The Kampung Baru Mosque and its surroundings was Ground Zero during the worst racial riot in the history of Malaysia of malays against the chinese. Many chinese were killed, and even thousands more were left injured & homeless. This riot happened in 1969 and remains to this day a very sensitive, embarrasing and dark event in the history of Malaysians. The barb wire to me represents the pain of this tumultuous period, and also the growing oppression suffered by all races (malays included) post 1969 due to the stronghold of Islam in the country, which is the dominant religion. From what I can see, the interpretation of Islam today by muslim spiritual leaders and politicians, encourages more and more rules & regulations to be imposed on the everyday lives of their fellow muslims. Non-muslims have also been forced unfairly to adopt islamic ways at times. This control I feel has created a very oppressed and stifled society. The muslim malays who are the predominant race in politics have also created policies that promote malay supremecy and disadvantage other races. The minority races such as the ethnic chinese and indians do not have equal rights and as long as these acts of discrimination continue, Malaysians will never be truly free.

Also see Tim's almost identical image at http://www.pbase.com/mityam/image/87464021.