BN, Sexualiti Merdeka, Freedom of Expression, Equality of Persons in Malaysia ..

There has been much discussion about 'seksualiti merdeka' and the banning of that event by the Malaysian government, even the Malaysian Bar which came up with a statement received a lot of discussion for and against the statement amongst lawyers.

For me, the issue is simple:-

* Freedom of Expression/Opinion and Assembly - This is the right that is accorded to all Malaysians that have been violated here.

** Equality of persons as guaranteed by Malaysia's own Federal Constitution..

The program was organized by a group of Malaysians, who are a minority but they do exist, and they allege that they have been discriminated against and the program was intended to create awareness about this minority group of persons, the issues that affect them.... and that is their right, irrespective of the fact that many do have a negative perspective about who they are or what they are all about, and this is complicated further because these positions are based on various religious belief and teachings - but, I believe that we should all be open to listen to this 'minority group' that have shown guts to not just identify themselves as being different but to also voice out the grievances and issues. It was sad that many choose to just 'condemn them to hell' - and not even bother to listen. I believe Malaysians are better than that...and many of us do treat them as human beings (and even friends) and with equality in our normal daily lives irrespective of their gender, sexual preferences/orientation, dressing, mannerisms, ... So let us not shut out their campaign to just be treated as human persons - remembering always that our Federal Constitution guarantees equality to all....OR we can just deny the fact that they do exist and continue on with our life...The choice is ours... 

It is also interesting to ask why in 2011, this has become an issue as this program have been publicly organized for many many years. Is it a desperate BN government's attempt to distract and maybe even win back some of the support of Malaysian voters that it has lost ...and have been continuing to lose since GE2008? 

Issues that matter, like the protest against Labour Law amendments, which will be most detrimental to workers and union rights whereby there was even a nationwide protest by about 10,000 Malaysians are ignored by the media...(or maybe just purposely 'blacked-out' -- remember this protest was on November 3, and the issue has been raised for many many months before... but no Media and certain quarters just choose to ignore this and focused on 'Sexualiti Merdeka' and Ambiga....Both issues are equally important but BN government chose which to focus on ...in 2011. Any reason for this...it is up to you, the reader to think about this...

Press Release: If Malaysia wants to be respected as a democracy, it must stop persecuting sexual minorities

Wednesday, 02 November 2011 02:05pm

The Malaysian Bar welcomes the statement by Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak (“PM Najib Razak”) that he is the Prime Minister of “a progressive, liberal nation”.  Writing in an opinion piece published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 27 October 2011, PM Najib Razak went on to state that, “We are a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic society that has a long and proud history of social harmony and welcoming outsiders.”   In Malaysia, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (“LGBT”) community has long been treated as “outsiders”, even though they are citizens.  Members of the LGBT community in Malaysia face numerous hardships, including a lack of personal safety due to harassment by civil and Syariah authorities, living in fear of prosecution for the private acts of consenting adults, and constantly facing public discrimination and denigration.  They are perennially at the receiving end of negative innuendo and hate speech in the mainstream media, which is seemingly tolerated by the authorities. The Malaysian Bar encourages PM Najib Razak to follow up on his words that Malaysia is a “progressive, liberal nation” and to alleviate the suffering of members of the LGBT community in Malaysia.  He can do so by quickly introducing laws to remove legislation that impose unwarranted restrictions on the individual liberties of the LGBT community in Malaysia. From 1-13 Nov 2011, the Malaysian Bar is proud once again to support the annual Seksualiti Merdeka series of events, with this year’s theme of “Queer Without Fear”.  We recognise the LGBT community in Malaysia as one facing persecution on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. No doubt there are those amongst us who do not agree with the sexual orientations and gender identities of the LGBT community’s members. But it is precisely because of this that sexual minorities, and indeed other minority communities, need to be protected. Individual freedoms and liberties mean very little if they are only extended selectively, or to those who agree with the majority view.    PM Najib Razak wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald that “Malaysia is not some repressive, backward nation that persecutes refugees and asylum seekers.”  The Malaysian Bar calls on PM Najib Razak to apply the same thinking with respect to the LGBT community in Malaysia.  If PM Najib Razak seriously wishes to convince his audience in Australia – and elsewhere in the Commonwealth and the world at large – that Malaysia is a “progressive, liberal nation”, he must act immediately to end repression, persecution and prosecution of sexual minorities in Malaysia.   Lim Chee Wee President Malaysian Bar 2 November 2011

A Gandhi-style act of civil disobedience? Let there be restraint by Najib, his governmen, his police....

