Friday, 30 November 2007
Rape, it's a girl thing?
Reading the article "Most rapists are known to their victims", I am once again struck by how rape is a women's problem. The MCCF is going to give training to women and girls. Surely, if we want to deal with rape, it's the men who need training, not the women?
It's about poverty, it's about power
While I support the right to peaceful protest, I'm not in support of the demands of Hindraf.
It is problematic to ask for rights *as Indians*. This falls into the trap of believing that there is a difference between the Indian poor and marginalised, the Chinese, Orang Asli or Malay poor and marginalised and that plays into the hands of the elite.
It strengthens the ruling coalition. The Merdeka Centre reports that UMNO's support is rising. Is it because they have successfully portrayed themselves, again, as defenders of the Malays? If so, isn't a racialised demonstration only going to show the 'Malays' that they need to be defended?
I've been asked if this means I was against the fight for Black rights. The fight for Black rights was important, but as part of human rights - and remembering that although the system systematically discriminated against blacks, that the discrimination against blacks was still a way of ensuring the complicity of poor whites as well. Poor whites are allowed to feel that they have someone to oppress - it's the same with women, with supervisors on a factory floor etc. They are distracted into complicity with a ruling system that keeps them oppressed....
And this is the situation in Malaysia - if not more so. Malaysia has not just systematic discrimination, it also has race-based parties as its parties of Government. The official discourse is one of protecting one race against another - and it is this discourse that has kept BN in power for such a long time.
It isn't because the rights of Indians are not important. There *is* discrimination of Indians as Indians, particularly obvious when looking at deaths in police custody. But the Black rights movement shows how limited a race-based approach is - the more overt means of discrimination are no longer in place, and yet the Blacks still languish in prison in disproportionate numbers, same in poverty etc etc.
The only way to really address the problems faced by poor Indians (Samy, Ananda Krishnan and Tony Fernandes aren't worried about discrimination!), is to encourage them to look at their problems in a holistic manner - it isn't a race problem, it's a class and poverty problem. Estate workers suffer from poor wages - but look at the problems faced by Malay tobacco farmers especially since the ASEAN FTA introduction. We need to be overcoming the racial barriers, not giving the rich, powerful, multi-ethnic politicians and elite a reason to draw the poor to their 'racial' cause. It leads to the argument that only Malays can protect Malay interests, because those interests are threatened, not by the rich and powerful who negotiated ASEAN FTAs, but by the Indians and Chinese. And likewise for Indians, and Chinese.
The problem of poor Indians is not that they are Indians. Ananda Krishnan is an Indian. I don't think he suffers from discrimination. The problem is that they are poor. We are continually *told* that the reason is because they are Indian, whether it is from the point of view of being Indian (the Malays and Chinese do this to the Indian community) or from the point of view of a non-Indian (Indians are lazy, stupid, whatever).
But it really isn't. It's because they are poor. And as long as we see this as an Indian problem it will persist - it will persist after the dismantling of racial legislation. Because the problem is the system that discriminates, regardless of race, in favour of the rich. Again, ask the tobacco farmers of Kelantan, the fisherfolk of Penang, the rice farmers of KEdah. Of the supposed 'three' races in Malaysia today, the group with the LARGEST gap between rich and poor is the Malays.
The people who marched have real grievances. But they are playing into the hands of the elites by putting their grievances forward as race-based, not poverty-based. The Brits put into place the strategy of divide and rule, and this plays directly into that. It is not, ultimately, empowering. And it turns potential allies (poor Malays, Chinese) into enemies.
(Taken from correspondence with a colleague)
It is problematic to ask for rights *as Indians*. This falls into the trap of believing that there is a difference between the Indian poor and marginalised, the Chinese, Orang Asli or Malay poor and marginalised and that plays into the hands of the elite.
It strengthens the ruling coalition. The Merdeka Centre reports that UMNO's support is rising. Is it because they have successfully portrayed themselves, again, as defenders of the Malays? If so, isn't a racialised demonstration only going to show the 'Malays' that they need to be defended?
I've been asked if this means I was against the fight for Black rights. The fight for Black rights was important, but as part of human rights - and remembering that although the system systematically discriminated against blacks, that the discrimination against blacks was still a way of ensuring the complicity of poor whites as well. Poor whites are allowed to feel that they have someone to oppress - it's the same with women, with supervisors on a factory floor etc. They are distracted into complicity with a ruling system that keeps them oppressed....
And this is the situation in Malaysia - if not more so. Malaysia has not just systematic discrimination, it also has race-based parties as its parties of Government. The official discourse is one of protecting one race against another - and it is this discourse that has kept BN in power for such a long time.
It isn't because the rights of Indians are not important. There *is* discrimination of Indians as Indians, particularly obvious when looking at deaths in police custody. But the Black rights movement shows how limited a race-based approach is - the more overt means of discrimination are no longer in place, and yet the Blacks still languish in prison in disproportionate numbers, same in poverty etc etc.
