Archive for category Human Rights
History’s lessons
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights on Tuesday, 5 July 2011
by Karim Raslan
The Malaysian Insider
Jul 05, 2011
JULY 5 — Malaysian contemporary history has started to loop back on itself. Instead of going forward and progressing, we are going backwards, repeating the past: Sodomy 1 and Sodomy 2, Bersih 1 and Bersih 2.
There are those who would argue that the political missteps have little impact on our economy. I would disagree. In order for the Malaysian economy to grow further and move to the next level, we need a political transformation — we need an injection of transparency, accountability and the dynamism that comes from an open society.
Sadly, the forces of darkness are too powerful and entrenched. As such much of the flow of domestic capital and human resource overseas is directly attributable to the government’s determination to reject change.
When talk of Bersih 2.0 first surfaced a few weeks ago, I remember thinking it was a total waste of time. To my mind, the civil society agenda had been sidelined by widespread concerns over galloping inflation and rising prices. Read the rest of this entry »
Police – stand down apparatus of repression, decriminalize Bersih T-shirts so that tens of thousands can be printed
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights on Tuesday, 5 July 2011
The Yang di Pertuan Agong’s wise and just intervention resulting in agreement for a July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally in a stadium has saved the day for Malaysia, sparing her the infamy and ignominy inside the country and worldwide at the farce of a democratic government treating a peaceful rally for free, fair and clean elections as a grave national threat even greater than one ever posed by terrorists or enemies of the country in the nation’s history.
Equally important, Malaysia is also spared the international embarrassment of her credentials and qualifications as a member of the UN Human Rights Council questioned or even censured by other countries because of a most egregious crackdown on the most basic and fundamental of human rights in Malaysia.
Several steps must be taken immediately to return the country to the course of sanity, good and common sense abandoned by the government in the past ten days.
As a first step, the Police should immediately stand down its apparatus of repression in the past two weeks, when the police abandoned and abdicated its first task to keep the people and country safe from criminals by going on a nation-wide mobilization against imaginary foes in the form of Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9. Read the rest of this entry »
The follies of Umno and the EC
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Human Rights, UMNO on Monday, 4 July 2011
By Mariam Mokhtar
Jul 4, 11 | MalaysiaKini
On Nov 10, 2007, around 40,000 protestors made their way towards Istana Negara in Bersih’s first march for clean and fair elections. Did it make a difference? Yes.
The rakyat experienced change. It galvanised them by reinforcing their belief that together they could prove a point – that Umno is not infallible. That Umno is not great. That Umno has an Achilles heel which will bring it down: Arrogance.
After 2007, the promises from both Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the prime minister at the time, and the Election Commission (EC) have all come to nought. Read the rest of this entry »
Why the sledgehammer?
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Human Rights, Police on Monday, 4 July 2011
July 04, 2011 | Aliran
JULY 4 — It looks like if they don’t get you under one law, they will get you under another law. That seems to be the case as far as Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj and his colleagues are concerned. But this time they used a sledgehammer just to make sure that they get them.
During the seven days’ remand, the police did not unearth any incriminating evidence to justify their action against 30 Parti Sosialis activists for allegedly “waging war against the king”. That was the reason stated for remanding these people. Before that, there was talk they could be investigated for sedition.
On the seventh day of their remand, six of them were freed from the Kepala Batas police station. The implication of this action was very explicit: The police had actually cleared them of whatever they were originally suspected of being involved in. Read the rest of this entry »
Veto the Bersih ban, Mr PM
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights, Thomas Lee on Monday, 4 July 2011
by Thomas Lee Seng Hock
Malaysiakini
Jul 3, 11
COMMENT
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) has been declared an illegal organisation effective 1 July 2011.
A statement issued by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) says that the declaration was made by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (right) under Section 5 of the Societies Act 1966.
According to the ROS statement, Bersih is not a registered organisation.
The statement claims that Bersih has been actively creating confusion and causing anxiety among the people.
It says that Bersih has been distributing handbills containing propaganda aimed at toppling the BN federal government.
The ROS statement says that Bersih has undermined the nation’s sovereignty and disrupted the harmonious environment among the country’s multi-racial population, and also caused disrepute to the country’s image, and is a threat to public order, security, and economic development and prosperity.
Bersih had earlier announced plans to hold rallies in Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak on July 9 to mobilise concerned citizens to demand for a clean, fair and transparent electoral process. Read the rest of this entry »
What Is This Country Coming To?
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights, Kee Thuan Chye on Sunday, 3 July 2011
by Kee Thuan Chye
Malaysian Digest
01 July 2011
WHAT is this country coming to? Many Malaysians are asking this question in view of the numerous actions taken by the police over the past week.
