Komtar in chaos?

Technorati tags: UMNO, Protest, Penang, Race Clashes, Rumors

Updated: see in the full post (i.e. after the break)

Original Post:
"Not in our culture"? Well, those UMNO neanderthals up in Penang have really outdone themselves this time.

Walski has received unconfirmed reports that some fights have erupted near the Prangin bus terminal, and that the police have set up roadblocks on the Penang bridge coming onto the island.

Some blogs have reported "rioting", but Walski takes that with a large grain of salt (see Lil Something and Plazzy's Crib), as the definition of rioting that Walski uses simply doesn't jive with the images posted. And as usual rumors about possible widespread racial clashes aren't helping matters one bit. Please - stop spreading them rumors!

Scenes from Komtar earlier today
(image taken from Lil Something)

In any case, Walski wants to ask a small favor from you Penangites reading this: can you provide him some information/confirmation on whether there is any truth to the fight story and Penang bridge roadblock, or if any curfew is being imposed?

As you may know, Walski has family up there, and friends, and so is naturally concerned. If you hear anything, please leave a comment, or better yet, send an e-mail to Walski (address is on the right side-bar under the profile).

Walski thanks you in advance. Updates (if there are any) will be posted in the full post, after the break.
(updates in the full post)

Updated @ 2147hrs
As promised, here is an update, not from anyone that's given feedback, but from reading Lucia's post on the idiotic move by UMNO up in Penang.

Lucia also published a letter from a concerned citizen, K. Sudhagaran Stanley, urging everyone to not get involved witht he demonstration, which was staged by UMNO. Mr. Stanley further stated that this move was to instigate racial hatred so that a repeat of you-know-what would happen, bringing in the army, and ultimately handing Penang back to UMNO. He also said that this demonstration by UMNO - that's UMNO, not the Penang Malays - has been condemned by DAP, PKR and PAS as trying to stir racial hatred.

It seems that this protest was probably orchestrated by factions within UMNO - similar protests were held in Shah Alam, Selangor and the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, Perak.

Here's the question Walski has: if Hindraf's rally, where the police came down hard, and 5 of their leaders put under detention under the ISA, was supposedly so damaging to Malaysia and her economy, what the fuck is the Malaysian Government going to do about Penang Umno secretary Azhar Ibrahim? On the damaging scale, this probably rates worse. And if nobody has the fucking guts to do something about this irresponsible idiot - then Pak Lah, as head of UMNO, should step down. Pronto!

Beware the Ides of March? As it is, many suspect that the feigned support senior BN members (particularly UMNO) for Pak Lah is so that he may be removed unceremoniously during the UMNO general assembly (it's election year for them, too) later this year. That's provided, of course, there is a contest for the UMNO supremo's post. And if there's not? Well, Walski's certain that there's more than one way to skin a cat. Oh, and today is the Ides of March-minus-1. Guess, UMNO couldn't even get that right... one day early, knuckle heads.

Word has it that getting rid of Pak Lah will put a major speedbump to block the ambitions of a certain Khairy Jamaluddin - the real target. Walski cannot confirm any of this - just relating to you what the grapevine's told him...

But more importantly, what Walski urges you people out there is to remain calm. This is not a "Malay against Chinese against Indian" kinda thing. What happened in Penang earlier today is the fault of no one else but UMNO, upon whose head Walski places full responsibility.

More than at any other time, we need to remain united as one Bangsa Malaysia.