Report: Anti-ISA protest

Confiscate

Report: Critics of ISA within gov’t challenged to resign

KUALA LUMPUR: Islamic Party of Malaysia(PAS) women chief Nuridah Salleh has challenged critics of the Internal Security Act(ISA) within the government to follow the example set by former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

            She also urged component parties of ruling coalition Barisan Nasional that was critical of the draconian act to pull out of the coalition and join Pakatan Rakyat. Gerakan and MCA are two members of the ruling coalition that have recently being seen as critical of the ISA especially after the detention of Seputeh parliamentary member Theresa Kok.

            “If they understood that the Act violates human rights then they should pull out of (BN) and join Pakatan Rakyat coalition,” Nuridah said when met after Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) hold a short protest Sept 26, urging for the release of the ISA detainees in conjunction with the Muslims celebration of Eid.

The ISA provided for detention without trial.

            The protest however was hampered by police moves by threatening arrest and confiscating anti-ISA banners. No untoward incidents however took place. GMI working committee chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh was half-way reading his two page statement when, ASP Sydney Clyde Jeremiah of Dang Wangi Police Station threaten to arrest protestors.

            “Arresting team get ready,” Sydney was heard telling his men.

            Nuridah said a minister has previously told GMI during their meeting of his personal opposition to the act.

            “How could they remains in a government that continue to invoke this draconian act?,” she asked.

 

UnIslamic ISA

 

            She also warned Muslims MPs that the Act was unIslamic.

            “Pious people won’t get involve in a matter of injustice,” she said.

            “I urged them to leave BN,” she said.

            Nuridah said the protest was held as a show of solidarity to the family of ISA detainees in Kamunting and for them to be freed.

            She said efforts by GMI to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi has so far proven futile and that the protest was only one way for them to voice out their dissatisfaction.      

            “The government should have been sensitive (to their plight) since a minister had resigned over the use of the ISA,” Nuridah said noting increasing support for the act to be abolished.

            “The government should have just release them if they have no proof to detain them. It’s just not logical to detain them for seven or eight years,” she said. 

            Nuridah who is also GMI working committee member also noted that the annual event has proceeded smoothly for the past years and the treatment they receive was not “as bad as” this year.

            “We can’t even say anything (this year),” she said.

 

Increasing inflation threatening the livelihood of ISA families

 

Wife of ISA detainee Mat Sah Mat Satray, Norlaila Othman said increasing inflation made her life difficult to visit her husband in Kamunting Camp during the Eid celebration.

            “If you don’t at least have RM300, then (you won’t be able to visit),” she said.

            She might not be able to visit her husband in time if she took public transport since the camp closed at 1.30pm and family members were not allowed to visit after that.

            “The hike in (fuel) price is torturing us, the government is trying to kill us by keeping our family apart,” she said.

            Mat Sah along with some 15 others were detained over alleged involvement with Jemaah Islamiyyah(JI) movement since 2002, and had been slapped with eight years detention.

            Norlaila who was spotted coming with her son Suhaib however conceded that other ISA families detainees live in a poor condition than her. Norlaila had visited families of ISA detainees in Sabah with Harakah crew led by chief editor Ahmad Lutfi Othman to give out donation to ISA families on Sept 23-24.

            Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad who was also present at the protest said any actions of taking or removing items belonging to another person without consent was an act of theft.   

“Unless the police can justify their action for doing so, it’s an act of theft,” he said.         

“It doesn’t mean that they wear uniform they have the rights to take away someone property or belonging without the necessary warrant or justification,” he said

“I don’t see anything wrong here as the GMI people are trying to express their views peacefully. I don’t think it’s necessary for the police to take away their banners, it’s totally uncall for,” he said.

 

Length of protest allowed a “joke”

 

Amer also said the length of time given to the protest by the police was a “joke”.

            “They are not even allowed to use a loudspeaker, that’s totally unacceptable,” he said.

