Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- 'BN acting like a person told by doctor of impending death'
- PAS lawyers ready to defend rally participants
- Government cannot stop us, says Bersih
- The World Is Watching Us! (TO BE UPDATED)
- IGP insists Bersih arrests, roadblocks necessary for public safety
- Hisham says no plans for military action, won’t shut Internet
- Law experts say King acted constitutionally over Bersih
- Malaysia rally: Kuala Lumpur 'to be locked down'
- People, the choice is yours
- Ops Bersih cops get last briefing
- Malaysia reform rally to go ahead: activists
- Malaysia to lockdown largest city to block protest
- Now Umno Youth also wants Stadium Merdeka
- WIKILEAKS: US viewed Pak Lah’s reform a failure
- Perkasa rally in limbo, chief to stay home
- Bersih is govt’s secret fear
- Mystery surrounds police permit for Bersih
- Dirty treatment for a clean cause
- King’s ‘independence’ surprises Umno leaders, say sources
- Koreans to show solidarity for Malaysian campaign
- Malaysian Opposition Digs In
| 'BN acting like a person told by doctor of impending death' Posted: 08 Jul 2011 02:44 AM PDT
(Harakah Daily) - As police stepped up roadblocks at major roads leading to the capital late this evening, causing miles of traffic congestion, PAS has called on prime minister Najib Razak not to further burden the force. Najib had earlier said that the government would leave it to the police to determine how to handle the Bersih rally, contradicting an earlier statement that he would give his cooperation to Bersih if its rally was held in a stadium. The police have however so far rejected all attempts to give a permit.
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| PAS lawyers ready to defend rally participants Posted: 07 Jul 2011 10:21 PM PDT
(Harakah Daily) - 46 lawyers from PAS will commence their duty tonight in ensuring those who participate in the Bersih rally tomorrow were legally represented in the event they face police arrest. Earlier, the laywers, dressed in special uniformed suits complete with yellow caps bearing party logo and the word "peguam", arrived at the PAS headquarters at Jalan Raja Laut to be briefed on their duties. Hotline numbers Meanwhile, PAS Youth's legal unit has prepared several telephone numbers for rally participants:
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| Government cannot stop us, says Bersih Posted: 07 Jul 2011 09:57 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Bersih has insisted that the government has no right to stop its rally at Stadium Merdeka tomorrow despite last-minute attempts to secure the venue coming to nought. The electoral reforms movement also called for Malaysians to show their patriotism and stand up against what it called the lack of principle shown by the Najib administration. "No government agency has any right whatsoever to prevent Malaysians from exercising their freedom of movement and access to our capital city. "Malaysians have now seen the degree of paranoia and lack of principled leadership that seems to have gripped the government. It is imperative that patriotic Malaysians rise now and take this stand together to save Malaysia from slipping further into this insane darkness," it said. In a statement released this evening, the coalition of 62 NGOs accused the authorities of putting "obstacle after obstacle where they only needed to provide sincere cooperation to win the trust and confidence of the people." "Half-hearted offers of stadiums, arrogance regarding meetings, denials of permits, arrests, detentions ... we feel that we have done all that is humanly possible to demonstrate sincerity and good faith in dealing with the government — but we have only been met with reversed decisions and stone walls," it said. Dang Wangi police told the movement today that it would not allow the gathering to be held at the stadium, a day after city police had obtained a court order barring 14 of its leaders along with 77 others from Umno Youth, Perkasa and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) from entering the capital tomorrow. Cabinet ministers and the police have told Bersih to take its rally outside Kuala Lumpur despite the coalition accepting on Tuesday the government's offer to move its street protest to a stadium. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's offer came after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had stepped in on Sunday to defuse tension by advising Putrajaya and Bersih 2.0 to hold consultations over the issue of free and fair elections. But the Najib administration still considers the movement illegal and the police have continued to make arrests in connection with the rally, most of which revolve around yellow T-shirts with the word Bersih emblazoned on them. The police have also promised that they will act against any Bersih-related activity, even up to Saturday's rally as long as it was still not a legally registered outfit. "The Bersih 2.0 leadership reiterates our own unyielding commitment to our shared cause, and to being at Stadium Merdeka at 2pm tomorrow. We will meet at the car park, and trust that the doors will be opened for us," Bersih added.
