54 Groups - Civil Society Condemns Death Threats Against Bersih 2.0 Leaders

24 October 2016

Civil Society Condemns Death Threats Against Bersih 2.0 Leaders

We, the undersigned organizations, are extremely appalled and strongly condemn the death threats against the chairperson of Bersih 2.0, Maria Chin and her three children, former Chair of Bersih 2.0 and current president of National Human Rights Society, Ambiga Sreenevasan and Bersih 2.0 staff, Mandeep Singh. Following these threats on October 18, the car of one of Maria’s sons was splashed with red paint and chicken blood on October 20.

These deplorable death threats were received by Maria Chin via whatsapp messages in which the faces of all those named above were superimposed next to a person holding a knife over their heads.

Since the organizers launched the nationwide convoys to mobilize support for Bersih 5 rally on November 19, threats and attacks have been escalating. These came immediately after a series of attacks by red shirted thugs led by UMNO’s Sungai Besar division chief Jamal Md Yunus after he failed to stop the Bersih convoys. The sequence of events suggests a systematic and coordinated plan to stop Bersih 2.0 through physical violence culminating in death threats to instill fear in Bersih leaders and staff and the general public.

More alarming is the feeble response from the Inspector General of Police on the declaration of “all-out war against Bersih 2.0” by Jamal Md Yunus on October 20. His description of Jamal Md Yunus's declaration as merely “war of words” is totally unprofessional in the absence of any form of investigation. The fact that Jamal Md Yunus made his war cry to stop Bersih 2.0 soon after his remand demonstrates his arrogance and little respect of the law and is enough evidence to implicate him and his red shirt thugs.

The undersigned organizations:

1.      Demand the Inspector General of Police immediately investigate these death threats and violent incidents and swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

2.      Demand the police investigate and apprehend the master mind behind the planned anti-Bersih attacks.

3.      Urge Prime Minister Najib Razak to strongly condemn these threats. His deafening silence and the IGP's inaction is encouraging the red shirted thugs to be more hostile and violent.

We and the rakyat hold the Prime Minister and IGP accountable should any untoward incident befall any Bersih 2.0 leaders and supporters.

The rakyat is closely watching.

Endorsed by:

1. Akademi Belia
2. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
3. Anak Malaysia Sarawak (AMS)
4. Angkatan Warga Aman Malaysia (WargaAMAN)
5. Baramkini
6. Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism(C4)
7. Community Development Center (CDC)
8. ENGAGE
9. Greenfrieds Sabah
10. Institute for development of alternative living (IDEAL)
11. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
12. Japan Graduates Association, Malaysia (JAGAM)
13. Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS)
14. Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)
15. Jawatankuasa bertindak kuala lumpur tak nak insinerator
16. JIHAD for JUSTICE (J4J)
17. Kesatuan Mahasiswa Malaysia (KESATUAN)
18. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)
19. Kuen Cheng Alumni Association
20. LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG)
21. Malaysians Against Death Penalty & Torture (MADPET)
22. Malaysian Indians Progressive Association (MIPAS)
23. Malaysian Indians Transformation Action Team (MITRA)
24. Malaysia 4 Malaysians
25. Muslims Professionals Forum (MPF)
26. National Indian Rights Action Team (NIAT)
27. Partners in Community Organising (Pacos Trust)
28. Penang Tamil Muslim Development Association (PELITA)
29. Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (IKRAM)
30. Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran)
31. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)
32. Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)
33. Persatuan Rapat Malaysia (RAPAT)
34. Projek Dialog
35. Pusat Komas
36. ONE RACE-HUMAN RACE                       
37. Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute (OHMSI)
38. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
39. Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group (SAWO)
40. Sarawak Women for Sarawak
41. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)
42. Sisters in Islam (SIS)
43. Society for the Promotion of Human Rights, Malaysia (Proham)
44. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
45. Tenaganita
46. Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy
47. Tindak Malaysia
48. The Federation & Alumni Associations Taiwan University, Malaysia (FAATUM)
49. We Are Malaysians
50. Women’s Aid Organisations (WAO)
51. Womens Centre for Change, Penang (WCC)
52. Women Development of Malaysia PJ
53. Workers Hub for Change (WH4C)
54.  Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)