Pn Tay's Blog: 1 August 2009, Momentous Day: ISA Rally

Saturday, August 1, 2009

1 August 2009, Momentous Day: ISA Rally

We had heard and read of the ISA Rally planned for 1 August, but our school had scheduled a replacement school day so we dutifully went to school. Our English department had even planned and booked a buffet hi-tea which we did not cancel, so after school at 1.15 I drove to Eastin although all roads leading to the Istana were reported to be closed. Surprisingly it was clear all the way, I took the Kerinchi Link and did not mind forking out money for the toll for once. I was the first to reach Eastin. Atfter the sumptious hi tea, I drove home using the Bandar Damansara way and was caught at the roadblock, so detoured via Sentral and Brickfields, reaching home safely. Looking at the streets, I was quite grateful to the Police for seemingly doing a good job manning the blocks.

Look how New Straits Times online gave a very reassuring picture:

Calm Returns to KL city centre UPDATED 7.07pm
2009/07/31
NST News Team
KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan says the situation in the city centre has returned to normal.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohd Sabtu Osman has verified that up till 6pm, 438 people had been arrested, including 37 women and 38 juveniles.

REPORTED AT 5.43pm:

KUALA LUMPUR: Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman has been closed again to traffic.
At the Masjid Jamek LRT station and also near Maju Junction, security personnel fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd of protestors refusing to leave the area.

Some of the people were seen running into the Masjid Jamek mosque premises.

source: The New Straits Times Online

but the Star reported differently:

Saturday August 1, 2009
Anti-ISA protest: KL city centre turns chaotic
The Kuala Lumpur city centre turned chaotic on Saturday afternoon as the Anti-ISA protesters went ahead with their march against the Act. The protesters eventually dispersed at 6.29pm. Police confirmed that 438 people were arrested. Earlier, organisers of the Pro-ISA rally, which was also planned for Saturday, said they had decided to cancel it.

ISA protest: Crowds disperse; KL police chief says 438 arrested, so far

Star even had hourly and half hourly reportage:

07.05pm: Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohd Sabtu Osman says that 438 people were arrested until 6pm, including 37 women and 38 juvenile.
06.40pm: Mohd Khairul Azamdin, legal adviser to pro ISA Majlis Gabungan NGO Pembela Negara walks through police blockade and is now at the the Palace to hand over a memorandum urging that the ISA be retained. He is alone.
06.29pm Crowds disperse; reduced police presence; IGP says city situation is under control
05.45pm: Water cannons fired at Masjid Jamek LRT station; FRU and police marching in to disperse crowd; people are running into mosque............

source: THE STAR ON LINE

Pictures of desserts at Swez Brasserie, Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya