Tv Rakyat Selangor
Jumaat, 8 Mei 2009
Malaysia: Government Crackdown on Freedom of Expression
Public Statement
7 May 2009
For Immediate Release
Malaysia: Government Crackdown on Freedom of Expression
Amnesty International calls on the Malaysian authorities to release five government critics arrested in the last two days, or charge them with recognizable criminal offences.
This wave of arrests is part of a crackdown on dissent by the new government of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak. The authorities appear to have arrested people merely for expressing their political views or gathering peacefully to protest government actions.
On 5 May 2009, police arrested university lecturer and activist Wong Chin Huat under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act. Wong represents the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH), a group of civil society organizations and political parties campaigning for reforms to the electoral process in Malaysia. Police arrested him on the same day BERSIH called on Malaysians to wear black on 7 May as a mark of protest against the ruling government’s takeover of the Perak state government.
Political tensions have increased in Perak state since the Perak Sultan ordered its Chief Minister, Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin, a member of the People’s Alliance (PA), the opposition coalition, to resign in February, following three defections from the PA to the ruling party. The government’s representative, Zambry Abdul Kadir was then appointed as the new Chief Minister. A state assembly session will take place on the 7 May when Zambry is expected to formally take up his position.
Within 24 hours of Wong’s arrest, police arrested Mohamad Sabu, the Vice President of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), part of the opposition coalition. It is believed that his arrest is related to his plan to hold a mass prayer session on 7 May at a mosque two kilometres from the state assembly.
Reports indicate that copies of a court order barring all supporters of political parties from gathering within 500 metres of the state assembly building have been posted in nearby areas. The Inspector General of Police, Musa Hassan has stated that police will take action against any persons breaching the order.
Today police also arrested Sani Mohd Shah, Saufi Mihat, and Yasir Sheikh Abdul Rahman when the three men attempted to deliver a cake and a letter to Prime Minister Najib, commemorating the 31st birthday of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian model who was murdered three years ago. In April 2009 two members of the security forces were found guilty of her murder and sentenced to death. Razak Baginda, one of Prime Minister Najib’s advisors, was acquitted of abetting the murder in October 2008.
This evening police arrested at least 14 people, part of a group who had gathered at Brickfields Police Station in Kuala Lumpur, in support of Wong Chin Huat who is being held there. They have all since been released.
Background
If found guilty, Wong Chin Huat could face a jail term of up to three years. He was initially denied access to his lawyers until his court appearance today and has been remanded into custody until Friday 8 May.
During a nationwide swoop in March, eight bloggers were charged with posting critical comments of the Sultan of Perak. They were charged under the Communication and Media Act and released on bail. In addition opposition parliamentarian and lawyer Karpal Singh was also charged under the Sedition Act for his threat to sue the Sultan of Perak over the political crisis in Perak State. Singh, who is free on bail, had claimed that the Sultan had breached the State’s constitution when directing the resignation of the Chief Minister
7 May 2009
For Immediate Release
Malaysia: Government Crackdown on Freedom of Expression
Amnesty International calls on the Malaysian authorities to release five government critics arrested in the last two days, or charge them with recognizable criminal offences.
This wave of arrests is part of a crackdown on dissent by the new government of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak. The authorities appear to have arrested people merely for expressing their political views or gathering peacefully to protest government actions.
On 5 May 2009, police arrested university lecturer and activist Wong Chin Huat under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act. Wong represents the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH), a group of civil society organizations and political parties campaigning for reforms to the electoral process in Malaysia. Police arrested him on the same day BERSIH called on Malaysians to wear black on 7 May as a mark of protest against the ruling government’s takeover of the Perak state government.
Political tensions have increased in Perak state since the Perak Sultan ordered its Chief Minister, Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin, a member of the People’s Alliance (PA), the opposition coalition, to resign in February, following three defections from the PA to the ruling party. The government’s representative, Zambry Abdul Kadir was then appointed as the new Chief Minister. A state assembly session will take place on the 7 May when Zambry is expected to formally take up his position.
Within 24 hours of Wong’s arrest, police arrested Mohamad Sabu, the Vice President of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), part of the opposition coalition. It is believed that his arrest is related to his plan to hold a mass prayer session on 7 May at a mosque two kilometres from the state assembly.
