Salam Eid Mubarak

Today is the 1st day of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri ... A day of celebration after the one month of fasting. Nowadays, we Malaysians sort of like certain of when Hari Raya Aidil Fitri will be celebrated. The whole of Malaysia without exception celebrating the day together in unity despite the diversity in belief or political leanings. I still remember in the early 80s, Perak, my home state, celebrated Hari Raya Aidil Fitri a day earlier than the rest of the states in Malaysia. I think the only state which followed the Silver State then was Johor. The whole "ceruk rantau" of Perak was besieged with "van Kementerian Penerangan" announcing the fall of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. It is also great to note that 13 ISA detainees were released a day before Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. Whatever the motive is as some would say, it does not matter so long as these 13 were freed and could celebrate the Hari Raya with their families and friends. I believe there are still score of detainees still being held at the Kamunting Camp for various "reasons" ... They should be freed soonest without any conditions attached. I read in Mingguan Malaysia today quoting the Perkasa head, Ibrahim Ali as criticising those who said the release was politically motivated as bankrupt of idea. He was saying that these detainees were released due to ISA had been abolished and the Government will release the remaining detainees in stages. As for me one thing for sure Ibrahim Ali is not the Malaysian Home Minister unless he has the privilege of knowing the intention of the Government to release the detainees in stages. However, one thing which I am sure of those ISA detainees should not be persecuted under the said Act in the first place and should be freed without any condition immediately. "Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri" .....