Another day of international shame for Malaysia – the firing of tear gas, chemically-laced water cannon and use of excessive force by the police against peaceful demonstrators and children during today’s Hindraf rose campaign in Kuala Lumpur .
Over 200 people have been arrested, reportedly including children, with allegations of manhandling by police.
Why was it necessary for the crude display of police force against peaceful Malaysians and children who wanted to use the Valentine Day to present roses to the Prime Minister at the Parliament grounds and to appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of the five Hindraf leaders unjustifiably detained in Kamunting Detention Centre under the Internal Security Act?
Why couldn’t the Police show a humane and sensitive face demonstrating its respect for human rights by allowing the peaceful Hindraf rose campaign to be conducted without incident?
If the Police could be so high-handed, tough and insensitive for human rights when Parliament has just been dissolved for the conduct of the 12th general election, I dare not think what the Police would do after polling day on March 8 if the Barisan Nasional wins another huge parliamentary majority.
The Royal Police Commission of Inquiry which was set up by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi four years ago when he first took office recommended that respect for human rights should be one of the three core functions of the Malaysian Police to achieve world-class status – together with the objective to keep crime low as well as to eradicate corruption in the police force.
It is clear from the Police crackdown on Valentine Day and the Hindraf rose campaign that the Royal Police Commission Report and its 125 recommendations for police reform had completely fallen on deaf years.
Abdullah, who is also the Internal Security Minister, and the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan, should publicly apologise for the excessive use of police force against the Hindraf rose campaign and utter disregard of the Royal Police Commission recommendation that the police should respect human rights of Malaysians.
#1 by maxplus on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 11:13 pm
Heard the crowd in Prai on Sat night threw eggs and slippers on Uncle Sam.
How disgracefull.
Uncle; get out la!!!
#2 by mohan26 on Monday, 18 February 2008 - 11:39 pm
It is a shame for PM Abdullah
16/02/2008 is a shameful day for BN Government and Badawi and another sad day for Indians and Malaysians. The 5year old little girl wrote a touching letter to Badawi to accept roses for the release of 5 ISA detainees and the 18 basic demands for Indians. She even personally asked Badawi for protection from police brutality, tear gas and chemical laced water. What is the harm of receiving some flowers from our future Malaysians. Badawi did not even reply to the little girl’s letter which was personally handed to his secretary one month ago. What kind of a leader is he ? What is this complete ignorance and arrogance of him and his Government. Even if he has no common sense of his own are there no advisers to him, are they all sleeping like their leader.
Do we need this kind of a man to run Malaysia? Badawi said that people should use “PROPER CHANNELS”. Please advice us which is the proper channel. Writing letters…? but you won’t reply. Go to MIC?…….that is waste of time. We Indians don’t want MIC anymore. 50years is enough. Indians can be represented by any other party. For instance I think DAP spoke more in parliament for Indians than MIC. Lim Kit Siang showed more sympathy and understanding for Nov25 and 16thFeb. I think this election we should all vote for Opposition. Give them a chance and there will be a difference.
We Malaysians don’t want corrupted ministers, ministers who abuse their powers, ministers who use ISA instead of law and order, ministers who swindle taxpayers money, racist MPs who threaten the minorities, MBs who break temples and most of all a minister who will not accept roses from a five year old. We need ministers, MPs and politician who are dignified, educated, knowledgeable, trustworthy and do their job. They must be professional in their line of duty and they must listen to people who have real grievances and problems.
This election all peace loving Malaysians should deny BN completely. 50 years of marginalisation, discrimination and depravation is enough. We need change, without change we will never see the end of corruption, police impropriety, independent judiciary, equal rights, end to discrimination, fair opportunities, freedom of religion, media, peaceful assembly and so on. All of which portrays a true democratic nation. If we do not achieve the above we are doomed.
This time we should use and vote wisely to a party that is capable of bringing the much needed change. I have personally listened to the voices of DAP and will vote for them without any hesitation. If we have put up with the current situation for the last 50 years, we can give a chance to the opposition to show their true capability for the next 5 years.
We peace loving Malaysians cannot put up with the grievances and problems that are slowly but surely seeping through the system. We need an end to this .
WE NEED CHANGE !!!
Liberty for all,
Mohan
#3 by mohan26 on Tuesday, 19 February 2008 - 12:07 am
Interesting comment by “I MALAYSIAN SAYS”.
Its true if BN Gov./ Police can do such brutal actions just before elections there must be a conspiracy of some sort. Why else would they be dissapointing a certain race when they should be going all out to convience them for votes. They know, they don’t need the Indian votes. Apart from going to the rural I fear what ever BERSIH is fighting for is going to be true on this election.
SDV Samy
#4 by limkamput on Tuesday, 19 February 2008 - 12:34 am
I think BN know that they have lost the Indian votes. So may as well be tough with the Indians to galvanise more support from the Malays and may be some Chinese.
#5 by BlackEye on Tuesday, 19 February 2008 - 1:41 am
Limkamput,
Be more lucid when you write! This is what Kg. Attap type education does to you. You misunderstand what writers post on this blog and you end up as usual having a quarrel with yourself! What’s worse, you end up in name calling!
#6 by limkamput on Tuesday, 19 February 2008 - 9:56 pm
Black rat eye, I have already issued you a challenge. Write me two paragraphs on any of the issue here and debate with me. If you are really good and credible, I shall leave this blog and not to participate in it again. You have my word. I am still waiting because I know you have nothing in your head and you can’t write. For someone who is incongruous in thought and incoherent in writing, how can he/she qualify to teach others to be to be more lucid? A crab can never walk straight. So don’t try, it is futile.
#7 by Wisdom above on Wednesday, 20 February 2008 - 11:24 am
‘…In fact, the battle cry for all Malaysians in the 12th general election should be “Heal Malaysiaâ€â€¦â€™
Bravo.
Stay focus.
“Our understanding is to ensure one-on-one fights and deny Barisan a two-thirds majority,â€
Barisan Rakyat ( PKR/PAS/DAP/PSM/MDP/PASOK ) = so clear , easily understood.
Now finally we have ‘ Unity ‘ , †One common struggle, One Voice & One Spirit “.
Syabas to Barisan Rakyat (DAP/PKR/PAS/PSM/MDP/PASOK ) ).
…
#8 by ktteokt on Thursday, 21 February 2008 - 5:45 pm
Malaysia is not only sick, it is in the final stages of cancer!!!!!!