Reports indicate that copies of a court order barring all supporters of political parties from gathering within 500 metres of the state assembly building have been posted in nearby areas. The Inspector General of Police, Musa Hassan has stated that police will take action against any persons breaching the order.
Today police also arrested Sani Mohd Shah, Saufi Mihat, and Yasir Sheikh Abdul Rahman when the three men attempted to deliver a cake and a letter to Prime Minister Najib, commemorating the 31st birthday of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian model who was murdered three years ago. In April 2009 two members of the security forces were found guilty of her murder and sentenced to death. Razak Baginda, one of Prime Minister Najib’s advisors, was acquitted of abetting the murder in October 2008.
This evening police arrested at least 14 people, part of a group who had gathered at Brickfields Police Station in Kuala Lumpur, in support of Wong Chin Huat who is being held there. They have all since been released.
Background
If found guilty, Wong Chin Huat could face a jail term of up to three years. He was initially denied access to his lawyers until his court appearance today and has been remanded into custody until Friday 8 May.
During a nationwide swoop in March, eight bloggers were charged with posting critical comments of the Sultan of Perak. They were charged under the Communication and Media Act and released on bail. In addition opposition parliamentarian and lawyer Karpal Singh was also charged under the Sedition Act for his threat to sue the Sultan of Perak over the political crisis in Perak State. Singh, who is free on bail, had claimed that the Sultan had breached the State’s constitution when directing the resignation of the Chief Minister
MEMORANDUM TO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA (SUHAKAM)
MEMORANDUM TO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA (SUHAKAM)
8 MAY 2009
ABUSE OF POLICE POWERS AND ARBITRARY ARRESTS
Amnesty International Malaysia, Education and Research Association for Consumers, Malaysia (Era Konsumer) and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) strongly condemns the arrest of on Wong Chin Huat under the Seditions Act on 6 May 2009 and the abuse of police powers in cracking down peaceful candlelight vigils that was held at Brickfield Police Station with the detention of 5 Malaysian Bar Council legal aid lawyers who presented themselves at the Brickfield police station to provide legal assistance to detainees held there. We also take concern of another series of arrest on 6 and 7th May 2009 in Penang and Kuching on 7th May 2009.
On May 6th we record the arrests of 3 youths Sani Mohd Shah, Saufi Mihat, and Yasir Sheikh Abdul Rahman in Putrajaya and arrest made. We also condemns the mass arrests of members of Parliament and State Assembly civilians and civil society in Ipoh on 7th May 2009.
These arrests are clearly a blatant disregard to the fundamentals of human rights in Malaysia as enshrined in Federal Constitution and the Malaysian criminal justice system. It is also a case of abuse of power by the government machineries and a failure to protect and upheld the fundamental rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution.We are deeply shocked and disturbed by this blatant transgression of the rule of law.
These arrests further illustrates the fact that the pledge for greater respect for human rights, the release of 13 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees, and the call for “One Malaysia” by Prime Minister Najib Razak stands questionable.
We are also concerned on the injuction granted by the court which empowers police to arrest on sight any member of public seen within 500 meters of Perak State Secretariat Building. This is not the first time that the court granted such a rare order. Such an injunction which is addressed to the whole of Malaysian public is a traversity and a mockery of our Malaysian justice system. It aims to suppress freedom of expression and assembly and gives police arbitrary powers to arrest citizens exercising their legal rights.
Furthermore, the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials spells out in Article 5 that no law enforcement official may inflict, instigate or tolerate any act of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment or invoke superior orders or exceptional circumstances, such as a threat to national security, to justify these actions.
We are also very concerned over the continuous act of obtaining blanket unilateral restraining orders against the general public as a means to crack down against public assemblies.We are of the view that the act of obtaining such restraining orders is a serious abuse of the legal process. This is because such applications are made and granted based solely on one party’s prejudice that undermines the subjected parties’ right to be heard in an open court.
The court order also gives the police unlimited powers and enables greater abuse of power as it subjects the general public to great risk of arbitrary arrest, detention as well as torture and other form of ill treatment, and selective prosecution. We are of the opinion that the court order undermines the fundamental freedoms of assembly and movement guaranteed in our Federal Constitution.
