Pakatan: Arrests of Nik Aziz, Guan Eng picture-stompers ‘insincere’

By Lisa J Ariffin

September 17, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders today dismissed the arrests of several individuals who stomped and urinated on the photographs of their leaders as a mere knee-jerk response from the authorities, following harsh criticism from the public over their handling of similar incidents during National Day last month.

PKR vice-president N Surendran (picture) pointed out that the arrests had only been made after the Home Ministry and the police were slammed for the speedy action they had taken against the group of youths who stomped on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s photograph during a street celebration of Malaysia’s 55th National Day at Dataran Merdeka.

“The only reason (Home Minister Datuk Seri) Hishammuddin (Hussein) has gone after those who did that to opposition leaders is because of public criticism on the one sided way the police have gone after those who did the same to the PM’s photos,” Surendran told The Malaysian Insider.

DAP national publicity chief Tony Pua echoed his colleague’s sentiments, and said: “The urinating act was more than a few months ago. Have they been charged?”

“Or are these ‘arrests’ afterthoughts after Malaysians complain at the police bias of investigating only when Najib’s picture is ‘damaged’?” he asked.

“If Hishammuddin is truly unbiased, then scores of people would have been charged and found guilty to date for Umno and Perkasa members have trampled, torn, burnt and desecrated on pictures of PR leaders since 2008,” he added.

PAS leader and Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad lamented if the police had taken action against the perpetrators “from the beginning”, it would have “stopped all these crazy political gangsterism and activities which are not condoned by anybody with a reasonable and sound mind”.

“They (the police) have to wait until the PM’s photos are stepped on, and they’re criticised for not taking action, then only they acted... It is a bit disappointing,” he said.

“It shows they have double standards and are not serious in overcoming the problem of gangsterism and unethical political action,” he added.

Surendran, however, urged that no criminal action be taken upon those arrested.

“We believe leaders must be open to criticism by the people and even if the criticisms are rude and distasteful as in the case of the fellow who urinated on photographs of PR leaders,” he said.

He added the coalition was against criminal action taken against those involved as it was “wrong, because under the federal constitution there is freedom of expression”.

“As long as it’s non-violent, don’t turn it into a criminal matter. Like those who jumped on the PM’s photos, it is distasteful but not criminal.

“It may be rude, distasteful and disgusting but we must defend the people’s right to do it. They are both not criminal matters.”

A firestorm erupted last month after several individuals were recorded tearing up posters bearing images of the prime minister, his wife and Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof at the “Janji Demokrasi” rally on August 30.

Several other people also were spotted waving a flag with an alternative design — now identified as the Sang Saka Malaya – instead of the Jalur Gemilang at the National Day bash.

Bukit Aman’s CID director Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin told The Malaysian Insider that the police were probing the two separate incidents under the Sedition Act — despite Putrajaya’s decision to repeal the controversial law that has been widely panned as a tool to curb political dissent.

Mohd Bakri said the police were probing the flag incident as an attempt to incite hatred with intent to create public disorder under Section 4 (1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948.

He added that stepping on pictures of Najib and wife were considered offences under Sections 290 and 504 of the Penal Code for being public nuisances and intentionally causing insult with an intent to provoke break the public peace, respectively.

Those convicted under Section 290 may be fined up to RM400 while those found guilty under Section 504 are liable to be jailed up to two years or fined, or both.

However, Section 4 (1)(a) of the Sedition Act prescribes a mandatory jail term of three years or a fine of up to RM5,000 for first offenders, which is subsequently raised to five years’ jail for repeat offences.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pakatan-arrests-of-nik-aziz-guan-eng-picture-stompers-insincere/

Ambiga: Growth of civil society not to blame for teen pranks

By Clara Chooi
Assistant News Editor

September 11, 2012

Bersih co-chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenavasan. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 —  The growth of civil society activism following Bersih 2.0's annual rallies may have inspired copycat gatherings nationwide but its co-chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenavasan has disagreed that this could have spurred civil disobedience among the country's youths.

The prominent former Bar Council president and civil society activist told The Malaysian Insider that gatherings like the Merdeka eve "Janji Demokrasi" should not be blamed for the controversial picture-stomping incident involving a group of teenagers.

"We have been having more such gatherings around... not just Bersih... like the green movement, and so on. It is common and there is no wrong in it.

"And for me, it is really how these things are handled by the authorities on the ground, and of course, the organisers," she said.

Ambiga, who is a co-chairman of the 82-member Bersih 2.0 election watchdog, noted that added frequency of more such public gatherings should be expected as a natural precursor to any fully functioning democracy in the world.

They should not be misconstrued as a deliberate plan to create a "mob culture" in society , she said.

"To be honest, the police are getting better and better and things are becoming pleasant.

"If things are handled well, there will be no problem. A lot of these (problems) arise from the behaviour of the police and the organisers of such events," she added.