The only way to really address the problems faced by poor Indians (Samy, Ananda Krishnan and Tony Fernandes aren't worried about discrimination!), is to encourage them to look at their problems in a holistic manner - it isn't a race problem, it's a class and poverty problem. Estate workers suffer from poor wages - but look at the problems faced by Malay tobacco farmers especially since the ASEAN FTA introduction. We need to be overcoming the racial barriers, not giving the rich, powerful, multi-ethnic politicians and elite a reason to draw the poor to their 'racial' cause. It leads to the argument that only Malays can protect Malay interests, because those interests are threatened, not by the rich and powerful who negotiated ASEAN FTAs, but by the Indians and Chinese. And likewise for Indians, and Chinese.
The problem of poor Indians is not that they are Indians. Ananda Krishnan is an Indian. I don't think he suffers from discrimination. The problem is that they are poor. We are continually *told* that the reason is because they are Indian, whether it is from the point of view of being Indian (the Malays and Chinese do this to the Indian community) or from the point of view of a non-Indian (Indians are lazy, stupid, whatever).
But it really isn't. It's because they are poor. And as long as we see this as an Indian problem it will persist - it will persist after the dismantling of racial legislation. Because the problem is the system that discriminates, regardless of race, in favour of the rich. Again, ask the tobacco farmers of Kelantan, the fisherfolk of Penang, the rice farmers of KEdah. Of the supposed 'three' races in Malaysia today, the group with the LARGEST gap between rich and poor is the Malays.
The people who marched have real grievances. But they are playing into the hands of the elites by putting their grievances forward as race-based, not poverty-based. The Brits put into place the strategy of divide and rule, and this plays directly into that. It is not, ultimately, empowering. And it turns potential allies (poor Malays, Chinese) into enemies.
(Taken from correspondence with a colleague)
Monday, 26 November 2007
Bad for business?
Once again, the centre of KL was closed off for a mass demonstration. And once again, shopkeepers suffered. Both of these is true.
But are demonstrations bad for business?
I was amused, after the Bersih demo, to read how one 7-11 that had stayed open was inundated with shoppers buying cold drinks - and this was presented as being bad for business! Nevertheless, chances are that demonstrators are not going to be buying clothes or souvenirs. Businesses dealing in items other than food, drink and maybe umbrellas suffered.
But why?
On the same day as the Bersih demonstration in KL, there was a rally of much the same size in central Melbourne. As with the Bersih rally, it was well-organised and policed by volunteers. But it was also policed by the police. Rather than time-consuming roadblocks, police diverted traffic away from the route of the march. They kept the protesters on their pre-determined route, and largely off the sidewalks. Shops and shoppers remained open and active - suffering the minor inconvenience of a leaflet thrust in their faces.
This begs the question - why are Malaysian demonstrations bad for business? It appears to me that tear gas and water cannons, demonstrations were police and demonstrators face off, rather than are facilitators, these demonstrations are, indeed, bad for business.
WHich means that the problem is not one of demonstrations being bad for business. Bad policing of demonstrations is bad for business. Instead of confronting demonstrators with riot police and roadblocks, use the police to keep order in a peaceful manner. LEt the demonstrators onto the streets, keep them off the sidewalks. Beforehand discuss the least disruptive route for the demonstration, taking into account the political needs of the demonstrators. And work with the organisers for a peaceful, prosperous march for all.
But are demonstrations bad for business?
I was amused, after the Bersih demo, to read how one 7-11 that had stayed open was inundated with shoppers buying cold drinks - and this was presented as being bad for business! Nevertheless, chances are that demonstrators are not going to be buying clothes or souvenirs. Businesses dealing in items other than food, drink and maybe umbrellas suffered.
But why?
On the same day as the Bersih demonstration in KL, there was a rally of much the same size in central Melbourne. As with the Bersih rally, it was well-organised and policed by volunteers. But it was also policed by the police. Rather than time-consuming roadblocks, police diverted traffic away from the route of the march. They kept the protesters on their pre-determined route, and largely off the sidewalks. Shops and shoppers remained open and active - suffering the minor inconvenience of a leaflet thrust in their faces.
This begs the question - why are Malaysian demonstrations bad for business? It appears to me that tear gas and water cannons, demonstrations were police and demonstrators face off, rather than are facilitators, these demonstrations are, indeed, bad for business.
WHich means that the problem is not one of demonstrations being bad for business. Bad policing of demonstrations is bad for business. Instead of confronting demonstrators with riot police and roadblocks, use the police to keep order in a peaceful manner. LEt the demonstrators onto the streets, keep them off the sidewalks. Beforehand discuss the least disruptive route for the demonstration, taking into account the political needs of the demonstrators. And work with the organisers for a peaceful, prosperous march for all.
Monday, 12 November 2007
From Bangkok
By Siew Eng:
I had my own adventure of sorts in Bangkok.
When I arrived a little after 2pm at the embassy, I was surprised to find people outside since I didn't think there was anything organised there. They were from Thai NGOs, showing solidarity with us - lovely, ain't it? They told me they had just submitted a letter to the embassy and we exchanged information briefly.
Then the embassy security guard, whom I had taken to be "okay" because he was smiling and carrying a bunch of yellow carnations presented to him by the Thais, also asked for my name, which I gave readily, thinking that the embassy should know that at least one Malaysian was there.
(Yeah, I'm naive that way.)
A second later, he told it to someone else, who jotted it down.
Yep, Special Branch.
I would expect harassment from our own force, but had thought the Thai police more clued in to democratic rights (coup notwithstanding), since they have been allowing anti-coup protests.
