Thugs in Penang disrupt vigil for Adam Adli

A candlelight vigil by some 30 people in front of Universiti Sains Malaysia showing solidarity with detained student Adam Adli Abdul Hamid was disrupted by a rowdy group last night. 

The thugs, numbering about 10, shoved a student and Suaram coordinator Sean Ho and hit two journalists on their arms during the vigil.

Police Special Branch officers and Universiti Sains Malaysia security men were present, but they did not take any action against the thugs.

The vigil began about 8.20pm with the singing of the Negara-ku, followed by several brief talks given by participants.

The protesters were shouted at by the rowdy gang that turned up soon after the vigil began, but they stopped shouting when Penang Deputy Chief MInister I Rashid Hasnon delivered his speech.

One of more vociferous men in the rowdy gang, who wore a helmet and an orange shirt with the 1Malaysia logo, shouted at the people in support of Adam to go home, since Pakatan Rakyat had already won Penang.

"Do not disturb our peaceful life here," he shouted.

Ho talked to the man and tried to calm him down, but he shouted, "I am a local person, don't try to chase me away".

He calmed down when Rashid begin to address the crowd.

Minutes later, Parti Socialist Malaysia leader Choo Chon Kai in his talk said the authorities could arrest Adam, but more like him would rise and stand up to the struggle.

Another member of the thuggish gang then used a loud hailer and condemned the protesters for "violating the law and disturbing other people's lives".

He described the university students involved in the vigil as "trouble makers" who do not appreciate the education opportunities provided by the BN government.

Former Penang Umno Youth chief Norman Dahlan was among those spotted asking the protesters to leave.

Choo tried to talk to the group, asking them to respect the people's right to assemble, but they turned aggressive and started shooing and pushing away those holding the vigil.

Two male journalists, one from Malaysiakiniand the other from Nanyang Siang Pau, were hit on their arms when taking pictures of this.

The Malaysiakinijournalist lodged a report at the Sungai Nibong police station late last night.

Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari condemned the incident, saying his assistant Rozaimin Alias, who was among the protesters, was roughly shoved by the hostile group.

Others who spoke during the vigil were Dema organising secretary Yong Kin Yin, USM Student Action Council representative Muhammad Firdaus Abdul Rahim and Persatuan Progresif India Malaysia representative Kumaresan Arumugam.

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. We urge the government to allow these young people to voice their views," Rashid said in his speech.

Those in the vigil took a break during the Azan period for their Muslim colleagues to pray.

Several participants complained to Malaysiakini that the thugs ridiculed them as "stupid Malays who worked with the Chinese, who asked them to eat s**t".