But although "Janji Demokrasi" had been organised by a number of Bersih 2.0's member groups, Ambiga insisted that the event itself had not condoned the teenagers' offensive behaviours.

During the gathering, a group of youths believed to be participants, were seen stomping on and mooning over the photographs of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, his wife and Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.

Ambiga said the youths' actions was never encouraged, pointing out that the other "Janji Demokrasi" participants had behaved in "exemplary" fashion, setting an "excellent example for these children".

"I do not see any relationship between the two incidents. The Janji Demokrasi gathering... they were so well-behaved," she said.

According to Bernama Online yesterday, a total of 427 police reports have since been lodged on the incident, which had immediately kicked off a firestorm of protests from government leaders.

The police have also formed three special teams to investigate the matter under the Sedition Act, the Peaceful Assembly Act and the Penal Code, apart from detaining several teenagers who had come forward to admit that they were part of the group destroying the photographs.

One 19-year-old student who admitted to mooning over the pictures have also been expelled from college for showing disrespect to a national leader.

Joining many other civil society activists and opposition leaders, Ambiga spoke out in defence of the youths, and slammed the authorities for meting such harsh punishment upon those who have been detained.

She said photographs in the media showing how at least two youths, including the 19-year-old boy and a female teenager, were handcuffed for such minor acts of disrespect had "shocked and disgusted her".

"When I read how they were handcuffed, pictures in the press and their poor parents put in a position to apologise... my own view is that this is pure intimidation against these two youths, who at best, you can say they were just involved in a prank.

"I do not condone it but they are young... it is shocking, really, and very frankly, I was disgusted with how they were treated," she said.

The prominent lawyer added that the actions of the youths were in no way seditious in nature as at such a young age, they were merely following in the footsteps of the adult politicians who have oftentimes been seen performing the same offensive acts but were allowed to go unpunished.

"So my view here is that the government, the authorities are using a nuclear weapon to kill a fly.

"You do not deal with youths in this manner - they have their whole lives ahead of them but in just one event, you have greatly traumatised them and stolen away their futures," she said.

Ambiga suggested that a mere verbal reprimand should have been enough to set the teenagers back on the right path, if at all the government wanted to punish them for their actions.

Otherwise, she said the incident should have merely been ignored as the public uproar over the youths' actions over the Internet should have helped teach them a lesson.

Many opposition politicians have railed against the authorities for acting so speedily to reprimand the youths for the incident when they had failed to do the same against pro-Umno, pro-BN and Perkasa activists who had in the past committed the same offences.

The Malay right wing group Perkasa had in May this year organised a mock funeral for Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

The group's leaders, as well as other pro-Umno activists have also held numerous protests where the photographs of prominent Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders and Ambiga herself.

The Bersih 2.0 leader had also found herself the target of such attacks following the group's last rally in the city earlier this year.

Shortly after the event, a group of traders erected a burger stall outside her home, deliberately handing out beef burgers in a direct insult to Ambiga, who is not only vegetarian but also a Hindu.

Apart from that, a group of army veterans had also performed butt exercises outside her home.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ambiga-growth-of-civil-society-not-to-blame-for-teen-pranks/

DAP: Punishing teens will torch BN’s non-Malay support

By Clara Chooi
Assistant News Editor

September 08, 2012

Teenager Ong Sing Yee reacts after offering her apology for stepping on the pictures, during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur September 6, 2012.—Picture by Saw Siow Feng

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 ― Lim Guan Eng today suggested that Barisan Nasional’s (BN) harsh treatment of those responsible for last week’s Merdeka Day misadventures despite a failure to address similar transgressions by hardliners in Umno and Perkasa will alienate its non-Malay support.

The DAP secretary-general said the action will also serve to highlight the government’s apparent bias after having ignored unruly behaviour displayed previously by to Malay right wingers.

Lim pointed out that unlike the political leaders, the youths who mooned over or trampled on photographs of the country’s leaders and raised a pre-independence flag during last week’s Merdeka Day celebrations had not committed the acts with malicious intent.

“But this Perkasa... they are extremists. These youths, they just want to have fun, they do not know what they are doing.

“But others, they have done this three, four times. Not only stepping and burning photographs but even performing Hindu funeral rites for me. This is not just an insult to the Hindus but also to the Muslims,” he said in a press conference in Penang earlier today.

The Bagan MP pointed out that unlike the young mischief makers, several of whom have apologised for their actions over the week, those from Perkasa and other pro-Umno supporters have yet to come forward to do the same.

Despite this, Lim said the authorities appeared overly determined to throw the book at the youths, even opening a probe against them under the Sedition Act, a law that the government has promised it will repeal soon.

He urged the government to have a “big heart” and accept the apologies offered by the two teenagers over the picture-stomping incident, saying it was punishment enough their actions were heavily publicised.

In a separate statement here, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang suggested the same, and urged a Cheras-based private college to reverse its decision to expel one of the teenagers, the 19-year old boy from Batu Pahat.