Nope. Same mould as ours.
And here's a damn big disadvantage when it comes to protesting in Thailand - I had no way of holding to account the Special Branch officer who took down my name. I kept saying, "Why is he taking down my name?" "Have I committed a crime?" "If the Malaysian embassy wants my name, I'll give it to them; this is none of the Thai police's business"...all water off the duck's back. Only the "friendly" security guard understood what I was saying but even he could not answer me. I was getting rather agitated to the point that my new Thai friend asked whether I was okay when I had finished my tirade.
Well, I wasn't. I was upset that I had to face harassment from the Thai police, who also took pictures of me. There were about 10 of them and four in plainclothes (btw, I have come to the conclusion that SBs have a universal look - properly combed closely cropped hair, ruddy face, heavy-set body, pot belly, steel-tipped boots...and when it comes to Thai SBs - a Pathunam amulet-pendant around their thick necks).
Our points made, our pictures taken, I thanked my new Thai friends for being there. I must admit I would not have relished facing the Thai police/SBs on my own and vowed from then on that the only demonstrating I would do would be on my own turf. At least at home, I can READ their bloody name tags.
I left for Chaktuchak after that, thinking I could get more "eyes" on my placard - salah strategi; everyone there (including me :-) had eyes only on the many goods on sale.
However, it was not a total loss as I met a friendly Thai shopkeeper who could speak English well (thank you, god!) and we chatted about politics (he admires Mahathir (!) except for what he did to Anwar), my placard (he was shocked that we get only a fortnight's notice for the polls) and compared Thai and Malaysian police. The lovely man affirmed my indignation at the Thai police's noting of my name, saying the very words I had uttered at them, "Why? It's none of their business!"
Of course, I bought some stuff from his store after that (discounted for me on top of the sale price) and promised to bring my Malaysian friends there whenever they come to visit.
So that was two heart-warming encounters with the generally lovely Thai people and one unpleasant brush with the Thai police.
I was lucky.
I had my own adventure of sorts in Bangkok.
When I arrived a little after 2pm at the embassy, I was surprised to find people outside since I didn't think there was anything organised there. They were from Thai NGOs, showing solidarity with us - lovely, ain't it? They told me they had just submitted a letter to the embassy and we exchanged information briefly.
Then the embassy security guard, whom I had taken to be "okay" because he was smiling and carrying a bunch of yellow carnations presented to him by the Thais, also asked for my name, which I gave readily, thinking that the embassy should know that at least one Malaysian was there.
(Yeah, I'm naive that way.)
A second later, he told it to someone else, who jotted it down.
Yep, Special Branch.
I would expect harassment from our own force, but had thought the Thai police more clued in to democratic rights (coup notwithstanding), since they have been allowing anti-coup protests.
Nope. Same mould as ours.
And here's a damn big disadvantage when it comes to protesting in Thailand - I had no way of holding to account the Special Branch officer who took down my name. I kept saying, "Why is he taking down my name?" "Have I committed a crime?" "If the Malaysian embassy wants my name, I'll give it to them; this is none of the Thai police's business"...all water off the duck's back. Only the "friendly" security guard understood what I was saying but even he could not answer me. I was getting rather agitated to the point that my new Thai friend asked whether I was okay when I had finished my tirade.
Well, I wasn't. I was upset that I had to face harassment from the Thai police, who also took pictures of me. There were about 10 of them and four in plainclothes (btw, I have come to the conclusion that SBs have a universal look - properly combed closely cropped hair, ruddy face, heavy-set body, pot belly, steel-tipped boots...and when it comes to Thai SBs - a Pathunam amulet-pendant around their thick necks).
Our points made, our pictures taken, I thanked my new Thai friends for being there. I must admit I would not have relished facing the Thai police/SBs on my own and vowed from then on that the only demonstrating I would do would be on my own turf. At least at home, I can READ their bloody name tags.
I left for Chaktuchak after that, thinking I could get more "eyes" on my placard - salah strategi; everyone there (including me :-) had eyes only on the many goods on sale.
However, it was not a total loss as I met a friendly Thai shopkeeper who could speak English well (thank you, god!) and we chatted about politics (he admires Mahathir (!) except for what he did to Anwar), my placard (he was shocked that we get only a fortnight's notice for the polls) and compared Thai and Malaysian police. The lovely man affirmed my indignation at the Thai police's noting of my name, saying the very words I had uttered at them, "Why? It's none of their business!"
Of course, I bought some stuff from his store after that (discounted for me on top of the sale price) and promised to bring my Malaysian friends there whenever they come to visit.
So that was two heart-warming encounters with the generally lovely Thai people and one unpleasant brush with the Thai police.
I was lucky.
Sunday, 11 November 2007
The Islamist aftermath
As I alluded to in my commentary to the events on Saturday, I was a bit miffed when Harakahdaily.net temporarily stated that PAS had managed to get 100,000 people out onto the streets.
This seems to be a bit of a larger problem, where Saturday was seen (by some) as part of an Islamist agenda. See here, for an example. So far refutations of this point of view aren't being accepted by the moderator.