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| The World Is Watching Us! (TO BE UPDATED) Posted: 07 Jul 2011 09:38 PM PDT
By Malaysia Today Here is a summary of news reports on Bersih 2.0 from various international media. The world is watching Malaysia. Who is to be blamed for all the bad press? Certainly, NOT Bersih! 1. The Guardian - Malaysia braces for pro-democracy street protests in Kuala Lumpur 1. Bloomberg - Malaysia to Block Roads in Bid to Stop Protesters Demanding Fair Elections 2. BBC - Malaysia rally: Kuala Lumpur 'to be locked down' 3. Asiaone News - Malaysian capital locked down for rally 4. The Australian - Malaysian Capital In Lockdown 5. United Nations - Malaysia: UN rights office concerned at reported crackdown ahead of planned protests 6. Wall Street Journal - Running Scared In Malaysia by John Mallot 7. The New York Times - Malaysian Opposition Digs In 8. The Korean Herald - Koreans to show solidarity for Malaysian campaign 9. Huffington Post - Malaysia to lock down largest city to block rally 10. abc News - Malaysia to lock down largest city to block rally 11. Newsday.com - Malaysia to lock down largest city to block rally 12. ChannelNewsAsia - Malaysia to lock down largest city to block rally 12. The Jakarta Post - Malaysian activists, govt clash over rally venue 13. The Guardian - Malaysia arrests 14 for 'Bersih' protest T-shirts *To be updated
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| IGP insists Bersih arrests, roadblocks necessary for public safety Posted: 07 Jul 2011 07:58 PM PDT
By Melissa Chi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar today defended the police's decision to arrest Bersih supporters and carry out major roadblocks within the city, saying that it was necessary for public safety. The police chief also said court restriction orders were needed as a "precautionary measure" ahead of tomorrow's rally. "Since several dangerous weapons were found, there is a safety risk (risikan keselamatan) (as) certain quarters insist on having the illegal rally in Kuala Lumpur. They will use all kinds of tricks like they have before. "As a precautionary measure, the police had to get the restriction order ... just to prevent this illegal rally from taking place," he told reporters today. A total of 91 people have been barred from entering the capital city tomorrow, and this includes Bersih, Umno Youth and Perkasa leaders. Elaborating further, Ismail said that the restriction order was not limited to the 91 people, but also to their supporters. He said that the police received two applications to hold the Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow, and have rejected both applications.
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| Hisham says no plans for military action, won’t shut Internet Posted: 07 Jul 2011 07:53 PM PDT
By Melissa Chi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein pledged today that the government will not resort to deploying military personnel for the Bersih rally tomorrow, nor will Internet services be disrupted. Electoral reform movement Bersih has vowed to press ahead with a rally calling for free and fair elections at Stadium Merdeka despite the authorities rejecting a police permit and withholding permission to use the historic venue. Two other groups, Perkasa and Umno Youth, have also been barred from carrying out counter-protests. "We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, or the day after. But under the law, there are provisions, so at the moment, we feel that there are police in place, so there is no necessity to talk about the military," the Home Minister told reporters at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters here. Hishammuddin said the government will react according to how events unfold tomorrow. City authorities and the police have said some 32 roads will be closed to traffic while express bus services from the city centre have been rerouted to Hentian Duta. The police have also brought in personnel from beyond the city limits to aid in the operations. They have also applied for court orders to bar 91 people from Bersih, Umno Youth and Perkasa from entering the city tomorrow. Bersih, a loose coalition of 62 non-governmental organisations, has insisted that it will not move its rally away from Stadium Merdeka tomorrow, stating that it is too late for its supporters to change their plans. It has also demanded that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who proposed on Monday that Bersih move its street march to a stadium, instruct Stadium Merdeka to allow the rally to take place in the historical venue.
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| Law experts say King acted constitutionally over Bersih Posted: 07 Jul 2011 06:34 PM PDT
The King leaves Istana Negara after his audience with Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan last Tuesday. Constitutional lawyer Tommy Thomas said today that the King, as supreme head of the federation, is above party politics. (The Malaysian Insider) - Two constitutional law experts weighed in today in support of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's unprecedented remarks over the Bersih 2.0 affair, saying the King had acted in line with his limited powers under the nation's highest law. The Malaysian Insider reported earlier today that some Umno politicians, including those in Cabinet, were upset by Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin's decision to grant an audience to Bersih 2.0 chief Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan last Tuesday, arguing that it is outside his constitutional powers. Government officials also confirmed that there was much toing and froing over the draft of the King's statement between the palace and the Najib administration before Istana Negara issued what amounted to measured advice late Sunday. "The King has the right to be kept informed concerning matters about the nation," said prominent constitutional lawyer Tommy Thomas, responding to criticism against the King's seemingly independent move to meet with Ambiga. The King rarely issues political statements, which was why many people were surprised by Tuanku Mizan's proclamation. Citing Article 32 of the Federal Constitution which deals with the Yang di-Pertuan as the "supreme head of the federation", Thomas explained that there is a convention for a weekly audience between the prime minister of the day and the King, to keep the King updated on government affairs. "The King as supreme head of the federation, speaks for the entire nation. The prime minister of the day is always partisan whereas the King is above party politics. And there's nothing wrong with the King meeting with any of his subjects to find out what's going on in his country," he told The Malaysian Insider. A former member of the Bar Council, Thomas said that Britain's constitutional monarch also practises a similar approach in England where it is known as "soundings"; he said Queen Elizabeth II always talks with professors and famous personalities in order to be kept informed about current affairs. "In that context, what's wrong with the King meeting Ambiga or for that matter Nicol David, as they are his subjects and he is their King?" Thomas quizzed. "After inviting her to the palace, he can say, 'Look, this is my advice ...,' in a sort of fatherly way, and it is up to Ambiga to say 'I accept', or reject it. The King has no real power as he is a constitutional monarch. "To say the King cannot give advice or talk to anyone is wrong," Thomas stressed. Law lecturer Abdul Aziz Bari backed Thomas' opinion that Tuanku Mizan had acted constitutionally when he intervened. "The constitutional principle is simple and clear: The King is only under duty to act on the government's advice when this is in line with both the letter and the spirit of the Constitution.
