Khamis, 23 Mei 2013

Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar Ibrahim


Malaysian authorities crack down on opposition activists

Posted: 23 May 2013 04:45 AM PDT

theGuardian

After controversial re-election by National Front coalition, three anti-government figures arrested and activist student charged

Malaysia Adam Adli arrest

Malaysian authorities have detained three anti-government figures, charged a student activist with sedition and seized hundreds of opposition newspapers, raising political tensions after recent national elections triggered claims of fraud.

Opposition activists have staged numerous peaceful demonstrations since the 5 May general election won by the National Front coalition with a weakened parliamentary majority. The activists insist the coalition, which has governed since 1957, retained power through bogus ballots and other irregularities, though the prime minister, Najib Razak, and electoral authorities deny manipulating the results.

The latest arrests involve Tian Chua, a senior official in the opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s People’s Justice party; Haris Ibrahim, a rights activist who leads an anti-government group; and Tamrin Ghafar, an opposition party member. The men have criticised the National Front at recent political gatherings.

Chua wrote on Twitter that police detained him at an airport and told him he was being held for sedition. Ibrahim and Tamrin were held separately, but it was not immediately clear for what they were being investigated. Police officials responsible for their case could not immediately be contacted.

After his arrest, Chua tweeted that Malaysians should not allow themselves to be “overtaken by fear [but should] continue to assemble peacefully and have faith”.

Their arrests occurred hours after prosecutors charged the student Adam Adli, 24, with making seditious statements that included calling for people to “go down to the streets to seize back our power” while addressing a political forum. He pleaded innocent at a Kuala Lumpur district court on Thursday and was released on bail before a hearing set for 2 July.

Sedition as defined by Malaysian law includes promoting hatred against the government.

Rights activists have long criticised Malaysia‘s anti-sedition law as a tool to curb democratic dissent. Najib said last year the government planned to eventually abolish the Sedition Act, which was introduced in 1949 during British colonial rule, and replace it with new laws that would strike a better balance between allowing freedom of speech and ensuring public stability.

Adli, who was arrested last weekend, faces three years in prison and a fine if convicted.

Hundreds of people have demonstrated peacefully in recent days against Adli’s arrest. Adli became publicly known in 2011 when he brought down a flag bearing Najib’s portrait at the ruling party’s headquarters during a demonstration. He was subsequently suspended for three semesters from his teaching course at a Malaysian state-backed university.

The home ministry said it had seized more than 2,500 copies of newspapers published by opposition parties from stores nationwide since Wednesday. The government-issued publication licences for those newspapers specify they should be distributed among party members only and are not for retail sales, the ministry said in a statement.

BN to face angrier Malaysians with continued crackdown, warns Ambiga

Posted: 23 May 2013 03:54 AM PDT

The Malaysian Insider

"National reconciliation? To me, they only know how to use words that they do not even understand. My own view is that they have no moral standing to claim of efforts for national reconciliation or to be more liberal… not after all these arrests"

Putrajaya will only face more wrath from right-thinking Malaysians if it continues its nationwide crackdown on opposition supporters, Datuk Ambiga Sreenavasan said today.

The civil rights activist and renowned lawyer said the sudden series of arrests and court charges exposes the new government's true face and intentions, which contradicts its earlier promise for national reconciliation.

"It reflects very badly on the new government. Let them never again try to use the word liberal," she told The Malaysian Insider over the phone this afternoon.

 bm_ambiga130325
"National reconciliation? To me, they only know how to use words that they do not even understand.

"My own view is that they have no moral standing to claim of efforts for national reconciliation or to be more liberal… not after all these arrests," she added.

Ambiga was speaking to this news portal during her wait at the Jinjang police station where PKR and PAS MPs Chua Tian Chang and Tamrin Ghafar, as well as Anything But Umno (ABU) chief Haris Ibrahim, were brought to after they were arrested separately this afternoon.