I don't think that this is merely a problem for moderates/ liberals/ non-Muslims. It's a problem for PAS, if they are seen to be unreliable partners in the pro-democracy movement. It is a problem that has been mentioned in connection with the Anti-ISA Movement, that the political parties, PAS in particular, only getting involved in activities if they can control or take credit for them, not if they support the broader aim of ISA repeal. It dampened NGO enthusiasm for working with political parties in the post-Reformasi period. Let's hope this isn't repeated, and that Bersih is seen for what it is - a multi-racial, multi-religious coalition bringing together people from across Malaysian society to campaign for greater democracy, accountability and transparency.
This seems to be a bit of a larger problem, where Saturday was seen (by some) as part of an Islamist agenda. See here, for an example. So far refutations of this point of view aren't being accepted by the moderator.
I don't think that this is merely a problem for moderates/ liberals/ non-Muslims. It's a problem for PAS, if they are seen to be unreliable partners in the pro-democracy movement. It is a problem that has been mentioned in connection with the Anti-ISA Movement, that the political parties, PAS in particular, only getting involved in activities if they can control or take credit for them, not if they support the broader aim of ISA repeal. It dampened NGO enthusiasm for working with political parties in the post-Reformasi period. Let's hope this isn't repeated, and that Bersih is seen for what it is - a multi-racial, multi-religious coalition bringing together people from across Malaysian society to campaign for greater democracy, accountability and transparency.
Suaram update
This is the latest from Suaram:
Latest updates: 11 November 2007
Total number of arrests 34 – all released by 11pm; several more injured
When the final 10 of those arrested were released by the police at approximately 11pm last night (10 November 2007), the total count of arrests during the BERSIH rally was 34.
In SUARAM’s previous update at 9pm, 10 November 2007, there was a list of 24 names of those who were released and 5 who were still held. In addition to that list, SUARAM obtained names of 5 more individuals, who were still being held at that time.
Those who were released by the police as before 9pm:
1. Salleh Puteh
2. Muhammad Haji Yaakub
3. Mariel Fong
4. Hasnah Hashim
5. Mohd. Asri Ahmad
6. Mohd. Farouk Hussin
7. Daud Samad
8. Raja Salim @ Raja Daud Raja Abdullah
9. Khairul Anuar Safsie
10. Khairul Amirin Safsie
11. Ahmad Asmadi Adnan
12. Haji Hamid Baharuddin
13. Rawandi Repini
14. Sufian Manas
15. Haji Sulaiman Ahmad
16. Mohd. Harif Fathilah
17. Azhar Yusuf
18. Zamrol Majid
19. Shaharul Anuar Abdul Ghani
20. Mohd. Abdul Rahman Ariffin
21. Mohd. Salim Yesman
22. Abdul Rahman Mat Lodin
23. Khairul Salleh Ahmad
24. Nazrullah Ahmad
Those who were released at approximately 11pm:
25. Taib Abdullah
26. Ishak Othman
27. Mohd. Shafie Ismail
28. Mohd. Nazrin Nasir
29. Abisalam
30. Abdullah Ariffin*
31. Yahya Mohd. Nor*
32. Mohd. Rifiu*
33. Nawi Abdullah*
34. Fauzi Awang*
* Names obtained by SUARAM after 9pm, therefore was not in the previous update.
In addition to the arrests there were also individuals reported to be injured and sent to hospital. One individual, identified as Aleyasak Hamid, suffered from a broken leg and was sent to the General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur (Hospital Kuala Lumpur).
Saturday, 10 November 2007
Police reckon 245 arrested?
The Star Online reported that the police said *245* people had their statements recorded. I don't think this is true! Harakah is saying that 42 were detained, Suaram has 29 (24 released, 5 still in detention).
There are still people in detention, so please keep those letters coming in. If possible cc to suaram@suaram.net. The names of the five still in detention are:
1. Taib Abdullah
2. Ishak B. Othman
3. Mohd. Shafie Ismail
4. Mohd. Nazrin Nasir
5. Abisalam
There are still people in detention, so please keep those letters coming in. If possible cc to suaram@suaram.net. The names of the five still in detention are:
1. Taib Abdullah
2. Ishak B. Othman
3. Mohd. Shafie Ismail
4. Mohd. Nazrin Nasir
5. Abisalam
Take action!
Urgent appeal: 10 November 2007
At least 20 arrested in peaceful rally for free and fair elections
At least 20 persons, including women, were reported to have been arrested during a peaceful rally this afternoon (10 November 2007) in Kuala Lumpur. They are currently being held at IPK Jalan Hang Tuah.
The rally calling for free and fair elections in Malaysia was organised by BERSIH, a coalition of over 70 civil society groups and political parties, including SUARAM. The organisers had applied for a police permit on 3 November 2007 but their application was rejected by the police.
The arbitrary arrests by the police during the rally is a gross violation of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which is the highest law in the country, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Despite the fact that the organisers have given assurances that it will take all measures to ensure peace and public order, the police still attempted to stop the rally even before it even started by setting up roadblocks in several locations near the venue and arrested 20 persons who were merely exercising their Constitutional rights to demand for free and fair elections.