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| Malaysia rally: Kuala Lumpur 'to be locked down' Posted: 07 Jul 2011 06:11 PM PDT
Malaysian police have said they will block access to the capital Kuala Lumpur for 24 hours because of a planned pro-electoral reform rally. (BBC) - Major roads will be shut and public transportation suspended from midnight (1700 GMT). A group calling itself the Bersih 2.0 coalition plans to hold the rally in a sports stadium on Saturday. Police have questioned more than 150 activists in recent weeks, and 91 have been barred from the city. More than 30 activists remain in detention after being arrested almost two weeks ago. The demonstrators initially organised a street rally, but agreed to hold their gathering in a sports stadium after objections from the authorities. But police say the rally is still illegal, despite its change of venue. "Merdeka Stadium, which they chose, is too close to the city centre and can create massive traffic jams and disrupt businesses," federal police chief Ismail Omar was quoted as saying by the Singapore-based New Straits Times. Police have not given a permit for the rally, but the demonstrators have argued that they do not need permission. "We are heading for the stadium," a representative of Bersih, Andrew Khoo, told AFP news agency. "We will keep our focus on the basic demands... to campaign for free and fair elections. We won't be distracted." Rally organisers say Malaysia's electoral system is plagued with fraud - they want longer campaign periods, automatic voter registration and equality of access to the largely government-linked mainstream media. The authorities say the protesters are trying to promote communist ideology, thereby "waging war against the king". Police have accused several of those they have arrested of carrying flyers and T-shirts with "inflammatory slogans". The police launched a crackdown after a similar demonstration in 2007. Analysts say that protest helped the opposition win an unprecedented number of seats in the last general election.
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| Posted: 07 Jul 2011 05:32 PM PDT
(FMT) - Tomorrow is the big walk. It is open to all Malaysians who believe in upholding democracy. Democracy is a big word but it has a simple meaning: it is a government of the people, by the people, for the people. It is the people who are the masters of the country. The destiny of the country lies in their hands. Only they can decide which way they want the land of their birth to move. They do this by casting their votes at the appointed time. They speak through the ballot box. They choose representatives of good character to sit in Parliament to champion their interests. But in the course of time, things can go wrong. Like what is happening now. The government is not on the side of the people wanting to exercise their right to a peaceful assembly for a cause that strenghtens, and not wrecks, public institutions. When thousands of ordinary men and women show up for the "Walk for Democracy" tomorrow, be it on the streets or in a stadium, they are not waging war against the government. They have no reason to do so. They are not rebels pouring out of the jungles or coming down from the mountains to capture the capital and set up another government. They are just plain ordinary citizens who wish to support a non-governmental organisation fighting for clean and fair elections. What is wrong with that? But what is wrong with the government? Why is the state acting irrationally? Why does it see red in yellow? Suddenly everything has turned ugly. The government we elected to represent us has become our enemy. Now it is state power versus the will of the people. The state says the rally is illegal. Bersih is illegal. Bersih T-shirt is also illegal. Everything connected with the movement is unlawful. Even the meeting at the palace between the King and Bersih does not appear to be legal. The state is doing everything in its power to make the people hate Bersih – and love the government. It is plain for all to see that the people are not taking the bait. Acting harsh and repressive is clearly not going to win the government any brownie points. Malaysians love peace but at the same time they do not like to be bullied into submission. Times have changed. People can think for themselves and separate truth from lies. In the Bersih story the government does not come out smelling sweet, innocent, clean.
