Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
I was brought up in a patriotic family. We love the country, its people, and everything Malaysia has to offer. But I knew a nationwide crisis when I saw one. The #Lawan protest was meant to shed light on the mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic, demanding the resignation of Mahiaddin Yassin due to his failure as our Prime Minister.
I heard about the protest and knew I had to go. My sister and my partner were eager to go with me, so at least I wasn’t going to be there alone.
And so I dressed in black, put on some high strength sunscreen, bundled my hair under a cap and I drove the three of us to the Masjid Jamek area.
Source: free malaysia today
Preparations
I did some research and I made sure to prepare for the worst. I remember the Bersih protests years ago: the tear gas, the arrests, the chaos and pandemonium. I knew things could get ugly faster than I thought.
- Sunscreen was definitely a must. I know plenty of people don’t think it’s important and don’t apply it daily, but it’s the only part of a skincare routine that is truly essential other than cleaning your face.
- We wrote down the numbers of lawyers and law firms that had offered free legal help for anyone who was protesting. We were desperately hoping that it wouldn’t come to that, but if it did, well, at least we were prepared.
- We also wrote down our emergency contacts. We put this along with the legal help down on a piece of paper that we placed in the back pocket of our pants.
- The clothes we wore were loose fitting and comfortable, but we wore longer sleeves to conceal anything too identifying, like tattoos. We also wore sports trainers or sneakers. If we had to run, at least we were wearing appropriate footwear.
- I read the red book from beginning to end and memorised key legislations. It was about the basic rights of Malaysian citizens and what one should do if arrested. It’s a great resource!
- I made sure everyone packed a backpack with water, a face towel, a notebook with pens, whatever I thought would be useful.
Getting to the protest
We had to go through Jalan Ampang, and close to the Shell and Petronas stations there was a roadblock. We were warned that there would be roadblocks all around KL, which functioned as a deterrent to any protesters.
Source: free malaysia today
We were afraid that we would stand out too obviously as potential protesters. My partner was kicked out of the car when a large truck blocked us from the view of the police and I told him to walk to the Starbucks drive-through a little ahead. We would meet him there once we’d gotten through the roadblock.
Given that my sister and I were petite ladies, the police let us through easily. We stopped at the Starbucks as my partner tried to walk as innocently as possible towards us so he could rejoin the car.
We went ahead with the plan. We managed to find parking near Convent Bukit Nanas, and we walked the rest of the way to Masjid Jamek.
The protest itself
The atmosphere was electrifying! Hundreds of people – all united by their belief that Malaysia deserves better. Of course, there were more people behind the scenes who contributed. Those who couldn’t attend the protest were happy to signal boost and do whatever else they could.
There was no doubt that protesters understood that it could turn dangerous at any time. A Black Maria van was spotted going towards the protest. I was made aware of it by the wonderful people who were supporting the protesters on social media.
Source: aliran
When we arrived, we saw everyone divided into rows and lines – kind of like a kawad kaki team, but with much larger spaces in between each person. There were wardens (identified by their yellow hard hats) stationed along these lines to ensure everyone was social distancing. Organisers were afraid that the police would shut the protest down on the grounds of violating COVID-19 SOPs.
Someone had a mic or speaker near the front and was using it to lead the crowds in chants. We inched closer and closer towards Dataran Merdeka while we screamed phrases in time with each other.
There was a very heavy police presence
At one point, while waiting to enter Dataran Merdeka, we were instructed to sit right where we were. A sort of sit in, I guess, something that I’ve heard happens during protests and demonstrations.
Source: shafwan zaidon
Where I was seated, I was next to a police car and I could sort of hear the officers. A few of them were going around taking pictures of the protesters. I just knew that they would be using those photos to try to identify us.
A policeman was showing another officer the photos he had taken. I listened as the officer told him to take more.
I was so glad we took the precaution of trying to obscure our more identifying features.
It was more than just protesters who had turned out for support
As we marched along, I saw many people standing by the side of the road dressed in formal blazers and pants. I think those were the lawyers who had volunteered their time to ensure the protest had legal help. I’m not a fan of lawyers but that really made me admire those who had the guts to stand up for what they believed in!
Source: free malaysia today
I must share my favourite part though! While we were marching and chanting, on the opposite side of the road, an older gentleman and a younger man were riding a bike: the older chap was beeping at us in solidarity, while the younger man waved a massive Jalur Gemilang! We thought it was so badass and the protesters all cheered as they rode past.
There are many ways to participate in democracy, after all.
We failed to enter Dataran Merdeka and were told to disperse peacefully
About an hour and a half into the protest, it became clear that we were not allowed to enter Dataran Merdeka. That was pretty sad. I was under the impression that the historic field was a place for all Malaysians – apparently not.
We stood there for a bit, just to check if anything was going on. The police were going to let us go (only later did I find out that the police started trying to identify people from social media).
The police also said that only 300 – 400 people had taken part in the protest. Definitely not! The organisers estimated around 1,000 and I think that sounds about right.
Source: muhd iqbal rosli
Would I do this again? Yes, a thousand times yes.
I did it out of the immense love I have for this country, and out of a belief that it could be a much better place for all its residents. I did it for those who couldn’t, because I was privileged enough to go.
Most of all, I did it because I agreed with it. There are protests that are silly, like the ones in France about the vaccine pass. I love this country enough to stand for it, even if it does not stand for me.
But this one, I believed in their message. And it’s no coincidence that Yiddin stepped down afterwards.
Please do not get me wrong: I did not do this because I want to stir trouble, or because I’m a rebel. I did not do it to boast of it or to cross it off a bucket list.
I did it because I think we all deserve better.
For more stories like this, read: The Brutal Truth About Corruption In Malaysia Where The Rakyat Continue To Be Poor, The Race Of Vaccination And Regulations Against COVID-19 – Is Malaysia Really Doing Its Best?, and 5 Ways Malaysian Politicians Responded to the Flood Crisis & What’s Really Wrong With It.
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