So far, 15 names of those arrested have been obtained. They are:
1. Salleh Puteh (Male)
2. Anuar Abdul Ghani (Male)
3. Muhammad Haji Yaakub (Male)
4. Mariel Fong (Female)
5. Hasnah Hashim (Female)
6. Raja Salim (Male)
7. Asri (Male)
8. Mohd. Afrarouk Hussin (Male)
9. Daud Samad (Male)
10. Yahya Mohd Nor (Male)
11. Wan Zulkifli (Male)
12. Mohd. Mohd. Awu (Male)
13. Zainal Abidin Haji Abdullah (Male)
14. Elias Raja Daud Raja Abdullah (Male)
15. Mohd Ehsan Mokhtar (Male)
Actions needed
Please send letters to the Prime Minister and the Inspector-General of Police to register your strongest condemnation towards the utter disrespect for Malaysians' fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and to demand for the release of all those arrested.
Your letters should be sent to:
1. Tan Sri Musa Hassan
Inspector-General of Police
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia
Bukit Aman
50560 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 2262 6222
Fax: +603 2273 9602
2. Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Security
Prime Minister's Office Malaysia
Perdana Putra Building,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62502 PUTRAJAYA,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: + 60 3 8888 6000
Fax: + 60 3 8888 3444
Cc:
1. Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Kuala Lumpur
Polis Diraja Malaysia
Jalan Hang Tuah
51100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-21460522, 03-2485522
Faks: 03-20726786
CPO: Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib Baharudin
2. Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
Tingkat 29, Menara Tun Razak Jalan Raja Laut 50350Kuala Lumpur.Tel: 03-26125600
Fax: 03-26125620
Chaiman: Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman
3. Attorney General of Malaysia. Aras 1-8, Block C3, Parcel C Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62512 PutrajayaTel: 03-88855000
Fax: 03-88889378
Email: ag@agc.gov.my
AG of Malaysia: Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail
---
SAMPLE LETTER
[Letterhead of organisation]
10 November 2007
Tan Sri Musa Hassan
Inspector-General of Police
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia
Bukit Aman
50560 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 2262 6222
Fax: +603 2273 9602
Dear Sir,
Peaceful demonstrators arbitrarily and unlawfully arrested by police; release them immediately
We are writing to you to register our strongest condemnation and protest against the arbitrary and unlawful arrests of at least 20 citizens who were participating in a peaceful rally in Dataran Merdeka this afternoon (10 November 2007).
So far, 15 names of those arrested have been obtained. They are:
1. Salleh Puteh (Male)
2. Anuar Abdul Ghani (Male)
3. Muhammad Haji Yaakub (Male)
4. Mariel Fong (Female)
5. Hasnah Hashim (Female)
6. Raja Salim (Male)
7. Asri (Male)
8. Mohd. Afrarouk Hussin (Male)
9. Daud Samad (Male)
10. Yahya Mohd Nor (Male)
11. Wan Zulkifli (Male)
12. Mohd. Mohd. Awu (Male)
13. Zainal Abidin Haji Abdullah (Male)
14. Elias Raja Daud Raja Abdullah (Male)
15. Mohd Ehsan Mokhtar (Male)
The arbitrary arrests by the police during the rally is a gross violation of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which is the highest law in the country, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Despite the fact that the organisers have given assurances that it will take all measures to ensure peace and public order, the police still attempted to stop the rally even before it even started by setting up roadblocks in several locations near the venue and arrested at least 20 peaceful demonstrators who were merely exercising their Constitutional rights to demand for free and fair elections.
With such a blatant disregard for its own citizens' fundamental rights, we question the legitimacy of Malaysia as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
We therefore demand that all those arrested by the police be released immediately.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely yours,
[Name]
CC:
Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Security
Prime Minister's Office Malaysia
Perdana Putra Building,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62502 PUTRAJAYA,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: + 60 3 8888 6000
Fax: + 60 3 8888 3444
Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Kuala Lumpur
Polis Diraja Malaysia
Jalan Hang Tuah
51100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-21460522, 03-2485522
Faks: 03-20726786
CPO: Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib Baharudin
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
Tingkat 29, Menara Tun Razak Jalan Raja Laut 50350Kuala Lumpur.Tel: 03-26125600
Fax: 03-26125620
Chaiman: Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman
Attorney General of Malaysia. Aras 1-8, Block C3, Parcel C Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62512 PutrajayaTel: 03-88855000
Fax: 03-88889378
Email: ag@agc.gov.my
AG of Malaysia: Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail
At least 20 arrested in peaceful rally for free and fair elections
At least 20 persons, including women, were reported to have been arrested during a peaceful rally this afternoon (10 November 2007) in Kuala Lumpur. They are currently being held at IPK Jalan Hang Tuah.
The rally calling for free and fair elections in Malaysia was organised by BERSIH, a coalition of over 70 civil society groups and political parties, including SUARAM. The organisers had applied for a police permit on 3 November 2007 but their application was rejected by the police.
The arbitrary arrests by the police during the rally is a gross violation of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which is the highest law in the country, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Despite the fact that the organisers have given assurances that it will take all measures to ensure peace and public order, the police still attempted to stop the rally even before it even started by setting up roadblocks in several locations near the venue and arrested 20 persons who were merely exercising their Constitutional rights to demand for free and fair elections.
