Green Walk towards the Gloomy Merdeka Square

Conflict doesn't lead to stability of a country but the cooperation? is a struggle!

300km Green Walk from Kuantan to Parliament started off with 70 ascetics on the first day (13.11.2012), accumulated to at least 15,000 supporters on last day (25.11.2012). Green Walk participants marched to demand projects review on Lynas Advanced Material Plant (Rare Earth Processing Plant), Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (Cyanide on Gold Mining), RAPID project (Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development), and Baram Hydro-electric Dam Project (Hydro-electric Dam) fighting for the rights to live in hazardous-free environment.

Check post on Green Walk journey.

Approaching the gloomy barricaded Merdeka Square, leader of the Green Walk Movement, Wong Tack and the rest of the 15,000 participants were denied entry into the Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka). DBKL officials present that the Merdeka Square was under renovation and no activities will be allowed there, an iconic square where he wishes to have dialogue with the Members of Parliament. He was then sit outside the barricaded square with 80 (or more!) other supporters from evening until the next morning.

The asceticism had inspired at least 15,000 participants but the petition to review hazardous projects had turned down from the governing bodies, deemed as conflict, as chaos in the country by main stream media. Cooperation is a struggle! To a culture that makes no stranger to democracy countries, the peaceful meaning of assembly, protest, rally. To a culture of press freedom, human rights, the concept of respect for people. So, how can we do this? Why can't a declared democratic country cooperate with us, integrate with us, balance with us? 
(Malaysia democracy ranking slipped to 82 and press freedom slipped to 104, all out of 150 countries.)

The root of belief, freedom for everyone, freedom of expressing opinions, equality, human rights, with responsibility; law and constitution? That often found contradict each other? 

++ images shot entirely on film with Nikon FE @50mm f1.2 Fujifilm Superia ISO200 Exp2014 CanoScan

the Green Ranger! 

Chanting at Titiwangsa Station, while waiting for the green walk participants 

Men, Women, Children marched on despite the weather. 

Green Walk asceticism manged to inspire crowds from a wide cross-section of Malaysia society. 

a melting pot, the current Governing Bodies failed to achieve over the past 55 years.

Our land is being occupied and the government is colluding with the corporations. 

There is no guarantee for the health of our future generations

"Stop Lynas! or die trying!" 

My arthritis hurt badly in the morning, i'd been longing for today for 2 weeks, 

i begged my husband, son, grandson, i must cheer for them. 

Marching towards the Merdeka Square, an iconic place dubbed as a symbol of independence. 

妙赞法师也来为苦行者祈福

妙赞法师 prays for ascetics 

not only a melting pot but a sizzling cauldron! 

Some of what Main Stream Media, reported "2,000 participants". 

Wen Tan, who has been an excellent PR for the Green Walk, she takes good pictures,

presented them with beautiful digital artist's work, keep the information flows to the public. 

YB Lim Kit Siang, a prominent leader of the Democratic Action Party. 

(Jimmy Carter) We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different belief, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams. One mission- Stop Hazardous Industries. 

"It gives me the shivers talking about Rare Earth Plant." 

"After 13 days of walking, we're finally here!" announced Wong Tack.

 the barricaded Merdeka Square. Defying the symbol of independence. 

Green Walk participants held their head in disbelief, after denied entry to the iconic square. 

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We neither walk behind nor in front, we walk side by side, be comrades. We didn't do it for the individual glory, we do it because we loved our home, bestow to liberals' applause. We owed Green Walk participants the peace of mind, we owed them not just thanks and best wishes, but action! We need to take action and every single voice of you makes a difference!


Green Walk might have ended, but the war just begun. Don’t let other people decide your fate; the choice is in your hand. Brace yourself for a greater blockade! Stop Lynas! Or die trying. 




Regards,
JW.

Green Walk Day 8

My country makes me gut-wrenching. There is no science fiction, we'd been long alerted by the devastating pollution rare earth refineries brought to us, Papan- Bukit Merah, Baotou, China; tragedies of leadership betrayal. Malaysia environment NGOs have been struggling to stop the project, Nov 13, 2012, the Malaysia High Court once again revoked the appeal and granted green light to Lynas Corporation for operation.

Look at the approval of Lynas Advanced Material Plant (LAMP), it blemished a beautiful place i called home. Imagine how many beautiful mangrove forest had put down for the refinery of a 140 football fields. How many magical flora, fauna will lose their habitats?

How long are we going to suffer under the governing bodies that lack in social responsibilities? 

Is the life of Malaysian rather insignificant to the Malaysia Government? The "Elites" pay no regard, despite the protests, they welcome Lynas with 12 years tax exemption, approved the use of Cyanide in gold mining, building massive petro-chemical plant and giving lands for another massive dam.

the Government responded toward these environmental cries had turned to be childish and ignorant. I was devastated and heart broken, the way my Government treated this matter like a gag, a matter that could burden the fate of our future generation, a matter that could blot out the rich abundance nature.

Himpunan Hijau: Green walk is deem as a movement towards the celebration of human spirit, in expressing our constitutional rights as rightful citizen of a nation moving forward onto the ideal of an inclusive nation that is founded on justice, fairness and peace.

Today, Nov 21, 2012 onto their Day 9 Green Walk, from Bentong to Bentong Hot Spring (18km).
Sharing some of yesterday's Green Walk Day 8 pictures, from Karak to Bentong (22km)

Green Walk Day 1
Green Walk Day 3
Green Walk Day 5 and 6
Green Walk Day 8

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[interview] after receiving his architecture degree, he went to Canada to further study in Environmental Science, which was strongly opposed by his father. He insisted and worked in Canada for 15 years before returning to Kuala Lumpur to his father's request. He was then worked as an architect and built several buildings. He could not stand the life in Kuala Lumpur and decided to go back Sabah, runs a Palm Tree Plantation and Organic Farming. Settled for 5 years and has been leading a campaign against the construction of coal electric plants.