“This incident just shows that Perkasa is Umno and Umno is Perkasa. Clearly, they do not need the non-Malay votes,” Guan Eng said.

“The way they behave... BN does not need the non-Malay votes, they do not want the non-Malay votes and I think this message has been passed throughout Malaysia.”

Other opposition politicians have railed against the authorities for the speed with which they have reprimanded the youths for the incident, noting a failure to do the same against pro-Umno, pro-BN and Perkasa activists who previously committed the comparable offences.

Malay right wing group Perkasa had in May this year organised a mock funeral for Lim.

The group’s leaders, as well as other pro-Umno activists have also held numerous protests where the photographs of prominent Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders and civil society activists like Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan were trampled on or even torched.

Shortly after the April 28 Bersih rally in the city, a group of army veterans had also performed butt exercises outside Ambiga’s home.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/dap-punishing-teens-will-torch-bns-non-malay-support/

林冠英抨击国阵：不要设法欺侮小孩，却对贪腐领袖闭眼

2012年9月7日

民主行动党兼峇眼区国会议员林冠英那个于2012年9月7日在吉隆坡发表声明：

内政部长必须为警方用手铐对付一个19岁青少年的刻薄和严厉做法作出道歉，只因为她仅踩踏首相拿督斯里纳吉的肖像，然而即使被控告贪污的国阵领袖都没被拷上手铐。

首相纳吉应该展示他的宽容，不只是接受踩踏他肖像青少年的道歉，也必须停止他高高上在，以权威来惩罚他们，他们不是犯了令人发指的罪行，如谋杀、武装抢劫和强奸。内政部长拿督斯里希山慕丁必须为警方的苛刻和严厉手法道歉，包括以手铐铐住一名19岁女生，只因为她踩踏了首相的肖像，然而即使贪污的国阵领袖都没被拷上手铐。

国人对用手铐对付一个自首而且年仅19岁的女孩感到愤怒，手铐多只是用来对付暴力、涉及暴力罪案行，或可能企图逃跑的人，对一个自首年轻女孩扣上手铐，只不过是滥用权力和羞辱的行为。

吉隆坡总警长末玛沙列辩称为少女上手铐“温柔符合程序”，因为她的手被拷在前面而不是背后，这样的说法不仅证明警方不敏感、不负责任，也没有意义。为什么国阵领袖获得特殊的待遇，他们被控告贪污和欺骗公众时，双手没被拷在背后？

希山慕丁说，必须严厉对付那些参与极端和传播憎恨国家领袖的分子，这是明显的滥权，一个没有涉及任何严重刑事罪行，如谋杀、强奸或武装抢劫的青少年，在刑事法典第290条文（公共骚扰之处罚））和第504条文下（蓄意侮辱）下被调查。在第290条文下被定罪者可能被罚款高达400令吉，而第504条被判有罪，可能监禁长达两年或罚款，或两者兼施。

希山慕丁允许警方严厉的行为，证明他双重标准，因为那些以类似方式对净选盟联合主席拿督安美嘉的人，如在其家门前摆汉堡摊及跳臀舞羞辱她的人士，却没有被采取任何行动。安美嘉的照片也被焚烧，她也以素食及兴都徒自居，这些人公然在其私邸烧烤汉堡。

同样的，当我的肖像被土权踩踏、焚烧，甚至进行葬礼仪式时，也不见当局展开了任何行动。为什么土权以此方式攻击民联反对党的非马来人领袖时，却没有遭到提控？那些在去年由巫统及土权在槟城大桥展开的暴力示威行动中，殴打打记者的人士，怎么又没有被对付？

难道希山慕丁及警方要试图告诉国人：踩踏一张照片的罪行比贪污更严重？让年轻及手无寸铁的孩子受害，他们只是在揭示自己是恶霸和懦夫。让年轻的女孩子及青少年面对这等的对待，证明了希山慕丁滥用权力、双重标准、善于欺负人的懦弱战术，也考验他是否适合出任内政部长这个职位。

來源：http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=39561:dont-try-to-bully-the-kids-but-close-an-eye-to-corrupt-bn-leaders-guan-eng&Itemid=2

DON'T TRY TO BULLY the kids but close an eye to corrupt leaders - Guan Eng slams BN

Written by  Lim Guan Eng

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should show he has got a big heart by not just forgiving the teenagers who have apologised for stamping on his picture but also stop the high-handed and severe punishment of them as if they had committed some heinous crime of murder, armed robbery and rape.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein Onn must apologise for the police’s harsh and heavy-handed treatment including a 19-year old girl with handcuffs merely for stamping on the pictures of the Prime Minster Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when even BN leaders charged for corruption were not handcuffed.

All out to humiliate the youths

Malaysians are outraged by the handcuffs placed on the kids which included 19 year-old girl who voluntarily surrendered. Handcuffs are not usually required unless the accused is violent, or has committed a crime of violence, or may attempt to escape. In this case, handcuffing a young girl who had voluntarily surrendered is nothing but an abuse of power and an act of humiliation.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohmad Salleh has defended his men for handcuffing a 19-year-old girl who surrendered herself yesterday saying that the matter was very "light" and mild as she was handcuffed in front and not behind her back as proper procedures required.