So far, 15 names of those arrested have been obtained. They are:
1. Salleh Puteh (Male)
2. Anuar Abdul Ghani (Male)
3. Muhammad Haji Yaakub (Male)
4. Mariel Fong (Female)
5. Hasnah Hashim (Female)
6. Raja Salim (Male)
7. Asri (Male)
8. Mohd. Afrarouk Hussin (Male)
9. Daud Samad (Male)
10. Yahya Mohd Nor (Male)
11. Wan Zulkifli (Male)
12. Mohd. Mohd. Awu (Male)
13. Zainal Abidin Haji Abdullah (Male)
14. Elias Raja Daud Raja Abdullah (Male)
15. Mohd Ehsan Mokhtar (Male)
Actions needed
Please send letters to the Prime Minister and the Inspector-General of Police to register your strongest condemnation towards the utter disrespect for Malaysians' fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and to demand for the release of all those arrested.
Your letters should be sent to:
1. Tan Sri Musa Hassan
Inspector-General of Police
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia
Bukit Aman
50560 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 2262 6222
Fax: +603 2273 9602
2. Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Security
Prime Minister's Office Malaysia
Perdana Putra Building,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62502 PUTRAJAYA,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: + 60 3 8888 6000
Fax: + 60 3 8888 3444
Cc:
1. Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Kuala Lumpur
Polis Diraja Malaysia
Jalan Hang Tuah
51100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-21460522, 03-2485522
Faks: 03-20726786
CPO: Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib Baharudin
2. Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
Tingkat 29, Menara Tun Razak Jalan Raja Laut 50350Kuala Lumpur.Tel: 03-26125600
Fax: 03-26125620
Chaiman: Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman
3. Attorney General of Malaysia. Aras 1-8, Block C3, Parcel C Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62512 PutrajayaTel: 03-88855000
Fax: 03-88889378
Email: ag@agc.gov.my
AG of Malaysia: Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail
---
SAMPLE LETTER
[Letterhead of organisation]
10 November 2007
Tan Sri Musa Hassan
Inspector-General of Police
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia
Bukit Aman
50560 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 2262 6222
Fax: +603 2273 9602
Dear Sir,
Peaceful demonstrators arbitrarily and unlawfully arrested by police; release them immediately
We are writing to you to register our strongest condemnation and protest against the arbitrary and unlawful arrests of at least 20 citizens who were participating in a peaceful rally in Dataran Merdeka this afternoon (10 November 2007).
So far, 15 names of those arrested have been obtained. They are:
1. Salleh Puteh (Male)
2. Anuar Abdul Ghani (Male)
3. Muhammad Haji Yaakub (Male)
4. Mariel Fong (Female)
5. Hasnah Hashim (Female)
6. Raja Salim (Male)
7. Asri (Male)
8. Mohd. Afrarouk Hussin (Male)
9. Daud Samad (Male)
10. Yahya Mohd Nor (Male)
11. Wan Zulkifli (Male)
12. Mohd. Mohd. Awu (Male)
13. Zainal Abidin Haji Abdullah (Male)
14. Elias Raja Daud Raja Abdullah (Male)
15. Mohd Ehsan Mokhtar (Male)
The arbitrary arrests by the police during the rally is a gross violation of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which is the highest law in the country, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Despite the fact that the organisers have given assurances that it will take all measures to ensure peace and public order, the police still attempted to stop the rally even before it even started by setting up roadblocks in several locations near the venue and arrested at least 20 peaceful demonstrators who were merely exercising their Constitutional rights to demand for free and fair elections.
With such a blatant disregard for its own citizens' fundamental rights, we question the legitimacy of Malaysia as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
We therefore demand that all those arrested by the police be released immediately.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely yours,
[Name]
CC:
Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Security
Prime Minister's Office Malaysia
Perdana Putra Building,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62502 PUTRAJAYA,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: + 60 3 8888 6000
Fax: + 60 3 8888 3444
Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Kuala Lumpur
Polis Diraja Malaysia
Jalan Hang Tuah
51100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-21460522, 03-2485522
Faks: 03-20726786
CPO: Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib Baharudin
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
Tingkat 29, Menara Tun Razak Jalan Raja Laut 50350Kuala Lumpur.Tel: 03-26125600
Fax: 03-26125620
Chaiman: Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman
Attorney General of Malaysia. Aras 1-8, Block C3, Parcel C Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62512 PutrajayaTel: 03-88855000
Fax: 03-88889378
Email: ag@agc.gov.my
AG of Malaysia: Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail
Those detained...
Mkini is still difficult to access, as is Malaysia Today, but Suaram is publishing the names of those detained, as yet:
(And Harakah are now reporting that Bersih, not PAS, gathered 100,000, so I'm mildly happier!).
1. Salleh b. Puteh
2. Anuar b. Abdul Ghani
3. Muhammad b. Haji Yaakub.
That's it so far....
Photos at: http://rockybru.blogspot.com/2007/11/yellow-day.html(And Harakah are now reporting that Bersih, not PAS, gathered 100,000, so I'm mildly happier!).
And it goes...
Everything seems clear, although getting some messages that the police want to clamp down, though not sure where. Might be some people gathering at PAS hq, but unconfirmed. PAS are claiming *they* brought out 100,000 (!) people, and that over 30 have been detained.
First impartial estimate puts it nearer 15,000....
First impartial estimate puts it nearer 15,000....