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| Ops Bersih cops get last briefing Posted: 07 Jul 2011 05:26 PM PDT
(FMT) - KUALA LUMPUR: Some 1,500 arresting officers this morning received their final briefing on handling tomorrow's Bersih rally. The police operation has been codenamed "Ops Bersih". The 1,500 will be divided into 150 teams deployed at different locations in the city. A police source told FMT that some of the policemen were from outside Kuala Lumpur and not familiar with the standard procedures of handling large crowds of demonstrators. This morning's briefing was conducted at Universiti Malaya. The source said police estimated 30,000 people to turn up for the Bersih rally. "We identified some weaknesses in our strategies, especially with news that rival groups might gather at the same locations," he said. "Our men are being told not to compromise with either Bersih or Umno Youth or Perkasa supporters. They must arrest immediately all those demonstrators who ignore the order to disperse." The same group of 1,500 attended a refresher course on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Cheras Police Training College. The source added that 3,000 policemen from the General Operation Force, the Federal Reserve Unit and the Special Branch will be deployed from midnight today at various parts of the centre to handle traffic flow and carry out general crime prevention duties. FMT has learnt that all arrested rally participants will be taken to the Jinjang police station, where investigating officers will record their statements. Only those suspected of having committed serious offences will be detained overnight. It is also learnt that about a half dozen magistrates will be on standby to hear police applications to remand suspects.
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| Malaysia reform rally to go ahead: activists Posted: 07 Jul 2011 04:52 PM PDT
(AFP) - Malaysian activists said they would proceed with a controversial rally calling for electoral reform, despite mass arrests by police and fears of chaos in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Rally organisers Bersih 2.0 had agreed to hold Saturday's event at a stadium after complaints that a planned street protest could turn into a riot, but the deal was thrown into confusion after the necessary permit was refused. Bersih representative Andrew Khoo said there was still no approval for the rally to be held at the capital's iconic Merdeka Stadium but that if necessary they would hold the demonstration outside the building. "We are heading for the stadium," he told AFP. "We will keep our focus on the basic demands... which is to campaign for free and fair elections. We won't be distracted." Protests are illegal in Malaysia without a permit, and police have over the past two weeks detained more than 150 people, accusing them of drumming up support for the gathering. Police have also obtained a court order to bar 91 activists from certain downtown areas, and major roads will be closed from early Saturday in a lock-down to make it difficult for people to congregate. Street protests are rare in Malaysia but in the past they have drawn tens of thousands of people, with police using water cannon, tear gas and baton charges to clear the crowds. Khoo condemned the police response as a "gross overreaction" and called for the protesters to be allowed inside the stadium to preserve safety. "It is such a breach of fundamental rights of freedom of movement. There is no risk to public order because we have always maintained this will be a peaceful gathering," he said. Police have insisted that Bersih choose another venue far from the capital. "Merdeka Stadium, which they chose, is too close to the city centre and can create massive traffic jams and disrupt businesses," federal police chief Ismail Omar was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times daily. Most of those detained have been released, but six people, including an opposition member of parliament, have been held under a security law that allows detention without trial. The protest is backed by opposition parties who complain they are the victim of underhand election tactics. With national elections due by 2013 but expected to be held earlier, Bersih is demanding reforms including measures to prevent vote-buying and fraud, and equal media access for both the ruling party and opposition.
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| Malaysia to lockdown largest city to block protest Posted: 07 Jul 2011 04:47 PM PDT
(AP) — Malaysian police say they will shut major roads and suspend public transportation into Kuala Lumpur to block a rally by opposition-backed activists. The organizers of the banned rally planned for Saturday are demanding electoral reforms. The escalating political tension marks a major challenge for Prime Minister Najib Razak's long-ruling coalition ahead of general elections widely expected next year. Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Amar Singh says major roads into the city will be shut for 22 hours starting at midnight Friday. More than 200 people linked to the rally have already been detained in recent weeks. Activists insisted they would gather in a stadium downtown Saturday and urged Najib to call off the clampdown that "fits the style of dictators."
