AFTER A YEAR!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
JD Says-"It has taken me a year to finally sit down and try to write something.Many things happened in the past year both personally and professionally that kept me away from putting anything down on the blog.
Disillusioned by the so called powers that carry the Malaysian Indians plight and the never ending inability to be united for betterment of the community,I to must admit that I gave up trying.
Sincerity is the keyword missing in most peoples agenda towards the Malaysian Indians cause.Be it leaders or a man in the street like me,we all have agendas,differing in agendas are fine but our sincerity in fighting or standing
for the cause must and should never be compromised.
Most compromise for power,wealth,position and fame.Only when everyone of us act without looking at returns and with full sincerity and devotion in our hearts towards the betterment of the Malaysian Indians future,the rot will not stop.
With all sincerity it is my humble request to all Malaysian Indian politicians and aspiring politicians to serve the community with genuine concern and not TRADE IN THE MALAYSIAN INDIANS FUTURE!
I for now am trying to continue whatever little contribution I can towards the cause.Like my daughter said and got me thinking "Never give up Dad".What I taught her she has return the favour and courage to me today".
Posted by JD 11:28 AM 0 comments Links to this post
HINDRAF PRESS STATEMENT ON DEMOLITION OF SRI MAHA KALIAMMAN TEMPLE AMPANG.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Sat, 27/09/2008
135-3-A Jalan Toman 7
Kemayan Square 70200
Seremban.
PRESS STATEMENT
RE: DEMOLITION OF SRI MAHA KALIAMMAN TEMPLE AMPANG
DR XAVIER JAYAKUMAR OF PAKATAN EXCO LOST THE PLOT ON TEMPLE “NOT REGISTERED ACCORDING TO THEIR FORMAT”.
PAKATAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT FOLLOW THEIR PREDECESSORS
ATTITUDE OF MISLEADING THE PEOPLE ON “REGISTER” ISSUE.
IS PAKATAN GOVERNMENT WILLING TO LODGE POLICE REPORTS ON AMPANG JAYA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL??
HINDRAF is shocked with the statement made by Dr.Xavier Jayakumar which appears to echo that of the usual excuses given by BN and UMNO leaders that Temples are demolished because they are not “registered”.
We maintain our stand that there are no provisions currently under the Law to register the existence of a Temple and that this and all temples exist legally under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. The issue of legality of a Temple does not exist at all and it is a duty of the Government to provide land and funds for places of worships belonging to any and all religious groups. The statement by Dr. Jayakumar that the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple is not registered with the Selangor State Council and that it did not fulfil the “format” of registration is a joke and makes a mockery of the basic right to worship of every citizen. It appears the Pakatan Government is singing the same tune of the previous Barisan Government in misleading the community to believe that the temple committee was at fault for not registering the temple.
We challenge Dr Jayakumar and his Pakatan Government to produce the necessary provisions of the state Law that stipulated the necessity of the so-called “format”. To add insult to injury he had the audacity to say this is not a Temple but a shrine. Is he trying to indicate that it was okay to demolish a shrine? How less is a shrine than a temple?? The problem with these politicians is they do not give a dam about the feelings of
Hindus and the need to provide and gazette places of worships belonging to Hindus.
HINDRAF have specifically written to the 5 Pakatan led Governments to gazette all temples (which is directly under their purview) but till date they have not taken any positive steps to do the same and keep misleading the people in the same way BN did.
HINDRAF is taken aback with the statement that the MPAJ had ordered the demolition of the Temple without knowledge or directive of the state Government. If the statement of Dr.Xavier is true he should take the most responsible step by lodging police report and insist the police initiate criminal proceedings against MPAJ for their
Criminal act under the penal Code for defiling a place of worship.
The statement by Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin justifying the demolition of the temple on grounds of misunderstanding between MPAJ and temple management on renovation works and documentation is another mockery. Is it consistent with good Governance to demolish a place of worship should there be a “misunderstanding”. Would anyone in MPAJ dare demolish a mosque?
HINDRAF hereby calls on the Selangor Government to stop playing politics and mislead the people and immediately gazette all places of worships and provide land and funding for the purposes of erection of places of worships belonging to Hindus and non-Muslims.
P. Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Posted by JD 2:04 AM 2 comments Links to this post
HINDRAF PRESS STATEMENT 24TH SEPT 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wed, 24/09/2008
135-3-A JALAN TOMAN 7
KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN
NEGERI SEMBILAN.
Samy Velu’s Statement “They no longer pose danger to the country”
HINDRAF insists THEY NEVER WERE A DANGER IN THE FIRST PLACE.
P. Uthayakumar he has always maintained that his release should be on the basis that the Government acknowledges the oppression suppression and marginalisation of the Indian community over the last 51 years and that measures be taken to rectify the economic and social imbalance of the Malaysian Indians. He insists he is not desperate for his release at the expense of scarifying Malaysian Indian Rights.
Uthayakumar also insists that his release should be on the basis that the Government admits the very arrest under the ISA was politically motivated and had nothing to do with threat to National Security and the baseless allegations of links with terrorist organisations.
While HINDRAF welcomes Dato Samy Velu’s initiative to speak to the PM on their release we insist that he should openly admit and apologize to Malaysian Indians for justifying the arrests of the 4 lawyers last December 13th.
The confidence of the Malaysian Indians could only be regained if Dato Samy Velu apologizes in a gentleman manner to the Indian community for his errors and statements last December and I am certain the Indian community would forgive him.
Uthayakumar has also asked me to repeat his call made in March this year that the 4 remaining ISA detainees were never involved in the day to day affairs of HINDRAF nor were they involved in organising the Nov 25th rally or the presentation of the 18 demands at Putrajaya on 12th August 2007.
Manoharan and Kengadharan were purely acting in their capacity as advocates and solicitors in that they represented various cases filed in court on behalf of HINDRAF and its supporters and they were particularly targeted to instil fear among Lawyers from acting for HINDRAF. Their arrests have no justification whatsoever and is a great affront to Lawyers performing their duties.
HINDRAF praises these two great Legal personalities who were made scapegoats in the attempt by the Government to frame HINDRAF in a bad picture.
Ganapathi Rao’s participation in HINDRAF was merely for a short period ie about 3 months prior to his arrest under ISA. I can never imagine how a person could be categorised as a threat when his involvement was for such a short period. He was merely targeted as he had delivered speeches on Budget 2008 as he revealed the truth and the extend of the marginalisation in the budget that was presented by the PM.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Currently in London
Posted by JD 9:32 PM 1 comments Links to this post
HINDRAF CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE:THE CURSE OF BEING AN INDIAN.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
I write this with a great deal of frustration for the inability of the Malaysian
Society to see the true fact in the state of the Malaysian Indians on the basis
of humanity.
Hundreds of innocent Malaysian Indians who were merely
exercising their legitimate rights under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution
were arrested in the pre and post November 25th famous HINDRAF rally.
They were immediately remanded in police custody under strict instructions
by the ruling fascist UMNO led Government. It is an undoubted fact that the
Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General took direct instructions
from UMNO.
Hence the long period of remand for HINDRAF protesters as
compared to protesters related to other protests. WHY? The answer is simple.
The Indians have to be taught a lesson. As far as UMNO is concerned the
Indians have successfully been “silenced” for 50 years with the help of their
crony the MIC. But what happened! Alas! If these are allowed the Indians
would be made conscious of their basic rights – they would develop their
courage further to demand for their basic rights - so the best is to hit them
and to hit them hard. Place them on protracted remand period! That would do
the magic.
However the magic did not materialise. The Indians could not be “contained”
any longer. They rose to the call of HINDRAF to articulate their inner feelings
of oppression suppression marginalisation and permanent colonization.
Then came the avalanche of criminal charges slapped on them. Illegal
assembly, failure to disperse, criminal damage to property, and a range of
“offences” allegedly committed.
The instant UMNO were made aware that I had left the country to lobby
International support, more “magic formula’s” were formulated. Suddenly the
Batu Caves devotees were rearrested and charged with attempted murder.
