Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Royal Intervention in the Bersih Rally
- Press statement by concerned academicians on the Bersih march
- Traffic in KL City
- What about HARTAL for BERSIH?
- The Bersih 2.0 Global Telephone Campaign
- Why The Sledgehammer?
| Royal Intervention in the Bersih Rally Posted: 04 Jul 2011 09:33 PM PDT
Dear Sir, The timely intervention of His Majesty Yang Dipertuan Agong in the wake of the escalating tensions in the country over the planned BERSIH rally was met with divergent opinions as to the motivation of His Majesty for doing so. I look upon the His Majesty's intervention as fair and logical and it has reaffirmed my views about the role of a constitutional monarch in our democratic nation. It is in moments of heightened tension with a potential for violence and racial conflagration, which to a large extent is politically engineered, that a monarch can play a vital role in bringing the nation from the brink due to his authority, as conferred by the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. The BERSIH rally is an important test-case as to the validity and respect we have for the Malaysian Constitution. The aims of BERSIH are to uphold and entrench the democratic process via constitutional means. What more noble aim could there be than this? The Police are obliged to provide security and safe passage for the participants who are proud and loyal Malaysians. Let us hope politicians on both sides of the political divide will not be allowed to hijack the rally. Even though Pakatan Rakyat supporters are going to provide the bulk of the numbers, BERSIH must be seen as a serious call for reforms from the Rakyat. The message would be more powerful and germane if civil society leaders were seen to be running the show and speaking at the event. The politicians, on this occasion, should take a back seat and not turn it into an 'Opposition' party political rally. I think things have potentially turned out for the good. Now BERSIH can no longer be viewed as an 'illegal' organisation as Dato Ambiga has had an audience with His Highness the Agong. BERSIH T-shirts which have been arbitrarily declared 'illegal' can now be worn legitimately because of 'Royal' dispensation. Dato Ambiga and BERSIH should use the Royal 'approval' to have the rally in a stadium judiciously and strategically in their negotiations with the government. The Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's readiness to meet BERSIH in the aftermath of His Hghness the Agong's audience with BERSIH should be welcomed and applauded. It is times like these that I am proud to be Malaysian. Dr Peter Jesudason |
| Press statement by concerned academicians on the Bersih march Posted: 04 Jul 2011 03:54 PM PDT
We, the undersigned academicians, wish to express our concern at the deepening political crisis in the country. It is unfortunate that such a crisis is emerging out of a legitimate campaign, initiated by a large number of non-governmental organizations, to institute reforms through their campaign, Bersih, to ensure the conduct of truly free and fair elections in Malaysia. Since the pursuit of such a campaign is undeniably noble, and timely, we are extremely perturbed that the government has resorted to harsh measures and use of draconian legislation to prevent the organizers from mounting a public rally. We see the need for the leaders of Bersih to persist with dialogue with the bodies responsible for overseeing free and fair elections. However, we also appreciate the argument by the campaign's leaders that such an assembly is necessary since discussions have long taken place, with little progress - thus the need for the government to take serious heed of the campaign's recommendations for free and fair elections for which there is considerable support from the country's citizenry. We note too that public assemblies and marches in support of causes that have attracted widespread public concern are a common feature of all democratic systems. They are a legitimate expression of the freedom and rights of the citizens of a country. A government that uses the laws, institutions and resources of the state to suppress or repress such activities undermines its own credibility and claim to practicing democracy. The actions of the Government to curb this Bersih campaign will only hurt public perception of the Government's commitment to the freedoms enshrined in the Federal Constitution. Further actions such as the use of the Emergency Ordinance on Bersih supporters will only result in the enhanced perception of a government that refuses to institute free and fair elections for fear of losing power, an impression we are certain the government does not want to create. We urge the following steps to resolve the crisis and restore public confidence in the Government's ability to govern the country fairly and justly.
