Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
| Ahmad Sarbaini's widow fights back Posted: 22 Sep 2011 01:00 AM PDT
How did Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed die? According to the official story, he died while trying to escape through a third floor pantry window. But Ahmad Sarbaini went to the MACC office on his own accord, so the official story goes. He was not under arrest or was being interrogated, so the official story goes. So why does he need to escape then? He can just walk out of there if he wants to. Next week, the Coroner is going to deliver the verdict on how Ahmad Sarbaini died. But his widow is not about to accept the official story of how her husband died. She is fighting back, as the documents below show.
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| Wind of freedom blows to SE Asia Posted: 21 Sep 2011 10:30 PM PDT Indonesia, for one, has a big problem with its commitment to uphold religious freedom, as highlighted by the U.S. State Department in its recent report that in some instances Indonesia failed to protect persons from religious discrimination and abuse. But it is to Malaysia that our attention now turns, and perhaps Kuala Lumpur could even provide leadership, as the nation prepares itself for a general election in 2012. China Morning Post he wind of freedom is blowing towards Southeast Asia. Wherever it comes from, perhaps from the Arab Spring, it is refreshing that Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak announced his plan to replace the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) and to ease long-held restrictions on the media. Two months earlier, Singapore held an election that gave rare space for free political expression and one that saw the opposition party making limited but nevertheless significant gains. Freedom is contagious, but in this part of the world, it may be not contagious enough. It needs an additional force, to bring about real and meaningful freedom of speech, assembly and religion for the people of Southeast Asia. This push must preferably come from within rather than blown by external factors. The people, students and the political elite, in the region must take advantage of the current breeze by seizing the initiatives. It may be a little while before the winds of freedom blow this way again. Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines are among Southeast Asian states that have embraced freedom in the true sense of the word when they ended autocratic rule in the 1980s and 1990s. These three countries have since either backtracked or stagnated on their commitment to freedom. Indonesia, for one, has a big problem with its commitment to uphold religious freedom, as highlighted by the U.S. State Department in its recent report that in some instances Indonesia failed to protect persons from religious discrimination and abuse. But it is to Malaysia that our attention now turns, and perhaps Kuala Lumpur could even provide leadership, as the nation prepares itself for a general election in 2012. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib's plan for more freedom may not necessarily materialize in parliament still largely controlled by conservative forces but history has also shown that once unleashed, the winds of freedom will be difficult to withstand. Countries that are moving up the economic ladder will sooner or later have to deal with the question of freedom. Education and greater prosperity create a whole new generation of people more critical of their governments, especially on questions of freedom, justice and governance. Malaysia and Singapore are now at that phase of development. The bigger question is whether their political leaders are ready to deal with the consequences of change. Any change, and one as significant as ushering freedom is a huge change, carries risks and uncertainty. We wish Prime Minister Najib and the Malaysian people good luck and success in this exciting and somewhat dangerous journey. |
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