We are also of concern over the continued arbitrary denial of right to legal reprsentation despite the recent amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code as in S 28A. We are also concerned with the implementation of the form that waives the rights of the detainee to see thier lawyer of choice by the police.We recieved infomation that the new form have become a standard practice.
We, in light of these incidences, urge SUHAKAM to:
Conduct an independent inquiry on the above abuses and human rights violations. This is pursuant to Part III of Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act.
(12. (1) The Commission may, on its own motion or on a complaint made to it by an aggrieved person or group of persons or a person acting on behalf of an aggrieved person or a group of persons, inquire into allegation of the infringement of the human rights of such person or group of persons.)
We strongly urge Suhakam to act and be proactive in conducting inquiry on its own motion and without having to wait for official complaints to be lodged by the members of public.
We hearby call on Suhakam to secure the release of all those detained and to ensure the police and the authorities respect and protect the Constitutional Rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
We also urge Suhakam to play an active role in monitoring and intervene in future events of peaceful assemblies and mediate with the police on our fundamental rights at the first point of violation.
We also call on Suhakam to pressure government to repeal all discriminative laws that. restrict freedom of expressions and freedom of assembly in Malaysia.
We also urge Suhakam to take a position on the recent amnedment to the Criminal Procedure Code as in Section 28A in view to establish the legal rights to access to a lawyer of choice and the right to inform the family.
Background
On 5 May 2009, police arrested university lecturer and activist Wong Chin Huat under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act. Wong represents the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH), a group of civil society organizations and political parties campaigning for reforms to the electoral process in Malaysia. Police arrested him on the same day BERSIH called on Malaysians to wear black on 7 May as a mark of protest against the ruling government’s takeover of the Perak state government.
Wong’s arrest is a serious case of abuse of power by the government and the police. He was picked up by the police at about 8pm at his house in Seri Sentosa, Kuala Lumpur and eventually brought to the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) at Bukit Perdana, where Wong was denied any access to lawyers – a grave violation of the basic right of detainees. In addition, at around 12.15am, just as lawyers were told they could meet Wong, two police vehicles transported Wong to an undisclosed location. Wong was only allowed access to lawyers when he was produced in court on 6 May 2009 where he was remanded by the Magistrate’s Court for one day.Th police also went on to extend the earlier 1 day remand granted by the court to another period of 3 days.
Within 24 hours of Wong’s arrest, police arrested Mohamad Sabu, the Vice President of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), part of the opposition coalition. It is believed that his arrest is related to his plan to hold a mass prayer session on 7 May at a mosque two kilometres from the state assembly.
Political tensions have increased in Perak state since the Perak Sultan ordered its Chief Minister, Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin, a member of the People’s Alliance (PA), the opposition coalition, to resign in February, following three defections from the PA to the ruling party. The government’s representative, Zambry Abdul Kadir was then appointed as the new Chief Minister. A state assembly session will take place on the 7 May when Zambry is expected to formally take up his position.
Reports indicate that copies of a court order barring all supporters of political parties from gathering within 500 metres of the state assembly building have been posted in nearby areas. The Inspector General of Police, Musa Hassan has stated that police will take action against any persons breaching the order.
On 6th May police also arrested Sani Mohd Shah, Saufi Mihat, and Yasir Sheikh Abdul Rahman when the three men attempted to deliver a cake and a letter to Prime Minister Najib, commemorating the 31st birthday of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian model who was murdered three years ago. In April 2009 two members of the security forces were found guilty of her murder and sentenced to death. Razak Baginda, one of Prime Minister Najib’s advisors, was acquitted of abetting the murder in October 2008.
This evening police arrested at least 14 people, part of a group who had gathered at Brickfields Police Station in Kuala Lumpur, in support of Wong Chin Huat who is being held there. They have all since been released.
8 MAY 2009
ABUSE OF POLICE POWERS AND ARBITRARY ARRESTS
Amnesty International Malaysia, Education and Research Association for Consumers, Malaysia (Era Konsumer) and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) strongly condemns the arrest of on Wong Chin Huat under the Seditions Act on 6 May 2009 and the abuse of police powers in cracking down peaceful candlelight vigils that was held at Brickfield Police Station with the detention of 5 Malaysian Bar Council legal aid lawyers who presented themselves at the Brickfield police station to provide legal assistance to detainees held there. We also take concern of another series of arrest on 6 and 7th May 2009 in Penang and Kuching on 7th May 2009.
