Toddlers pining for detained father a moving sight

For the supporters attending yesterday night's candlelight vigil near the entrance of the Jinjang police station lock-up, their eyes would often be drawn away from the speakers to a three-year-old boy in the background, who was gripping a placard that calls for the release of his detained father.

The toddler is the son of Amanah Youth vice-chief, Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin, who was yesterday remanded at the Jinjang police station lock-up for two days (until April 6) for allegedly making seditious remarks. He was accompanied by his six-month-old brother and uncle Syahmi Hazim (Shazni’s younger brother).

With Shazni’s little boys and sibling in attendance, the second consecutive vigil for Shazni and former Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) student activist Ahmad Shukri Kamarudin exuded a different vibe from the night before – an event more engulfed in melancholia compared to the blazing passions that fired up the earlier vigil.

The sight of the two toddlers pining for their beloved father was poignant enough to thaw even the most hardened of hearts.

“The kids may be too young to fully understand what is going on, but we (Shazni’s family members) have noticed they feel sad that their father has not been with them lately," said Shazni’s brother, Syahmi.

Ahmad Shukri was also dearly missed by his wife Sofwahtul Aufa and young son, who were unable to attend last night’s event which was organised by the Abolish The Sedition Act Movement (GHAH).

However, when contacted by Malaysiakini on Monday, Sofwahtul expressed her thanks to the loyal supporters who turned up for the recent candlelight vigils.

Sofwahtul's gratitude was reiterated in her Facebook post yesterday, where she also said her husband hoped that he will be exonerated from any charge.

Firm message

Ahmad Shukri's wife also encouraged the participants to continue their candlelight vigils in support of victims charged under the Sedition Act.

Similar to the night before, the crowd of around 30 supporters roared repeatedly with proclamations such as “Freedom! Freedom! Free Shazni, free Shukri!”, “Abolish the Sedition Act!” and “Long live the rakyat!”

Among the speakers this time were Amanah Youth deputy chief Faiz Fadzil, Bersih secretariat member Mandeep Singh and PKR MP Tian Chua’s political secretary Rozan Azen Mat Rasip.

The event was also witnessed by about 10 police officers, who remained alert throughout the vigil, which started at 8.30pm and ended at 10pm.

The entire scene were witnessed by about 10 policemen, who remained alert throughout the vigil whcch started at 8.30pm and ended at 10pm.

Also, in a phone conversation yesterday with Shazni’s lawyer, Lim Lip Eng, the DAP parliamentarian said the candlelight vigils will send out a firm message to the police, which urges them to conduct their investigations in a fair and thorough manner.

Last night's vigil may have ended, but for Shazni and Ahmad Shukri's children, the wait for their respective fathers to come home for good continues. -Mkini