Signatories Associate Prof. Dr. Andrew Aeria Associate Prof. Dr. Azmi Sharom Dr. Christopher Chong Associate Prof. Dr. Sharmani Gabriel Prof. Terence Gomez Prof. Lim Teck Ghee Dr. Lee Hwok Aun Prof. Francis Loh Assoc Prof Dr Mustafa K Anuar Dr. Ooi Kee Beng Janet Pillai Dr. Johan Saravanamuttu Prof. Tan Sooi Beng Associate Prof. Dr. Yeoh Seng Guan Prof. Diana Wong Prof. Zaharom Nain
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| Posted: 04 Jul 2011 02:43 PM PDT By Jam and Butter I just reached home at 9.20am after sending my wife to work. Her office is 12 km away and we left home at 7.30am. With the aid of a supercomputer, I calculated that it took me 110 minutes to travel 24km. This evening, I will leave home at 5.30 and will be grateful if we can make it for dinner at home by 7.45. That means it will take me 135 minutes to travel the same distance. And I have been doing this for years. Everyday, from Monday to Friday, except when it's a public holiday or when we are on vacation. The reason I spend so much time on the road is because of the chaotic traffic condition, with or without the presence of the police. Sometimes, the police are there to ensure that there is a clear lane for an approaching convoy of outriders and police cars and other cars and other people on motorbikes who will not hesitate to kick your car if you do not stop. And you must stop at the extreme either end of the road. These people are on a do-or-die mission to accompany a person who needs to get from Point A to Point B. And you ignore their orders at your own risk. Someone somewhere has determined that the person who needs to get from Point A to Point B requires priority over every other motorist on the road along the route. Like what happened this morning. I drove into Jalan Sultan Ismail at 8.20. Just then, I heard the blare of police siren. The sole outrider was directing traffic to clear a path for an approaching vehicle. The morning rush-hour traffic had to come to a complete standstill so that the person in the vehicle led by this outrider could get from Point A to Point B. As the vehicle drove past, I noticed a small sign above the vehicle number plate. It was a car paid for by Malaysian taxpayers meant for the exclusive use by a person elected by Malaysian voters. I thought: how lucky that person was in the car. Here I am, nudging along slowly with the traffic everyday so my wife can reach her office and earn an income. If not, how on earth was she to contribute funds for Felda through EPF and finance this person's lifestyle through the taxes she has to pay? I feel truly sorry for my fellow rakyat who are forced to use their own means of transportation to get to work and back. Public transportation in Malaysia (and probably Zimbabwe) is not designed for the comfort and convenience of the public. Infrastructure for the public, like a continuous five-foot way away from mat rempit bag-snatchers, is not yet a feature considered by the planners. Just tune in to the radio station and listen to the daily traffic report. From Penang right down to the south in Johor, there is traffic jam somewhere and everyday. Sometimes, it's because of an accident that had caused a 3km-jam. Sometimes it's a 3-car pile up that is causing a bumper-to-bumper crawl. This is an everyday part of our life. Nearly everybody who travel by car to work don't work on Saturdays. So, why is the Star warning the rakyat to expect traffic jams this Saturday? Whatt do the police hope to achieve with the road blocks on Saturday? Perhaps the police will be there to carry out the orders of the elected govt. They are to ensure as much inconvenience to the rakyat so you will be discouraged from sitting in your car in a jam dressed in your yellow t-shirts. I remember during the 50s, there were road blocks everywhere set up by the police to check and remove food carried in the car. This was their strategy to starve the communists. However, if you have children in the car, the police would allow a reasonable amount to be carried as they know children needed to eat and there was no R&R along the way between Taiping and Ipoh. The police were fair, reasonable and polite. If you have endured traffic jams all your life or are willing to spend 5 hours to travel to your kampung once a year, what is so scary about a traffic jam that is about to happen a second time (hopefully that's all it takes to bring about changes in our country) in your life?
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| Posted: 04 Jul 2011 02:16 PM PDT
By Bluesyworms Jazzyworms Personally I believe the reason why the Government is doing this 'overkill' towards BERSIH supporters is because Najib is not in control. 'Somebody' from UMNO itself want to remove him from PMship and as UMNO President and so thats why you see all this arrest and mindless provocation. They want to heat things up so that riot will occur, and then ask Najib to declare emergency. Then after that, they'll remove him like what happen to Tunku, blaming him for the riots. That's what I believe. In short its a power struggle. And whether you all like it or not, BERSIH is being used by politicians. As it is now even some PR supporters have turned this march into a street demo demanding change of government rather than just to send the memo. The mindless provocation for the past 2 weeks, has worked. But the real person who will benefit is this one faction in UMNO, whom in 2007 also used BERSIH as a catalyst to overthrow Pak Lah. In the end everyone, from BERSIH organisers, to NGOs and PR is being used by this fella for his own purposes. There was no real electoral reform after the BERSIH demo in 2007, Anwar did not become PM except for PR controlling some states, but Pak Lah was overthrown. The saying 'better to lose some battles but win the war' have never been clearer. Now the Agong himself, whether His Highness realise it or not, have thrown a spanar in 'his' plans, asking BERSIH and Putrajaya to negotiate. But 'he' and his goons still keep on the provocation via Utusan and such. Najib now may have realised his errors falling into this fella's trap, and now making a 'U-Turn' trying to give BERSIH a chance to rally in any stadium. Strange because his own cousin Hishamuddin the Home Minister have recently declared BERSIH as an illegal organisation. Unless Najib realised something he wasn't aware before, he would not make such a blatant U-Turn and make a fool out of his own cousin.