On May 6th we record the arrests of 3 youths Sani Mohd Shah, Saufi Mihat, and Yasir Sheikh Abdul Rahman in Putrajaya and arrest made. We also condemns the mass arrests of members of Parliament and State Assembly civilians and civil society in Ipoh on 7th May 2009.
These arrests are clearly a blatant disregard to the fundamentals of human rights in Malaysia as enshrined in Federal Constitution and the Malaysian criminal justice system. It is also a case of abuse of power by the government machineries and a failure to protect and upheld the fundamental rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution.We are deeply shocked and disturbed by this blatant transgression of the rule of law.
These arrests further illustrates the fact that the pledge for greater respect for human rights, the release of 13 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees, and the call for “One Malaysia” by Prime Minister Najib Razak stands questionable.
We are also concerned on the injuction granted by the court which empowers police to arrest on sight any member of public seen within 500 meters of Perak State Secretariat Building. This is not the first time that the court granted such a rare order. Such an injunction which is addressed to the whole of Malaysian public is a traversity and a mockery of our Malaysian justice system. It aims to suppress freedom of expression and assembly and gives police arbitrary powers to arrest citizens exercising their legal rights.
Furthermore, the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials spells out in Article 5 that no law enforcement official may inflict, instigate or tolerate any act of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment or invoke superior orders or exceptional circumstances, such as a threat to national security, to justify these actions.
We are also very concerned over the continuous act of obtaining blanket unilateral restraining orders against the general public as a means to crack down against public assemblies.We are of the view that the act of obtaining such restraining orders is a serious abuse of the legal process. This is because such applications are made and granted based solely on one party’s prejudice that undermines the subjected parties’ right to be heard in an open court.
The court order also gives the police unlimited powers and enables greater abuse of power as it subjects the general public to great risk of arbitrary arrest, detention as well as torture and other form of ill treatment, and selective prosecution. We are of the opinion that the court order undermines the fundamental freedoms of assembly and movement guaranteed in our Federal Constitution.
We are also of concern over the continued arbitrary denial of right to legal reprsentation despite the recent amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code as in S 28A. We are also concerned with the implementation of the form that waives the rights of the detainee to see thier lawyer of choice by the police.We recieved infomation that the new form have become a standard practice.
We, in light of these incidences, urge SUHAKAM to:
Conduct an independent inquiry on the above abuses and human rights violations. This is pursuant to Part III of Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act.
(12. (1) The Commission may, on its own motion or on a complaint made to it by an aggrieved person or group of persons or a person acting on behalf of an aggrieved person or a group of persons, inquire into allegation of the infringement of the human rights of such person or group of persons.)
We strongly urge Suhakam to act and be proactive in conducting inquiry on its own motion and without having to wait for official complaints to be lodged by the members of public.
We hearby call on Suhakam to secure the release of all those detained and to ensure the police and the authorities respect and protect the Constitutional Rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
We also urge Suhakam to play an active role in monitoring and intervene in future events of peaceful assemblies and mediate with the police on our fundamental rights at the first point of violation.
We also call on Suhakam to pressure government to repeal all discriminative laws that. restrict freedom of expressions and freedom of assembly in Malaysia.
We also urge Suhakam to take a position on the recent amnedment to the Criminal Procedure Code as in Section 28A in view to establish the legal rights to access to a lawyer of choice and the right to inform the family.
Background
On 5 May 2009, police arrested university lecturer and activist Wong Chin Huat under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act. Wong represents the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH), a group of civil society organizations and political parties campaigning for reforms to the electoral process in Malaysia. Police arrested him on the same day BERSIH called on Malaysians to wear black on 7 May as a mark of protest against the ruling government’s takeover of the Perak state government.