If people choose to act for a cause that they believe in ....

If people choose to act against 'bad laws' that impede the right to peaceful assembly and expression...

Let it all be peaceful and non-violent - even in the face of violence from the authorities and some quarters...

Beware also the fact that there maybe 'agents of certain quarters', who may pretend to be part of this peaceful action who may be there just to create 'violence' - with the intention of discrediting peaceful actions, and thus 'justifying' the worry of the police and the government.  Beware the 'agent provocateurs'..

Having just watched again the movie 'Gandhi' - I see so many similarities - and, I still hope that the government and its police will exercise restraint and allow whatever peaceful protests by whatever quarters to proceed peacefully in democratic Malaysia.

Many, despite the threat of arrests, water cannons, tear gas, ... may still decide that they will go...and that will be their own choice, and I appeal again to Najib and his government to reasonably allow this right to peaceful assembly and expression...

Time for Najib to go - lost even 'influence' over his own party's youth wing

Najib's behaviour and poor handling of the situation involving BERSIH 2.0, the movement for free and fair elections is one thing - but his inability to even get UMNO's youth wing to listen to him is indicative that he has also lost the confidence of even UMNO. Maybe time to call an EGM in UMNO to see whether Najib still enjoys the support of the majority in UMNO?

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth will reapply to gather at Stadium Merdeka but members will gather at Jalan Bukit Bintang at 10am Saturday even if police deny them permission, its chief Khairy Jamaluddin said Friday.

“This afternoon, we will make an application to gather at Stadium Merdeka. We have applied. We were the first to apply for a police permit on June 24. It was rejected on July 6,” the Rembau MP told reporters and showed the appeal letter submitted at the Dang Wangi police station on Friday.

Umno Youth would meet on Jalan Bukit Bintang and might march to the stadium even without permission, he said.

Khairy said Umno Youth was marching on behalf of the “silent majority” who did not agree with Bersih's stand.

Bersih has insisted that it will hold its rally in Stadium Merdeka. - Star, 8/7/2011, Umno Youth to march Saturday to Stadium Merdeka with or without permission

What disturbs me about UMNO Youth is that they are not so much interested in freedom of assembly or expression - but they seem to be interested in a 'clash' with one who hold a different viewpoint. 

First, you should not have decided to have the assembly or rally on the same day and time (and place?). 

Even now, they talk about marching to Stadium Merdeka, the new avenue of the rally. 

And, the claim that they represent the 'silent majority' is absurd...

The 'silent majority' also do have an opinion, and most likely it is similar to those of BERSIH 2.0, i.e. a demand for a more 'free and fair elections in Malaysia' 

The 'silent majority' is "silent" not by reason of choice but by reason of 'coercion, threats, fear, etc' .... do a national referendum on the various points advanced by BERSIH 2.0 where people will freely be allowed to express their choice/vote and I am sure that the majority (if not all) would want a more 'free and fair elections for Malaysia'. Who would say that they do not want it to be more and more free and fair? 

There certainly is always room for improvement, and even the Election Commission has admitted to this - so really, what is the reason for Najib's government's over-reaction to BERSIH 2.0? Why? - maybe, we need to analyze the  'why?' a bit more.  

Faced with mounting pressure that a rally will be held this weekend, the Public Services Department (PSD) has issued a circular barring civil servants from participating in an illegal assembly or any movement which may hurt the security of the nation. - Malaysiakini, 7/7/2011, PSD orders civil servants not to attend rally

However, an Education Ministry circular similarly dated June 30, signed by the director-general Abd Ghafar Mahmud, was more blunt in specifically stating the electoral reform group Coalition of Free and Fair Elections Bersih 2.0. - Malaysiakini, 7/7/2011, PSD orders civil servants not to attend rally

In a note posted on the Universiti Malaya Student Affairs Department Facebook page on June 24, deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs) Rohana Yusof said the university would act against students who take part in the Bersih 2.0 rally.

"Taking part in an illegal assembly is an offence under the University and University Colleges Act 1971 and can lead to suspension or expulsion.