            “Let’s accept the fact that when you incarcerate someone without trial people are bound to be unhappy because the due process has not been followed so you can’t then try to clamp down or suppress views of the people who are unsatisfied with the method the government has taken,” he said

“They have to accept the fact that when there is injustice people will stand up and voice out their views,” he said.

            Syed Ibrahim said currently there are 66 detainees in Kamunting including blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, with some serving detention of up to eight years.

           

            Justice will triumph

 

He urged for their immediate release and for the ISA to be repealed.

            “Malaysia is one of the few countries in which the government could, through legal means persecute its political opponents and silence dissents based on mere unproven suspicion and still get away with it,” he said.

            “The former notorious apartheid government of South Africa had already abolished the law similar to ISA long time ago. On the contrary, in Malaysia there is no sign yet of its curtailment or disappearance,” he said.

            “In fact there is concern that ISA is increasingly misused and abused,” he said.

            Syed Ibrahim however noted the “historical” turning point against the ISA in the country.

            “There is a new awakening as more voices can be heard expressing their abhorrence,” he said.

            “Justice will triumph and we will see the final days of ISA,” he said.

/end.

 

Statement: Anwar seeks emergency parliamentary sitting

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA, 18 SEPTEMBER 2008

Today Pakatan Rakyat leaders have submitted a letter to the Prime Minister requesting him to call an emergency session of Parliament to deliberate a motion of censure against the leadership of YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi no later than Tuesday 23 September 2008.

This is in accordance with Order 11(3) of the Standing Orders of Parliament and warrants an immediate response given the gravity of today’s political impasse.  A delay in his response would be interpreted as nothing short of a further sabotage of the democratic process and abuse of Executive Power.

The Prime Minister’s haggling on the syntax of our first letter is puerile at best. The intent of our meeting as described in that letter was clearly to discuss the future course of the nation’s leadership – though in deference to his position and in accordance with acceptable norms we remain considerate and polite in our approach. 

I find the Prime Minister’s comment about me in his press conference yesterday to be reckless and irresponsible in light of the disastrous outcome of last Friday’s ISA raids. 

He has conflated what is essentially an issue of democracy, freedom and the rule of law with national security.   The use of the ISA to harass and detain duly elected political opponents is a grave transgression of the law and its continued use would further erode confidence in the current government and exacerbate political instability.

As the incumbent Prime Minister actively holding office and exercising all Executive powers, and as the outgoing Finance Minister, we hold him fully accountable for the current political turmoil and mismanagement of the nation’s economy.  His accusation that I have had an adverse impact on the nation’s economy is entirely without basis.

I have met with the key fund managers in the region, representing over USD 1 trillion in assets, and on multiple occasions they were unanimously in support of comprehensive reforms in Malaysia including judicial independence, a free media, a more professional police force and anti-corruption agency, investor friendly laws and assurances on the non-interference of politicians in the governance of Bank Negara. These are policies Pakatan Rakyat has promised to implement– and initiatives that the current administration has done virtually nothing to advance since March 8th. 

ANWAR IBRAHIM
Leader of Opposition
De-facto leader, Keadilan

Webwatch: Malaysia’s Anwar faces formidable hurdles to remove govt, say analysts

“There is a group of Malay elites who cannot fathom that they may have to give up power. They’ve been in this position of strength and they know nothing else,” said Bridget Welsh, a Southeast Asia expert from Johns Hopkins University.

“Anwar knows he has to get the civil service, the military, the king and the the sultans in his court in order to change the system that’s been in power for 51 years and where there are entrenched interests.”

Statement: We have the numbers, says Anwar

— PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA, 16 SEPTEMBER 2008

Today Malaysians celebrate Malaysia day – the day our country became whole and our people become united.  This day has a new meaning.  After years of struggle, after fighting against a system that is corrupt and unjust—we affirm that victory is finally at hand. Our vision of rebuilding this country and bringing its people together, as the founding fathers envisioned, is within reach.

