Datuk Zaid Ibrahim's Open Letter to Prime Minister

Datuk Zaid Ibrahim's Open Letter to Prime Minister

Tuesday, 30 September 2008 02:47pm


Dear Prime Minister

In our proclamation of independence, our first Prime Minister gave voice to the lofty aspirations and dreams of the people of Malaya: that Malaya was founded on the principles of liberty and justice, and the promise that collectively we would always strive to improve the welfare and happiness of its people.

Many years have passed since that momentous occasion and those aspirations and dreams remain true and are as relevant to us today as they were then. This was made possible by a strong grasp of fundamentals in the early period of this nation. The Federal Constitution and the laws made pursuant to it were well founded; they embodied the key elements of a democracy built on the Rule of Law. The Malaysian Judiciary once commanded great respect from Malaysians and was hailed as a beacon for other nations. Our earlier Prime Ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak and Tun Hussein Onn were truly leaders of integrity, patriots in their own right and most importantly, men of humility. They believed in and built this nation on the principles and values enunciated in our Constitution.

Even when they had to enact the Internal Security Act (ISA), 1960 they were very cautious and apologetic about it. Tunku stated clearly that the Act was passed to deal with the communist threat. “My cabinet colleagues and I gave a solemn promise to Parliament and the nation that the immense powers given to the Government under the ISA would never be used to stifle legitimate opposition and silent lawful dissent”, was what the Tunku said. Our third Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn reinforced this position by saying that the ISA was not intended to repress lawful political opposition and democratic activity on the part of the citizenry.

The events of the last three weeks have compelled me to review the way in which the ISA has been used. This exercise has sadly led me to the conclusion that the Government has time and time again failed the people of this country in repeatedly reneging on that solemn promise made by Tunku Abdul Rahman. This has been made possible because the Government and the law have mistakenly allowed the Minister of Home Affairs to detain anyone for whatever reason he thinks fit. This subjective discretion has been abused to further certain political interests.

History is the great teacher and speaks volumes in this regard. Even a cursory examination of the manner in which the ISA has been used almost from its inception would reveal the extent to which its intended purpose has been subjugated to the politics of the day.

Regrettably, Tunku Abdul Rahman himself reneged on his promise. In 1965, his administration detained Burhanuddin Helmi, the truly towering Malay intellectual, a nationalist who happened to be a PAS leader. He was kept in detention until his death in 1969. Helmi was a political opponent and could by no stretch of the imagination be considered to have been involved in the armed rebellion or communism that the ISA was designed to deal with. This detention was an aberration, a regrettable moment where politics had been permitted to trump the rule of law. It unfortunately appears to have set a precedent and many detentions of persons viewed as having been threatening to the incumbent administration followed through the years. Even our literary giant, ‘sasterawan negara’ the late Tan Sri A. Samad Ismail was subjected to the ISA in 1976. How could he have been a threat to national security?

I need not remind you of the terrible impact of the 1987 Operasi Lalang. Its spectre haunts the Government as much as it does the peace loving people of this nation, casting a gloom over all of us. There were and still are many unanswered questions about those dark hours when more than a hundred persons were detained for purportedly being threats to national security. Why they were detained has never been made clear to Malaysians. Similarly, no explanation has been forthcoming as to why they were never charged in court. Those detainees included amongst their numbers senior opposition members of parliament who are still active in Parliament today. The only thing that is certain about that period was that UMNO was facing a leadership crisis. Isn’t it coincidental that the recent spate of ISA arrests has occurred when UMNO is again having a leadership crisis?

In 2001, Keadilan ‘reformasi’ activists were detained in an exercise that the Federal Court declared was in bad faith and unlawful. The continued detention of those that were not released earlier in the Kamunting detention facility was made possible only by the fact that the ISA had been questionably amended in 1988 to preclude judicial review of the Minister’s order to detain. Malaysians were told that these detainees had been attempting to overthrow the Government via militant means and violent demonstrations. Seven years have gone and yet no evidence in support of this assertion has been presented. Compounding the confusion even further, one of these so-called militants, Ezam Mohamad Noor, recently rejoined UMNO to great fanfare, as a prized catch it would seem.