Wong’s arrest is a serious case of abuse of power by the government and the police. He was picked up by the police at about 8pm at his house in Seri Sentosa, Kuala Lumpur and eventually brought to the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) at Bukit Perdana, where Wong was denied any access to lawyers – a grave violation of the basic right of detainees. In addition, at around 12.15am, just as lawyers were told they could meet Wong, two police vehicles transported Wong to an undisclosed location. Wong was only allowed access to lawyers when he was produced in court on 6 May 2009 where he was remanded by the Magistrate’s Court for one day.Th police also went on to extend the earlier 1 day remand granted by the court to another period of 3 days.
Within 24 hours of Wong’s arrest, police arrested Mohamad Sabu, the Vice President of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), part of the opposition coalition. It is believed that his arrest is related to his plan to hold a mass prayer session on 7 May at a mosque two kilometres from the state assembly.
Political tensions have increased in Perak state since the Perak Sultan ordered its Chief Minister, Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin, a member of the People’s Alliance (PA), the opposition coalition, to resign in February, following three defections from the PA to the ruling party. The government’s representative, Zambry Abdul Kadir was then appointed as the new Chief Minister. A state assembly session will take place on the 7 May when Zambry is expected to formally take up his position.
Reports indicate that copies of a court order barring all supporters of political parties from gathering within 500 metres of the state assembly building have been posted in nearby areas. The Inspector General of Police, Musa Hassan has stated that police will take action against any persons breaching the order.
On 6th May police also arrested Sani Mohd Shah, Saufi Mihat, and Yasir Sheikh Abdul Rahman when the three men attempted to deliver a cake and a letter to Prime Minister Najib, commemorating the 31st birthday of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian model who was murdered three years ago. In April 2009 two members of the security forces were found guilty of her murder and sentenced to death. Razak Baginda, one of Prime Minister Najib’s advisors, was acquitted of abetting the murder in October 2008.
This evening police arrested at least 14 people, part of a group who had gathered at Brickfields Police Station in Kuala Lumpur, in support of Wong Chin Huat who is being held there. They have all since been released.
Label: suhakam
Arrest of Wong Chin Huat under Sedition Act Signals Najib Government’s Crackdown on Free Speech
Press Statement: 6 May 2009
Arrest of Wong Chin Huat under Sedition Act Signals Najib Government’s Crackdown on Free Speech
SUARAM strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of Wong Chin Huat, an academic and activist of polls reform group, the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH), by the police yesterday (5 May 2009), under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act.
Wong is believed to be arrested in connection to a press conference held in the morning of 5 May 2009, where he urged all Malaysians to wear black in protest of the Barisan Nasional (BN)’s takeover of the Perak state government from Pakatan Rakyat, a move seen by many as unconstitutional.
Wong’s arrest is a serious case of abuse of power by the government and the police. Picked up by the police at about 8pm at his house in Seri Sentosa, Kuala Lumpur and eventually brought to the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) at Bukit Perdana, where Wong was denied any access to lawyers – a grave violation of the basic right of detainees. In addition, at around 12.15am, just as lawyers were told they could meet Wong, two police vehicles transported Wong to an undisclosed location. Wong was only allowed access to lawyers when he was produced in court today (6 May 2009) where he was remanded by the Magistrate’s Court for one day.
The arrest of Wong plainly illustrates the fact that the pledge for greater respect for human rights, the release of 13 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees, and the call for “One Malaysia” by Prime Minister Najib Razak remain merely rhetoric. Malaysia, in fact, is sliding more and more towards authoritarianism.
On 8 April 2008, Prime Minister Najib Razak was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying, “If government leaders cannot be criticised at all, we will feel that we are invincible. The feeling of invincibility is something not good because we may abuse our power or we may be arrogant in terms of our position.”
However, contrary to what Najib had said, Wong’s arrest shows that leaders, in reality, cannot be criticised. It also demonstrates the arrogance of the current government and its willingness to use repressive laws like the Sedition Act at its convenience.
The arrest exposes the true characteristic of the Najib Razak government, which is repressive and intolerant towards dissenting views – a feature long associated with the BN government, which was overwhelmingly rejected by the Malaysian people in the March 8th 2008 General Election and the several by-elections which followed.
The hypocrisy of the government is hardly surprising, considering that previous successive BN governments had done the same. However, the fact that this hypocrisy, manifested in its highest form, is so clearly and quickly demonstrated, only goes to show the determination of the new Prime Minister in quashing all forms of dissent and criticisms directed towards the government.