First, they arrested 30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members, including MP for Sungai Siput Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, and are now investigating them for resurrecting Communism and waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. While on their way to a Bersih roadshow in Penang, they were arrested in Kepala Batas and found to have in their possession T-shirts bearing faces of Chin Peng and Rashid Maidin. They have been remanded for seven days.
Communism? That’s crazy talk. Read the rest of this entry »
Lift ban on Bersih, urges Kit Siang
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Hishammuddin, Human Rights, Police on Sunday, 3 July 2011
Jul 3, 11 | MalaysiaKini
The PM, Najib Abdul Razak, should overrule Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and lift the ban on Bersih said DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang.
He said in a statement today the three grounds given for the ban under the Societies Act do not stand scrutiny and will only expose the government and country to public disdain and international scorn.
Bersih is not guilty of the first ground, “Being active and sparking an atmosphere of unrest and worry among the multiracial community in the country,” he added. Read the rest of this entry »
Patriot and Bersih: A tale of two rallies
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Election, Human Rights, Perkasa on Sunday, 3 July 2011
By Hazlan Zakaria
Jul 3, 11 | MalaysiaKini
COMMENT Growing up, Charles Dickens was my favourite author.
He still is.
His stories are exciting, insightful, witty and rich of sobering social commentary.
His tales tell of the wealthy and poor alike, of the arrogant all-powerful and the disenfranchised powerless.
But for all his seriousness, he had a great sense of humour, if a little moribund. Nothing perhaps illustrates his dry tongue-in-cheekiness than the first paragraph of one of his most revered classic, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on it being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”
Technology and protest
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights, Police on Sunday, 3 July 2011
By Kapil Sethi
July 03, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
JULY 3 — To an observer of the increasingly charged political rhetoric in the country, the lack of political acumen on display by the ruling coalition vis- à-vis the Bersih 2.0 rally is truly astonishing.
If there is one thing to be learned from the Arab Spring, it is that draconian measures against protesters give more impetus and motivation to their cause. It is a different paradigm from the past where in the absence of alternative media, divide and rule was a very successful strategy.
The larger question, of course, is what the powers that be are so afraid of? The answer to a great extent has to do with the current power of technology. Yes, technology. For instance, consider the differences between, say, the online Curi Curi Wang Malaysia protest and the Bersih 2.0 rally. Read the rest of this entry »
Ambiga: Bersih is the rakyat, ban has little impact
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Election, Hishammuddin, Human Rights, Police on Sunday, 3 July 2011
By Melissa Chi
July 03, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — The Home Ministry ban on Bersih 2.0 will not have the impact it had aimed for as the electoral reform movement has captured the people’s “hearts and minds”, says its chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.
The former Bar Council president also disagreed with the Najib administration’s rationale for outlawing the movement, saying Bersih 2.0 was a coalition of established groups and does not need to be registered.
“More important, above and beyond that, Bersih now means more than just a group of organisations to Malaysians. Bersih is now a concept that has captured the hearts and minds of the rakyat. Read the rest of this entry »
Pakatan condemns Bersih 2.0 ban
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights on Saturday, 2 July 2011
By Clara Chooi
July 02, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders expressed outrage tonight at the Home Ministry’s decision to outlaw Bersih 2.0 ahead of its rally next week, but declared that the clampdown has not spooked them into withdrawing their support.
Electoral reforms coalition Bersih 2.0 has invited all political parties to join its march for free and fair elections but the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) have snubbed them, saying PR’s victories in Election 2008 is proof there is no fault with the current system.
“We are more determined now to demand for more democratic space in society. I do not see any reason whatsoever for the minister or Umno to crack down on the people just because they are demanding free and fair elections,” PKR deputy president Azmin Ali told The Malaysian Insider. Read the rest of this entry »
Hisham outlaws Bersih 2.0
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Election, Hishammuddin, Human Rights on Saturday, 2 July 2011
The Malaysian Insider
July 02, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Electoral reforms movement Bersih 2.0 has been declared illegal by the Home Ministry effective July 1 for causing “an atmosphere of unrest,” a week before its planned July 9 rally.
The ministry issued a four-paragraph statement outlining the reasons for the ban by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
It gave three reasons for the banning of the movement, adding it was an unregistered group despite fulfilling all criteria to form an organisation under the Societies Act 1966.
The reasons given for the ban are: Read the rest of this entry »
Najib blasts Ambiga, PAS over Bersih rally
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights, Najib Razak on Saturday, 2 July 2011
The Malaysian Insider
July 02, 2011
PASIR PUTIH, July 2 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak lambasted Bersih chief Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and PAS for the planned July 9 rally, telling people here the Islamist party will do anything to capture Putrajaya.