At around the same time, members of PAS were also detained for purportedly being militant and allegedly having links to international terrorist networks. Those detained included Nik Adli, the son of Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat the Menteri Besar of Kelantan. Malaysians were made a promise by the Government that evidence of the alleged terrorist activities and links of these detainees would be disclosed. To date no such evidence has been produced.

The same formula was used in late 2007 when the HINDRAF 5 were detained. Malaysians were told once again that these individuals were involved in efforts to overthrow the Government and had links with the militant Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam of Sri Lanka. To date no concrete evidence have been presented to support this assertion. It would seem therefore that the five were detained for their involvement in efforts that led to a mobilisation of Malaysian Indians to express, through peaceful means; their frustration against the way in which their community had been allowed to be marginalised. This cause has since been recognised as a legitimate one. The HINDRAF demonstration is nothing extraordinary as such assemblies are universally recognised as being a legitimate means of expression.

In the same vein, the grounds advanced in support of the most recent detentions of Tan Hoon Cheng, Teresa Kok and Raja Petra Kamarudin leave much to be desired. The explanation that Tan Hoon Cheng was detained for her own safety was farcical. The suggestion that Teresa Kok had been inciting religious sentiments was unfounded as was evinced by her subsequent release.

As for Raja Petra Kamarudin, the prominent critic of the Government, a perusal of his writings would show that he might have been insulting of the Government and certain individuals within it. However, being critical and insulting could not in any way amount to a threat to national security. If his writings are viewed as being insulting of Islam, Muslims or the Holy Prophet (pbuh), he should instead be charged under the Penal Code and not under the ISA. In any event, he had already been charged for sedition and criminal defamation in respect of some of his statements. He had claimed trial, indicating as such his readiness and ability to defend himself. Justice would best be served by allowing him his day in court more so where, in the minds of the public, the Government is in a position of conflict for having been the target of his strident criticism.

The instances cited above strongly suggest that the Government is undemocratic. It is this perspective that has over the last 25 plus years led to the Government seemingly arbitrarily detaining political opponents, civil society and consumer advocates, writers, businessmen, students, journalists whose crime, if it could be called that, was to have been critical of the Government. How it is these individuals can be perceived as being threats to national security is beyond my comprehension. The self-evident reality is that legitimate dissent was and is quashed through the heavy-handed use of the ISA.

There are those who support and advocate this carte-blanche reading of the ISA. They will seek to persuade you that the interests of the country demand that such power be retained, that Malaysians owe their peace and stability to laws such as the ISA. This overlooks the simple truth that Malaysians of all races cherish peace. We lived together harmoniously for the last 400 years, not because of these laws but in spite of them.

I believe the people of this country are mature and intelligent enough to distinguish actions that constitute a ‘real’ threat to the country from those that threaten political interests. Malaysians have come to know that the ISA is used against political opponents and, it would seem, when the leadership is under challenge either from within the ruling party or from external elements.

Malaysians today want to see a Government that is committed to the court process to determine guilt or innocence even for alleged acts of incitement of racial or religious sentiment. They are less willing to believe, as they once did, that a single individual, namely the Minister of Home Affairs; knows best about matters of national security. They value freedom and the protection of civil liberties and this is true of people of other nations too.

Mr Prime Minister, the results of the last General Election are clear indication that the people of Malaysia are demanding a reinstatement of the Rule of Law. I was appointed as your, albeit short-lived, Minister in charge of legal affairs and judicial reform. In that capacity, I came to understand more keenly how many of us want reform, not for the sake of it, but for the extent to which our institutions have been undermined by events and the impact this has had on society.

With your blessing, I attempted to push for reform. High on my list of priorities was a reinstatement of the inherent right of judicial review that could be enabled through a reversion of the key constitutional provision to its form prior to the controversial amendment in 1988. I need not remind you that that constitutional amendment was prompted by the same series of events that led not only to Operasi Lalang but the sacking of the then Lord President and two supreme court justices. Chief amongst my concerns was the way in which the jurisdiction and the power of the Courts to grant remedy against unconstitutional and arbitrary action of the Executive had been removed by Parliament and the extent to which this had permitted an erosion of the civil liberties of Malaysians. It was this constitutional amendment that paved the way for the ouster provision in the ISA that virtually immunizes the Minister from judicial review, a provision which exemplifies the injustice the constitutional amendment of 1988 has lent itself.