SUARAM strongly deplores this highest form of hypocrisy of the Najib administration.
Let us be warned about the implications of this serious act of abuse of power by the government. That Wong was arrested for holding and expressing his views and opinions which are critical towards the government proves to us that none of us are exempted from the tough repression of the current government. We, Malaysians, are under siege from our own government. This has to stop now.
SUARAM calls on all Malaysians to rise up in defence of Wong Chin Huat and our rights from being sieged by a repressive government.
SUARAM strongly demands that Wong Chin Huat be released immediately and unconditionally. We challenge the government to keep its words to uphold human rights and civil liberties, as articulated by the Prime Minister himself less than one month ago. In line with the government’s pledge to review the draconian ISA, we strongly call for the abolition of all repressive laws in the country, including the Sedition Act.
Arrest of Wong Chin Huat under Sedition Act Signals Najib Government’s Crackdown on Free Speech
SUARAM strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of Wong Chin Huat, an academic and activist of polls reform group, the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH), by the police yesterday (5 May 2009), under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act.
Wong is believed to be arrested in connection to a press conference held in the morning of 5 May 2009, where he urged all Malaysians to wear black in protest of the Barisan Nasional (BN)’s takeover of the Perak state government from Pakatan Rakyat, a move seen by many as unconstitutional.
Wong’s arrest is a serious case of abuse of power by the government and the police. Picked up by the police at about 8pm at his house in Seri Sentosa, Kuala Lumpur and eventually brought to the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) at Bukit Perdana, where Wong was denied any access to lawyers – a grave violation of the basic right of detainees. In addition, at around 12.15am, just as lawyers were told they could meet Wong, two police vehicles transported Wong to an undisclosed location. Wong was only allowed access to lawyers when he was produced in court today (6 May 2009) where he was remanded by the Magistrate’s Court for one day.
The arrest of Wong plainly illustrates the fact that the pledge for greater respect for human rights, the release of 13 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees, and the call for “One Malaysia” by Prime Minister Najib Razak remain merely rhetoric. Malaysia, in fact, is sliding more and more towards authoritarianism.
On 8 April 2008, Prime Minister Najib Razak was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying, “If government leaders cannot be criticised at all, we will feel that we are invincible. The feeling of invincibility is something not good because we may abuse our power or we may be arrogant in terms of our position.”
However, contrary to what Najib had said, Wong’s arrest shows that leaders, in reality, cannot be criticised. It also demonstrates the arrogance of the current government and its willingness to use repressive laws like the Sedition Act at its convenience.
The arrest exposes the true characteristic of the Najib Razak government, which is repressive and intolerant towards dissenting views – a feature long associated with the BN government, which was overwhelmingly rejected by the Malaysian people in the March 8th 2008 General Election and the several by-elections which followed.
The hypocrisy of the government is hardly surprising, considering that previous successive BN governments had done the same. However, the fact that this hypocrisy, manifested in its highest form, is so clearly and quickly demonstrated, only goes to show the determination of the new Prime Minister in quashing all forms of dissent and criticisms directed towards the government.
SUARAM strongly deplores this highest form of hypocrisy of the Najib administration.
Let us be warned about the implications of this serious act of abuse of power by the government. That Wong was arrested for holding and expressing his views and opinions which are critical towards the government proves to us that none of us are exempted from the tough repression of the current government. We, Malaysians, are under siege from our own government. This has to stop now.
SUARAM calls on all Malaysians to rise up in defence of Wong Chin Huat and our rights from being sieged by a repressive government.
SUARAM strongly demands that Wong Chin Huat be released immediately and unconditionally. We challenge the government to keep its words to uphold human rights and civil liberties, as articulated by the Prime Minister himself less than one month ago. In line with the government’s pledge to review the draconian ISA, we strongly call for the abolition of all repressive laws in the country, including the Sedition Act.
1BLACKMalaysia, Democracy First, Elections Now
We urge all Malaysians to wear black on May 7th. It will be a peaceful but powerful message of civil disobedience that we the people are politicians' bosses and no politicians defiant of public opinion can escape punishment at the next poll. Civil disobedience is a peaceful act that every citizen can participate and make a difference. In history, civil disobedience led by Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King and the Polish people had successfully ended tyranny and injustice without bloodshed or disruption.