Upon hearing the rearrest many devotees went into hiding which they rightly
did for that was the only way to escape this oppressive police force and
fascist Government. Those who were unlucky, 31 in total were slapped with
another charge of “attempted murder”. WHY? Because UMNO had to satisfy
their thirst of EGO to overcome the “insult” to their authority as “ super
masters of the Malaysian race” by the Indians.
Even then the civil societies and political parties claiming to champion Human
Rights didn’t utter a word of objection. For the first time in history the Attorney
General of Malaysia made a personal appearance in such a case to send a
muscular and vibrant signal to the Indians that “watch out”. We are seriously
going against you. WHY did the AG make a personal appearance??? To
demonstrate to his UMNO masters he is doing the job for them!!! Everyone
knew what was the motive of those Attempted murder charge but none dared
speak!!!! WHY?
Lawyers M.Manoharan and P.Uthayakumar had emotional arguments in open
court with the Presiding Judge and the Attorney General who objected to the
bail applications of the 31 on flimsy grounds that he had evidence that they
had links to terrorist organisations.
Those close to hundred who managed to squeeze into the courtroom would bear witness to what happened in the courtroom.Manoharan and Uthayakumar made their most emotional and poignant arguments in open court for they could no longer take the
oppression of the state against the particularly targeted innocent Indians. The
public who were in courtroom would testify the potency and fervour of those
arguments of these two great Lawyers assisted by R.Kenghadaran.
Malaysian Indians would never have in their lifetime seen such courageous arguments
by Mano and Uthaya. A group of Bar Human Rights committee lawyers hastily
walked out in protest of the manner Mano and Uthaya argued for their clients!
WHY???? The answer is obvious- because the accused in the dock is not a
human by the name of Anwar or Lim . THEY WERE INDIANS!!!!!!
Having denied all 31 bails including those sickly and needed medical attention
UMNO was still not satisfied with their thirst. The Indians still need to be
taught a lesson. What next “magic formula”. Arrest the Lawyers under the
ISA and break up this new freedom movement from within their lock up in
Kamunting. And to justify the arrests under the draconian ISA, bizarre
allegations were made that HINDRAF and its leaders were linked to terrorist
organisations particularly the LTTE. When challenged to a joint press
conference for each party to prove and disprove those allegations the 4
Lawyers were immediately arrested under ISA within days. No need to hold
the first 60 days enquiries!! Yes within days there was a break up within them
and suddenly the “planted” guy made a startling police report of RM700,000
financial scandal against Uthaya and his family members.
Immediately after the ISA arrest the ferocious Attorney General decided to be
magnanimous by withdrawing the attempted murder charge. His words in
court was “it was the only fair thing to do- 31 people cant be charged with
attempted murder of one policeman”. HOW CONVENIENT? WHY were they
treated this way???? BECAUSE THEY WERE INDIANS.
Trial was fixed for the KLCC demonstrators (more than 51 persons) for 2
continuous week by the Judge. WHY 2 continuous week??? Is it a priority
case as per the Practise Directions from the Chief Justice??? It has to
be- that’s the reason the Presiding Judge even forsaken the remand prisoners
and Government Servant cases. So this was a priority case!!! What was the
motive of the Presiding Judge???? To satisfy his UMNO masters!!!! Why did
he do it so openly? BECAUSE THEY WERE INDIANS.
I beg you to imagine the predicament of these innocent human beings. Two
weeks off their work? What do they say to their bosses? Many lost their jobs
after the initial arrest. How do they justify their absence to their new bosses?
“Hi boss, I’m terribly sorry. I exercised my fundamental right to assemble
peacefully once in my lifetime on NOV 25th and I got my arse burnt. I’m sorry
but please give me 2 weeks time off without remuneration to attend court to
“defend myself” under the “due process of Law” !!!!!!.
What does he tell his wife “ My darling forgive me, I attended the rally on NOV
25th for our future Indian generation and now you have to excuse my absence
from the house for 2 weeks to enable me to attend court. By the way prepare
the whole family to slash their meal next month as half my wages will be
deducted for my absence from work. By the way from the following month
onwards I’m jobless because my boss came to know I’m in trouble with the
state for exercising my right under the Constitution!!!.