Such statements not only show that the police is insensitive, irresponsible and not making any sense as why BN leaders were given special treatment and not handcuffed in the back when they were charged for corruption or cheating the public?

Hishammuddin had said stern action against those involved had to be taken as the incident is extreme and aimed at sowing hatred for the country leaders.

This is a clear abuse of power when the teenagers are investigated not for any serious criminal offences like murder or rape or armed robbery but under sections 290 and 504 of the Penal Code for being public nuisances and intentionally causing insult with an intent to provoke break the public peace, respectively. Those convicted under Section 290 may be fined up to RM400 while those found guilty under Section 504 are liable to be jailed up to two years or fined, or both.

Double standards, deliberate hypocrisy

By allowing such stern action, Hishamuddin practices double standards as no action was taken against those who behaved in a similar manner against Bersih co-Chair Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan when her picture was burnt and her dignity assaulted by a “butt-dance” performance as well as a “burger protest” in which beef burgers were grilled outside her private residence despite the fact that she is known to be a Hindu and a vegetarian.

Neither was any action taken when my own picture was stepped on, burnt and funeral rites performed with my image by Perkasa. Why is it Perkasa members are not charged for such offensive action against non-Malay leaders from the opposition PR? Why is it no action was taken against those who beat up reporters during a violent demonstration on Penang Bridge?

Is Hishamuddin and the police trying to tell Malaysians that stepping on a picture is a more serious crime compared to corruption?

By victimising young, powerless and defenceless kids, they are merely revealing themselves to be bullies and cowards. The treatment suffered by the young girl and teenagers shows the abuse of power, double-standards, bullying and cowardly tactics of Hishamuddin that question his fitness as Home Minister.

LIM GUAN ENG IS PENANG CHIEF MINISTER & DAP SEC-GEN

Source: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=39561:dont-try-to-bully-the-kids-but-close-an-eye-to-corrupt-bn-leaders-guan-eng&Itemid=2

诺言联盟：政府应速兑诺，‘停止骚扰参加集会者’

2012-09-05 08:19

（吉隆坡4日讯）“诺言联盟”（Gabungan JANJI）促请有关单位停止对出席“民主之诺”（Janji Demokrasi）和平集会人士进行骚扰和恐嚇，並要求政府儘快履行承诺。

该联盟也声明並不赞成集会者踩踏首相拿督斯里纳吉和其夫人拿汀斯里罗斯玛的肖像，並认为不管是踩踏谁的肖像，都是不能被接受的。

该联盟今日发表文告指出，该集会向政府提出三大民主诉求，即维护宪法，尊崇法治以及落实干凈与公正的选举。

“在尊崇法治诉求下，包括要求政府支持公民权利和言论自由，废除恶法和落实媒体自由。”

文告说，在国庆日前夕，大马人已经证明他们能够以和平的方式来表达心声，但警方和马来西亚前锋报却在集会后，开始对出席集会者採取骚扰和恐嚇的手段。

文告说，警方发表声明指要针对国家文学奖得主拿督沙末赛益，国庆日前夕在吉隆坡市政局大厦外坐下，並朗诵马来“班顿”的事件展开调查。

文告说，数位年轻人在“民主之诺”集会上举起“荣耀马来亚”（Sang Saka Malaya）旗帜，只是想要展现歷史事实，无意要求政府更换国旗，並促请所有政治人物以及媒体，尤其是马来西亚前锋报，停止指责他们。

来源：http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/259878?tid=1

Janji Demokrasi Press Statement

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)

Delay polls and risk punishment

RK Anand

 | September 3, 2012

The Bersih leader takes the prime minister to task for delaying the general election with no good reason, describing this as disconcerting and irresponsible.

KUALA LUMPUR: In 2009, Najib Tun Razak took over the leadership reins after his predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi relinquished the post following Barisan Nasional’s biggest electoral setback to date.

Najib and his retinue of advisers had the unenviable task of reversing the political fortunes of the ruling coalition, which seemed to suffer from an incurable perception malaise.

But during his initial period in office, the prime minister appeared to be pressing the right buttons, his popularity soared and speculations of a snap polls were rife.

However, Malaysians still remained in the dark about the 13th general election, with the latest talk being that the polls would be held in November, on the 11th, which happened to be Najib’s lucky number.

Those close to Najib argue that the premier was being cautious while the grapevine had it that intelligence reports painted a bleak picture for BN.

Describing this as both “disconcerting and irresponsible”, Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga warned Najib that the continued delay could prove to be perilous for him and BN.

She said that it would not come as a surprise if the voters, including the fence-sitters, punished him for this feet-dragging in the next polls.

“I understand it is the Westminster system and it is the prerogative of the prime minister. But a good government should be prepared to take on the election and not be afraid to set a date,” she told FMT.