Earlier this morning, Ambiga, who is also the co-chairman of Bersih 2.0, a coalition of NGOs fighting for a free and fair electoral system, accompanied student activist Adam Adli to the Sessions Court where the youth was charged with sedition for allegedly attempting to topple the Barisan Nasional (BN) government through street protests.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders, activists and opposition supporters nationwide have been protesting the results of the just-concluded May 5 polls, which saw BN returned to federal power despite earning only a minority of the total number of votes cast.

Due to the uneven dispersal of votes in numerous constituencies across Malaysia, which the opposition have labelled unfair gerrymandering, BN emerged victors with just under 48 per cent of the popular vote to PR's 51 per cent by snapping up 133 federal seats or 60 per cent of the 222 seats contested.

Adam, who first shot to fame in 2011 after a similar run-in with the authorities, was hauled in when he told a May 13 forum shortly after the polls that the only way to topple the BN government was not through elections but street protests.

Chua, Haris and Tamrin were also speakers at the same forum and their arrests today are believed to be due to their involvement in the event.

Ambiga said, however, that the authorities did not need to resort to arresting the leaders if they had merely wanted to rope them in for questioning on the event.

"I was told they have a list of names… I am sure these leaders would have been happy to come in and give statements.

"But arresting them… it is shocking, oppressive and to me, wholly unacceptable in a democracy. I view this as an abuse of powers," she said.

She pointed out that leaders like Chua were MPs and were unlikely to evade being hauled up for questioning.

"This is just telling, isn't it? It just exposes what they (the government) truly are. Their conducts before the elections were so different. What does that tell you?

"It tells you that they were just holding back before this. Fine. Let them do what they feel they have to do.

"But this would only serve to anger the people," she warned.

Earlier today, it was reported that over 1,000 copies of PAS-owned Malay newspaper Harakah were carted off by Home Ministry officials from shops and several distribution centres in a nationwide raid.

"Ya, Harakah was seized at several places this morning," the paper's editor, Zulkifli Sulong, told The Malaysian Insider when contacted.

The seized copies were of the paper's Friday edition dated May 24-26 carrying the front page headline "GST hadiah BN untuk rakyat [GST BN's gift to the people]".

Its online edition had earlier reported Harakah's marketing manager Ahmad Faisal Tawang saying he had received phone calls this morning from several distributors who informed him that the home ministry's officials were carrying out a sting to seize copies of the newspaper.

Home ministry officials had grabbed the paper from not only from the distribution centres but from shops and even from the back of lorries as they arrived at the distribution centres.

In Malacca, Harakah reported more than 500 copies seized, while in Alor Setar, Kedah, as many as 1,000 copies were taken.

"In Seremban, Negri Sembilan, the distribution centres were also raided by KDN," Ahmad Faisal was quoted saying, using the Malay initials for the home ministry, adding,"But in Kedah, the KDN did not show their enforcement cards and letter from KDN before acting.

Yesterday, the police arrested 18, including four women, at a candlelight vigil held for Adam outside the the Jinjang police station here. They have since been released.

Media reports say some 1,000 had gathered outside the police station, which was under tight security in anticipation of a continued night vigil since Adam Adli's detention on Saturday.

Newly-minted Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who took over the post from Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein in the Najib administration's new Cabinet, was reported by Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia last weekend as saying that the government would take stern action against those who intended to foment chaos on the streets.

Both Ahmad Zahid and the new Inspector-General of Police had been chided by opposition politicians "playing politics" instead of working to curb crime in the wake up the May 5 polls.

Malaysia charges student activist with sedition

Posted: 23 May 2013 03:51 AM PDT

BBC

A Malaysian student has been charged with sedition and three opposition figures have also been detained amid tensions after the 5 May polls.

Student Adam Adli was charged over his call for protests against alleged election fraud.

The other three men, politicians and activists, were also detained under the Sedition Act, reports said.

