The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is deeply concerned that the new administration under Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has begun a swoop of those publicly opposed to the takeover of the northern state of Perak by the Barisan Nasional coalition, the incumbent ruling coalition on the Federal level.
According to reports, authorities have so far arrested close to 80 people allegedly involved in organising and participating in the protest campaign, including writers, Opposition Members of Parliament as well as civil society activists. Of that number, 60 were arrested this morning in Ipoh, the capital of Perak state where a protest gathering was held. The sequence of actions suggests pre-meditation and conspiracy on the part of the authorities and this raises concern that the clampdown would merely be the first of more to come.
Although most of those arrested have been released, the swoop should not have occurred in the first place in line with the spirit of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression and assembly. The Barisan Nasional administration has once again demonstrated its tendency to subvert laws, democratic processes, and state institutions.
The swoop also indicates that the Najib Administration is far from sincere about instituting reforms and allowing greater openness despite his call for “1 Malaysia”. With institutions such as the police force, the mainstream media and to some extent the judiciary remaining shackled and firmly biased towards the Barisan Nasional administration, it is difficult to not be cynical about the administration’s propensity to abuse these very institutions for the preservation of the Executive, despite rhetoric on the contrary since the days of former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
CIJ reiterates its concern and worries that this current development may indicate that the Barisan Nasional’s intent is to re-consolidate its power through the wide-scale repression of the voices of critics and civil society.
The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free where all people will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek, and impart information.
Issued by
Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director
For further information, contact Gayathry Venkiteswaran at CIJ, 27C Jalan Sarikei, Kuala Lumpur 53000, Malaysia, tel: +603 4023 0772, fax: +603 4023 0769, e-mail: gayathry cijmalaysia.org This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it, Internet: http://www.cijmalaysia.org
Background
On 7 May, at the compound of the Perak State Secretariat in Ipoh, where there was a protest assembly, police arrested 60 people, including 8 elected representatives from the opposition pact Pakatan, Dr D Jeyakumar, Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Salahuddin Ayub, Zuraida Kamaruddin, Ng Chin Tsai, Khoo Poay Tiong , Jenice Lee, and Teo Kok Seong. They have been released at about 4:30pm since arrested in the morning. But the rest are still being held at the Sungai Senam police station.
The slew of arrest started on 5 May when police first targeted Wong Chin Huat, an academic and writer. Wong is the spokeperson for the Coalition for Free and Fair Election (BERSIH), which initiated a campaign dubbed ’1BlackMalaysia’ calling Malaysians to wear black on the day the Perak State Legislative Assembly reconvenes on 7 May. Wong was arrested at his home and police obtained a remand order against him until 8 May. Wong chairs the Writers’ Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI) and has written extensively against the undemocratic means of gaining power through the crossover of elected representatives. Responding to Wong’s call, Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan warned members of the public against “creating tension” by not wearing black on 7 May.
Then on 6 May, the vice president of the Pan Islamic Party (PAS), Mohamad Sabu, and a supreme council member of the National Justice Party (PKR) Badrul Hisham Shaharin, were nabbed. Though police refused to divulge information on the arrests but it is strongly believed to be linked to Mohamad Sabu’s plan for an organised mass prayer in Perak tomorrow and Badrul Hisham’s role in commemorating the birthday of a Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaaribuu, murdered three years ago, whom many speculate had links with the current Prime Minister. The death of Altantuya, like the Perak issue, has also been taboo subject since the court proceedings failed to adequately answer the connection between the murdered Mongolian and Najib’s aide, Abdul Razak Baginda. Further, the court made a questionable ruling of acquitting Abdul Razak from the charge of abetting the murder and thereby not establishing the mastermind of the murder.
On the evening of 6 May, police arrested 14 people who attended a candlelight vigil in front of the police station in Kuala Lumpur to show solidarity for Wong. Those arrested included the editor of Suara Keadilan, a publication of PKR, Law Teck Hao, columnist Josh Hong, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall leader Liau Kok Fah, two from human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) John Liu and Temme Lee, and parliamentarian Teo Nie Ching. All of them were later released without charges.