“We have been in election mode since he [Najib] took over and everyone has been pumped up. He drops hints [about the polls] and that is irresponsible. You don’t toy with people’s feelings.

“People are fed up! They can’t plan things like going on holidays and so forth. Furthermore, it affects investor confidence.

“That’s why I say it is irresponsible. If this is how a government is going to play with the election date, then it would be best to have a fixed date for polling,” she added.

Ambiga said as political leaders in other parts of the world discussed the economic crisis and recession, their Malaysian counterparts were still engrossed in politicking.

“So who is running the country? This is unacceptable,” she stressed.

Is the government afraid?

Ambiga said that Bersih had also called for the election to be postponed in the past with regard to the implementation of electoral reforms.

She added that if the government claimed that the election was being delayed in order to push through the reforms, then it would be justifiable.

“But everyone has forgotten about electoral reforms. So the election is being dragged for no reason.

“It seems the government is concerned about the results [of the election]. Otherwise, they would have called for it,” she added.

Elaborating on electoral reforms, Ambiga said that Election Commission chairman Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof cannot lead the commission as he was a former Umno member.

“He cannot claim that he would discharge his duties without bias. There are enough grounds to believe or to suspect that he would be biased and this makes him unfit for the post,” she added.

Ambiga also dismissed claims that Najib was concerned that if the polls were held before the term expired in April 2013, Pakatan Rakyat-controlled states would not dissolve their respective
assemblies.

“I don’t buy that excuse. He [Najib] kept the nation on election mode. Even the recent Merdeka celebration was an election campaign,” she said.

Commenting on the Merdeka celebrations, Ambiga expressed disappointment that both political blocs could not set aside their differences for one day.

The Bersih leader also pointed out that the government’s Merdeka campaign appeared to be centred around the prime minister.

“It’s a case of adoration for the PM… Where is his team? And I am also saying this with regard to Section 114A of the Evidence Act,” she said.

On Aug 14, Najib had twitted that he was instructing the Cabinet to review the controversial amendment of Section 114A following protests on the social media network.

However, Najib’s announcement was met by contradictory statements by the Cabinet defending the provision.

The new law imposed a presumption of guilt on Internet users and service providers for Internet abuses such as slander, hate speech and seditious comments posted through their network.

Vote out the incompetent

Meanwhile, Ambiga also called on voters to be selective about the candidates fielded by both BN and Pakatan.

She said that candidates who were known to be racist, incompetent and sexist must be rejected.

“A large percentage of parliamentarians don’t deserve to be there, they say inane things and are only there to heckle. These candidates should be voted out,” she added.

Ambiga also warned that BN and Pakatan were underestimating the power of women in terms of voters and candidates in the next polls.

“This comes from a historical patriarchal thought process and this must change. How dare you treat women as if they don’t matter,” she said.

She argued that when political parties comprised of Youth and Women’s wings, it gave the impression that these two were subservient or inferior and therefore this framework must be reviewed.

Weighing in on the attack against a bus used by Pakatan for its nationwide campaign, Ambiga said that political violence had reared its ugly head once again.

“If our leaders do not condemn it, then they are condoning these acts. It is hard to trust a government which does not contain political violence and in fact is seen as encouraging it.

“The credibility of the police force is also questionable as clearly, they are not acting to protect the public,” she added.

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/09/03/delay-polls-and-risk-punishment-ambiga-warns/

Dataran gathering gave me new hope

September 2, 2012

I have started questioning, and what I see in my beloved land saddens me.

By Christine SK Lai
Why on earth would thousands of people come out of their homes to join thousands of other strangers on the streets, risking possible arrest in an assembly declared illegal?

Why would many still dress up in yellow, knowing full well this would immediately ‘mark’ them out as easy targets amongst the crowd, should provocation break out?

I am talking about the ordinary Malays, Chinese, Indians and others, some coming from out-of-state, who spilled over Dataran Merdeka and its surrounding areas on Aug 30, 2012, from 10pm onwards.

There was no colourful parade to cheer, no fiery VIP ‘leaders’ making ‘ra-ra-ra’ rousing speeches, no big-time performance to be entertained by, and hey, no free food!  No one paid them anything to come. Many probably had to battle after-work traffic jams to turn up.

Many, like us, would also have suffered the darn inconvenience of having to go on a merry-go-round chase, rushing to catch the last LRT home after the event (we were told as we tried to board at Pasar Seni that only Masjid Jamek was open).

Heck, I didn’t even get to hear any poetry recited. All I  heard was the cacophony of that noisy thing called vuvuzela continuously blasting the night air.

It was such a motley crowd. Beside me sitting on the kerb was a Pakcik. Behind me a whole family, with baby in pram. Parents were towing kids carrying balloons and illuminated plastic swords.

