Janji Demokrasi
4 September 2012
Stop intimidation and harassment of Janji Demokrasi
Gabungan JANJI would like to thank the rakyat who braved police harassment and intimidation by turning up on 30 August 2012 to celebrate the countdown to Merdeka Day. Their presence is an indication of their love for their country and their concern for the failed promises that the government had not fulfilled. We also want to thank the medical team, volunteer security members, Bar Council, KL Legal Aid Centre, Lawyers for Liberty, SUARAM for their legal assistance and monitoring and to all NGOs who supported the event.
Gabungan JANJI would like to reiterate that the event JANJI Demokrasi was to show that promises have yet to be met and they are as follows:
1. Uphold the Federal Constitution
2. Rule of Law:
a) Support civil liberties and freedom of expression
b) Repeal all repressive laws
c) Freedom of the media
3. Clean and fair elections
On the eve of Merdeka Day, Malaysians have proved that they can express their demands in a peaceful manner. As admitted by Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Zainuddin Ahmad there was “no untoward incidents” reported.
But yet intimidation and harassment have again started by the authorities, police and the media, namely Utusan Malaysia.
The police said that they want to investigate against Dato A. Samad Said’s poetry recital on the eve of Merdeka Day but yet did not state the grounds for such an action. Dato A. Samad Said is a national laureate and well known for his poetry and writings. He has won many awards including: Pejuang Sastera (1976); SEA Write Award (1979); Sasterawan Negara (1985); and Sasterawan Nusantara (1999) to name a few. On 30 August 2012, Dato Samad had written a new poetry for Janji Demokrasi and, as usual, he was sharing it with the nation. Therefore, Gabungan JANJI demands that the police and authorities stop their undue harassment and intimidation against a legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of expression.
Next they went after those who were waving the Sang Saka Malaya at the Janji Demokrasi rally. Two of the youth have courageously come forward to admit that they were the ones who waved the flag.They have also explained that their intention was not to replace Jalur Gemilang but to commemorate unsung heroes. As the youth have explained their intention, Gabungan JANJI urges all politicians and media like Utusan Malaysia to stop politicising the issue, stop witch hunting and stop intimidating the two youth and accept their explanation.
Lastly, Gabungan JANJI had already informed the media on 30 August that we do not support nor condone the act of stepping on the photos of Najib and Rosmah. If we do not agree with Najib and Rosmah, the decent thing to do is to have a dialogue, consultation or a discussion with them. All Malaysians must view the act of stepping on one’s photo and the show of the posterior to another person as unacceptable. The offenders need to be taken to task.
Gabungan JANJI call upon all sectors – the politicians, media and the authorities to stop politicising the event, Janji Demokrasi, and to recognise that there is now a new way to celebrate Merdeka Day – with the people.
Thank you.
Release By,
GABUNGAN JANJI
Endorsed By:
1. Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM)
2. Persatuan Anak Peneroka Felda Kebangsaan (ANAK)
3. Kebajikan Rangkaian Veteran dan Bekas Angkatan Tentera – Army Veteran (KERABAT)
4. Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)
5. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
6. EMPOWER
7. Memacu Arus Perjuangan (MAP)
8. Malaysian Civil Liberty Movement (MCLM)
9. Jingga 13
10. Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM)
11. Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam seMalaysia (GAMIS)
12. Kumpulan Aktivis Mahasiswa Independent (KAMI)
13. Pro-Mahasiswa NasionalAksi Mahasiswa Peduli (AKSI)
14. Asalkan Bukan Umno (ABU)
15. Pertubuhan Kemajuan dan Kebajikan Rakyat Selangor (Pro-Rakyat)
16. KILL THE BILL
17. WARGA AMAN
18. SEED
19. Malaysian Youth and Democratic Movement (DEMA)
20. Angkatan Rakyat Muda (ARM)
21. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)
22. HIMPUNAN HIJAUSTOP LYNAS COALITION (SLC)
23. Radio Bangsar Utama (RABU)
24. UBU - Universiti Bangsar Utama
25. Unit Ehsan Malaysia
26. Alumnus Sekolah Politik (ASP)
27. Agent of Change (AoC)
28. Akademi Pak Sako (APS)
29. Selamatkan Teluk Rubiah
30. Revolusi Anak Muda Malaysia (RAMM)
31. Gagasan Majlis Permuafakatan Rakyat Terengganu (MAMPAT)
32. Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rakyat Perlis (PKR Perlis)
33. Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI)
34. Dewan Perhimpunan Cina Kuala Lumpur / Selangor (KLSCAH)
35. Kumpulan Aktivis Media Independent (KAMI)
36. Gerakan Bertindak Kembalikan Royalti Kelantan (GEGAR)
37. Solidariti Anak Bachok Daratkan Minyak (CABAR)
38. Majlis Permuafakatan Kampung Warisan KL/Selangor (MUAFAKAT)
39. Kumpulan AL-FATEH Rompin
40. Gabungan Profesional Menuntut Royalti, Hak Pendaratan Minyak dan Gas Ke Kelantan (ROYALTI)
41. Suara Makkal
42. Persatuan Progresif India Malaysia (MIPAS)
43. Malaysian Youth Care Association (PERHATIN)
44. Peoples' Welfare and Rights Coalition (POWER)
45. Malaysian Indians Transformation Action Team (MITRA)
46. Angkatan Nasional India Malaysia (AGNI)
47. Jaringan Sepadu Rakyat Malaysia (SEPADU)