I also sought to introduce means by which steps could be taken to assist the Judiciary to regain the reputation for independence and competence it once had. Unfortunately, this was viewed as undesirable by some since an independent Judiciary would mean that the Executive would be less ‘influential’.

I attempted to do these things and more because of the realization that Malaysia’s democratic traditions and the Rule of Law are under siege. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with giving everyone an independent Judiciary and the opportunity to a fair trial. This is consistent with the universal norms of human rights as it is with the tenets of Islam, the religion of the Federation. Unchecked power to detain at the whim of one man is oppressiveness at its highest. Even in Israel, a nation that is perpetually at war the power to detain is not vested in one man and detention orders require endorsement from a judge.

If there are national security considerations, then these can be approached without jettisoning the safeguards intended to protect individual citizens from being penalised wrongfully. In other jurisdictions involved in armed conflicts, trials are held in camera to allow for judicial scrutiny of evidence considered too sensitive for public disclosure so as to satisfy the ends of justice. If this can be done in these jurisdictions, why not here where the last armed struggle we saw, the very one that precipitated the need for the ISA, came to an end in the 1980s? Any doubts as to the continued relevance of the ISA in its present form should have been put to rest by the recommendation by the National Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) that the ISA be repealed and an anti-terror legislation suited to the times enacted in its place. Containing as it did a sunset clause in its original times, the ISA was never intended to be a permanent feature on the Malaysian legal landscape.

Through its continued use in the manner described above and in the face of public sentiment, it is only natural that the ISA has become in the mind of the people an instrument of oppression and the Government is one that lends itself to oppressiveness. Its continued use does not bode well for a society that is struggling to find its place in the global arena. It does not bode well for the democracy that is so vital for us to develop sustainably.

Mr Prime Minister, I remember very clearly what you once said; that if one has the opportunity to do what is good and right for the country, then he must take on the task. I respect you deeply for that and if I were confident that I would have been able to do some good for Malaysia, I would have remained on your team. Sir, you are still the Prime Minister and you still have the opportunity to leave your footprint in Malaysian history. I urge you to do so by repealing the ISA once and for all.

Let us attempt to fulfil that solemn promise made by our beloved first Prime Minister to the people of this country.

Yours sincerely

ZAID IBRAHIM
Kuala Lumpur


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Who will care about the welfare and happiness of our people?
written by Tan Peek Guat, Tuesday, September 30 2008 09:00 pm

Thank you, Zaid, for sharing your concerns and reminding the Government about improving the ‘welfare and happiness of its people’. This reminds me about the ‘Singapore Pledge’- the contents of which are supported by their politicians - to be sincerely good for their nation.

The Singapore pledge, being continuously repeated by the people of Singapore all through the years, has today, enabled them to make their country successful worldwide, and by world standards too.

This tells us that it is only when a nation cares for and love all its citizens, irrespective of race, religion or creed, that it can ‘succeed’ by world standards. This is not ‘success’ by individual, personal, national assumptions. It is ‘success’ – as the world looks upon them. Do we aspire to attain such high standards of national success, or are the authorities choosing to put our ordinary Malaysians closely kept in their own cocoons - so as to allow them to retain power?

Our question now is, has our government succeeded thus far? Looking at the surrounding pettiness over almost every single issue in Malaysia, and in the Malaysian mass media where many opinions have been evidently swayed by the wrong criteria, and the hypocrisy portrayed by Malaysian politicians past and present, we wonder if we have succeeded.

To truth is, the ones in power have hardly allowed the best to be where they ought to be. Among Malaysians, the considerations are always ‘race’, ‘religion’ and ‘ties’. Will we ever change?

Tan Peek Guat

Hartal ISA at PWTC tomorrow

The People’s Parliament
We are here, not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers - Emmeline Pankhurst

Hartal ISA at PWTC tomorrow
September 30, 2008


Folks, slight change of plans.

You will see from the schedule of open houses below, which was kindly prepared by Star Online, that the Raya open house hosted by the PM and other Muslim ministers is in two parts.