"As such, students are reminded not to be involved in the rally, be it directly or indirectly. If any students are found to be involved, disciplinary action will be taken by the university," she said.- Malaysiakini, 1/7/2011, Gov't anti-Bersih drive hits mosques, campuses

The official campaign against Bersih 2.0 entered the mosques today, with the July 9 rally becoming the topic of Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim)-issued sermons today.

In sermons read out in mosques in Kuala Lumpur before Friday prayers today, the congregations were reminded that the Bersih 2.0 rally is haram (forbidden) as it promoted the wants of individuals at the peril of society.

"Of late, we are worried about a group of extremists who call themselves the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0, which)... is a struggle for the sake of individuals or beliefs, without considering public interests and sensitivities.

"In reaching for their goals, these groups... will converge to cause violence, destruct public amenities and break laws and are willing to go as far as injuring safety personnel," the sermon published on the Jakim website reads. - Malaysiakini, 1/7/2011, Gov't anti-Bersih drive hits mosques, campuses

 Twenty-four hours before the planned rally for clean and fair elections, the government appears to be attempting a last ditch effort to influence Muslims against coming out in droves.

Throughout Kuala Lumpur mosques today, the government-issued sermon called on the congregation to be wary of "those who try to undermine (Muslim) unity".

Unlike last week's sermon, also published on the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) website, which mentions Bersih 2.0, the sermon today obliquely warned of "traitors to religion, race and country".

"We would like to state that these people are actually the ones who had caused anger among the Muslims (by) questioning the rights of Muslims as well as using Muslim leaders who have been blinded by their lust for power.

"They incite dissatisfaction and hatred against leaders... behind the mask of fairness and transparency, using the rakyat as human shields when their main agenda is to cause chaos, undermine unity and make us believe that the nation is no longer peaceful," the sermon reads.- Malaysiakini, 8/7/2011,On rally eve, Friday sermon warns of Islam's 'enemies'

Who does Anwar think he is? BERSIH is an independent movement for free elections...

Who does Anwar think he is? Does he think that BERSIH is an opposition entity that will obediently listen to him? I do not think so - I do not hope so. Like Najib, Anwar can tell - but I do not believe that BERSIH or the Malaysian people will ever stop calling for a free and fair elections in Malaysia.

BERSIH is a peoples' movement, independent of political parties, fighting for free and fair elections in Malaysia, and any person including those in BN or Pakatan Rakyat or other political parties, should come out in support of a call for free and fair elections. People should not be participating in BERSIH's activities for a free and fair elections because their political party or organization told them to but because they as individual Malaysians believe in the cause and want to personally. Political parties can express support for BERSIH - but not force members to go and support. The choice is and must be an individual Malaysian's choice.

There is much reforms that are needed. 

1- Constituencies need to be re-defined, so that there will be no more constituencies that have 100,000 over voters and others having tens of thousands only. This really is, I believe, an against the constitutional guarantee of equality of persons in Malaysia. If a constituency of 50,000 has a right to vote in 1 MP, then a constituency of 100,000 should rightfully have the right to vote in 2 MPs. Certain differences are permissible - but the difference in numbers in voters per constituencies must be not more than 10,000 in my opinion. 

2 - Those parties in government must certainly stop using government officers, departments and resources during election campaigns. Taking the recent Kuala Krau by elections, I do not see why certain Ministries and government officers suddenly had to come open new temporary officers and work in the area for a month or two in the area when elections were called. This certainly must stop, and it was a waste of the people's money. Government money must not be used for campaigning...Use your own money, your political party money, your friends and donors money - but never the government's money, which is the peoples' money.

3 - The period between nomination days and voting must increase, and Malaysian voters overseas and in other states from a particular constituency must be allowed to vote. This was the real intention of postal ballots but today it is only for those who will be working during polling day as Election Commission officers, police and military personnel in the constituencies. With regard to military personnel, one must realize that many of regiments and divisions in Peninsular Malaysia are from Sabah and Sarawak, and rightfully they and their families should be given the right to vote in the constituencies where they choose to be registered as voters. Many would have preferred to vote in the recent Sarawak State elections but were deprived that right. For true postal voting to be effective, the period between nomination and polling must be longer - it takes time to print ballot papers, send them to the registered voter overseas and elsewhere, for them to vote, send back the ballot papers, etc - maybe 30 days would be best.

4 - The need to get police permits for election campaign periods need to be abolished. The requirement may be to just to inform the police - and not get permission from the police. 