The economy is in turmoil with runaway inflation and joblessness creating widespread discontent.  Racial tensions have been rising, exacerbated by the propaganda spread in the government owned mainstream media.   The administration has offered no vision to steer the nation out of this quagmire and there is manifest erosion in confidence in the current government.

We in Pakatan Rakyat believe we can save Malaysia from economic ruin and the dangerous politics of racism.  We will do so prudently, legally and in doing so we will not jeopardize the security and stability of the country and the safety of its people.

We have received firm commitments from members of Parliament in excess of the number required to form a new government, and our government will reflect the diverse makeup of Malaysian society.

It has been our concern to ensure a peaceful transition of power.  We do not wish to see a repeat of what transpired in the Selangor and Perak State governments, where following the victory of Pakatan Rakyat on March 8th, documents were shredded and removed by the outgoing administration.

We furthermore advise radical elements within BN against the abuse of state power to unlawfully harass and detain our supporters.  The immediate investigation by the ACA of Dato Seri Yong Teck Lee after the announcement by SAPP of its intention to move a motion of no-confidence against Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is another example of the tactics we reject. The use of the ISA, as has happened to MP Teresa Kok, would be an unlawful impediment to the transition process.

In light these serious concerns, yesterday leaders of Pakatan Rakyat sent a letter to the Prime Minister at 2:30 PM requesting a meeting to discuss the future course of the nation’s leadership and to seek his assurance on the following important matters:

1)    That the BN shall not hinder or prevent their BN MPs from acting in accordance with their conscience, constitutional rights and independent judgment;

2)    That the BN government shall not invoke the Internal Security Act to detain any of the MPs who will join Pakatan Rakyat, or any of the present 82 Pakatan Rakyat MPs;

3)    That the BN government shall not invoke emergency or police powers, or suspend the constitution, or dissolve parliament in response to our intention to form a new government;

4)    That the Barisan Nasional government shall not impose road-blocks and impede the MPs from gaining access to the House of Parliament and the institutions of government.

We believe the Prime Minister will share Pakatan Rakyat’s concerns for the welfare of the people and security of the nation. We are confident he will ensure the BN will act constitutionally and democratically to ensure that the transition will be peaceful, and there will be no actions taken to sabotage the wishes of the people or play on racial tensions in the country.
  
We appeal to all quarters in Malaysian society to understand our intentions are for the betterment of Malaysian society. The mainstream media, in particular, should accept the reality of these historic times and report fairly, accurately and without bias.  The irresponsible tact that is used by the media to obfuscate issues, attack opposition supporters and instigate racial tensions must end immediately.
 
Following our meeting with the Prime Minister we intend to proceed within the framework established by the Federal Constitution in the formation of a new government, with the assent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
Leader of Opposition
De-facto leader, Keadilan

Report: Anwar remains optimistic of toppling the gov’t

PETALING JAYA, Sept 16(PATC): People Justice Party(PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains optimistic that his coalition of three parties will be able to topple the government despite missing his self imposed deadline of Sept 16.

Anwar said more than 31 parliamentary member from the ruling coalition has agreed to cross over to the Pakatan Rakyat coalition comprised of Islamic Party of Malaysia(PAS),PKR and the Democratic Action Party.

Despite being quizzed repeatedly by the media at a press conference held at the PKR headquarter here today, Anwar however declined to state the exact number of the ruling coalition parliamentary members to cross over. He also declined to reveal their identities for fear of prventive actions from the ruling coalition.

Anwar claimed the parliamentary members from the ruling coalition had sent him notes and signed letters affirming their intentions to join Pakatan. The latest of such notes was received this morning, he said.

Anwar is seeking a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi to ensure smooth transition and will after that seek an audience with the Yang diPertuan Agong, the King to form the new government.

The Pakatan Rakyat coalition currently controlled 82 out of 222 parliamentary seats.