The ruling coalition secured a simple majority in the polls – the closest since Malaysia’s independence in 1957.

It was the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition’s worst election result ever, securing just 46.6% of the popular vote.

The government said that the elections were free and fair, but the Anwar Ibrahim-led opposition said the results were marred by fraud, alleging multiple irregularities.

The opposition have held several rallies around the country to protest, drawing crowds.

‘Stifling dissent’

Mr Adli was arrested after he reportedly told members of a public forum to “go down to the streets to seize back our power”, AP news agency reported.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge at a Kuala Lumpur court, and was released on bail on Thursday. If found guilty, he faces up to three years in jail.

Senior opposition politician Tian Chua, and opposition activists Haris Ibrahim and Tamrin Ghafar have also been arrested.

Police chief Mohamed Salleh confirmed that they were detained for offences under the Sedition Act, Reuters news agency reported.

On his Twitter feed, Tian Chua said he was arrested as he was about to board a flight. He urged Malaysians not to be “overtaken by fear”, but to “continue to assemble peacefully & have faith”.

There are also reports of police raiding newspaper offices and seizing opposition newspapers.

Activists have argued that Malaysia’s sedition law is used to stifle dissent.

“The [sedition] law is open to abuse,” Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, Mr Adli’s lawyer, told AFP news agency.

“It’s an infringement to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.”

In a statement on Wednesday, human rights group Amnesty International called for Mr Adli’s “unconditional release” and said that the Sedition Act “has been implemented over the years to repress political dissent”.

Prime Minister Najib Razak said in July 2012 that the government would seek to repeal Malaysia’s sedition law, replacing it with a National Harmony Act. However, the law is currently still in force.

Penangkapan Pimpinan Politik Dan NGO: Zahid Perlu Segera Hentikan Kegilaan Ini

Posted: 23 May 2013 01:24 AM PDT

Kenyataan Akhbar Untuk Hebahan Segera
Angkatan Muda Keadilan Selangor
23 Mei 2013
Penangkapan Pimpinan Politik Dan NGO: Zahid Perlu Segera Hentikan Kegilaan Ini
AMK Selangor menyelar tindakan rakus Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yang sejak memegang jawatan, berterusan menggunakan kuasa sewenangnya bagi menutup mulut rakyat dan menghentikan penentangan terhadap penipuan pilihanraya yang lalu. Pembebasan Adam Adli melalui ikat jamin, tidak mencerminkan apa-apa apabila Yb Tian Chua, Sdr Haris Ibrahim dan Dato’ Thamrin Ghafar ditahan beberapa jam yang lalu.
Tindakan Zahid ini dilihat sebagai penuh kegilaan, mengancam dan menyekat kebebasan majoriti rakyat yang mula bangkit untuk mempersoalkan kerajaan Barisan Nasional serta SPR diatas beberapa penipuan jelas bagi rejim pemerintah mengekalkan kuasa dalam pilihanraya paling kotor dalam sejarah.
AMK Selangor bertegas sebarang bentuk penentangan, dan kebangkitan yang berlaku sejak 5 Mei 2013, bukanlah berpaksi kepada kekecewaan dan tidak menerima kekalahan tetapi adalah satu manifestasi persoalan tentang beberapa bentuk salahlaku serta penipuan pilihanraya. Rakyat sebagai penentu masa depan negara, berhak mengetahui keadaan sebenar beserta punca serta menggesa tindakan pantas kerajaan untuk menjelaskan perkara ini.
Sebaliknya, Barisan Nasional tergesa-gesa menubuhkan kerajaan sebelum sebarang penjelasan diberikan dan inilah tindakan yang mendatangkan keraguan dan kekecewaan besar kepada rakyat terbanyak.
AMK Selangor menyeru pembebasan segera mereka ini yang lebih bersifat tahanan politik, dan sewajarnya Polis Diraja Malaysia dan Kementerian Dalam Negeri menjamin hak tahanan dan tidak memperlakukan mereka seperti pesalah, selagi mereka tidak dibuktikan bersalah oleh mahkamah.
Justeru, AMK Selangor menyeru rakyat tidak tunduk dan takut untuk mempersoalkan apa juga keraguan berkaitan dengan proses tatakelola negara, dan sebarang usaha keras oleh Zahid Hamidi dan Kementerian Dalam Negeri serta PDRM hanyalah satu usaha terdesak dan terakhir untuk mengekang kebangkitan rakyat ini.Semangat perjuangan rakyat, baru sahaja dinyalakan.
AZMIZAM ZAMAN HURI
Ketua AMK Selangor
Naib Ketua AMK Malaysia
Azmizam 2.jpg  