As to Najib's suggestion rallying in a stadium, anything can happen at that rally too. He is not in control of PERKASA and other like minded NGO's. Heck, he is not even in control of UMNO. Recently he advised UMNO members to stop factional politicking. A riot can still happen at the stadium unless Najib gonna order the police to provide security. And that will in turn make the IGP, his deputy and other police officers into fools, especially after those mind boggling arrests and statements against BERSIH. Whether Najib likes it or not, his U-Turn is starting to turn out as a nightmare. So now the ball is in BERSIH's court. If my theory is true, do you wanna walk and become this fella guinea pigs, become another tool for UMNO's internal power struggle like in 13th May 1969 or find another way to carry on the Rakyat's fight? I'd say lets call off the rally and do something quite opposite instead like a HARTAL. They don't want the rally, fine, lets just stay home all together. End it with turning off the lights or something... The best thing about a HARTAL is that no one is the leader. Anybody can do it. No politician be it from PR or BN can hijack such a show of force. And police can't force people out of their homes for no valid reasons. Of course some in the business community would cry wolf. Well take that day to clean up your premises or something. DBKL, DBKK etc can for once clean up most of the rubbish. Let's give our city a break once in a while. Days before the rally many have decided to stock up on food etc anyway, so you businessmen would have covered the cost you suffered on 9th July. People can spend time at home with their family. People can take the time to pray to clean their soul. Its a day to contemplate, take a breather. Its good also for the environment. Make it a day for spring cleaning. Ramadhan is coming soon, so why not 'BERSIH'kan the house now. I got to bersihkan my longkang from those lalang that I have been delaying for two months.... As A Samad Said said in his poem; Remember we have made our point anyway. The rally was to show the strength of people's support to BERSIH, but its not just the only method. A HARTAL or just a Spring Cleaning Day would be just as powerful as we turn all major cities in Malaysia into clean or 'BERSIH' ghost towns for one day..... |
| The Bersih 2.0 Global Telephone Campaign Posted: 04 Jul 2011 02:06 PM PDT
By Bersih 2.0 Global Network Calling ALL concerned Malaysians around the world to pick up the phone and call your local high commission or embassy this week to voice your concern over the way the Malaysian government is grossly mishandling the Bersih 2.0 rally for free and fair elections and violating the basic human rights of many of its citizens. This action will only take 5 minutes of your time, but it could make the Malaysian government sit up and seriously think twice about its heavy handed approach and crack down on civil liberties in recent weeks. It could also help prevent further abuse if the Malaysian government gets the clear and loud message that the entire world is watching and this sort of response to legitimate and peaceful calls for free and fair elections in Malaysia is hardly befitting of a member of the UN Human Rights Council and is extremely counterproductive to their efforts to be seen as an open and mature democracy. For further information on the background to events of recent weeks, please read our accompanying online petition (and even better- sign it too!). When you call the high commission or embassy, remember to remain calm and polite and state that you are a concerned Malaysian (although non-Malaysians are very welcome to participate too. Se just need as many callers as possible!) and that Bersih 2.0 Global is calling on the Malaysian government to do the following: Release all activists who have been arrested immediately and unconditionally and drop all unfounded charges against them; Ensure all those detained have access to lawyers, their family members and any medical care they may require; Stop the use of repressive laws such as the Police Act and Sedition law to criminalize peaceful political activities; Respect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Please email any responses or feedback on your encounters to bersih2.0global@gmail.com which will help us track the impact the international Malaysian community is making. We have only 5 days to do this is but there are over 1 million Malaysians living abroad, so let's show the world that we are standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters back home in Malaysia. Let's unite to join in the global solidarity walks around the world on July the 9thbecause we care, and for many of us who are fortunate to live in real democracies, because WE CAN…
Thank you for taking action
In Solidarity
Online petition |
| Posted: 04 Jul 2011 10:49 AM PDT