To his children he says “my dear children forgive your appa’s absence from
home for the next 2 weeks. Appa have to face the “due process of Law” for
exercising my right as a good citizen for you and your future generation.
Please understand next month we may have to eat only porridge or boiled rice
as I would be paid half and we wouldn’t afford normal healthy meal. We may
have to survive with this longer as I have lost my job and most likely would
end up in prison and we have to respect the due process of law ”.
The trial of the more than 50 accused kicked off for 2 continuous weeks. At
the end of the 2 weeks, 27 were “compelled” by circumstances to plead guilty.
The Judge on Wednesday told all the accused that he would fix the case for 2
continuous month beginning next Tuesday 23rd Sept 08. This sent
shockwaves and arrhythmias to all the accused . Another 2 months in court!!!!
What are to happen to their families? Jobs? Future? Loan repayments?
Instalments? Hence the 27 were successfully stifled into pleading guilty.
So what was the rationale and urgency behind this oppressive form of trial!!!!
After two continuous week of hearing they are slapped with another 2 months
of continued hearing. I wonder was this attempt to “kick their arses” to plead
guilty and get lost from the face of JUSTICE. What is the best method to stifle
them to plead guilty!!! UMNO works out a “magic formula” again. Slap them
with a 2 months trial, which would be “a trial of their lifetime”, that they and
the whole Indian community would never forget.
27 courageous citizens decided to satisfy the thirst of UMNO by pleading
guilty. They were slapped with a RM1000 fine. The remaining determined to
fight for their innocence. But don’t you think it is an attempt by the Judge to
stifle them into pleading guilty by fixing the trial to continue for 2 continuous
month? They are bound to lose their jobs. They and their families are bound
to starve countless days. How are they going to pay their monthly Housing
loan repayment or house rental. Are their children going to have nourishing
food? What would their children respond their friends when questioned about
their fathers’ exercising their rights? What about the stigma on children that
their father is a criminal that’s why he ended up in court. These are the
serious question that not only the presiding judge should ask himself but by
the entire judiciary, legal fraternity, civil societies and all those who love and
cherish democracy and fairness.
I question myself why none choose to speak? Is it because THEY ARE
INDIANS??? Yes we are a weak society. We are politically weak. We are
financially weak. We are economically weak. We are an “insignificant” society.
BUT WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS. WE BELIEVED THE PROVISIONS OF
THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION WOULD PROTECT US. WE BELIEVED
MALAYSIANS ARE NOT RACIST AND WOULD COME TO OUR DEFENCE
IN THE NAME OF DEMOCRACY.
We too deserve the Protection of the Law. We too deserve protection of the
Federal Constitution. We too deserve protection of all civil societies. We too
deserve protection of the Judges, legal fraternity. We too deserve the
protection and support of all peace loving, democratic, fair and caring society
that Malaysians truly are.
One can’t keep mum forever as if we are a species that never exist. I beg you
- all Judges, Lawyers, Human Rights Organisations, Civil Societies, fair
minded citizens please explore the plight and predicament of these neglected
community who form part of the democratic Malaysian society. They are
human beings too. The entire society spoke when our 3 fellow citizens were
arrested under ISA last week. The BAR immediately choose to hold an EGM
to discuss the issue. All political parties and leaders spoke up vociferously.
But the 4 HINDRAF lawyers were left “orphaned” post December 13th 2007.
Their fellow brothers and sisters did not bother initiating an EGM!!! No legal
team was set up to protect their fellow brothers unlike the 50 strong legal
team of the Bar announced last week. The great Malaysian who would be the
legal legend Karpal Singh immediately volunteered to take up the matter pro
bono for Mano and Ganapathi Rao for they were his brothers in the DAP.
Poor Kenga his habeas corpus application was the last to be filed as it was
suddenly realised days after that none acted for him and Karpal undertook the
noble task eventually.
The 2 months fixed for continued hearing should be challenged at all costs.
The Bar which provided legal aid to those accused should immediately issue
a strong statement against these forms of “oppression” by the Court and take
up the matter on a revision to the High Court. Nothing prevents any of the
numerous High Court Judges sitting in the same precincts to call up the
matter for revision in their Courts. The Amnesty International, which has an
office in Malaysia, could issue a strong statement. The scores of Human
Rights Organisations and Civil Societies could raise concerns. It would be
fantastic if Respected individuals who have standing in the society speak up.