Let’s paint every state and territory, every town and village black with our clothes, headbands, hats, turbans, veils, armbands, ribbons and stickers on that day. Let everyone see a sea of black walking into an office, a market, a mosque, a temple, a church, a college, a park, a bus, a commuter or LRT car, a ferry or an aeroplane .
Let us be united in one BLACK colour and let show the world that the 1Malaysia under Najib Razak is “1BLACKMalaysia” living in darkness.
Let’s show the world that Malaysians will stand up against any invasion of democracy, freedom and peace by unscrupulous politicians. We will not allow coup be the way to power in Perak, or anywhere in Malaysia. No one shall take away our democracy, freedom and peace. Najib may hijack our unelected institutions like the judiciary, civil service, police and Election Commission, but he will never win our heart and mind. And he is no reformist until he dares to face elections in Perak.
Let us show Najib in one colour - "1BlackMalaysia!". Let us tell him in one voice for Malaysia: "Democracy First!" Let us pose him the one solution for Perak: "Elections now!".
Yes, Mr Prime Minister of Malaysia, and the World, listen to us: 1BlackMalaysia! Democracy First! Elections Now!
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BERSIH seru rakyat berpakaian hitam pada 7 Mei
Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih) mengajak seluruh rakyat Malaysia untuk berkabung pada 7 Mei 2009 (Khamis) dengan berpakaian hitam ke pejabat, ke sekolah, ketika beriadah mahupun di rumah bagi menunjukkan kepada Perdana Menteri, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak tanda ‘ 1 Malaysia GELITA’.
Dalam sidang media yang diadakan pagi tadi bertempat di Dewan Perhimpunan Cina Selangor, Bersih menjelaskan kenapa mereka kali ini memilih warna hitam sebagai warna tema. Hitam melambangkan protes terhadap pengambilalihan kuasa yang dirancangkan oleh kerajaan Barisan Nasional di Perak. “Kerajaan BN Perak telah memanggil sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri (Dun) dijadualkan bermula pada 7 Mei melangkaui kuasa speaker V.Sivakumar sungguhpun mahkamah telah menetapkan tarikh 5 dan 6 Mei bagi menentukan kesahihan Dato’ Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir sebagai menteri besar,” tegas salah seorang jurucakap Bersih, Wong Chin Huat.
Beliau juga menegaskan segala perkembangangan yang berlaku menunjukkan kebobrokan Najib Razak terhadap kedaulatan undang-undang dan demokrasi perlembagaan di Malaysia. Beliau telah mengabaikan pilihan pengundi dengan bertindak tidak berlandaskan perlembagaan dengan merampas kuasa.© Suara Rakyat Malaysia
Website by Kris Khaira
DATO’ MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR MELAWAT DYMM SULTAN SELANGOR
07 MEI 2007, KHAMIS
DATO’ MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR MELAWAT DYMM SULTAN SELANGOR
SHAH ALAM: Kerajaan Negeri Selangor melalui YAB Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor hari ini berangkat
melawat DYMM Tuanku Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah di Pusat Perubatan Universiti
Stanford, Palo Alto, San Francisco, California.
Kerajaan Negeri juga berharap rakyat negeri Selangor senantiasa mendoakan DYMM Tuanku Sultan Selangor
selamat dan cepat sembuh. Jawatankuasa masjid dan surau seluruh negeri juga telah diminta mengadakan
bacaan Yasin dan doa selamat pada Khamis malam Jumaat dan seterusnya solat Jumaat seluruh negeri
sepanjang DYMM Tuanku Sultan Selangor dirawat
DATO’ MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR MELAWAT DYMM SULTAN SELANGOR
SHAH ALAM: Kerajaan Negeri Selangor melalui YAB Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor hari ini berangkat
melawat DYMM Tuanku Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah di Pusat Perubatan Universiti
Stanford, Palo Alto, San Francisco, California.