5 - Reports of election offences must all be investigated, even after the polling date, and action taken against those who committed them - charge them, try them, if guilty convict and sentence them. Election Petitions is only bothered whether the allegations involves sufficient numbers to affect the final outcome of the election in a particular constituency. EC must be seen to act on all complaints.

I am sure BERSIH would have much more points about what we need to ensure truly free and fair elections in Malaysia.

Anwar: I'll tell Ambiga to call off Bersih rally if...

Hazlan Zakaria
Jun 19, 11

 

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said that he would tell Bersih 2.0 chairperson S Ambiga to call off the July 9 rally if Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak can assure tomorrow that elections will be free and fair.

"I will call Ambiga and tell her to call off Bersih, if Najib can promise free and fair elections tomorrow," he told over 2,000 PKR members at the party's election convention in Shah Alam today.

Anwar (left) said this in his concluding speech at the convention, that aimed to educate and energise the party's grassroots election machinery who were mostly present at the event.

The Permatang Pauh MP was trying to make a point, arguing that the BN regime will not dare to allow free and fair elections because the ruling coalition knows that it no longer has the favour of the voters and thus has to resort to dirty means to cling on to power.

Former Bar Council chief Ambiga was however not amused, and in an immediate response ticked Anwar off for overstepping his role.

"It is not up to him to decide,” the activist quipped.

“We have decided to hold the rally and it is we who will decide on whether or not to hold it," she told reporters prior to the official launch of the Bersih 2.0 rally in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

Ambiga: 'It's not about me'

Ambiga also refuted right-wing pressure group Perkasa's allegations made in the latter's launch of their anti-Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur earlier today.

"Bersih is not about the individual; it is not about me. I will not respond to their character attacks," she said.

The lawyer added that she will neither respond to Perkasa nor lodge police reports on the group burning her photo and making threats against her during their event.

"Free and fair elections is our message, and our means is peaceful. If there is violence on that day it will not be from our side," assured the Bersih chief.

The Berish 2.0 coalition for free and fair elections comprising over 60 NGOs and political parties is planning a mega rally on July 9 to press for electoral reform.

The organisers aim the event to be even bigger than the first Bersih rally in November 2007, that saw 40,000 turning Kuala Lumpur into a sea of yellow shirted protestors demanding changes to the electoral system that critics say is favouring the ruling party.- Malaysiakini, 20/6/2011, Anwar: I'll tell Ambiga to call off Bersih rally if...

Anwar's principled position against ISA, Sedition Act .... Will Pakatan Rakyat take a similar stand?

At last, Anwar Ibrahim has come out with a principled stand - and hopefully all Pakatan Rakyat component parties and other Opposition parties, including those parties in BN that are for human rights and justice should also adopt the same.

We should not call for the ISA and/or any other Detention Without Trial Laws to be used against any person - irrespective of how 'hurtful' a statement he/she makes - and this is because we are for freedom of speech, expression, opinion and peaceful assembly. We should be consistent in our position that these are bad laws that should all be repealed immediately.

Likewise, we should not be calling the police to stop, arrest, detain and/or charge persons who exercise the right to protest and peaceful assembly even if it targeted against PR State governments, Pakatan Rakyat and/or any of its parties, or personalities. It would be a contradiction to our position that all laws and/or provisions of laws that deny persons the right to peaceful assembly and protest be repealed. 

It is also wrong for us to be calling for the revocation of printing/publishing permits and/or banning of certain media agencies from certain functions that are open to the media - for its a violation of our our call for press freedom.

It is also wrong for us to be calling for action to be taken against certain bloggers, twitters, websites....because we are angry and/or not happy with what they said. 

We should not be calling for de-registration of certain societies, associations, .... as this would be against freedom of association. 

It is OK to call for a boycott of certain publications, persons, etc.... it is OK to come out with statements expressing our feelings and disagreements - but not call on the Malaysian government and/or the police to use the powers given under the very same 'bad laws' that we want to be seen deleted from our body of Malaysian laws...

In the past, sadly some of the Opposition parties and personalities have called for the utilization of these same 'bad laws' against those who said or did things that made them angry...unhappy. The past is the past...and this must be stopped... and we must act 'differently' from the government of the day - and demonstrate that we are truly principled and will not advocate the using of any anti-freedom anti-rights laws even against the worst of our 'enemies'....