Anwar Ibrahim: Malaysia Harus Belajar Demokrasi ke Indonesia

Posted: 22 May 2013 09:01 PM PDT

VIVA News

Anwar menuduh pemerintah telah mencurangi hasil penghitungan suara.

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Pemimpin kelompok oposisi Pakatan Rakyat Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, mengatakan Malaysia masih harus belajar kepada Indonesia soal demokrasi dan pemilu.

Berbicara pada VIVAnews pekan lalu, Anwar mengatakan bahwa institusi demokrasi di Indonesia lebih maju sehingga bisa menyelenggarakan pemilu yang bebas dan tanpa ada campur tangan pemerintah.

Dia mengatakan, calon presiden di Indonesia yang diusung dari berbagai partai politik dapat berdebat dalam forum terbuka. “Sementara di Malaysia, saya dan PM Najib saat ingin berdebat langsung tidak diterima,” ujarnya.

Tetapi Anwar tidak yakin para pemangku kepentingan Malaysia saat ini ingin benar-benar belajar mengenai demokrasi dari Indonesia. Dia berpendapat pimpinan Organisasi Nasional Malaysia Bersatu (UMNO) terlalu arogan untuk mengakui Indonesia lebih unggul dalam hal perkembangan demokrasi.

“Bagi mereka Indonesia itu cuma soal TKI saja. Mereka seharusnya memiliki sikap yang lebih realistis menerima kenyataan bahwa Indonesia dari sudut pandang memantapkan demokrasi dan pengurusan pemilu yang jujur dan adil harus dipelajari pengalamannya,” kata Anwar.

Anwar juga mengecam pemilu tersebut yang menurut mereka telah dicurangi. Anwar mengatakan, dalam penghitungan komisi pemilihan umum Malaysia, seharusnya pihaknya yang menang.

Wawancara lengkap Anwar bisa dilihat di tautan ini.

PKR in solidarity with detained M’sians in S’pore

Posted: 22 May 2013 05:10 PM PDT

Malaysiakini

PKR is to submit a memorandum to the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to express solidarity with 21 Malaysians who have been detained for taking part in a rally in protest at the general election outcome on May 5.


NONEAccording to a statement today, PKR vice-presidents Nurul Izzah Anwar and Chua Jui Meng will hand over the memorandum tomorrow morning.

The Straits Times had reported on May 15 that Singapore would revoke passes issued to Malaysians involved in the 'illegal rally' held on May 8 and 11 at Merlion Park.

Two of those involved have already had their visitor pass cancelled, while working visas for 18 more Malaysians will be reviewed on completion of investigations.

Quoting a police statement, the Singapore daily also reported that, following the arrest of the 21 individuals, the police had also issued warnings to their respective employers.

The eight men and 13 women aged between 21 to 40 have been released on bail. The nature of their jobs is not known.

Protest in London

In London, a group of Malaysian expats held a similar protest on May 19, based on video footage that has surfaced on YouTube.

NONEThis shows a group of about 200 chanting slogans such as "BN stole the elections, the people shall descend upon the streets", "Jom Ubah", and "Reject corruption".