Kerajaan Negeri juga berharap rakyat negeri Selangor senantiasa mendoakan DYMM Tuanku Sultan Selangor
selamat dan cepat sembuh. Jawatankuasa masjid dan surau seluruh negeri juga telah diminta mengadakan
bacaan Yasin dan doa selamat pada Khamis malam Jumaat dan seterusnya solat Jumaat seluruh negeri
sepanjang DYMM Tuanku Sultan Selangor dirawat
Rabu, 15 April 2009
KEPUTUSAN STATUS YB ELIZABETH WONG
KENYATAAN MEDIA
APRIL 15, 2009
KEPUTUSAN STATUS YB ELIZABETH WONG
SHAH ALAM: Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri Selangor (MMKN) hari ini telah membuat keputusan
untuk menawarkan YB Elizabeth Wong agar kembali meneruskan tugas beliau sebagai Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat
Kerajaan Negeri (EXCO) dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Bukit Lanjan.
Justeru itu, jika YB Elizabeth menerima keputusan ini, beliau akan diminta kembali dari cuti untuk
meneruskan perkhidmatan beliau kepada Kerajaan Negeri dan rakyat Negeri Selangor mulai esok.
Kerajaan Negeri juga berpendapat keputusan ini adalah wajar dan adil setelah mengambil kira pandangan
semua pihak, kepentingan rakyat serta perkembangan mutakhir siasatan polis yang sehingga kini gagal
membuat sebarang keputusan muktamad.
DYMM Tuanku Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah juga telah diberi taklimat tentang keputusan
ini. Bagi pihak Kerajaan Negeri dan seluruh rakyat Negeri Selangor, saya menjujung kasih ke atas pendirian
Tuanku untuk tidak mencampuri urusan politik serta memberi kepercayaan penuh kepada Kerajaan Negeri
bagi membuat keputusan yang adil dan terbaik.
Perlu ditekankan disini Kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat Negeri Selangor memandang serius isu moral dan akan
senantiasa memastikan pimpinan Negeri menjunjung prinsip ini. Oleh itu, jika ada sebarang bukti yang
kukuh, Kerajaan Negeri tidak akan teragak-agak mengambil tindakan yang sewajarnya. Namun demikian,
pendirian ini juga harus di imbangi dengan prinsip menghormati hak peribadi seseorang dan Kerajaan Negeri
amat serius mempertahankan hak ini.
TAN SRI ABDUL KHALID IBRAHIM
DATO’ MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR
APRIL 15, 2009
KEPUTUSAN STATUS YB ELIZABETH WONG
SHAH ALAM: Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri Selangor (MMKN) hari ini telah membuat keputusan
untuk menawarkan YB Elizabeth Wong agar kembali meneruskan tugas beliau sebagai Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat
Kerajaan Negeri (EXCO) dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Bukit Lanjan.
Justeru itu, jika YB Elizabeth menerima keputusan ini, beliau akan diminta kembali dari cuti untuk
meneruskan perkhidmatan beliau kepada Kerajaan Negeri dan rakyat Negeri Selangor mulai esok.
Kerajaan Negeri juga berpendapat keputusan ini adalah wajar dan adil setelah mengambil kira pandangan
semua pihak, kepentingan rakyat serta perkembangan mutakhir siasatan polis yang sehingga kini gagal
membuat sebarang keputusan muktamad.
DYMM Tuanku Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah juga telah diberi taklimat tentang keputusan
ini. Bagi pihak Kerajaan Negeri dan seluruh rakyat Negeri Selangor, saya menjujung kasih ke atas pendirian
Tuanku untuk tidak mencampuri urusan politik serta memberi kepercayaan penuh kepada Kerajaan Negeri
bagi membuat keputusan yang adil dan terbaik.
Perlu ditekankan disini Kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat Negeri Selangor memandang serius isu moral dan akan
senantiasa memastikan pimpinan Negeri menjunjung prinsip ini. Oleh itu, jika ada sebarang bukti yang
kukuh, Kerajaan Negeri tidak akan teragak-agak mengambil tindakan yang sewajarnya. Namun demikian,
pendirian ini juga harus di imbangi dengan prinsip menghormati hak peribadi seseorang dan Kerajaan Negeri
amat serius mempertahankan hak ini.
TAN SRI ABDUL KHALID IBRAHIM
DATO’ MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR
Selasa, 14 April 2009
Siaran Langsung / Ulangan Dari Parlimen
Arkib
Februari 2009 Mac 2009 April 2009 Mei 2009
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