Beware also the 'tricks' of government in trying to get support for new laws that will curtail freedoms and rights.... There has been talk that there may be new laws to 'control' freedom of expression though the internet... and, I wonder whether the highlighting of 1 or 2 blogpost about this whole "Christian PM...official religion of Malaysia' issue which generated much 'anger' and reaction was just another attempt to convince Malaysians that we do need laws to 'control' freedoms now available in cyberspace... No to 'internet' control and censorship laws....

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim does not support calls for sedition laws nor the Internal Security Act be used against Ibrahim Ali, the leader of Malay right-wing group Perkasa.

Anwar said that Malaysians must, instead, collectively decide whether they were willing to condone the incitement of religious or racial hatred by Perkasa and other right-wing groups.

"People who are angry with Ibrahim asked for him to be charged with sedition or ISA. I don't," he said in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini yesterday.

"As a matter of principle, I don't support ISA or the Sedition Act and therefore I do not condone the use of these (laws), even as a temporary measure.

"(But) should a civilised country, after half a century of independence, condone these sorts of sentiments?"

Ibrahim, who is also Pasir Mas parliamentarian, had come under fire for calling for a 'crusade' and 'jihad' (holy war) against Christians, who were accused of trying to undermine Islam's position in Malaysia.

His remarks last Saturday at a 1Malaysia event was in response to a heavily-refuted Utusan Malaysia's report that a group of church leaders had taken an oath to make Christianity the country's official religion and to install a Christian prime minister.

'Ibrahim singing gov't tune'

Both the opposition Pakatan Rakyat and some BN leaders have called for Ibrahim to be punished.

However, Anwar said that while Ibrahim could investigated under laws other than ISA or the Sedition Act, he believed that no action would be taken against the vocal MP because such incitement was condoned by the ruling regime.

"There are laws to investigate (Ibrahim), but how do investigate when you know it is being promoted and supported by the ruling establishment?" he asked.

On Tuesday, de facto law minister Nazri Abdul Aziz told Malaysiakini that it would be unfair to take action against Ibrahim as he is only one of many people who utter seditious comments lately.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein also skirted the issue, dismissing the Independent MP's views as not representative of the majority of Malays and Muslims in Malaysia.

Ibrahim: I said 'jihad' for shock value

Meanwhile, in a statement late last night, Ibrahim sought to clarify that he was using the word 'jihad' to shock the Muslims into realising that Islam was being ridiculed.

"Jihad does not only mean perang salib (crusade), it does not mean the killing of Christians and Muslims, (but it) includes acts of prevention (by) using one's hands, mouth, writing and other means.

"Everyone lost their cool (in response to Saturday's speech) but they don't realise what they do sometimes also demean Islam, and when this happens no one is reprimanded," he said.

Ibrahim lamented that the only media which gets criticised all the time is Utusan, and that new media, be it news portals, blogs, Facebook pages or Twitter users, get away scot-free by posting insulting articles and photos that insult the religion.

"I used the word 'jihad' to jolt people into realising (that Islam is being maligned)," he said.

'Naive' to expect action against Utusan
Asked to comment on the Home Ministry's caution letter against Utusan, Anwar said that it would be "naive" to believe that action would be meted out against the Umno-owned newspaper.

Citing his experience as a Umno deputy president, he claimed that the "it is an unwritten law of the country" that Utusan gets its instructions straight from the party's boss.

"Clearly (it is) naive to assume that Umno will take action against their own party newspaper which functions under the direction of the president of the party, who happens to be the prime minister of the country.

"I'm not ... fatalistic or dismissive (about the matter). I'm saying that this must be made known. (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak) can go on saying 'Oh, Utusan - tough!' but I know Utusan and how it is run," he said.

The Home Ministry had last week issued a caution letter against Utusan for publishing the report on the alleged Christian conspiracy but this was deemed by its detractors as too lenient.

Malaysiakini will be publishing the full interview with Anwar Ibrahim next week.- Malaysiakini, 20/5/2011, 'Don't use ISA or sedition laws against Ibrahim Ali'

Everyone has the freedom to have their say - and the people will listen and decide on their own position and stance. Malaysians are mature and reasonable and will think for themselves and make their own position.

Wrong for Education Department to intefere in Parent-Teacher Association - Respect freedom of opinion

It is outrageous - it is certainly not a democratic action..

