Green Walk crowd swells to thousands

For the last stretch of the 300km Green Walk thousands have joined in the march

GOMBAK: The number of men, women, and children supporting the cross-country 300km Green Walk has swelled tremendously, with estimates putting the crowd at more than 2,000 today.

Many new faces had congregated at the Gombak toll this afternoon before joining in with the core group of roughly 30 led by Himpunan Hijau chairman Wong Tack.

A few hours before resuming the Kuantan-Kuala Lunpur journey, the atmosphere was carnival-like. Many were posing for photos with Wong, PKR MP Tian Chua as well as DAP State exco Ronnie Liu.

The group was also joined by a team of observers from the Malaysian Bar.

Bar Council’s human rights comittee co-chair Andrew Khoo told FMT that while they did not expect trouble, they were here to record and hoped that there would not be any interference by the authorities or saboteurs in the last two days.

“We’ve been told that Dataran Merdeka is now closed off. We have to see what happens but we hope not to see the violence of Bersih 3.0. Thegovernment must allow people to voice out.”

The sea of green-clad supporters were also joined by a colourful variety of people: from young people, retirees, to activists. Many held banners and several also brought their children, one even carried her dog on her back.

Pausing in between requests for photographs,Wong spoke to FMT.

“Everything is alright and good. It has become so crowded but I keep reminding people its not about the numbers but how many hearts you can touch to fight with us,” he said.

Asked about his expectations tomorrow and the possibilities of a confrontation with the police, Wong said it did not bother him.

“Whatever we do we do it peacefully. We are doing something right and righteous. Why should we worry?”

Wong said the authorities should not be preventing anyone from gathering at Dataran. However, Wong said if there were barricades, breaching them won’t be necessary.

Meanwhile, a few Himpunan Hijau volunteers admitted that it has been a difficult journey, despite the spirited front their leader Wong puts up.

“It has not been easy at all. We do not have enough manpower but we have to take care of many. Everyone is tired. the heat and rain is not helping either, ” said the group’s official photographer Bobby Lau.

“One thing is consistent in my walk with these brave people: I am seeing so many Malaysians willing to do something to protest and protect their country against something harmful” said volunteer Pang Shee Lim.

First timers and friends Cheong Boon Kin ,23, a cafeteria operator and Chong Yee Kang,23, media monitor executive said they are taking part to be noticed by the government.

“We just hope that what we are doing here means something. And that the government can hear us.”

The group, which has formed a long line of green along the Karak highway, will be stopping at the former PAS headquarters at Taman Melewar, where the participants will spend the night.

They are expected at the Sentul KTM Station at 2pm, the Titiwangsa Monorail Station by 2.30pm Maju Junction at 3pm and enter Dataran Merdeka by 4pm on Sunday. They will then proceed with an assembly at Dataran Merdeka where they expect to meet with parliamentarians. They initially wanted to walk to parliament but had canceled this.

The 2,000 over participants in the Green Walk which started on Nov 12 in Kuantan by Wong alone.

They are campaigning against the controversial Lynas rare earth plant in Gebeng as well as to highlight other environmental issues.