Youngsters cruised by me, sporting colorful Mohawk wigs (the teacher in me was so tempted to get a handful for my kindergarten children!) Police personnel were calmly walking around in the midst of the crowd, the officers looking smart in their uniforms, whilst the rank-n-file were conspicuous in their very bright yellow overalls (what an ironic touch!) .

The only inkling that someone ‘special’ had arrived was when people would suddenly surge towards a particular area now and then, like bees attracted to honey, cameras raised in the air. But I wasn’t there for the politicians or the politics.

Silent unease
I was there for the first time in my 52 years of life to celebrate my nation’s independence day. What took me so long to haul myself off my comfy chair at home and sweat it out for some four hours, just to mill around aimlessly in the middle of a tar road?

Surely I can find better, more productive things to do with my time. Of course I can, so can the thousands of Malaysians who chose to be at Dataran Merdeka on Aug 30, 2012.

Well, I have to confess, I have never thought much about what it means to call myself a Malaysian, until these last couple of years, when so many events happening have forced me to take a good hard look at the things I have oft taken for granted.

I have started questioning, and what I see in my beloved land saddens me.

That’s the only reason I chose to come out as a member of the Malaysian public this Merdeka day. I suspect there are many others who feel like me; and that’s why they took the trouble to be present.

Amidst what should be a time for joyous celebration, there seems to be an under-current of silent unease floating around. We smile at each other, recognising in each other’s eyes a certain ‘look’ that says, “Yea, I know too, so I am with you on this one.”

No words are necessary really. We don’t need anyone to shout about unity, justice, peace or national reconciliation (or the lack of it), we don’t need to carry bold banners or mouth nice-sounding slogans, but we do need to take a personal stand for it.

Me, I just want to be able to say before I die, I stood up for freedom for the land I was born in, raised up in and would probably be buried in, even if it’s just this once. There are times when we don’t get a second chance to be counted for, and Aug 30, 2012 is a date I want recorded in my life history.

New hope
I don’t know how long I was sitting on the kerb. But when I finally got up, what I saw gave me new hope for better Merdeka days to come.

The group of us had arrived on the grounds early, there wasn’t much of a crowd then. But by the time I stood up to stretch my legs (which was about 11 pm), I saw people packing the area around Jalan Raja Laut/Jalan TAR.

So many many it looked like a flowing, moving stream. Against the backdrop of bright neon-lit trees along the road, it was a beautiful sight. It struck me as what I would term as one of those ‘significant moments’ in life, when you realise you are looking at something seemingly ordinary but so profound in meaning, that it will remain forever etched in the mind.

I ‘saw’ the true 1Malaysian people, moving towards a tomorrow that holds hope for each one to live in, where all can enjoy the richness and abundance of this land we call our own.

More than any other rally (and I have attended all the other Bersih-organised ones), I think Himpunan Janji Bersih 2012 speaks volumes about the maturity of Malaysians.

Nothing happened – that may a disappointment for some – yet to me, that’s the greatest thing that can happen, for when thousands upon thousands can gather without ‘anything’ happening, it means people can ‘shout’ a message just by turning up.

God bless Malaysia.

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2012/09/02/dataran-gathering-gave-me-new-hope/

55th Merdeka Celebrations at Bukit Jalil a Barisan Nasional Election Campaign

Najib did not conduct himself as Prime Minister for all Malaysians when he divided the people on Merdeka Day and urged Malaysians to “defend independence” against Pakatan Rakyat

Datuk Seri Najib Razak did not conduct himself as Prime Minister for all Malaysians when he divided the people on Merdeka Day and urged Malaysians to “defend independence” against Pakatan Rakyat.

In his closing speech at the “Merdeka 55: Janji ditepati” gathering at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium last night, Najib called on the audience “to defend the nation’s independence from enemies and the opposition alike”. (Malaysiakini/The Malaysian Insider)

He said:

“Ladies and gentlemen, remember that independence only knocks once for any nation. Let us close ranks and defend our independence with a solid front, at every corner and at any time.

“Even more so when enemies and the opposition are trying to bring chaos into the situation.”

This the final and ultimate proof that the 55th Merdeka Day celebrations had been hijacked by UMNO/Barisan Nasional as part of their desperate gambit to hang on to power in the impending 13th General Election – which had been evident when the UMNO/BN election theme of “Janji Ditepati” had been imported lock, stock and barrel to be elevated as the 55th Merdeka Day/49th Malay Day theme.

However, Najib cannot be more wrong, as UMNO/BN leaders cannot claim monopoly to patriotism or nationalism just because they are in power.

As I had often said in Parliament, the real patriots and nationalists of Malaysia are not those who abuse their powers and positions while in office and who are corrupt to the core, but those who are prepared to make sacrifices and pay the price for standing up for the fundamental rights of ordinary Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, even going to jail and lose their personal liberties, so as to speak truth to power.

I find it very sad and more a reflection on Najib as Prime Minister that he should be casting such aspersions on the Opposition in his National Day speech – for on a national celebration like Merdeka Day, all Malaysians regardless of race, religion, region or political differences, should be able to put aside their political differences for at least 24 hours and come together as one Malaysian people.