/end.

Report: PAS women condemns ISA arrest

PAS women condemns arrest, calls for release of Raja Petra

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS women chief Nuridah Salleh condemns the arrest of top blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin under the draconian Internal Security Act(ISA) and calls for his immediate release. 

“The government move (to arrest Raja Petra) shows its hell bent to perpetrate injustice even though the majority of the people are against ISA,” Nuridah said.

 Nuridah condemns the government as being “deaf” to what has been pointed out by many quarters on the injustices of the ISA.

 “We are against the move (to use ISA to silence dissenting voices),” Nuridah said when contacted Sept 12 to comment on the arrest.

 Nuridah said it is “unIslamic” to detain people without open trial and calls for the draconian act to be abolished.

 “We pray that the current government will be toppled soon,” she said.

 She said the ISA has been used to sow fear among the people.

 Contacted after the wing distributed some aide for victims of strong wind in Selat Kelang, Nuridah who is also Abolished ISA Movement (GMI) committee member said a protest would be held against the detention.

 She conceded that the arrest was politically motivated following various revelations made by the top blogger.

 She also said that the movement would come out with an appeal for the government to release detainees especially those who had been detained for more than six years for the coming Eid celebration. 
 They would also appeal for unhampered Eid celebration for the family.

Arrest will back fire, says Raja Petra’s wife

Raja Petra’s wife Marina Lee Abdullah said ten police officer including ASP Yusof Che Me came to the house at about 1.10pm Sept 12 to arrest the top blogger. Nine of the policemen were not wearing a uniform.

 “They asked for Raja Petra Identity Card when he opened the door,” she told journalist in a press conference at their residence in Sungai Buluh.
 Abdullah condemned the arrest as being “double standard” when UMNO leader Datuk Ahmad  Ismail who allegedly uttered racist remark got away without any legal action.

 “If you read the newspaper he is even going to conduct a roadshow! This is clearly a double standard,” she said.

 Abdullah who gathered strength from the holy month of Ramadhan said the truth regarding his husband would come out and that the move to arrest Raja Petra would “backfire” on the government.

 “Everything they do will back fire and I think this will another one move that is going to backfire,” she said.

 Abdullah also revealed that 15 CD’s and 16 books were confiscated from the main bedroom of the house.

 Lawyer Haris Ibrahim said he was “shock” that his client was arrested after the government made a decision to make Malaysia-today accessible to public Sept 11.

 “I’m shock that the government still resort to ISA after Prime Minister (Datuk Seri) Abdullah Badawi since 2004 said his government would be more transparent and more open for the people to voice their concern,” he said.

 He said the lawyers were currently studying aspects of laws and would file a habeas corpus application if it was deemed appropriate.

 He said if there is any procedural defect in the arrest, that would give additional ground for the habeas corpus application.

 Haris said he was still in the dark on the basis of Raja Petra’s arrest.

 “(Unlike) Ahmad’s statement which is well known to Malaysians but we are not sure about Raja Petra’s writing (that could be the basis for the arrest). So it’s difficult to make a comparison,” he said.

ISA detainee Sanjeev Kumar released

In an unrelated development Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) was informed that ISA detainee Sanjeev Kumar, was released from his detention on Sept 9.

Sanjeev was detained under the ISA for allegedly being a foreign spy. He was arrested under ISA on July 28, 2007 and was sent to Kamunting Detention Camp on Sept 22, 2007.

He was also given a detention order for 2 years during the said period.

GMI which welcomes the released, believed that the release was the result of the persistent and continuous campaigns to demand for the abolition of the ISA.

“The police report made by GMI and his wife on May 20, handover of memorandum to Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) on June 4, and recent campaign launched with Amnesty International were main factors that catalyzed the process of his release,” GMI said in a statement released Sept 10.

GMI noted that the government has yet to issue any official statement on the release of Sanjeev.