Central Market clear...
Got a message that says that Central Market is clear, everyone has dispersed, and the atmosphere there is quite relaxed.... not sure if that's true of everywhere, can't get through to the sites!
Confirmation that all is clear, but now just waiting for updates on those arrested, will let you know as I do.... (5.25pm).
Confirmation that all is clear, but now just waiting for updates on those arrested, will let you know as I do.... (5.25pm).
20 down, 9,980 to go?
It seems 20 people have been arrested, according to Harakah daily, and the memo has been delivered. Al J and Reuters are covering it, but not with the blow-by-blow accounts of the local media (duh!).
And it seems that someone, at least, has been hurt by the tear gas. Not sure how badly.
And it seems that someone, at least, has been hurt by the tear gas. Not sure how badly.
Pockets of peace, pockets of trouble
It seems that in some areas, outside the Istana for eg, things are going peacefully. But in other areas there is trouble. 13 people have been arrested, it seems, in Jln TAR and around SOGO, according to the latest Harakah daily reports, blogged on MT.
4.24pm: MT is now down, but if you can get onto Harakah Daily, you can see the live stream.... and hear the chants. Amazing job by the Bersih organisers!
4.24pm: MT is now down, but if you can get onto Harakah Daily, you can see the live stream.... and hear the chants. Amazing job by the Bersih organisers!
Friday, 9 November 2007
FRU moving in
From the MT blog (I think the RPK via handphone), a total of 9 arrests, and the FRU dispersing people at Jln Melayu.
4.08 pm: The area around the Istana is clearing peacefully, thanks to the volunteers.
4.08 pm: The area around the Istana is clearing peacefully, thanks to the volunteers.
MT blog - 3 arrested
The Malaysia Today blog is saying that 3 people have been arrested. No further details, 3.45pm.
3.56 pm - Two more arrested.
There's live tv coverage online at http://webtv.pas.org.my/, if you can connect. Mkini is better now, but Harakah is on-again, off-again.
3.56 pm - Two more arrested.
There's live tv coverage online at http://webtv.pas.org.my/, if you can connect. Mkini is better now, but Harakah is on-again, off-again.
Mkini is back...
and saying that a 7-person delegation is going up to the Istana to hand in the memorandum, waiting on Anwar who is stuck in traffic. 40,000 people, held away from the Istana by FRU.
How many???
Harakah daily had been more modest in its estimates than Mkini had been, but they're now saying 50,000 people!! It was raining, the rain has stopped, and a delegation is still trying to get to the Istana.
My latest sms works with that - says people are walking straight to the Istana, in individual trickles... seeing what happened at Masjid Jamek as a Bersih-organised diversion. It seems there's also a stand-off happening at Dataran Merdeka itself.
If you're bored, or a Michael Jackson fan, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4ycaduE_D4.
My latest sms works with that - says people are walking straight to the Istana, in individual trickles... seeing what happened at Masjid Jamek as a Bersih-organised diversion. It seems there's also a stand-off happening at Dataran Merdeka itself.
If you're bored, or a Michael Jackson fan, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4ycaduE_D4.
Unknown source
Not sure who this is from, but some buses have been stopped and ordered to turn back at the Gombak Toll, at 1.30pm. Mkini reports about 2,000 people there.
Latest Mkini report, before site seems to have gone down, was that 10,000 people were marching into Dataran Merdeka, taking two different routes. Was trying to access full story, and now can't get anything :(.
Latest Mkini report, before site seems to have gone down, was that 10,000 people were marching into Dataran Merdeka, taking two different routes. Was trying to access full story, and now can't get anything :(.
More tear gas.
The reports I'm getting on sms don't tally with what's up on Malaysiakini, but it seems more tear gas has been fired, and the crowd pushed out of Jamek station, with 'in out' tactics.
Tear gas! Update 3
The crowd has been tear-gassed, retreated to Masjid Jamek/ Burger King. Msian time: 2.37pm
Moving forward, pushing back, Rally post 2
The crowd is surging forward towards Dataran Merdeka, pushing back the FRU. It sounds hectic there, but the FRU is moving back. Not sure how many people are there. 2.24pm Malaysian time - not even time for the rally to start yet!
Bersih Rally 1pm - First update
Two things. First, the Bersih.org website is erratic. There are problems accessing it. And if you can get onto the main page, it's difficult to get into any of the inside pages.
Second, an sms that says that there are road blocks, with the police checking car boots. They stopped a girl with a yellow wrist band. There are helicopters buzzing and FRU and police at corridor between Central Market and McDonalds. There are five policemen sitting at BauBau cafe (in the Central Market Annexe).
It seems that the KTM trains aren't running, officially because there are delays, but there have been no announcements. The LRT *is* running.
Second, an sms that says that there are road blocks, with the police checking car boots. They stopped a girl with a yellow wrist band. There are helicopters buzzing and FRU and police at corridor between Central Market and McDonalds. There are five policemen sitting at BauBau cafe (in the Central Market Annexe).
It seems that the KTM trains aren't running, officially because there are delays, but there have been no announcements. The LRT *is* running.
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Here! Tomorrow!
Real time updates on the events at Dataran Merdeka. Promise. If my troopers come through...
