My trip to Hong Lim on 27 Sep 14

I did not want to make a trip there today. The appeal letter of Han Hui Hui changed my mind. I just got to be there to see what was going on. There was another big event organised by YMCA that virtually took over the whole of Hong Lim Park according to Han Hui Hui, and her team would have problems pitching their small tent and doing a token march around the field of Hong Lim.

The sun was very unkind, contrary to the prediction of our resident geomancer. Too damn hot. While at the traffic junction waiting to turn into Fook Hai Building I could hear Han Hui Hui’s voice piercing through the car window. And there was an equally loud male speaker alternating from her speech as if they were screaming for attention. A clash of loudspeakers perhaps, and it was just 5 minutes past four.

I hurried to the park only to be greeted by several huge red and white tents, the biggest the size of 3 basketball courts at least, pluck right in the centre of the field. There was no sign of the Return Our CPF tent. There were at least a couple of thousand people under the tents and in the main stage area. At the mole hill that resembled what Charlie Brown stood, there stood pint size Han Hui Hui screaming her heads out, under the hot sun, no tent. It was blazing and maybe 200 people were around her in a little corner squeezed between the tents. See photos.

The little mole hill is in between the two tents on the right.

The little lady did not want to bow out in defeat. Apparently there were some negotiations with the police and NPark officers earlier and she was using the loud speakers to thank them profusely for the privilege of the little mole hill to exercise her freedom of speech. And of course  to the police officers for making sure her safety was not compromised. Roy joined her later plus a couple of fiery ladies. They blew their lungs out under the blazing heat of the tropical sun. By the end of the session, Roy almost lost his voice.

The climax of the event was the march around the big tent when Teo Ser Luck arrived. By then the spectators of the Rally had swell to possibly a thousand or more. It was quite difficult to count when they were intermingled with the participants of the other event.  Roy caused a stir and some worried faces when he carried the national flag and  headed for Teo Ser Luck. They had a friendly chat and there were smiling faces all round after that.

There were many things to cheer and shared with the very supportive crowd. And they shared with the participants of the other event as well. It was a good thing after all as Roy and Hui Hui found a bigger audience to speak to. I overheard some saying that the next event should be held on a Sat when there is another big event at Hong Lim to capture their participants. The supposedly clash of event did not really affect the mood of the Return Our CPF crowd. In fact many went there specifically to support Han Hui Hui’s call, fearing that she would be in some kind of difficulties. Many in the crowd said the same thing, that they did not plan to attend this round but must turn up to support Roy and Hui Hui in view of the presence of another big event on the same day and same time.

Looks like future events will be held when there are other events organised at Hong Lim and at the same time. It was a good thing, getting a bigger audience without any effort. No need to pay for drinks and chicken rice. The slight problem would be that Roy, Hui Hui and their fellow speakers would have to drink more ‘liang teh’ to soothe their throats.

I have posted more photos in the previous posts before this.

Kopi Level - Green