Green marches go home

And although they did not “conquer”, members of Himpunan Hijau who are against the Lynas Plant in Gebeng, Pahang, said their journey will not end here.

V. Arumugam 50, from Kuantan said although the 300 km journey from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur was tiring, the support from the people kept their spirits high.

“It was a spiritual walk. People we met in towns and villages gave us food, water and money and many also asked a lot of questions about our mission.”

Arumugam said when he first told people about their cause, many were surprised about it.

ARUMUGAM: Journey was a 'spiritual' walk

"I want people to know what this march is all about. I don't expect them to join, but it's enough to just understand it," he added.

He also said that as soon as they finished their journey, everyone was craving for a glass of teh tarik.

Sarawakian Philip Jan, said the exhaustion from walking did not dampen his spirit in his bid to protest against the Lynas plant.

The 52-year-old Baram native said he took a week off from his job to participate in this event.

“This is the first time I walked this far and I also made some new friends during the journey," he said.

PHILIP: First time walking from Kuantan to KL

Another participant Chin Hoi Lon, 55, said although he faced some difficulties throughout the journey, he was determined to make it to Kuala Lumpur.

"My body was aching and my feet were swollen, but that did not stop me from making it to KL.”

Chin's journey from Kuantan and the others began their journey on Nov 13 and they walked 30 km a day.

Meanwhile, the movement’s chairman Wong Tack today said the gathering yesterday was not their “final destination”.

“We will go home and plan our next move,” Wong said.

The group had initially said they planned to camp at Dataran Merdeka until 9am today hoping the authorities would meet them.

However, they were told to disperse by Dang Wangi OCPD ACP Zainuddin Ahmad at 10.25am to make way for the road's re-opening.

The group obliged and left the area 30 minutes later and were spotted leaving in cars and buses.

Police yesterday said the group had breached the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 as they did not notify the police and City Hall of their planned rally.