The first part, which is for the dignitaries, is from 11.30am-12.30pm.

The second part, for the non-dignitary rakyat to have the left-overs after the dignitaries have feasted, is from 12.30pm to 4.30pm.

I don’t want to eat left-overs. In fact, I don’t want to eat anything that BN is serving. And so I will not be attending the ’second class’ segment.

I’m going for the 11.30am segment.

I’ll be dressed in


Incidentally, those of you who are keen to get the RPK T-shirts may want to get in touch with Gan at 016-3021125.

Back to tomorrow.

I’ll be meeting up with friends in the vicinity of Secret Recipe at the Mall around 11.00am before moving on to PWTC.

For those of you who must have further details, you may contact me at no.bn.no.isa@gmail.com

Viveg, Chris and all you people in Penang, please note that Pak Lah is having an open house up north on 4th October.

How about it?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

Hartal ISA : International attention and intervention
Posted by Haris Ibrahim
Filed in People Power

54 Responses to “Hartal ISA at PWTC tomorrow”
Johnny Chiam Says:
September 30, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Horray to Haris,
I am from Sabah and so I will not be eating BN leftovers. Wish i could wear that shirt and be with you all in support of RPK.

Selamat Haru Raya to you and family

Thinker Says:
September 30, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I guess the only 1 im attending is the Oct 12th open house.

daniel Says:
September 30, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Dear Haris,

So proud of you.

Why Cares Says:
September 30, 2008 at 4:06 pm
RPK is not a ‘terrorist’ according to section 2 of ISA.

Deliver his message to the dignitaries.

Let’s also speed up the Abolishment of ISA & Free RPK and all ISA detainees .

Selamat Hari Raya Adilfitri kepada seluruh Umat Islam dan Rakyat Malaysia , Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

Sivaraman Says:
September 30, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Bro Sam,
I am very proud of you. It has been a long time since those quite days at Rogues. Keep up the good fight, we are with you.

PS: Nice T-shirt, very creative, handcuffs and all…

lakshmi Says:
September 30, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Dear Haris,

TQ for all your efforts to save our RPK and the rest of ISA detainees. I have bought my yellow cloth and will be cutting it into stripes to tie on trees and buildings, trees may be better. Please all you folks out there, let us turn our country yellow.

No fun for me this Raya holidays because we are still not free.

Read Zaid Ibrahim’s letter to Badawi. Felt a bit better after that

koli Says:
September 30, 2008 at 4:16 pm
their heads and their minds,their eyes and the brain.their hands abd their body should all be put together and only then, they are going to have wishfull thinking

Peter Says:
September 30, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Sigh!! Why can’t there be more unity/coordination? There are some with the white T-shirt with RPK photo and there a few design at with black, orange, red colors at We will stand with RPK T-shirts, and then there are black and red GMI Mansuh ISA black and I have 4 original BERSIH T-shirts. I am very seriously (99%) considering adding to the crowd at 11.30am but not decided what T-shirt to wear. What if I wear one of my 4 BERSIH T-shirt?

BTW can’t all the leaders of various initiatives (BERSIH, Hindraf, GMI, WAMI, People’s Parliament, PR and like-minded get political parties etc. get together and settle on a single T-shirt and everyone wear the same T-shirts at all future events like this. It will make a bigger impact. Just imagine at the Candlelight Vigil turned into Peaceful March last Sunday if all participants wore the same T-shirts, what impact that will make.

Please, leaders, think about it.

ISA 2008 - bulletin board (4). « O.B.E. Says:
September 30, 2008 at 4:52 pm
[...] read this for latest update plus Penang event, if [...]

lilian Says:
September 30, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Please be careful, Haris. You are useless to RPK (and to us) if they take you too. You are not incognito to them, including Zorro-unmasked.

I wish you “Selamat Hari Raya” to you and family
And all my Muslim brothers and sisters.

barry Says:
September 30, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I wouldn’t go anywhere near PWTC tomorrow.

