of KEMTA for more than 1 hour.

Meanwhile another big convoy team with more than 100 cars from Johor, Melaka, Seremban and Selangor were gathered at Rawang RnR at 8am and flag off at 9.00 am by YB Manikavasagam. There was also 2 cars from the ISA detained family members there to support the convoy. All the cars were deco with NO ISA stickers, posters, Hindraf leaders pictures and flags. All the participants were wearing multi badges to show support to HINDRAF and Abolish ISA.
This convoy went into federal road at Tg Malim and pass by towns like Slim, Trolak, Sungkai, Bidor to create awareness.
This team later joined another big convoy team waiting at IPOH Kallumalai temple with another 150 cars.
This made the convoy "snake" longer and all took PLus highway from Jelapang to Changkat jering.
As they reached Changkat Jering, heavy rain started and all went to Kamunting Tannimalai Temple near Lake garden for prayers where the Northern convoy team join in too after initial demo in front of KEMTA. There food was served and later speech by Hindraf coordinators like RS Thanethiran, Kanna and Jayathas and also from GMI reps ( Pn Nor ) whom her husband detained for more than 6 years under draconian ISA.


At sharp 5pm all the cars lead again to KEMTA with more longer convoy around Kamunting. All the roads were clear from blocks made the smooth sailing to the door of KEMTA.
All car parked and thousand of supporters make huge protest with strong chant to Abolish ISA and LONG Live HINDRAF.
Add with hons from passby cars.
The small FRU called for help.

Abt 6.00 pm few trucks of FRU came and blocked the whole road. As usual the warning screen and bell were rang but none stops the supporter chant.
The OCPD issue stern warning to the crowd again and again. There were 3 water cannon FRU truck, 3 lorries and 2 Pajero type with more than 150 FRU police ready for instruction.

The HINDRAF negotiation team went to talk to OCPD and FRU chief, were given until 6.25pm to show the protest and disprease.

HINDRAF Coordinators later gave press conference to the media from local and oversea on the overall convoy message and repeatly want to government to repeal draconian ISA.
They told HINDRAF have used all the proper channel to voice the concern over ISA detainees including the KING and hope the government would release all ISA detainees asap. They also seek the govern to listen to the voice of Malaysian in large as even the BN component parties wants the iSA detainees to be released.
The crowd later dispreased in peace and they all thanked the police for the cooperation with big clap !!
The convoy doesnt stop there, they went around the Taiping town with long convoy and was supported by local from all races with waves and hons.
The cars later left Taiping at 7.30 pm to the their destination.

This is the biggest ever convoy from multi point to single point protesting ISA.
Though it was organise in short span of notice but the support had never reduced. It was planned to split the team from North and South to avoid police blocks.

Thanks to all the supporters and well wishers.

P. Uthaya kumar whom were visited by his family members at 12.30pm was told abt the convoy and he was very happy with the support outside.
Thanks,

Kannan