The problem is that when the UMNO-led BN government decided to revert back to using Bahasa Melayu in the teaching of Science and Maths - it was not at all done democratically. There never was a referendum.

REFERENDUM - that is the way a government gets the feedback of the people...but not in Malaysia, for here the PM decides (and all the Cabinet possibly just follow suit) ...

UMNO decides...and the rest of the BN component parties just follow... [Did the various BN parties even do a referendum/poll amongst its own members?]

Let us listen to these 'minority views' - or is it in truth the views of the majority?

After all, should not parents and the students themselves have a bigger say in the language that would like to study Maths and Science?

Where do the PM and the Ministers (and the 'big-guns' in society) send their children to study? In the local schools and universities...just like all other Malaysians. I do not think so - and it is an irony that it is they wh0 decide on the schools, the curriculum, the language of instructions, etc...

Decisions that affect the people of Malaysia must be decided by REFERENDUM by the people always.... we have to start becoming truly democratic in Malaysia...

Maybe, the Malaysian government should do a referendum about ISA and the other laws that allow for Detention Without Trial [ A poll on the Home Ministry website is certainly not enough...]

Parents of SMK Seri Hartamas students are fuming over a directive to bar a meeting to voice their opposition over the reversal of the policy to use English as the medium of instruction for science and mathematics.

The Parents-Teachers Association's (PTA) extraordinary general meeting was supposed to have been held in the school compound this morning, but the Education Department, through the school, had ruled the meeting null and void.

As the decision was handed orally to the PTA late yesterday afternoon, many parents were not informed and gathered at the school gates, only to be disappointed.

Though unable to hold the meeting, the parents were however able to witness one agenda of the intended EGM, which was to count ballots slips from parents stating whether they wanted the teaching of science and mathematics to continue in that school.

Of the 553 ballots counted, an overwhelming 97 percent were in favour. A total of 1,310 ballot slips were issued to students to hand over to their parents.

PTA president Salmah Abu Bakar (photo, left) said the results of the poll would be forwarded to the prime minister and education minister along with an appeal.

"We want to tell them that the teaching of science and mathematics in English is good for this school. We want to be exempted," she said.

Salmah said many parents sent their children to this school because of its high standard of teaching in English, thus the PTA wants status quo maintained.

'EGM by the book'

PTA deputy president Azimah Abd Rahim said the EGM was called "by the book" and there was no reason for the authorities to bar the meeting.

"We understand that PTAs in many schools nationwide want to hold similar EGMs and they are facing the same problems. We hope they would be allowed to do so," she said.

According to Azimah, there was no written instruction stopping them from holding the meeting and teachers did not take part in the PTA's activity today.

PTA committee member Mazidah Mohd Zin said she was worried that her child who had learnt science in mathematics in primary school, would have to revert to Bahasa Malaysia just two years before sitting for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

She is concerned that her child would have problems adjusting in such a short period of time and is hopeful that the government would consider the PTA's appeal.

Another parent, Yee Li Li, said that she has two children in the school, and the youngest, now in Form 1, had urged her to act as she had already undergone six years of primary schooling in English for the two subjects.

"I'm representing my daughters who themselves are opposed to the language switch," she said. - Malaysiakini, 8/8/2009, Language switch: Gov't bars parents-teachers meet

Maybe the States have to claim their rights - maybe time for State Police, that will come under the State Government directly..

What is happening to Malaysia under its new Prime Minister Najib?

Freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of association is being disrespected...

Even the legal DAP dinners hosted by the duly elected DAP MP for the area are being 'interfered' with..

Water cannons...PA Systems confiscated....speakers for the night not allowed to talk...

Police permits withdrawn at the eleventh hour...by the police...

Shocking...embarrassing...

Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government sponsored events also have had to have police approvals..

Who is in charge of the state - the democratically elected Pakatan Rakyat government or the police?

Maybe, time for Selangor to have its own state police - who will be under the State Government...

The interference of the Federal Government into matters within the State must stop...

Police today again intervened during a dinner-cum-ceramah by DAP, this time in Klang, by withdrawing a police permit for the event at the last minute.

MCPX

After some intense negotiations with the police, the dinner was allowed to proceed at about 8.15pm, but the long list of speakers for the night were unable to proceed with their ceramah as the PA system was confiscated by the police.

