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Use of Sosma an Overreaction to a Non Situation

Posted: 13 Apr 2013 03:17 PM PDT

Think tank Political Studies for Change (KPRU) welcomes the assurance given by the police that Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) will not be abused during the the run up to the 13th General Election. The assurance is a proactive measure to quell any distrust by the public towards the police on the possibility of SOSMA being arbitrarily used. However, as well as providing assurance that SOSMA will not be abused, the police is highly recommended to take immediate and appropriate actions against perpetrators of political violence seen during and post election season.

This comes considering that SOSMA is intended to be used against matters that are a threat to parliamentary democracy. Considering that the definition to what constitutes to threat against parliamentary democracy is neither clear nor succinct, it opens the possibility of abuse. Malaysians are reminded of the arrests made in relation to the Lahad Datu intrusion which individuals were arrested under SOSMA for suspicions of having connections with the intrusion. What assurance does the police have for Malaysians and the opposition or its supporters will not be arrested under SOSMA on grounds of "suspicions for being a threat to parliamentary democracy" during this GE13?

A fair and just police is a police that protects the public at all cost. However, that role of the police in Malaysia is a perverted role. Instead of protecting the public, the police have issued a threat to all Malaysians that they will use the newly minted and widely controversial law of Sosma on Malaysians during the 13th General Election (GE 13) "to ensure the general election is not affected by incidents or security threats and be accused of being terrorist"?

The irony of this situation by the police comes when it warns individuals and non governmental bodies to not overstep the law but the police itself are overstepping the toes of Malaysians by indirectly accusing Malaysians of having intentions to disrupt the peace of this country.

The recent selective screening of the controversial movie Tanda Putera also raises the question on its weightage as influence during the GE13. Malaysians familiar with the tragedy of 13th May are also familiar of the conspiracies surrounding the cause of the tragedy. How will the police ensure that the selective screening of Tanda Putera will not fall into one of the conspiracy theories behind any unwarranted incidents during and post GE13?

There is a problem with wearing the badge with too much pride when the police asserts that SOSMA will not be abused during GE 13 when past records indicate the police have no experience or the know how to handle situations when faced with large crowds. On the other hand, the problem with threatening to enforce SOSMA during GE13 is that it gives a considerable amount of power and justification for the police to exercise their brute enforcement on Malaysians if, to say things went awry.

Pak Samad tells voters to oust BN

Posted: 11 Apr 2013 10:48 PM PDT

This is the first time the national literary icon, popularly known as Pak Samad, has openly urged Malaysians to back the federal opposition coalition to "overhaul" the government and "amend the broken machinery" like health care and education, which Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has promised to deliver.

"This is our chance… the time has come for us to overhaul the government to that power would fall in the right hands.

"This is our opportunity to amend the broken machinery like health care, education and democracy of which have been promised by the opposition," he said at an event organised by polls reform group Bersih 2.0 in Selayang.

Bersih 2.0, a coalition of over 80 non-governmental organisations, has in the past been forced to defend itself against criticisms calling it a partisan group, largely due to the immense support it had received from PR leaders for its street protests.

The former national laureate Samad said now is a critical time for voters to ask themselves why the same coalition has ruled Malaysia for more than five decades and why is it those in power are only Malays. "I am also a Malay but I often asked why is it that the powers above me are only Malays?

"Tunku Abdul Rahman was a Malay, (Tun) Abdul Razak was a Malay, (Tun) Hussein Onn was a Malay, (Tun Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) is not a pure Malay but can be considered a Malay… (Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) is also a Malay," he said.

Despite a solid Malay leadership for 56 years, Samad pointed to the racist tactic used by the ruling coalition to keep the country's ethnic majority on its side.

"So why are we repeatedly reminded that the Malay rights will be threatened?"

The private screenings of controversial 'Tanda Putera' film, purportedly depicting the May 1969 racial riots, only to Malays in the run-up to the elections was a testimony to the racism perpetrated by the BN government, he added.

"It is to sow fear in the heart of the Malays," he said.

Bersih 2.0 is now leading the campaign to reform Malaysia's polling system, which the coalition of rights groups claimed is rife with irregularities.

It is also launching a nationwide tour to educate voters on election laws aimed at making them 'citizen observers' and to reduce fraud including curbing vote-buying under its 'Jom Pantau (Let's Monitor)' campaign.

Samad pointed to widespread vote-buying when the Najib administration gave out cash handouts to key constituents under the People's 1 Malaysia Aid (BR1M) programme, which he said signalled BN's fear that its rule would come to an end soon.

"You must ask why is it that the government had suddenly want to give out money? This government is desperate, that is why they even promised more BR1M," he said.

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Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Ahad, 14 April 2013

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

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