Indigenous rights and Oz
There are some *serious* issues facing indigenous people in Australia. THe most recent is the Federal Govt 'intervention' in the Northern Territory. The aim, officially, of the intervention is to prevent child abuse, which is at shockingly high levels. But the Federal Govt has some interesting ideas on this - ignoring most of the recommendations made by the people who had spent time in the communities and engaged in consultation etc, and instead engaged in a series of measures that include:
1. Sending in the *army*!
2. Changing the land rights and title of Aboriginal people
3. Suspending/ exerting control over welfare payments.
What's great, in comparison to Malaysia, is that there are articulate indigenous spokespeople who are given a reasonable amount of coverage in the mass media, and loads of coverage in the independent media. What's annoying is that these spokespeople inevitably argue that the Australian indigenous people have 'the worst' deal in the world.
Sorry, but this bugs me. It ignores the bad deal, terrible deal, and often equally genocidal deal, that indigenous people in the developing world. If you compare the deal they get in Australia with New Zealand, Canada and the US, it is horrendous. If you compare with Thailand, for example, or Cambodia, or Vietnam, it looks a lot less bad.
The reason I bring it up is because this focus on the bad West, has led to problems at an international level. When at the World Conference Against Racism, for example, the indigenous womens' caucus put forward a whole series of demands (negotiated in English) that completely ignored the needs of indigenous women in the developing world. And because they *didn't* speak English, they were marginalised by those who are in turn marginalised within their home states.
Grouch.
1. Sending in the *army*!
2. Changing the land rights and title of Aboriginal people
3. Suspending/ exerting control over welfare payments.
What's great, in comparison to Malaysia, is that there are articulate indigenous spokespeople who are given a reasonable amount of coverage in the mass media, and loads of coverage in the independent media. What's annoying is that these spokespeople inevitably argue that the Australian indigenous people have 'the worst' deal in the world.
Sorry, but this bugs me. It ignores the bad deal, terrible deal, and often equally genocidal deal, that indigenous people in the developing world. If you compare the deal they get in Australia with New Zealand, Canada and the US, it is horrendous. If you compare with Thailand, for example, or Cambodia, or Vietnam, it looks a lot less bad.
The reason I bring it up is because this focus on the bad West, has led to problems at an international level. When at the World Conference Against Racism, for example, the indigenous womens' caucus put forward a whole series of demands (negotiated in English) that completely ignored the needs of indigenous women in the developing world. And because they *didn't* speak English, they were marginalised by those who are in turn marginalised within their home states.
Grouch.
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
And now to Oz...
It's bright, sunny and the birds are (seriously) singing. I'm in a comparatively chilly two-bedroom apartment, looking for an excuse not to do the laundry, and this is it! I'm working from home, much as I have been in my retreat in Rawang, still keeping an eye and a half on what's happening back in KL, and keeping my fingers crossed.
Here, it's election time. I was listening to a wonderful group of people on the radio this morning. Ah, this should really start with a discussion of 3CR, and the other community radio stations in Melbourne, but that will have to wait. Was listening to the John Howard Ladies' Auxiliary Fan Club
who have now started a 'paramilitary' wing to declare war on the working classes. The ladies had staged a 'terrorist' event at one of 'Johnnie's' events this morning. Strapping Christmas crackers on themselves, they rallied round one of his events, then pulled the crackers at an opportune moment. According to them (the stunt was conducted live on air), this was to provide Johnnie with an opportunity to declare, once more, a war on terrorism, create fear and thus guarantee himself another term as Premier.
There are lots of serious issues in this election - but nobody seems to want to talk about them. The Labour leader, Kevin Rudd, seems to have his behaviour largely dictated by John Howard. Howard says 'sack the Trade Unionists' and Rudd obliges. Yet, despite startling low unemployment (watch those figures morph as definitions change!), something like 10% of Australians experience poverty - much higher than the number of unemployed. Not an issue to mention in this election.
Maybe in the next post I'll talk about indigenous issues - the Aborigines here have a bad deal, but I am sometimes annoyed about how focussed they are on the industrialised and developed world...
Here, it's election time. I was listening to a wonderful group of people on the radio this morning. Ah, this should really start with a discussion of 3CR, and the other community radio stations in Melbourne, but that will have to wait. Was listening to the John Howard Ladies' Auxiliary Fan Club
who have now started a 'paramilitary' wing to declare war on the working classes. The ladies had staged a 'terrorist' event at one of 'Johnnie's' events this morning. Strapping Christmas crackers on themselves, they rallied round one of his events, then pulled the crackers at an opportune moment. According to them (the stunt was conducted live on air), this was to provide Johnnie with an opportunity to declare, once more, a war on terrorism, create fear and thus guarantee himself another term as Premier.
There are lots of serious issues in this election - but nobody seems to want to talk about them. The Labour leader, Kevin Rudd, seems to have his behaviour largely dictated by John Howard. Howard says 'sack the Trade Unionists' and Rudd obliges. Yet, despite startling low unemployment (watch those figures morph as definitions change!), something like 10% of Australians experience poverty - much higher than the number of unemployed. Not an issue to mention in this election.
Maybe in the next post I'll talk about indigenous issues - the Aborigines here have a bad deal, but I am sometimes annoyed about how focussed they are on the industrialised and developed world...
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