I was at the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court 3 where DAP Selangor State Exco member Ronnie Liu was charged with a new-fangled offence – abetting in the obstruction of a public officer in the carrying out of his duty without the alleged principal offender being charged.
If convicted, Ronnie will be liable to the penalties of the parent charge of Section 186 of the Penal Code on obstruction of a public officer in carrying out his duties, i.e. RM10,000 fine, two years jail or both. This can lead to forfeiture of Ronnie’s position as Selangor State Assemblyman and Exco member and disqualification from standing for any elective office for five years.
Ronnie’s charge is the third political trial after the March 8 political tsunami, after blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin for criminal defamation and sedition and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for sodomy.
Clearly, the Barisan Nasional leaders have neither heard the message nor learn the lessons of the March 8 “political tsunami” which, in the relevant case, is that there should be no more political trials in the country.
It is these political trials which brought the national and international confidence in the independence, impartiality and integrity of the judiciary to such a nadir.
I was intrigued by Deputy Public Prosecutor Roslan Abu Bakar invoking “the spirit of law” in his application for a RM5,000 bail for Ronnie as it is the Public Prosecutor who had violated “the spirit of law” in fathering such a new-fangled charge against Ronnie – more than one year after its alleged commission.
If the charge against Ronnie is so serious and grave, why did the Police and the Attorney-General take more than a year before taking action?
Is the sudden arrest and charging of Ronnie after forgetting about the matter for moré than a year more related to the current Umno party elections so that former Selangor Mentri Besar Khir Toyo could gain political mileage in his contest for the post of Umno Youth leader?
Ronnie is out on RM3,500 bail with one surety with the case fixed for mention for Feb. 10 next year.
#1 by melurian on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 5:34 pm
no joke, ronnie will be sent to sungai buloh for 2 years for “rehabilition”. and the dun seat will fell to bn under bijan leadership……
#2 by rubini on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 5:42 pm
The more oppresive the BN governmnet becomes, the stronger the PR parties becomes. The days of political initimidation have long died. Thier action will only hastened their early demise. Even in South America where once dictatorship ruled, people no longer fear such tactics, as this will lead to the downfall of the ruler. Churchill once remarked “He who does not learn lessons of the past are doomed the same mistakes of the future”
#3 by Godfather on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 5:56 pm
If convicted, BN will not dare contest the resultant by-election. Believe me, we can put an orang utan in the by-election, and it will still win with the usual thumping majority.
Sometimes this is what is needed to ensure that the March 8 tsunami is understood. These clowns are still in denial.
#4 by waterfrontcoolie on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 6:01 pm
I don’t think they are putting on their thinking cap or they haven’t got one!!Most likely the later!
#5 by Dr.Ken on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 6:08 pm
If Ronnie is convicted then , our justice system is a total failure , again a laughing stock for the world to laugh. who is Ronnie abetting ? why the principal is not charge ? why it take more than 12 months to file charges ?
at times we need a Street protest to send a message to the BN Gov’t . Pls Pray for Ronnie. it is a shame for the BN gov’t.
#6 by eloofk on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 6:09 pm
Kil Tokyo knows how to win political mileage in his aspiration for the UMNO Youth Chief post by showing that he’s a champion of the malay supremacy by getting Ronnie out of the Selangor State Exco. Doesnt he knows that his days are numbered when the next bigger tsunami strikes?
#7 by dawsheng on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 6:13 pm
Well, 2009 is going to be an exciting year.
#8 by Loh on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 6:30 pm
Sorry, off topic
///Truly Malaysian politics have not been decoupled from racial sentiments and loyalties. And it is going to remain so for as long as the different races prefer to be separated and divided, prefer to strongly uphold their languages, cultures and their historical origins and links. All that is said about reforms and liberalism is mere lip service.///–TDM in http://test.chedet.com/che_det/2008/11/racism-and-2008-elections.html#more
TDM is at least correct in saying that racial politics will not go away because UMNO will not allow it to. It is because the Chinese wanted to retain their mother tongue, so UMNO will have to insist that the discriminatory policy would stay. In fact, to UMNO, as long as you become Malay, assimilated like TDM claims that he has been, then you will be one of them and you are also party to discriminate against other non-Malays. To TDM he has made the right sacrifice to forgo his race, and had reaped the greatest benefit in claiming lineage along his mother’s line, unlike what has been the practice of Islam, he will give other non-Malays no chance to go any other routes.
Having decided that with numbers UMNO can rule as bullies TDM does not even bother to say that with time and through Article 153, and when Malays has developed level playing field for the weakest in the community, NEP would go, ane people of different races practicing different religions can live together in peace, and equality. TDM now says that if non-Malays are not converted into Islam, and even converted would not be Malays, they have to be discriminated because they choose to retain ‘their languages, cultures and their historical origins and links’. So, whenever they choose to retain their identity as separate races, they are said to prefer to be separated and divided, and the policy of separation and division stays with the ruling government controlled by UMNO. By that token, no country which has people of different races living together has not their people of different races separated and divided. Yet when TDM was the PM, he told people outside the country that Malaysians of different races lived in peace. Has TDM an axe to grind now?