I mean no insult or disrespect to any who may be affected by this article.
Forgive me for I could have erred. Let us speak up for this particular minority
community in the spirit of Malaysians. I dread the thought of the consequence
of the 2 months continued trial of these fellow Malaysians on their family and
loved ones.
I beg you all Malaysians.
PLEASE SPEAK FOR THIS MINORITY INDIAN
COMMUNITY. PLEASE SPEAK AGAINST THE INJUSTICES OF “DUE
PROCESS OF LAW”. PLEASE SPEAK UP FOR THOSE UNJUSTLY
BEING PUT ON TRIAL FOR MORE THAN 2 MONTHS. PLEASE SPEAK UP
FOR OUR LAWYERS INCARCERATED UNDER THE ISA. THEY ARE
HUMAN BEINGS WHO DESERVE RESPECT, DIGNITY AND EQUAL
PROTECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
P.WAYTHA MOORTHY
CHAIRMAN
HINDRAF
Posted by JD 11:41 AM 1 comments Links to this post
BAR COUNCIL EGM: UNANIMOUSLY AGAINST THE ISA.
Saturday, 20 September 2008
Contributed by Brendan Navin Siva and Tony Woon
• Bar Council: Abolish ISA, free all detainees
• Bar Council: Free all ISA detainees
KUALA LUMPUR, Sat: The Extraordinary General Meeting of the Malaysian Bar started about 10.20 this morning after more than 519 members had turned up to satisfy the quorum requirement. By 11.30am, 737 members had registered for the EGM which was called by the Bar Council in its meeting last Saturday.
Proceedings began with the President of the Malaysian Bar, Ambiga Sreenevasan calling the meeting to order. Members were informed that the Bar Council had invited 3 persons to address the floor – S. Pushpaneela (the wife of M. Manoharan), Member of Parliament, Teresa Kok and Norlaila Othman.
Pushpa together with her son took to the podium and thanked the Bar Council and the Malaysian Bar for their support and assistance. She also highlighted the challenges faced by her, her children and all family members of the ISA detainees. Although she was visibly upset, she still managed to express her relief that Teresa had been released and was glad that at least one person’s prayers had been answered. Pushpa received a standing ovation from the floor when she completed her very touching speech.
Teresa Kok then took to the stage to a rousing welcome. She started by saying “I’m Back!” She briefly highlighted the circumstances of her arrest and the 3 areas of questioning she faced during her detention. She then described the conditions of her detention. She questioned the need to detain her to answer questions about the 3 issues when she could have easily answered such questions at the police station. She then highlighted the ramifications of her detention to her personally and to investment opportunities for the state of Selangor. She said that she had on the morning of her detention held a briefing for investors from China and she had told them that Malaysia was a peaceful nation.
"Can you believe it? A day after I told these investors that Malaysia was a peaceful nation, they read about my arrest", said Teresa who ended her speech by thanking the members of the Malaysian Bar for their support.
Norlaila Othman, fondly known by many members of the Bar as Kak Laila, then came forward to describe her plight as a wife of a detainee who has been held without trial for 6 years. She first said that her husband was very happy with the visits organised by the Malaysian Bar. She then expressed her gratitude to her personal friend, Edmund Bon, who had been assisting her ever since her husband was detained. She thanked Edmund and his team for all their assistance and support.
Ambiga then highlighted what the journalist, Tan Hoon Cheng, had said of her detention. She also articulated the words of Raja Petra’s wife regarding his detention.
The motion was then put forward by the President of the Malaysian Bar. Proceedings were then opened to the floor. Ambiga then called for any members who oppose the Motion to express their views. No one came forward.
Ambiga then invited Syamsuriatina Ishak to explain to members the work of the Human Rights Committee and the periodic trips to Kamunting. Tina said that periodic trips are conducted by members of the Committee to Kamunting to visit the detainees. Tina informed members that the work of the Committee has been greatly appreciated by the detainees and that she hoped that more members of the Bar would participate in the work being done.