He led several Himpunan Hijau Campaigns to Stop Lynas! And had inspired the Ascetic 300km Green Walk, he is dubbed as modern days "Green Warrior".

 Wong Tack receiving medical treatment before 8th day Green Walk

 Sami Sifu Kong Li (空理法师) meditate for inner strength. 

 Our fellow friend, Zamri in the middle, one of the full 300km ascetics

 Approximately 200 participants gathered at the temple, giving their support.

 P.Y.T. powered by Mighty Mouse!

Green Walk had inspired lot of mothers to stand up for their children, heart warming family walk!

 Karak-Bentong undoubtedly one of the most dangerous Green Walk route ever, as participants will be walking on the Karak Highway, one of the highest accident prone highways. Participants crossing junction on the Karak Highway.

 Passed-by car cheering for the participants, a lot of thumbs up that day!

 Crossing on a tight squeeze at Karak Highway, barely room for the participants to stay on the safer white line.

 "Sir, what you need is a double protection. Please take this extra straw hat!"

 Police officers safeguarding the green participants on the Karak Highway.

 "Invest in Pahang, we make it easier for you." APPROVED!

Now, you know why so many plants in Pahang?

 Lady with the colorful handkerchief on head

For 12 long years, he is always on my left, ventures through many adventurous "fights".

Yang Amat Bokehlicious- Cslee

We are no longer living incumbent on current governing parties; Malaysian citizens had stretched out onto political maturity. We might be a third world country but we are not imbeciles. Our children shall not be living under the risk of radiation. Please listen! I beg you my Government; it's our health you're playing at stake.

 

Regards,

JW.  

Green Walk Day 5 & Day 6

"if you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is." -Charles Bukowski- 

Green Walk had marked their half journey accomplishment during the crossing of Temerloh Bridge on Day 5 (17.11.2012). Day 6, marched on from Mentakab to Lanchang. Today, onto their 7th Day of asceticism, a 22km walk from Lanchang to Karak; i am ashamed for not being able to join, and i rest on alternate days, i am ashamed of no promising numbers of young adults my age participate or help the walk; i am ashamed that i'd left the ascetic responsibility to uncles, aunties of 50 year-old to 72 year-old walking 300km, fighting for our rights, our future.

Check also Green Walk Day 1, Green Walk Day 3

Along the way, Green Walk received a lot of supports from the kind hearted. There are medical doctors traveled all the way from KL and Kuantan putting their medical license at stake. One particular Chinese Medical Doctor, Yong attended Kg. Awah middle of the night. "i don't no money, no car, no house, what left of me is medical knowledge." he said.

There are restaurants being warned off offering foods to Green Walk participants, risking their operation license, they went all the way, giving shelter, foods, drinks and then they "green walked". There are people donating coconuts, ice-creams, socks, chicken essence......

to be able to inspire does keep the morale high.

Green Route

One of the beautiful handcrafts of the Murum's Penan, Rattan backpack.

She tried to balance herself on the morning stretch but she kept falling, look how amused Aunty Mei is!

Sami Sifu warming up for another day of long stretch, Kg Awah to Mentakab. 26km.

It isn't easy for the participants to walk through 110km for the past 4 days, Himpunan Hijau Wong Tack pulled his hamstring on yesterday 30km stretch, he keeps his chin up and laugh. 

The Penan's favorite snack, Betel Nut! (Pinang)

The 9 year-old Gabrielle and Evelyn, although they didn't manage to finish the walk but they keep cheering for everyone!

the profound numerous prizes and awards winner, Film Director Tan Chui Mui came all the way from Beijing to join Green Walk, pass on her support to Change!

The Green Walk ascetic participants, risking their life crossing borders on federal road. For the one single reason, Change!

Change! for the freedom of clean air, freedom from pollution, freedom to fight for their rights

The Penan's Photographer.

Getting ready to cross Temerloh bridge, which also commemorating the half journey of ascetic Green Walk.

Green walk participants are thrill with their half journey accomplishment!

Green Walk receiving more and more support on each crossing borders, we were offered foods, drinks, coconut, fruits and ice-cream! Undoubtedly, a tremendous morale boost for them.

It rains again when the participants nearing 2km to Mentakab town, but it didn't stop them go marching in!

This gentlemen from Seremban has been hula-hooping for the whole journey from Kg. Awah to Mentakab, and the rain didn't stop him at all!

"Like the spring rains water the earth, drench with soaking joy of life, embrace its nourishing roots. -空理法师-

Didn't manage to walk on Day 6, from Mentakab to Lanchang, but manage to stop by and cheer for them. 

Picnic with the Penan.

Ban Cyanide! Green Walk Day 6, Mentakab to Lanchang, 22km, 33.8°C

Green Walk Day 6, Mentakab to Lanchang, 22km, 33.8°C! No sweat for the Pretty Young Thing in superman pants! 

Green Walk Day 6, Mentakab to Lanchang, 22km, 33.8°C

"if the adults decided not to fight for this war, we have to stand up for ourselves, it is our future at stake afterall."

Take nothing but to instill Stand Up Speak Up ideology, leave nothing but the footprint to inspire every crossing borders. Green Walking people!

“Sacrifice is a part of life. It's supposed to be. It's not something to regret. It's something to aspire to.” 

-Mitch Albom-

Regards,

JW