Joint Press Statement by Bersih 3.0 Perak and Coalition of 51 NGOs
24.05.2012

Stop personal attacks on Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan. Stop Invasion of Privacy. Show Decency and Mutual Respect

Malaysians and in particular Perakians have followed with increasing disgust the persistent attacks on Bersih 3.0 Steering Committee Co-Chairperson Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan to intimidate and “break” her resolve.

The perpetrators have stooped so low as to have absolutely no qualms in belittling her religious sensitivities and have further undertaken acts of vulgarity and indecency unheard of in our society! And there seems to be no stopping them, not even by the powers that be. More such dirty, disgraceful and simply unacceptable activities by any standards of a civil society are being planned outside Ambiga’s home.

It is time we made our STAND known in no uncertain terms!

That is why Bersih 3.0 Perak and the coalition of more than 51 NGOs, after receiving so many calls from the public, including from people who are usually placid but now find that their patience is running out, have decided that we, the people, need to take a STAND on this matter and send a clear message to the perpetrators that this is not the Malaysia we want and hope for, for our children and future generations.

Firstly, we want justice for Ambiga. No citizen of our country should be subjected to such incessant tormenting just for speaking up for the rights of the people.

Secondly, these are not just attacks on Ambiga. These are attacks which threaten all our fundamental rights and liberties that are enshrined in our Federal Constitution.

Article 5 of the Federal Constitution states that “No person shall be deprived of his/her life or personal liberties save in accordance with the law.” The Federal Court in the case of Sivarasa Rasiah vs Badan Peguam Malaysia & Anor (2010) 3 CLJ 507 had the occasion to state that right to personal liberty includes the right to privacy.

The perpetrators are bent on using dirty intimidating tactics which are alien to our Malaysian culture for the sole purpose of silencing the majority and imposing their unsolicited will on us.

Malaysia is a beautiful country and it is so not by chance. This nation is built not only on the back of its sheer hardworking people but also by the faith and belief system brought by our fore fathers from around the world.

We are a multiethnic and multi religious society proud of our rich and diverse culture. We have lived together with mutual respect, understanding and tolerance by adhering to the moral and spiritual values in all our religions, which values underpin the very harmonious society that we enjoy till today..

So, Bersih 3.0 Perak, in collaboration with all its supporting NGOs denounce the shameful attacks on Ambiga and also denounce the dirty, intimidating and bullying culture we Malaysians have jointly fought against for so long that is now rapidly rearing its ugly head in our society again.

We, the coalition of NGOs in denouncing these dirty, intimidating and bullying tactics will adopt a moral and spiritual approach that we value and hold dear and as such we call upon all Malaysians to congregate, conduct and offer prayers in their respective religious homes and sanctuaries for Decency, Mutual Respect and Protection of Fundamental Rights of Human Beings.

Now is the right time for all Malaysians and in particular Perakians, to stand up , stand together and be counted in bringing back all these moral and spiritual values we hold dear in our society. As long as we are guided by such values, we will be a harmonious and progressive society.