The group reportedly started their protest at Whitehall where many important UK government buildings are located – including the cabinet office – before marching on to continue their protest at Trafalgar Square.

Utusan Malaysia quoted a blog dubbed 'Blog MIK' as saying that the group had marched from the Malaysian High Commission in London, before moving toward the Houses of Parliament near Whitehall and then on to Trafalgar Square.

 

NONEClaiming that it was an illegal rally and a disgrace to Malaysia, Utusan quoted the blogger as saying: 'What is the appropriate punishment for them? Revoke their citizenship and don't let them come back.'


'May the High Commission of Malaysia identify the individuals involved and check. Perhaps they already have permanent resident status there, and thus their citizenship would be dropped immediately.'

Malaysia’s election system drawn to sustain BN’s dominance, don tells forum

Posted: 22 May 2013 05:04 PM PDT

The Malaysian Insider

Barisan Nasional's (BN) rule will continue as long as Malaysia uses the first-past-the-post voting system despite redelineation, academic Amer Saifude told a forum here last night.

The Universiti Malaya Centre for Democracy and Elections (Umcedel) deputy director said the expected redelineation of constituencies by year-end would benefit Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's coalition and even better its Election 2013 performance.

"As long as we practice this first-past-the-post system, it will be advantageous to BN," Amer told a forum on the 13th general election outcome.

 "History has shown that every time there is a re-demarcation process, BN would perform better," he added.

Despite winning only 47 per cent of the popular vote in the May 5 elections, Najib saw his coalition keeping the government with a simple majority, bagging 133 federal seats against Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) 89.

Amer pointed out that Najib was the first BN chief to score a weaker mandate in his maiden bid for power, a reflection of the faulty fundamentals of the first-past-the-post system.

The Umcedel deputy director said the system's glaring defect could be seen in how BN, bar a few exceptions, had never won the popular vote by more than 60 per cent but yet managed to win a huge number of the seats it contested in.

He also highlighted how several constituencies nationwide had been gerrymandered without reasonable justifications.

"Sometimes you see the re-demarcation is illogical and unfair… the redelineation process is often made to serve the interest of certain parties," he said.

Amer, however, noted that any move to redraw the constituencies must first have the consent of at least half of the members of the Dewan Rakyat.

PR federal lawmakers have signalled their intention to make full use of their increased parliamentary numbers to ensure constituencies are fairly redrawn when the Election Commission (EC) kicks off the redelineation exercise this year-end.

PKR's Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli has said that if the exercise involves an increase in seat numbers, a two-thirds majority vote is needed to approve the changes before they are passed by the lower House.

The allegedly unfair dispersal of voters in constituencies has been used as a major argument point by PR lawmakers to back accusations that gerrymandering in favour of BN has helped the ruling pact stay in power.

In a recent article for news portal FZ.com, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) chief executive Wan Saiful Wan Jan had pointed out that the existing delineation of constituencies defies logic in terms of size and the number of voters.

The issue has also earned the attention of the foreign media, with the Wall Street Journal, in a comment written by its Hong Kong-based journalist Philip Bowring, pointed to how PR had lost the election despite winning 51 per cent of the popular vote ? an outcome that opposition lawmakers and civil society groups have blamed on gerrymandering.

Speaking to The Malaysian Insider, the DAP's publicity secretary Tony Pua said with the polls now over and efforts under way to challenge some of the results through election petitions, the next step for PR would be to focus on the coming redelineation exercise as well as campaigning for a proportional representation system.

BLACK 505 Peringkat Negeri Terengganu

Posted: 22 May 2013 01:56 PM PDT

KHAMIS 23 MEI 2013 Jam 8.30 – 12.00 malam

Lokasi: Pasaraya Mydin, Kuala Ibai, Kuala Terengganu

Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Tuan Guru Hadi Awang, Lim Guan Eng Dan Pimpinan Tertinggi Pakatan Rakyat Pusat & Negeri Akan Bersama

Tiada ulasan:

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