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| Now Umno Youth also wants Stadium Merdeka Posted: 07 Jul 2011 04:20 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Umno Youth has decided to revive its Patriot counter-rally against Bersih tomorrow by applying to gather in Stadium Merdeka — the same venue chosen for a rally by the electoral reform movement. This comes despite city police obtaining a court order barring Khairy and 90 other leaders of Umno Youth, Bersih and Perkasa from entering the city tomorrow in an effort to lock out all three planned rallies. "This is our right to gather, according to the constitution. We don't want to clash with anyone, especially police, but this is our democratic right. We have discussed it and the Umno Youth exco has unanimously decided to accept any action that can be taken against us," Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said. He told a press conference today that the Youth wing made the about-turn after "the opposition rejected the government's advice to hold the rally outside of KL." "This afternoon, we will make an application to gather in Stadium Merdeka. We have applied, we were the first to apply for a police permit on June 24," the Umno Youth chief said, showing reporters the letter sent to the Dang Wangi police station. The Rembau MP added that the application was rejected on July 6 but the Youth wing would appeal the decision today. Khairy, however, denied that the purpose of Patriot meeting in Stadium Merdeka was to create a confrontation with Bersih, who has also insisted on gathering in the historical venue despite the government and police advising the coalition of 62 NGOs to move outside of the city. "We are not interested in clashing with anybody. Crowd control is up to police," he said. Khairy said Umno Youth would meet on Jalan Bukit Bintang at 10am tomorrow regardless of whether it had permission to march to Stadium Merdeka. He said it would look for an alternative venue to march to if not given Stadium Merdeka but would not rule out proceeding to the stadium without permission. "We are not the government, not the police, we'll do what we want," he said when quizzed on the opinion of the authorities that a gathering in the city would disturb the peace. Khairy reiterated that Umno Youth was marching on behalf of the "silent majority" who did not agree with Bersih's methods of pursuing and the politicising of electoral reform. "We are ready to face anyone to make our stand," he said.
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| WIKILEAKS: US viewed Pak Lah’s reform a failure Posted: 07 Jul 2011 04:09 PM PDT
His administration's follow-up on vows for reform was 'disappointing', says a US cable leaked by WikiLeaks. (Free Malaysia Today) - Washington felt the economic policies introduced by then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi were not successful while his reform measures were least convincing, according to a diplomatic cable leaked by whistleblower site WikiLeaks. The US government also felt that Abdullah's ascent to power improved Washigton-Putrajaya ties, calling him "a breath of fresh air after the long-serving and vituperative Mahathir Mohamad" who retired in late 2003. According to WikiLeaks – published by Malaysia Today website today – the US government felt Abdullah's effort to encourage a private sector-led growth amid ballooning national debt was a failure and his administration's follow-up on vows for reforms "disappointing". "He is publicly committed to fighting corruption and reining in costly mega-projects, though his government's follow-through has been disappointing. "In his early days, PM Abdullah made rural development and control of government spending, partly as a means to encourage private sector-led growth, his top economic priorities. So far, only his reduction of the government's deficit – now down to 3.8% of GDP – can be chalked up as a clear success," read the cable. Abdullah's 9MP lacked initiative The leaked cable also disclosed US scepticism towards Abdullah's economic policies under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP). "Abdullah's partisans say that the Ninth Malaysia Plan (a five-year plan for economic policy and development spending) will be the vehicle for advancing his other economic goals, but the 9MP, unveiled on March 31, contained little in the way of drama or new initiatives," read the cable.
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| Perkasa rally in limbo, chief to stay home Posted: 07 Jul 2011 04:03 PM PDT
With no stadium and no police permit, the Perkasa rally appears doomed. But Ibrahim Ali is now thinking about turning to the Selangor authorities. (Free Malaysia Today) - Perkasa's rally for tomorrow is now in limbo while its president Ibrahim Ali has decided to stay home following a court order restricting him from entering certain parts of the city. However, Ibrahim said there is still time for Perkasa to look for a new venue after the KL City Hall rejected the movement's application to hold the gathering at Stadium Titiwangsa here. "We applied for Stadium Merdeka but was rejected. We asked for Stadium Titiwangsa but was rejected. Police permit also rejected," he told a press conference here. "We are having difficulty looking for a place… at this moment in time we can't do anything," he said, but added, "We still have time. It is only noon now, and we plan to gather at 2pm tomorrow." Ibrahim said Perkasa will vie for Stadium Selayang, located in the Pakatan Rakyat-controlled state of Selangor, but has yet to contact the relevant authorities. Commenting on the court order obtained by the police yesterday barring him and 90 others from being present at some parts of the city, Ibrahim said he will remain at home. "Even if I have to go out, I won't go to the restricted areas," he added. Fourteen Perkasa members are on the list, which also includes Bersih 2.0 chief S Ambiga, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang as well as numerous Pakatan MPs and Umno Youth leaders. Despite the court order, Bersih has decided to push ahead with the rally slated for 2pm at Stadium Merdeka. Yesterday, Ibrahim expressed confidence that the police will issue the movement a permit to hold its rally because it will be a peaceful gathering. However, Sentul district police chief ACP Zakaria Pagan told FMT that Perkasa's application was rejected because it does not have permission from the premise's owner. "Perkasa could not get City Hall's approval to use the stadium as some other agency already booked the place for a sports event for both Saturday and Sunday," he said. 'Why does she insist on Stadium Merdeka?' He said that 15,300 people have "enthusiastically" confirmed their attendance at Perkasa's rally. "They can take their families out to places like the Titiwangsa Lake Club as well which is something like the Hyde Park in London," he said, drawing laughter. Ibrahim reiterated his call on the police to check Bersih's foreign funding and urged Perkasa members to file police reports on this issue.