Several members expressed their views. Dipendra Harshad Rai asked whether Council has any other plan such as to bring the motion to higher bodies. Ambiga thanked Dipendra and agreed that the Council will look at it. Latheefa Koya agreed with Dipendra. She suggested the Bar do things in solidarity with Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA.
Ravindra Kumar spoke of his experience visiting the detainees in Kamunting. He said it was very intimidating and could be described as a hell hole. He said the lawyers detained there were visibly affected and appeared to be under severe mental anguish. He said that not enough is being done for them.
Mah Weng Kwai said that there was support from the international community and as President of LawAsia, it will be discussed at their next meeting.
Renuka Balasubramaniam highlighted the lack of resources faced by the Human Rights Committee and the Legal Aid Committee and urged members to come forward to assist in any way they could.
Haji Sulaiman Abdullah pointed out that the ISA is of our own making and is not inherited from our colonial past. He highlighted the freedom of the press. He said that there is now constant discussion in the mainstream media about the ISA and we should protect this vigorously.
Chew Swee Yoke said that Uthayakumar had been deprived of his medication and was being given some other medication that he was told is similar. He has also been deprived of his diabetic diet.
The motion was then put to a vote. It was carried unanimously. The meeting then ended about 12.10pm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE MOTION
WHEREAS
THE MALAYSIAN BAR:
(a) Outraged that the Internal Security Act 1960 ('ISA') has recently been used to arrest Raja Petra Kamaruddin (a blogger), Tan Hoon Cheng (a journalist) and Teresa Kok (a member of Parliament);
(b) Deeply concerned that at present, there are more than 60 individuals detained under the ISA;
(c) Reiterating its earlier call, by its resolution of 15 March 2008, for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons presently detained without trial, including Manoharan a/l Malayalam, Uthayakumar a/l Ponnusamy, Kengadharan a/l Ramasamy, Ganabatirau a/l Veraman and Vasantha Kumar a/l Krishnan;
(d) Asserting the importance of upholding the Rule of Law, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara;
(e) Reaffirming the Bar's continued and unequivocal opposition to the ISA and all laws that allow for the detention of persons without trial, as they are unconstitutional, oppressive and undermine the Rule of Law;
(f) Taking note that, as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Government must fulfil the pledges it made, inter alia, to "promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms" and to promote "a free media, including in cyberspace"; and
(g) Deeply concerned that on 11 September 2008, the Government sent show-cause letters to three newspapers namely, Sin Chew Daily, The Sun and Suara Keadilan, regarding the reporting of certain issues.
NOW RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS, THAT:
1. The Malaysian Bar strongly condemns the arrests of Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Tan Hoon Cheng and Teresa Kok and strongly calls upon the Government to immediately and unconditionally release Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who is still being detained.
2. The Malaysian Bar strongly calls upon the Government to immediately and unconditionally release all persons presently detained without trial, including Manoharan a/l Malayalam, Uthayakumar a/l Ponnusamy, Kengadharan a/l Ramasamy, Ganabatirau a/l Veraman and Vasantha Kumar a/l Krishnan, who were ordered to be detained for two years from 13 December 2007.
3. The Malaysian Bar strongly calls upon the Government to immediately repeal the ISA and all other laws that allow for the detention of persons without trial such as the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969 and Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.
4. The Malaysian Bar strongly condemns the issuance of the three show-cause letters to Sin Chew Daily, The Sun and Suara Keadilan and strongly calls upon the Government to immediately withdraw the show-cause letters.
5. The Malaysian Bar calls upon the Government to uphold its pledges to the United Nations Human Rights Council to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to promote a free media, including in cyberspace.
6. The Malaysian Bar calls upon the Government to demonstrate its commitment to, and to uphold, the Rule of Law as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara.
Posted by JD 8:13 AM 0 comments Links to this post
PRESS STATEMENT - PAKATAN RAKYAT CALLING FOR AN EMERGENCY SESSION OF PARLIAMENT.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA, 18 SEPTEMBER 2008
Today Pakatan Rakyat leaders have submitted a letter to the Prime Minister requesting him to call an emergency session of Parliament to deliberate a motion of censure against the leadership of YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi no later than Tuesday 23 September 2008.
