Malaysia, under the UMNO-BN government, really is not keen that other opinions, viewpoints and perspectives be disseminate to the Malaysian public - hence, the alleged 'control' of media and/or other means of communications. Malaysia should allow for more newspapers, radio stations and television stations, be registered. Now, even State governments do not even have their own radio and/or telivision statements or even 'newspapers' - When Opposition parties are given publication permits, there is the restriction imposed that it can only be circulated to their own 'party members' - not to all Malaysians. When will all this change - and all Malaysians will have the freedom to not simply express themselves, but also access to alternative sources of information an viewpoints.
Human Rights Defenders - well, many a time, these are persons or individuals that take a lot of 'risks' to highlight on alleged and/or real wrongdoings, injustices and human rights violations committed by not just government, but really anyone who has violated rights...
“We know that the amendments will be manipulated by so-called people who are defenders of human rights....“But they are actually wolves in sheep’s clothing who are protecting criminals,” he[Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister] added.
The current government now has developed an anti-human rights way of introducing new laws, or amending existing laws - Bills are tabled suddenly and thereafter proceeded to be passed speedily. Malaysians are at most times denied the time or the ability to comment, agree or object to such new 'laws'. Our parliamentary culture, when all Member of Parliaments from parties, who currently form the government of the day, not 'objecting or voting against' any laws proposed by government is not helping - Blind agreement without even considering views coming from the Opposition and others is certainly not right. Sadly, the Opposition also seems to be doing the same thing when they are in power in the various State governments, and even in those 'appointed' Local government. 'Object everything that comes from the other side' is something that must change...
In such a culture, the role and responsibilities of human rights defenders become all the more important...as many HR Defenders do thinks necessary for the promotion and protection of human rights. HR Defenders, are not 'wolves in sheep's clothing'...they are very necessary and their role and responsibilities have also been acknowledged by the United Nations - UN Declation on Human Rights Defenders. For the Bahasa Malaysia version - PERISYTIHARAN PEMBELA HAK ASASI MANUSIA
Good job SUHAKAM for their speedy response ..
Suhakam: Human rights defenders do not protect criminals
Suhakam says human rights defenders work towards the realisation of rights and freedoms contained in the Federal Constitution.
PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has
put forth a definition of human rights defenders, two days after the
deputy prime minister called them “wolves in sheep’s clothing who
protect criminals”.
Suhakam chairman Razali Ismail said such individuals were people who
work towards the realisation of rights and freedoms contained in the
Federal Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
other human rights instruments through non-violent means.
“The efforts of human rights defenders contribute to positive
societal change and play an important role in the establishment of the
rule of law.
“They certainly cannot be said to be defending crime syndicates and criminals,” he said in a statement today.
On Tuesday, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had slammed those who objected to the
amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Poca) passed in the
Dewan Rakyat last week.
Zahid, who is also the home minister, said those who defended human rights were the biggest opponents of the amendments.
“We know that the amendments will be manipulated by so-called people who are defenders of human rights.
“But they are actually wolves in sheep’s clothing who are protecting criminals,” he added.
However, Razali said human rights defenders played a fundamental role
in guaranteeing and safeguarding democracy and the rule of law in
Malaysia. - FMT News, 17/8/2017
** A perusal of SUHAKAM's website did not disclose the full media statement - maybe, too soon and SUHAKAM yet to upload the statement. (Personally, it should not just be uploaded in the PDF version[or if uploaded in that version, it should be uploaded in a version that allows people to copy the text in the statement, and thus be able to transmit it to others). Better still, SUHAKAM should also upload a MS Word version, which is easier to copy and disseminate vide Blogs, FB, emails and other available social media communication means.)
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