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| Posted: 07 Jul 2011 03:59 PM PDT
Political observers predict that the government's biggest fears will be realised with the Bersih rally tomorrow. (Free Malaysia Today) - The government's crackdown on the Bersih 2.0 rally has gone down in the country's history as its harshest yet and earned international recognition as a campaign of intimidation. The government has trotted out its intention to preserve national security as justification for the arrests of Bersih supporters, criminalising the coalition and the flurry of roadblocks that incurred a city's wrath. Yet word on the street is that this concern for national security is a mere smokescreen to mask a secret fear that July 9 could potentially culminate in a staggering success. And that would force the ruling government to face an ugly fact – a yellow tsunami may just drown it in the the 13th general election. Professor James Chin of Monash University has no doubts about this. He noted that the government blamed Hindraf and the first Bersih rally for causing its stumble in 2008 and is now fearful that Bersih 2.0 will be a repeat of history. He also believed that similarly to previous demonstrations, this rally would see a higher turnout of Indians and Malays compared to Chinese. "The government has come down harder on PAS than on DAP because it expects the Chinese to stay away from the rally," he said. "If you notice, the DAP leadership has issued statements but has not called on its party members to participate in the rally." "Yet there will be more Chinese participation tomorrow than in to the 2007 rally because there are more Chinese NGOs today. The other Chinese numbers will come from PAS' supporter's club and PKR." Worried over massive turnout Former journalist and author of "March 8: Time for Real Change", Kee Thuan Chye, agreed that the government is "very worried" about a massive turnout and warned that it would do all it can to prevent such a scenario. "Roadblocks are already in force," he said. "I expect a lot of arrests and bag searches on that day. It will literally be hazardous to wear yellow." Professor Shamsul Amri Baharuddin of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, meanwhile, pointed out that demonstrations were no longer a new phenomenon in Malaysia. The question, he said, was the difference between rallies on international and domestic issues. "When 3,000 people showed up for the anti-Israel rally there was no talk of a threat to national security because everyone was on one side," he explained. "With domestic issues there are always extremists on both ends with each side determined to promote its political agenda." "Also the Bersih issue is an old one. Certain personalities want improvement in order to win bigger in the next general election so they can return to the limelight. This could also be a concern to the government." Shamsul, too, echoed Chin's prediction that the Chinese would steer clear of the rally, saying added that this is a fact that has been proven time and time again. "About 90% of participation at rallies consist of Malays and Indians," he said. "One can see that even during university rallies. I don't know whether they are genetically more inclined to demonstrations or if they just have a lot of time on their hands."
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| Mystery surrounds police permit for Bersih Posted: 07 Jul 2011 03:25 PM PDT
(FMT NEWS ALERT) - Bersih 2.0 has claimed that a police permit has been issued for the coalition to hold its rally in Stadium Merdeka. However, PKR Youth leader Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin tweeted that Dang Wangi district police chief Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman had denied this. Bersih steering committee member Haris Ibrahim had earlier confirmed that a police permit was issued. "The police permit has been issued but we need to negotiate with the stadium's management because the place is undergoing renovation works," he said. A Bersih representative is on the way to the police station to collect a letter from the district police chief. FMT however learnt that the letter from the district police is just a rejection letter although Bersih had not applied for a police permit. In another tweet, PKR vice-president Tian Chua offered a different version, stating that the stadium had given permission to Bersih for the rally tomorrow but the police had yet to issue one. Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar urged Bersih to hold its rally outside of the city while Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin condemned the coalition as being recalcitrant for insisting on Stadium Merdeka. Yesterday, the police also obtained a court order barring 91 people, including Bersih chief S Ambiga, from entering certain parts of Kuala Lumpur. However, Stadium Merdeka was not one of the places cited in the order. When contacted, the Dang Wangi police chief said he would clear the confusion over the Bersih permit at his press conference later this afternoon.