The head of government in countries which have written constitution swear to uphold the constitution as his sacred duties when he ascends the throne. It is apparent that TDM either did not bother to uphold the constitution or was ignorant of the provisions. He should be told that Malaysian constitution guarantees non-Malays the right as citizens equal to other races even if they strongly uphold their languages, cultures and their historical origins and links. The constitution does not forbid Malaysians in that regard.
I am flabbergasted that TDM would even write the above paragraph since he knows very well that the basic human rights under the United Nations convention include the right to education in the mother tongue based on the choice of the parents. TDM reveals his true person as a dictator, and a racist leader at that.
TDM has not presented a case on why people of different races with each keeping their own language and culture should ever be harmful to the country when they are not less law abiding as citizens than any other persons. What harms are there to the citizens when they should have more ability to acquire more languages than the national language. Indeed, is there a law against a person who happens to be illiterate? If one is legally entitled not to learn any language at all, for the sake for argument, why should the government consider learning their mother tongue an act against national unity?
#9 by cyYap on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 6:45 pm
The Malaysian judiciary is not credible whatsoever. The purpose of the bail is to secure the attendance of the accused person, but in Malaysia the government and Prosecution will abuse the purpose of the bail and by making the quantum of the bail prohibitively high, turn the bail into a punitive tool without trial.
I have too often alledged that UMNO will pervert and distort the electoral system to return the Barisan National into power by hook or by crook, mostly by crook ! The positive results of the election of 2008 will not happen again and if Pakatan Rakyat is to be viable at all they must take government this time around or not at all. UMNO will pervert the course of the LAW and reduce the strength of the opposition.
It is unfortunate and very regretable the MCA is still controlled by crooks and utter sell outs to UMNO and it is difficult to believe that MCA crooks can sleep at all for selling out the Chinese for their own gains. The Chinese deserve the betrayal of the MCA for supporting the present crop of charletans !
#10 by All For The Road on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 6:50 pm
As I see it, Ronnie’s case is a plain political game played out by the former state government out to seek vengeance and blood for its dismal March 2008 electoral defeat.
Selangor UMNO under ‘Toyol’ is still in a state of denial and just cannot accept defeat for whatever it is. The manner in which the case is pursued smacks of vindictiveness. Good luck to YB Ronnie Liu!
#11 by riversandlakes on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 7:08 pm
Go tell Barang Naik that the age of impunity is over!
#12 by cinaindiamelayubersatu on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 7:20 pm
berani kerana benar takut kerana salah. walau bagaimanapun di negara bolehland ini sesetengah orang semakin salah semakin berani. apa tidaknya politik wang yang dikatakan sejenis rasuah dibiarkan berleluasa di negara bolehland ini. yang mengamalkannya semua orang tahu – umno. mungkinkah khir juga terlibat ? dia kata tidak. wallahua’lam. kita faham kerana tak kan dia nak mengaku dia berak tengah jalan. dia kata semasa dia jadi mb dulu dia bersih, hanya gajinya sebagai mb tetapi dia tipu dia ada habuan sebagai kepala pnsb sebagai kepala pkns dia penipu. kalau dia berani, sumpah jahanamlah. mungkin dia berani bersumpah maklumlah tinggi menggunung habuannya kalau menang dalam umno. dalam umno tak pandanglah setakat rm1000 sebulan setakat ketua pembangkang, depa boleh buat rm1000 dalam satu jam aje senang senang. hai, apa nak jadi dengan bolehland kita…
#13 by ktteokt on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 7:56 pm
Simply a bunch of sore losers! “Shu bu qi” lah!
#14 by One4All4One on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 8:57 pm
If a person, who was detained under a certain law, was released, his writ of habeas corpus which was filed to challenge his detention would naturally be withdrawn, as it would be academic and serve no tangible purpose.
Similarly, Ronnie Liu who is charged with, to quote the above article, “abetting in the obstruction of a public officer in the carrying out of his duty without the alleged principal offender being charged”, should have the charge against him withdrawn, as there is no tangible case without charging the principal offender.
What kind of justice are we talking about here? There seems to be hidden agenda and ulterior motives to prefer charges against Ronnie Liu now. More so to bring up the case such a long time after the alleged incident. The learned judge must suspect something amiss here.
Bring the best lawyers to fight the case. The alleged “obstruction” must be proven wrongly adduced beyond a doubt.
Good luck to Sdr. Ronnie.