If the Prime Minister cannot set such an example, can we blame the Cabinet Ministers for failing to measure to such a standard?

I also feel sad at the Malaysiakini report “Propaganda comics colour Najib’s Merdeka bash” by reporter Ahmad Fadli NC, debunking the claim that the Bukit Jalil 55th Merdeka Day celebrations was a truly national celebration, rising above partisan differences, and not a blatant UMNO/BN event.

The Malaysiankini reported:

The circulation of propaganda comics at the Bukit Jalil Merdeka celebrations yesterday puts a question mark on government’s claim that their celebrations are apolitical.

The 20-page comic titled ‘Promises Fulfilled By The PM For The Rakyat’ piles praise upon the government’s initiatives, while making subtle jibes at the opposition.

The mystery publication by anonymous artists was given out for free at the stadium before start of the event that featuring Prime Minister Najib Razak.

On one of its pages, a couple is arguing over spending their RM100 school handout on groceries. The wife berates the husband saying they have no more money as he has spent everything by “frequenting the ceramah”.

In another, a young man raves angrily that he can no longer “demonstrate and harass people” since the Internal Security Act (ISA) was abolished.

In both cases, the men are depicted wearing a white kopiah and green baju Melayu, and are always criticising the government’s schemes such as the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) RM500 cash handout to poor families.

The character appears five times throughout the comic book.

On page 12, a man is shown raising his arms to heaven as if praying, but instead offering praise to the PM for the curtains he has afforded to purchase at the Kedai Kain Rakyat 1Malaysia (1Malaysia fabric store).

On page 9, a man is scolded for being ‘berotak Yahudi’ (behaving like a Jew) for wanting to slander BN by using black magic on ballot boxes.

These cartoons, which have all the fingerprints of pro-BN propaganda, are packaged in a colourful booklet whose cover is bright and cheery in the style of BN campaign artwork, and includes a loud poster that reads ‘We love the PM’.

Was the Bukit Jalil Stadium National Day celebrations planned deliberately to embarrass Pakatan Rakyat leaders who attended the occasion and to divide along BN/PR lines? An explanation from Najib will be most appropriate.

Source: http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2012/09/01/najib-did-not-conduct-himself-as-prime-minister-for-all-malaysians-when-he-divided-the-people-on-merdeka-day-and-urged-malaysians-to-defend-independence-against-pakatan-rakyat/#more-20225

Janji Democrasi in Malacca on 30th Aug 2012

A new dawn?

August 31, 2012

By May Chee

AUG 31 — Woke up around 7am today, after about five hours of sleep. By the way, “Selamat Hari Merdeka” folks! 

My husband and I went for the Janji Demokrasi Merdeka Countdown at the clock tower in Malacca last night. Again, it was another heartwarming experience. Syabas to all those who gathered there and elsewhere for the Janji Demokrasi!

This time around, no untoward incidents, I hear. That’s good, really good. See, if we have everyone’s good intentions in mind, all would be swell.

We left our house at 9pm. There was ample parking around the designated area. As we walked towards the clock tower, we could see cops and Rela personnel already in position. Since we were early, we walked towards Jonker, hoping to join some people at the stage. Along the way, we met some friends, so we headed for the stage together. Some yellow shirts were walking in the opposite direction. They were heading towards the clock tower. All youths. Good, I thought!

At the stage, there was a handful of yellow shirts and a group of around 15 members from the Unit Amal PAS. By 9.30pm the group had swelled to quite a huge number. After taking a group photograph at the foot of the stage, our Unit Amal youngsters led us to the clock tower. Before that, we were told to be at our best behaviour, not to provoke nor hamper the traffic. We walked on the pavement and at all times, the Unit Amal boys made sure traffic for the public was smooth. Though the folks along Jonker were burning incense and some other stuff (Ghost Month?), the Unit Amal boys admirably braved the ashes (some flying into their faces) to guide us. 

I just love these Unit Amal boys. I’ve seen how selfless they can be during my Bersih 2 experience. Now and then when I see some fools pitting us non-Muslims against our Malaysian brothers and sisters from PAS, I feel so irritated. I may run when I see some people but definitely not when I see these boys from the Unit Amal. I bet my last ringgit they will lay down their lives for me, a Chinese Christian, but not their detractors! So I say to these detractors, don’t waste your time spewing such venom. Our PAS brethren have my vote, any time! 

At the clock tower, by 10pm, the group was huge. The whole place was swarmed with yellow shirts and others. Again, it was heart-warming to see Malaysians from all walks of life gathered there. Young and old, even kids, armed with the Jalur Gemilang waving, chanting in unison, while waiting for the clock to strike midnight. I saw so many familiar faces, and at the same time made some new friends. A friend remarked that at events like this, you cannot escape the fact that we, Malaysians, are united in wanting the best for our country. I’m so proud of my fellow Malaysians. I really am.