Earlier, the police had issued a permit for the event but specified that no ceramah was allowed.

"Up to this year, this has never happened before. It is a given that our supporters can hear us speak while they eat," said a DAP party worker.

Since early this afternoon, seven water cannons were parked within the Taman Bayu Tinggi vicinity where the dinner was scheduled to take place.

The dinner was organised by Klang MP Charles Santiago, who said in his blog that the police had already cordoned off the area for the dinner at 4.45pm. - Malaysiakini, 21/6/2009, Cops disrupt DAP dinner again

If this is happening to DAP, which is part of the State government, in an area with a DAP Mp - I wonder whether other opposition parties like PSM and Parti Rakyat Malaysia(PRM) will even have a chance to host 'ceramahs' and fund raising events....

What about Radio Stations...Television Stations - when will the opposition parties or the non-BN State Governments have the ability to get permits and run their own stations...

Is Malaysia really a democracy? Or has it now become a 'dictatorship'? or a Police State?

JOINT STATEMENT BY MALAYSIAN CIVIL SOCIETY ON PAS RESOLUTION TO BAN SISTERS IN ISLAM

JOINT STATEMENT BY MALAYSIAN CIVIL SOCIETY ON PAS RESOLUTION TO BAN SISTERS IN ISLAM

We the undersigned are deeply disturbed by the call on the part of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) to have Sisters in Islam (SIS) banned and its members rehabilitated should its activities be determined to be contrary to the Islamic shariah. It is apparent to us that in making the call in the manner that it has, PAS has already formed the view that SIS should be banned and its activities brought to an end.

While we respect the freedom of members of PAS to associate in a manner that they consider appropriate or warranted as well as their freedom to express a view in association on such matters as they see fit, the members of SIS, or any other organization for that matter, are equally guaranteed those freedoms. No one person or organization has a monopoly over the right to express views on matter of public importance. The call to silence SIS and send its members for rehabilitation is an act of violence against those freedoms and their constitutional underpinnings. It also lends itself to further closure of the already narrow space of public discourse and debate that a slew of anti-expression laws have allowed Malaysians.

For Malaysia to mature into the democracy that Malaysians aspire to, it is vital that diversity, even of views, be protected and nurtured. Respect for the freedoms guaranteed to all Malaysians by the Federal Constitution, be they members of PAS or any other organization or simply individuals, is crucial to this endeavor.

The demand for action against SIS culminating in a ban is not easily reconciled with PAS public rhetoric in favour of a more democratic and inclusive Malaysia.On the contrary, the demand is wholly anti-democratic. We reiterate that though members of PAS are entitled to their views, the call for the banning of SIS is wholly unacceptable. As a matter of principle, the question of banning any organization purely for their views should not arise at all. Differences of views must be respected and, if at all, be resolved through constructive engagement.

In view of this, we urge PAS to reconsider its position and take such steps as are necessary to retract the call for action against SIS.

Signed by:

Organisation

1. Aliran
2. Amnesty International Malaysia
3. Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW)
4. AWAM
5. Bar Council Human Rights Committee
6. Bus Users Group, Penang
7. Cakap Rakyat Group
8. Centre for Independent Journalism
9. CIJ
10. Civil Society Committee Of LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLGCSC)
11. Civil Society Initiative For Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)
12. CPI
13. DAPSY
14. Five Arts Centre
15. Friends-In-Conversation
16. Group Of Concerned Citizens And Monitoring Sustainability Of Globalisation
17. Health Equity Initiatives
18. HRC
19. Instant Cafe Theatre
20. KOMAS
21. National Institute for Electoral Integrity
22. NCWO
23. OHMSI
24. PBT (Persatuan Bahasa Thionghua) USM
25. Penangwatch
26. Perak Women For Women Society (PWW)
27. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower).
28. Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)
29. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
30. Sarawak Women For Women Society
31. Sekretariat Anak Muda Malaysia
32. Sisters In Islam (SIS)
33. SOS (Save Ourselves), Penang
34. SUARA RAKYAT MALAYSIA (SUARAM)
35. The Fahmina-institute Cirebon
36. The KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section
37. WAO
38. WCC
39. Women's Centre For Change (WCC) Penang
40. Women's Learning Partnership (WLP)
41. Worker Hub For Change (WH4C)
42. Writer Alliance For Media Independence (WAMI)