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| Dirty treatment for a clean cause Posted: 07 Jul 2011 11:13 AM PDT
By Jeswan Kaur, FMT Shamefully desperate. This best describes Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is going all out to finish off election watchdog Bersih 2.0. Applying all the dirty tactics in the book, Najib sought the help of his cousin-cum-Home Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, and got Bersih 2.0 declared as an illegal outfit. Then, there were claims that Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan was the beneficiary of illegal funding including from controversial currency speculator George Soros. It did not end there. The police claimed it found a bag full of the yellow T-shirts with the word Bersih on it, Molotov cocktails and other weapons days ahead of the July 9 rally. Still unhappy with the people's show of support towards the rally, Najib has ordered the police to apply for a court order and arrest the 91 individuals including Ambiga, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang should they set foot in certain parts of Kuala Lumpur. All that could be done to tarnish the image of Bersih 2.0 and cast doubt on its "Walk for Democracy" rally was being done by Najib and his team. Yet, all that failed to brainwash the people who staunchly support Bersih 2.0. Utterly desperate, Najib's last attempt was to "instruct" the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to interfere, which the former dutifully did, urging that the rally due tomorrow not happen on the streets because of the chaos it might lead to. Bersih 2.0 respectfully abided by the King's request to not take to the streets, not realising that the "powers that be" were not trustworthy. Bersih 2.0 agreed to hold the rally in a closed-door environment and identified Stadium Merdeka as the preferred venue, due to its historical significance, that is, being the site where the country's independence was proclaimed by the country first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. But the Stadium Merdeka management refused to entertain that request from Bersih 2.0, giving reasons that the stadium was already booked for July 9. While the tug-of-war goes on between Bersih 2.0 and Stadium Merdeka, Najib watches from afar, pleased that he succeeded in giving Ambiga the run-around for a venue, passing the buck of dealing with an illegal organisation to the police. The latest scenario has the Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar telling Bersih 2.0 to seize the "golden opportunity" offered by the government for the rally to take place indoors – but best they do it outside Kuala Lumpur.
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| King’s ‘independence’ surprises Umno leaders, say sources Posted: 07 Jul 2011 09:51 AM PDT
By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — The Yang di-Pertuan Agong's "independence" over the Bersih issue through his edict and meeting the electoral reform group is causing some consternation among Umno politicians, including several ministers, sources say. The Malaysian Insider understands that they are upset by Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin's decision to grant an audience to Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan last Tuesday, arguing that it is outside his constitutional powers. Government officials also confirmed that there has been a series of tooing and froing of the draft of the King's statement between the palace and the Najib administration before Istana Negara issued what amounted to measured advice late Sunday. "Some Umno politicians felt that the King's statement should have been more strongly worded against Bersih. And some ministers are also upset that the King met Ambiga," a source told The Malaysian Insider. A Cabinet minister confirmed with The Malaysian Insider that dissenting views were raised during the weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. "They felt that the Agong is not the executive arm of the administration and the Agong must subscribe to the constitutional monarchy system where he acts on advice of the PM. "So most of the ministers felt that this was done without PM's knowledge. But PM knows, so actually, it was a wrong assumption," said the minister. The minister added that the disapproval was also largely because the government had already declared Bersih 2.0 an outlawed organisation. The King's agreement to meet Ambiga, said the minister, gave the appearance that the Ruler did not recognise the Bersih 2.0's status as illegal.
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| Koreans to show solidarity for Malaysian campaign Posted: 07 Jul 2011 09:48 AM PDT
By Kirsty Taylor, The Korean Herald Pro-democracy campaigners in Korea are to push for free and fair Malaysian elections this weekend. A show of solidarity for people in Kuala Lumpur is to be held in Seoul on Saturday, as part of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) campaign calling for an end to dirty politics in the country. Amnesty International has published a press release on the issue saying that Malaysian authorities are arbitrarily arresting and detaining scores of peaceful electoral reform protesters in what it called "the worst repression of free speech and freedom of assembly in recent years." Since June 24, more than 100 activists have been arrested or questioned by police over their support of the electoral reform rally since June 24, according to Amnesty. "The Malaysian authorities are muzzling calls for electoral reform by throwing peaceful protestors in jail," said Donna Guest, Deputy Asia-Pacific Director at Amnesty International. "We have not seen such a crackdown on political activists across Malaysia in many years." The global demonstration is being planned for July 9 by the Coalition for Fair and Free Elections, also known as Bersih, meaning "Clean." The movement is calling for is calling for a cleanup of the electoral roll, reforms to the postal vote, free and fair access to media and a minimum 21-day campaign period for politicians in the country. The Korean event to be held in Seoul's Gwanghwamun district on July 9 will be one of many held around the world on the same day. Protests are to be held all over Australia as well as in New Zealand, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan and many European countries. The Bersih Korea Solidarity Rally is to meet at Gwanghwamun Subway Station Exit 6 at 2:45 p.m. for the rally to be held from 3-5 p.m. Protesters in Korea were encouraged to purchase and wear copies of the yellow Berish campaign T-shirts which have seen wearers reportedly held without charge by authorities in Malaysia. Anyone interested in taking part or purchasing a T-shirt can email bersih.korea@gmail.com or call (010) 4363-0609 for more information. |
