THE planned Bersih 2.0 rally calling for improvements to Malaysia’s electoral system has been garnering mixed reactions. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said police may arrest illegal demonstrators, even under the Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite state detention without trial. Perkasa said they would demonstrate, too, to keep Bersih protesters from mischief. […]
demonstrations
The point of demonstrating
RECENT public demonstrations like the anti/pro-Internal Security Act (ISA) rallies and others have publicly defied the ruling for police permits. Police permits are seen as going against Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948 by the United Nations general assembly. Article 20 states that “everyone has the right to freedom […]
Demonising demonstrations
“Demonstrations are done out of desperation and selfishness. The majority of the people are uneasy with such action …The majority of the people are rational and want important and basic matters to be made a priority by the government.” HOME Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, calling the 1 Aug 2009 anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) protest […]
Chaos in the streets
Traffic jam in KL city (Pic courtesy of Merdeka Review) 1 AUG 2009 was a nightmare for Klang Valley residents. Once peaceful streets — what many rightfully expected on a Saturday — were gridlocked in massive jams caused by police roadblocks all over Kuala Lumpur. Many were trapped in the horrendous traffic. Those who did […]
Demonstrations
THE 1 Aug 2009 anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) street rally attracted big crowds scattered around the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The throng of people easily numbered 20,000 but could have been more. Demonstrators sported headbands, T-shirts and banners that decried the draconian law. They called for the Act, which allows for indefinite state detention without […]
Police need to change
THE recent incident at Brickfields where a group of individuals who went to make police reports were dispersed with chemical-laced water and where subsequently 17 people were arrested raises many concerns. What is important to remember is that a police station is a public place and any individual or group has the right to go […]
Political fanaticism a worrying trend: Shafie
BATU PAHAT, 12 Feb 2009: The political fanaticism which has boiled into street demonstrations and a plan to sue a ruler is a worrying trend, said Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal. He said taking a legal action against Sultan Azlan Shah for swearing-in new Perak menteri besar was unwarranted as […]
Not treasonous to question Sultan
Sultan Azlan Shah (image source: sultan.perak.gov.my) PETALING JAYA, 6 Feb 2009: People have the right to question a Ruler’s decision which impacts the public, legal experts said. Asked to comment on the opposition towards Sultan Azlan Shah’s decision not to dissolve the Perak legislative assembly yesterday, Datuk Param Cumaraswamy said: “The public has the right […]
Firm action awaits demonstrators: IGP
KUALA LUMPUR, 5 Feb 2009: Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan said police will take firm action against those involved in illegal gatherings or demonstrations in Perak following political uncertainty in the state. “I hope party supporters will not stage gathering as they only inconvenience the people and disturb public order. Party leaders […]
Arrested development
WELL, it was just going to be a sooner-or-later thing. Getting arrested is kinda like a serious occupational hazard for a politician, elected or otherwise, who belongs in the opposition camp in this country. So when I was actually arrested on Sunday, 9 Nov 2008, at the candlelight vigil commemorating the first anniversary of the […]
