Last week a few Malaysian activists were arrested in Indonesia. They had been there as part of an international 'Save Our Rice' campaign, trying to encourage support for small rice farmers, rather than for genetically modified, pesticide-intensive large scale rice farming, as a solution to current and potential rice crises.
It wasn't only Malaysian activists that were arrested. But the reactions of the Malaysian and Filipino embassies showed a stark contrast. For the Filipinos, the main concern seemed to be the health, well-being and release of the activists. For the Malaysian embassy, there seemed to be no concern at all.
Even if a Malaysian is arrested for murder, it is the duty of the consulate, the embassy, to provide support and assistance. Because the person arrested (under both Malaysian and Indonesian law) is innocent until proven otherwise. This courtesy, this duty of care extends as much to activists as it does to those accused of actual crimes.
Perhaps if we're trying to build a people-centred democracy, this is an area where reform could be undertaken quickly and comparatively painlessly - in the support offered to Malaysians by their embassies when overseas.
Visit www.pan-ap.net for more info on the arrests, the campaign and outcomes.
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