The electoral reform movement has called for a rally to press for free and fair elections but the Najib administration is taking all measures to stop the demonstration which is a repeat of a 2007 rally that drew some 50,000 people in Kuala Lumpur.
“Who doesn’t know Ambiga. She’s the one who threatened Islam. And below her is Mat Sabu,” Najib (picture) told a 20,000-strong crowd, referring to the Bersih chief who once took up a case involving the faith and the new PAS deputy president Mohamed Sabu. The prime minister is in Kelantan for a day-long visit. Read the rest of this entry »
Deputy IGP: No more discussions over rallies
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights, Police on Friday, 1 July 2011
By Teoh El Sen
July 1, 2011 | Free Malaysia Today
KUALA LUMPUR: The police will no longer seek to negotiate or discuss with the organisers of the July 9 rallies, be it from Bersih, Perkasa, or Umno Youth.
Their stand is clear: The rallies will not be allowed.
The nation’s number two police officer, deputy inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said: “We have given them explanations and warnings and reminders, but they do not heed. We will make sure this rally does not take place.” Read the rest of this entry »
Religious council throws its weight behind all three rallies
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Human Rights on Friday, 1 July 2011
By Tarani Palani
July 1, 2011 | Free Malaysia Today
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has thrown its weight behind all three planned rallies on July 9.
The organisation which propagates religious harmony said that the “supreme law” of the court, the Federal Constitution guarantees the freedom of assembly.
“Article 10 (1)(b) (states) all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms… it is one of the pillars of our Rukun Negara,” read the statement. Read the rest of this entry »
Bersih rally a turning point for democracy
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights on Friday, 1 July 2011
by Kim Quek
The Malaysian Insider
Jun 30, 2011
JUNE 30 — Amidst the frenzy of draconian measures to prevent the July 9 Bersih rally from taking place, many Malaysians have begun to wonder: Has Malaysia descended into a state of lawlessness?
No sooner had the home minister declared that wearing the yellow Bersih T-shirt was illegal, the Inspector-General of Police up the ante by announcing that even “shoes, cars, buses or any medium that promote the Bersih rally are illegal, as this amounts to sedition”, and he said the people involved will be arrested.
To date, more than 100 people have been arrested all over the country in the past four days, mainly for wearing the yellow Bersih T-shirts. Read the rest of this entry »
I’ll wear yellow baju raya
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights on Friday, 1 July 2011
by Mohd Syahir Sulaiman
The Malaysian Insider
Jun 30, 2011
JUNE 30 — Semakin lara kita didera bara, kita laungkan juga pesan merdeka, demokrasi sebenderang mentari, sehasrat hajat semurni harga diri — A. Samad Said.
Yellow symbolises wisdom.
July 9th is just around the corner, and talks get heated up in every corner, from Facebook urbanites to long house foyers. Thanks to RTM and Utusan for the free publicity.
People may differ. However, one thing in certain, all eyes are set on the upcoming saga. Read the rest of this entry »
Malaysia’s season of fear
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights on Friday, 1 July 2011
by Praba Ganesan
The Malaysian Insider
Jun 30, 2011
JUNE 30 — “Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”
Joseph Welch, the attorney representing the US Army, asked this of Senator Joseph McCarthy at the height of the series of “witch-hunts” under the guise of various congressional committees to uncover unAmerican activities in America between 1953-54.
America was in the early years of the Cold War when tales of communists, spies and those bent on destroying the American way of life were rife.
McCarthy felt his populism, electability and political future could benefit from playing up the “bogeyman.”
Proof or even truth was irrelevant in the dark period referred to as “McCarthyism”. Read the rest of this entry »
Why July 9 must go on
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights on Thursday, 30 June 2011
by June Rubis
The Malaysian Insider
Jun 30, 2011
JUNE 30 — I’ve noticed something interesting of late.
A few middle-class intellectuals back-pedalling on their initial support for Bersih 2.0. They say, yes I support this (in theory) but do we really need to march now? Haven’t we done enough to highlight the issues? Haven’t we won the PR (public relations, not Pakatan Rakyat) war?
I’m sorry, but I’m a bit confused.
The point of Bersih 2.0 isn’t about who gets best publicity, but rather for electoral reform. Read the rest of this entry »
23 Kajang councillors hauled up over Bersih T-shirts
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Human Rights on Thursday, 30 June 2011
Jimadie Shah Othman | Jun 30, 11
Malaysiakini
The clampdown against Bersih T-shirts continues, with 23 Kajang councillors being called up by police today for questioning for wearing the shirts at the full board meeting yesterday.
But of this number, only seven were present at the Kajang district police station this evening, while the others will give their statements in stages as they are not available today.
According to councilor Chandra Mohan ST, the police did not inform them under what section of the law they are being investigated. Read the rest of this entry »