| Posted: 07 Jul 2011 08:53 AM PDT
By Liz Gooch, New York Times KUALA LUMPUR — Election reform advocates said Thursday they would proceed with a rally in a stadium here on Saturday, despite warnings from the authorities that such a gathering would be illegal. Tensions have risen in this Southeast Asia nation in recent weeks, with the police arresting more than 200 people in connection with the planned rally, which is being organized by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, also known as Bersih, or "clean" in Malay. The coalition is made up of 62 nongovernmental organizations. Opposition leaders, who strongly support the campaign for electoral changes, have predicted that the rally could attract about 300,000 people. A street rally calling for similar changes in 2007, in which the police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters, was credited with helping the opposition make historic gains in the 2008 elections. The next election must be held by mid-2013, but there is speculation it could be held as early as this year. Last Saturday, the government declared Bersih illegal, because it had not registered as an organization and was causing unrest among the public. Bersih countered that it was not a new organization, but rather an alliance of existing groups. Prime Minister Najib Razak then said the coalition could hold the rally, if it agreed to meet in a stadium, rather than on the streets as first planned. After a rare mediation meeting Tuesday with the Malaysian king, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, Bersih organizers agreed to these terms. Now, however, the authorities have said that Bersih cannot proceed without a police permit, which normally would not be granted to a group that has been declared illegal. Bersih leaders responded by accusing the prime minister of having "reneged" on his offer to provide a stadium for their rally and said they would assemble at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday afternoon "whatever happens between now and then." "We are coming, we will be peaceful and together, we will build a better Malaysia," the coalition said in a statement. On Thursday, the chairwoman of Bersih, Ambiga Sreenevasan, said the management of Merdeka Stadium had turned down the coalition's request to use the site, but that it would reapply and try to secure a police permit under the name of one of its member groups. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin accused Bersih of attempting to "incite hatred" by insisting on holding its rally at Merdeka Stadium, which he said should only be used for official functions, The Malaysian Insider, a Web site, reported Thursday. Meanwhile, the police have set up roadblocks on streets leading into the city and said they would arrest anyone found with Bersih materials, such as the coalition's yellow T-shirts. In recent weeks, 225 people have been arrested in connection with the Bersih movement under various laws including the Sedition Act and Emergency Ordinance, which allows for detention without trial. On Thursday, the police said six people remained in custody. Perkasa, a group formed after the 2008 elections to defend the rights of ethnic Malays, which it asserts are being eroded by non-Malays, is planning to hold a counter-rally against the Bersih movement and is seeking a police permit and a stadium. The United Malays National Organization's youth wing said it had yet to decide whether to go ahead with a similar rally. The Kuala Lumpur city police deputy chief, Amar Singh, said Thursday that the police had obtained court orders that bar 91 people, including leaders of Bersih, Perkasa and UMNO Youth, from certain parts of the capital between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday. Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy and democracy with regular national elections, but Bersih organizers say that elections are vulnerable to manipulation. They have issued a list of eight demands, including marking voters with indelible ink to prevent them from voting more than once, purging electoral rolls of "phantom voters" and ensuring that opposition parties have equal access to the mainstream news media. The group is also calling for a royal commission to investigate how elections are conducted. Ms. Ambiga, the Bersih chairwoman, said the coalition wanted these changes implemented before the next election. The Electoral Commission has announced that it will introduce biometric fingerprinting for voters, but she said that the commission's recent announcement did not go "far enough." The coalition that has governed Malaysia since the nation gained independence in 1957, now under the name National Front, rejects accusations that elections have not been conducted freely and fairly and notes that the opposition won control of five states in the last national election. Analysts say the Bersih campaign could help the political opposition. "The opposition parties have jumped on this bandwagon because they would be direct beneficiaries of electoral reform," said Ibrahim Suffian, director of the Merdeka Center, an independent polling firm in Kuala Lumpur. Describing Bersih's demands as "perfectly normal in terms of what's expected in a functional democracy," Mr. Ibrahim said that if large numbers of protesters turned out Saturday, it could slow the government's momentum after a recent series of by-election victories. "I think that is the deeper concern: that a show of protest, a show of force by the opposition and NGOs demanding reforms from the government, could sway undecided people to feel that the government is not doing enough," he said. Ong Kian Ming, a political analyst at UCSI University, said that the rally came at an "opportune time" for the opposition and that a violent crackdown on the protesters could be "a game changer" in the coming elections. |
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