This is in accordance with Order 11(3) of the Standing Orders of Parliament and warrants an immediate response given the gravity of today’s political impasse. A delay in his response would be interpreted as nothing short of a further sabotage of the democratic process and abuse of Executive Power.
The Prime Minister’s haggling on the syntax of our first letter is puerile at best. The intent of our meeting as described in that letter was clearly to discuss the future course of the nation’s leadership – though in deference to his position and in accordance with acceptable norms we remain considerate and polite in our approach.
I find the Prime Minister’s comment about me in his press conference yesterday to be reckless and irresponsible in light of the disastrous outcome of last Friday’s ISA raids.
He has conflated what is essentially an issue of democracy, freedom and the rule of law with national security. The use of the ISA to harass and detain duly elected political opponents is a grave transgression of the law and its continued use would further erode confidence in the current government and exacerbate political instability.
As the incumbent Prime Minister actively holding office and exercising all Executive powers, and as the outgoing Finance Minister, we hold him fully accountable for the current political turmoil and mismanagement of the nation’s economy. His accusation that I have had an adverse impact on the nation’s economy is entirely without basis.
I have met with the key fund managers in the region, representing over USD 1 trillion in assets, and on multiple occasions they were unanimously in support of comprehensive reforms in Malaysia including judicial independence, a free media, a more professional police force and anti-corruption agency, investor friendly laws and assurances on the non-interference of politicians in the governance of Bank Negara. These are policies Pakatan Rakyat has promised to implement– and initiatives that the current administration has done virtually nothing to advance since March 8th.
ANWAR IBRAHIM
Leader of Opposition
De-facto leader, Keadilan
Posted by JD 9:40 PM 0 comments Links to this post
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL:PUBLIC STATEMENT OF REPRESSION IN MALAYSIA.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
PUBLIC STATEMENT
Malaysia: Arrest of blogger highlights continued repression
Amnesty International today urged the Malaysian government to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA) as it was used to arrest and detain the blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin.
The Malaysian government is using this law as a repressive measure to control dissent. It should be revoked immediately, and Raja Petra, along with over 60 others currently held under the ISA, should be either charged with an offence and brought to fair trial, or released immediately.
Police routinely hold those arrested under the ISA in incommunicado detention, without access to family or lawyers, for the first 60 days, greatly increasing the risk of torture or other ill-treatment.
On 12 September ten members of the police arrested online social commentator Raja Petra Kamarudin under the ISA for threatening national security and potentially “caus[ing] tension among the country’s multi-racial and multi-religious society”. At 1:50pm, police took him to an unknown destination, after confiscating his computer and other possessions.
In several media reports, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar stated that Raja Petra, the editor of news portal Malaysia Today, is being detained under Section 73(1) of the ISA which allows for initial detention without charge for up to 60 days. Six days before the arrest, the minister had warned that Raja Petra Kamarudin could be charged under the ISA for allegedly insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad.
His arrest came the day after the government removed a block on the Malaysia Today web portal, which the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had ordered all internet service providers in the country to impose on it on 27 August. This was for allegedly posting offensive comments.
In May 2008 Raja Petra was arrested under the Sedition Act and released on bail pending trial. He was arrested for allegedly implying that the Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak was involved in the killing of a young Mongolian woman. He was later charged with three counts of criminal defamation in July 2008.
Background
The government continues to use or threaten to use the Internal Security Act 1960 against people whom they accuse of being threats to national security, including government critics and those allegedly involved in “terrorist-linked” activities.
The ISA allows the police to arrest individuals they believe have acted, or are “about to” or “likely to” act in a way that would threaten Malaysian security, “essential services” or “economic life” (Article 73 (1)b). After initial 60 day detention for “investigation”, the ISA allows for detention without trial for up to two years renewable indefinitely, without the detainee being charged with a crime or tried in a court of law. It limits the political space for important debates on issues of economic policy, corruption and other social challenges.
Posted by JD 11:35 PM 0 comments Links to this post
