I went to the anti Internal Security Act (ISA) protest at AMCORP Mall in Petaling Jaya tonight. One of my friends has been arrested for just being there.

I went because (a) I wanted to see for myself whether what I had heard about police provoking protesters is true, (b) I hate the whole business of detention without prosecution: dictators used ISA-type regulations against Solzhenitsyn, Havel, Nelson Mandela, etc., (c ) I sense a groundswell of opposition to the ISA across all sections of Malaysian society and (d) I want to maintain the moral integrity to criticize detention without trial anywhere, including in China, Guantanamo, Iran, etc.

From my observations tonight, I have learned one reason why Malaysia “needs” the ISA.

Most of the policemen and women I saw in action tonight appeared young, ill-disciplined and ill-trained. We need the ISA because our persons in blue are not capable of successfully conducting investigations and prosecutions; they seem more able to provoke crowds and to apply brute force than to exercise reason.

Of course our entrenched Barisan Nasional politicians also need the ISA so that they can remain in power by using the police as instruments to oppress the opposition.

Tonight, when one officer was challenged about the action of the police in breaking up a peaceful protest, his response was “you don’t know. It could turn violent.” That was the only response he could give – he stayed on message, repeating the statement as if it were a mantra which would “make holy” the wrong being done.

The provocation I observed was begun by the police – armed with shields, sticks and guns – followed by their violent apprehension of citizens who voiced their opposition to the ISA by lighting candles in a public place, in the company of like-minded others.

The government-controlled media will report that the crowd disrupted business in the Mall. The truth is, the crowd did not want to go into the mall. The crowd wanted to go onto an empty field opposite the Mall – if the police had allowed the crowd to go to the field, there would have been no disruption of any business.

The crowd did not turn violent. This was not because of the actions of the police; it was despite the actions of the police – some of whom were just itching for a fight. One traffic police officer abandoned his post and entered the fray. His was the sole white-uniform in a sea of blue and he repeatedly yelled “tangkap” (detain); he wanted action!

I stood erect and looked directly at every camera that was pointed at me. I know several who wielded cameras were doing so for the police records. I wanted to be sure the police can identify me clearly so they can call me as a witness.

I know the police are human too. They know right from wrong.

I expect many of the police personnel were unhappy doing their “work” tonight. I know many of them don’t approve of the provocation their colleagues were spitting out. I know many of them will be examining their consciences tonight and feeling remorse.

I also know some of them will be boasting in locker rooms about how they overpowered (unarmed, untrained) protesters and “maintained the rule of law.” I hope many good cops will have the courage to challenge both their officers who blindly follow the instructions of their political masters and the thugs amongst the police.

I pray for both groups, both the good cops and the bad cops.

I pray they will find no rest until they develop the courage to call oppression – the triumph of might over right – by its proper name. I pray they will have the courage to confess and repent. I pray for their acceptance by God who is just and merciful.

I pray also for the protesters. I pray that they will examine their hearts and see if there is anything they did which was provocative. I pray they too will confess and repent. I pray they will continue to urge action on behalf of the oppressed all over the world.

I choose to enter the fray as a witness and as a voice for justice. The LORD help me.

The writer has a blog called Rest Stop Thoughts

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