“GMI received a call from one of his family members and was informed that Sanjeev Kumar has been released but (placed) under Restricted Residence Act (RRA),” the statement said.

GMI deplores the government’s decision to impose Restricted Residence Order on him. GMI strongly urges the government to lift the Restricted Residence Order that is imposed on the youth, who has been detained without trial for more than a year.

GMI noted that during the period of detainee’s detention, he was subjected to all kinds of torture and abuse by the Special Branch (SB) of the police.

“Since his first day in Kamunting, he had complained of headaches and numbness in his left hand. The detainee had also frequently complained that his left hand and leg were not functioning properly,” GMI said.

“Despite his complaints, he did not receive sufficient medical treatment when he was sent to Kamunting,” GMI said.

GMI reiterates that punishing or detaining people without giving them any opportunity to defend themselves is “barbaric”.

“Uncivilized laws that permit detention without trial goes against the principles of democracy and should be abolished,” the statement said.

GMI “strongly” calls on the government to give full medical examination and all necessary treatment and care immediately to Sanjeev Kumar and bear his medical expenses; the authorities to conduct an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into allegations that Sanjeev Kumar was tortured at the Federal Police Headquarters, with the results made public and those responsible brought to justice; the government to release or charge all the ISA detainees from Kamunting; and the government to abolish the draconian ISA immediately.
/end

Statement: Anwar urged release of ISA detainees

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA, 13 SEPTEMBER 2008

The UMNO led BN government is again using the brute force of the ISA to assault those brave and courageous Malaysians who speak out in the name of truth and integrity about the abuses of power, corruption and racism perpetuated by the ruling clique.

I reiterate my unequivocal opposition to the ISA and condemn the unjustified and illegal detention of blogger and social activist Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Seputeh MP and Selangor State Executive Committee Member YB Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng. 

On March 8th and again on August 26th, the Malaysian people expressed their support at the polls for a government that is more accountable and that fulfills its mandate as representative of the people.  The UMNO-led BN government has ignored this call.  Instead of pursuing a reform agenda it has chosen to burn the country to save itself and to maintain its odious grip on power.

We ask the government how far it is willing to go to usurp justice and destroy the institutions of good governance in its attempt to drive the Malaysian people against each other?

We vehemently reject the racial politics used by politicians in the UMNO-led BN government as an attempt to deflect from internal strife within UMNO, and promise that leaders in the Pakatan Rakyat are committed to and capable of building a peaceful, democratic, multiracial society.

We allude to the statement issued by Pakatan Rakyat on 8 September reiterating our full commitment to constitutional guarantees including the position of Islam as the religion of the federation, the freedom to practice other religions, Bahasa Melayu as the national language and the freedom to practice mother tongue languages, and the status of the Malay kings and the special position of the Malays and bumiputera.

I urge the government to assure the Malaysian people that this politically motivated operation is over.  As citizens of a nation that professes to adhere to the spirit of its Constitution, we refuse to live another night in fear. 

Those who have been detained under the ISA should be released immediately.  We will offer every conceivable support to our friends and their families as they face this ordeal.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
Opposition Chief
De-facto leader, Keadilan

Report: Famous anti-government blogger Raja Petra arrested under ISA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12(PATC): Famous anti government blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin was arrested at about 1pm today, his wife Marina Lee Abdullah told journalists at their residence today. Abdullah said her husband was detained under the Internal Security Act(ISA) which allowed for indefinite detention without trial. Human rights groups are expected to condemn the latest use of the draconian act, which many pointed out has been abused by the government. 

/end.

Report: No attempt to revoke Anwar’s bail, says lawyer

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10(PATC): No attempt so far was made by the prosecution team to revoke People Justice Party(PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s bail, his counsel Sankara Nair said today.

The Court case for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary member had also been postponed to Sept 24, following the defence’s objection to an attempt by the prosecution to transfer the case to the High Court.

Anwar was charged on Aug 7, of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan and pleaded not guilty.

/end.