#15 by alaneth on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 10:50 pm
I bet these Political Trials will greatly lessen near the next GE.
#16 by letek on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 11:51 pm
YB Ronnie u must be highly alert of present scenario ,yr state opposition leader still can not accept the fact as they never dream what they’re today ! ! !……..imagine a person when they’re in the mids of a sweet Dream , suddenly wake up by somebody………
what would they do next ? ……
answer : to find fault against u n trap u down .by hook or crook !….
#17 by cu on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 11:56 pm
Does anyone know that:
The Malaysian government suspended Parliament and the executive branch governed on its own through the National Operations Council until 1971. The NOC proposed amendments to the Sedition Act that made illegal the questioning of, among others, Article 153. These amendments were passed by Parliament as law when it reconvened in 1971.
#18 by Samuel Goh Kim Eng on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 12:49 am
BEWARE OF THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Better enjoy first the calm before the storm
That will come about without anyone to inform
Now that the economy is in gradual stages of deform
Better get ready for various forms of economic reform
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng – 181108
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Tue. 18th Nov. 2008.
#19 by Jong on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 2:09 am
This Umno-led govt is bankrupt of ideas, it’s obvious, this is another political trial to get at Pakatan Rakyat.
I was in Penang for saturday’s Candlelight Vigil for Anti ISA, and at the end of the vigil when the crowd was dispersing the red helmets suddenly appeared to intimidate and without the knowledge of the others, they bundled off one of the organisers – Paula Khoo who played the guitar and MC for the night. She was waiting for her husband to drive the car over from the parking bay to fetch her home!
This govt is totally so out of control and lacks confidence in its ability win public support. They are desperate and afraid our candles will burn the government down. Fear tactic is what they know best they use the PDRM intimidate its citizens!
We have tolerated them and waited 51 years, what is if to wait another 4 years? We can wait and will wait and come GE-13, they will make sure it has to go, perhaps needs to closeshop!
#20 by Jong on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 2:22 am
sorry, should read:
“..we will make sure it has to GO, perhaps needs to close shop!”
#21 by Bigjoe on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 8:40 am
What boggles my mind about the political conspiracy against Ronnie Liu is that on the big picture basis, it makes absolutely no sense. What is the real purpose? If the purpose is to discredit him, its hardly worth much given the lack of trust of the judicial system and police.
If the purpose is to get rid of him as an MP, its actually even worst and where I wonder if there is any real brain behind the conspiracy. Even if they find him guilty and sent him to jail, it makes him a matryr something the consipirators should understand well but appear not! To actually believe that they have a chance to win his seat in a by-election speaks of ideological mind gone havoc!!
To me its speaks of a consipiracy machine that is out of control – a hallmark of Khiir Toyo and his many stupid ones (Teresa Kok being the most famous). Its sheer inbred insanity….
#22 by Jimm on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 9:39 am
police are merely dogs used by umno to control Malaysian ….
Rakyat have to decide whether to stand united in sending umno to their rest place and free the Malays from being colonization by umno.
Malays virtually have their entire lives ‘decided’ by umno and dictates by their rulings and policies.
When all of us stand united as one without any colors ….
umno will be history ..
Go and make our day comes .
#23 by melurian on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 10:12 am
“Even if they find him guilty and sent him to jail, it makes him a matryr”
did you find lge a matryr when he kena jailed? heck, he even kena kicked out from melaka, selangor and the cec din respect him and blamed for sabotaging in kerk campaign. and if it’s not aab and lge lost penang, you think he will be what as today? when he lured jeffooi and tonypua, many ppl unhappy about this, what’s more putting them in mp seat. and bout ronnie, do you think ppl serious think he’ll be matryr? he’ll be blamed for losing the seat and ppl trust as dun/exco. and ronnie such an unfortunate for polis having case with him…… the judge will say “you’re as dun/exco and having so many experience as politician and yet you don’t know this is illegal, I hereby sentence you to maximum punishment of 2 yrs jail and 10k fine.”
tonypua will be in the next list……
#24 by dawsonruby on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 10:21 am
I wouldn’t be surprised if they slam charges on Ronnie and make him disqualify for the next GE so Hantu Toyol can once again regain his crown as the mp of selangor.
#25 by Mr Smith on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 10:31 am
These are travails of a dying party. Its degeneration all the way to the grave. Let’s prepare for UMNO’s burial or cremation.
#26 by frankyapp on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 1:36 pm
Wowwow! what a co-insidence.Here again it proved my points that smart hunters will set traps only to trap others,as well as those will bite the hands which don’t feed them.See guys,this is as simple as ABC.
#27 by ktteokt on Saturday, 22 November 2008 - 8:30 am
Would PR discriminate BN MPs in this same manner when they take the government? In the olden days, any change of dynasties in China will result in officials of the ex-courts been executed!