By Aliran Executive Committee It looks like if they don't get you under one law, they will get you under another law. That seems to be the case as far as Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj and his colleagues are concerned. But this time they used a sledge-hammer just to make sure that they get them. Jeyakumar and colleagues arrested under the Emergency Ordinance. During the seven days' remand the police did not unearth any incriminating evidence to justify their action against 30 Parti Socialis activists for allegedly "waging war against the king". That was the reason stated for remanding these people. Before that, there was talk they could be investigated for sedition. On the seventh day of their remand, six of them were freed from the Kepala Batas Police Station. The implication of this action was very explicit: the police had actually cleared them of whatever they were originally suspected of being involved in. In other words, there was no case against them and therefore there was no reason to seek a further remand to continue with the police investigation or to charge them. It was the end of the case and the matter was closed to the satisfaction of the police. But lo and behold, at the very moment Jeyakumar and his colleagues were freed, police personnel from Bukit Aman immediately re-arrested them! This time they were being arrested under the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969. This time they used the sledge-hammer approach. This Ordinance doesn't give you a chance to challenge the arrest and detention. The activities of Jeyakumar and his colleagues come nowhere near to this conceived potential danger to the nation. Their activities were never violent or criminal. In fact, they are very concerned and compassionate people who only want to do good that will benefit the discarded and marginalised sectors of our community. Jeyakumar is noted for devoting his entire life to the care of the less privileged and discriminated urban poor, the neglected estate communities and the largely ignored Orang Asli. His ways are gentle, his approach is gentlemanly. He has never advocated any violence in the pursuit of justice for the poor, the weak and the meek. It was always persuasion and reasoning that he deployed to seek justice. Reasoning and rational Malaysians cannot accept any insinuation that he is a danger to public order. In their eyes Jeyakumar is a victim of gross injustice. Aliran has known Jeyakumar for many years. He is one of our loyal members committed to the aspirations of Aliran. His concerns are exemplary and inspiring. He is a tireless worker for the good of the nation. We reject any allegation of criminal intent on his part. Detaining him under the EO is a terrible injustice to this man of peace. Aliran calls upon the Barisan Nasional government to be fair and just and free Jeyakumar and his colleagues immediately. Their continued detention does not speak well of our notion of justice or our respect for the rule of law.
It looks like if they don't get you under one law, they will get you under another law. That seems to be the case as far as Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj and his colleagues are concerned. But this time they used a sledge-hammer just to make sure that they get them. Jeyakumar and colleagues arrested under the Emergency Ordinance. During the seven days' remand the police did not unearth any incriminating evidence to justify their action against 30 Parti Socialis activists for allegedly "waging war against the king". That was the reason stated for remanding these people. Before that, there was talk they could be investigated for sedition. On the seventh day of their remand, six of them were freed from the Kepala Batas Police Station. The implication of this action was very explicit: the police had actually cleared them of whatever they were originally suspected of being involved in. In other words, there was no case against them and therefore there was no reason to seek a further remand to continue with the police investigation or to charge them. It was the end of the case and the matter was closed to the satisfaction of the police. But lo and behold, at the very moment Jeyakumar and his colleagues were freed, police personnel from Bukit Aman immediately re-arrested them! This time they were being arrested under the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969. This time they used the sledgehammer approach. This Ordinance doesn't give you a chance to challenge the arrest and detention. But this Ordinance is meant for suspected goons and gangsters and criminals who habitually indulge in crime and violence; suspected criminals who pose imminent danger to citizens and remain a constant threat to public order. The activities of Jeyakumar and his colleagues come nowhere near to this conceived potential danger to the nation. Their activities were never violent or criminal. In fact, they are very concerned and compassionate people who only want to do good that will benefit the discarded and marginalised sectors of our community. Jeyakumar is noted for devoting his entire life to the care of the less privileged and discriminated urban poor, the neglected estate communities and the largely ignored Orang Asli. His ways are gentle, his approach is gentlemanly. He has never advocated any violence in the pursuit of justice for the poor, the weak and the meek. It was always persuasion and reasoning that he deployed to seek justice. Reasoning and rational Malaysians cannot accept any insinuation that he is a danger to public order. In their eyes Jeyakumar is a victim of gross injustice. Aliran has known Jeyakumar for many years. He is one of our loyal members committed to the aspirations of Aliran. His concerns are exemplary and inspiring. He is a tireless worker for the good of the nation. We reject any allegation of criminal intent on his part. Detaining him under the EO is a terrible injustice to this man of peace. Aliran calls upon the Barisan Nasional government to be fair and just and free Jeyakumar and his colleagues immediately. Their continued detention does not speak well of our notion of justice or our respect for the rule of law.
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