Again, my Malacca cops did us proud. Some guided traffic while some lined themselves along the road to prevent the exuberant ones from rushing into the traffic. We were around the clock tower and also on the opposite side of the road as there wasn’t enough room to house all of us around the clock tower. Apart from the chanting of slogans like “Hidup ,Hidup, Hidup Rakyat”, “Janji, Janji, Janji Demokrasi”, etc, there were also some trumpeting of vuvuzelas. We also sang the “Negaraku”. Now and then, when some motorists honked their vehicles as a mark of solidarity with us, the crowd went into a frenzy, waving their flags and started chanting again.

I saw how the younger cops wore faces of great restrain amidst the din. They were unsmiling, only because, I think, they were taking their duties seriously. However, there was this tall, fair, policewoman who walked along the road smiling broadly. She made a pretty picture! I also noticed how some guy who at one moment could be chanting “Negara Bersih, Rakyat Sihat” and the next bantering away with this senior policeman. I heard that the latter was the leader of the team deployed at the clock tower. Great chap; was smiling throughout. Really, I love my Malacca cops! 

At a quarter to midnight, a group of people made their way to the balcony of the Stadhuys opposite the clock tower. They took turns to lead us in chanting those slogans. One of them read out the “10 Tuntutan Janji Demokrasi” which went like this:

Membersihkan senarai pengundi

Mereformaiskan undi pos

Menggunakan dakwat kekal

Minima 21 hari berkempen

Ases media yang bebas dan adil

Kukuhkan institusi awam

Hentikan rasuah

Hentikan politik kotor

Pihak SPR harus meletak jawatan

Menjemput pemantau dari luar negeri

When the clock struck midnight, shouts of “Merdeka” verberated throughout the whole area. After that, Shamsul Iskandar read out A. Samad Said’s poem “Janji Demokrasi”. A few more rounds of chanting, some greetings, then, we were asked to disperse peacefully. 

Away we went, smiling happily and laughing. A good and productive outing, I thought. 

While celebrating “Hari Merdeka”, I cannot help but think of our brothers and sisters in Sabah and Sarawak. About 15 years ago, I went to a neighbouring country for a holiday. I left thinking that they had a sinful government. How can I not but feel that way when I see boys as young as five or six years old jumping into the sea, performing a trick or two, just so we tourists would buy their wares for an equivalent of a ringgit or two. I remember relieving a boy of a bunch of bananas. They should be in school but here they were, risking their lives for just a ringgit or two. Everywhere I went, I saw their menfolk just hanging around their coffeeshops, smoking away with nothing better to do. (Cigarettes must be cheap there, I thought.) No school for the little ones and no jobs for what should be the breadwinners! And this was a country blessed with an abundance of natural resources. How come?

You know what was sadder? Some years later I went to Sarawak. I saw exactly the same situation there. It broke my heart to see how hard my brethren there had to slog in order to earn the same ringgit or two. Sarawak, the Land of the Hornbills, abundantly blessed, yet the majority live in poverty. How can this be? Only five per cent royalty from their oil? You got to be kidding me! Daylight robbery or what? They joined us on September 16, 1963 to be enslaved? Don’t think that was their intention at all! The best democracy in the world or aping colonial masters of old? Or worse? Come on, there’s more than enough for everyone. Why so greedy? I wonder how some people go to sleep at night? Really, this is more than sinful!

I believe our brethren in Sabah also suffer the same fate. Honestly, how could anyone in their right mind, enslave their own brethren? Even animals behave better!

“Merdeka” for whom? Definitely not for our brethren in Sabah and Sarawak. If we in the peninsula think we have it bad, they in east Malaysia have it a lot more worse! They toil their land day and night but do not get to taste the fruits of their labour. Is this justice? Is this equality? Do we ever see them as fellow Malaysians? Or do we think we are masters and they slaves? Come on, “Merdeka” for whom?

If the powers-that-be still refuse to grant Sabahans and Sarawakians their liberty and accord them the dignity they deserve, I don’t see why they should be with us and what’s there to celebrate, come the so-called “Malaysia Day”. 

My friends in Sabah and Sarawak, please educate your people and tell them, each and every one of you deserve a lot, lot better. Arise and claim back your birthright. Enough of slavery. You didn’t ask for this. It was forced onto you. Be brave and arise. Life can be a lot, lot better. You choose.

My fellow Malaysians, till the day each and every one of us enjoy the same liberty and dignity, we are not one. Till the day we are accorded the same privileges, we will always view each other with suspicion. Let’s work towards that day. We can do this if we all think, truly as one. And this must include our brethren from Sabah and Sarawak. Best we stop this charade and call them Malaysians when they cannot even begin to live the Malaysian dream. For so long, it has been only a nightmare for them. Enough, please, enough.

Hopefully, with the change that will come soon enough, we can usher in a new dawn. One, where we are truly all Malaysians. Work on it. Work hard. 

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/a-new-dawn-may-chee/