ABD KALAM Says:
September 30, 2008 at 5:49 pm
MESSAGE TO ALL THE RAKYAT. PLEASE BOYCOT THE “OPEN HOUSE ON THAT DAY. LETS SHOW THEM WHAT WE MALAYSIAN CAN DO TO SAFEGUARD RIGHTNESS AS ADVOCATED BY ISLAM AND THE PROPHET.

foodforthoughts Says:
September 30, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Here is wishing Haris Ibrahim and ALL Malaysians regardless of race or religion, Selamat Hari Raya.

Eagle has landed Says:
September 30, 2008 at 6:02 pm
All these years, the public was served with left overs. Disgusting. So I will go no more.
May thy in power wither and gone forever.

fergie Says:
September 30, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Wishing all Muslim brothers n sisters Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. A BIG thank you to Haris n Gang for all the great work you’re doing.

Ganesan Says:
September 30, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I hope our Hindraf brother’s will be there too to sent a message that ISA is not acceptable to anyone.Wish all ISA detainees “Selamat Hari Raya”.

artchan Says:
September 30, 2008 at 6:42 pm
boycott if we must…protest if we must..free RPK.

MANSUHKAN ISA

gregwar Says:
September 30, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Eid Mubarak to you my brother May the new Syawal bring peace and hope to thie fair land of ours

Anonymous Says:
September 30, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Anonymous said…

The UMNO Clown Botak and his cohorts will be made to taste their own medicines when the time of reckoning comes very soon.

Leave BN, all Component Parties with a conscience must leave the Evil Master Oppressor UMNO for good ok??? Leave & let them, the UMNO clowns to settle the horse trading between Flip Flop and C4 ok???

Come October 2008 there is nothing left but the Opposition Leader’s Post to Hand Over from Flip Flop to C4 ok???

There should be no peace for Botak if the ISA detainees are not released and the oppressive draconian law is not abolished because such injustices are not tolerated and thus create great discontentment in this modern society. One day Botak and his cohorts should be made to eat their own medicine for the injustices they have committed against the detainees especially RPK, our Brave Hero no doubts.

We call upon all the Rakyats of Malaysia to sign a Petition to be sent to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to release RPK from his detention under ISA because there is a hidden agenda of a conspiracy of using his detention to silence him so that he could not further release more evidences against the real C4 murderers of Altantuya because all the accused were all fall guys of the real murderers because they all did not have a real & logical motive to murder the Mongolian Lady.

THE NEW DAWN OF MALAYSIA HAS COME & THE FIRST THING IS TO ALLOW APPEALS & THEN RELEASE ALL ISA DETAINEES, ABOLISH ISA, OSA, SEDITION OR WHATEVER ACTS THAT COULD BE EXPLOITED AND MADE PREJUDICIAL AND OPPRESSIVE TO THE VOICE OF DISSENT FROM ALL THE RAKYATS.

It is very easy to generate Police Reports against DSAI by using Penang Mamak Umno’s 25 Members headed by Wan Abidin Zain, who claimed to be non-partisan, using their uneasiness that most Penangites will now be boycotting Nasi Kandar one more round???

It is very Sad that the legacy of Malaysian Independence is reduced by this Moronic Flip Flop Coward into great disrepute and a laughing stock of the whole world and knowing very well that the UMNO Government has technically collapsed and they have lost locus standi to govern but yet he has decided to shamelessly still cling on to power via dubious means like hiding himself via using of the ISA and we cannot imagine that the Malaysia Moronic Flip Flop Coward has now stoop so low and using the Police Deputy IGP as his willing tools especially the Deputy IGP’s clearly taking side as the Police must be neutral and should be not politiking for him.

The Coward Moronic Flip Flop Chicken dare not meet DSAI face to face to settle matters but chose hiding under the use of ISA and that is what you have as a disgraceful cowardice leader for UMNO.

After 51 years MALAYSIA IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE but backwards because of the Oppression from the UMNO goons’ divide and rule fear tactics the Rakyats have matured & you must see all this coming because All The Rakyats of Malaysia are all fed-up & can no longer with-stand the hypocrisies, bullshits, lies and deceits of these UMNO Clowns now in Power ok??? What Oil Subsidies IS nothing but a hoax that the UMNO Government MAKE BELIEF THAT THERE IS AN OIL PRICE SUBSIDY TO THE PRICE OF FUEL BUT IN FACT THERE WERE NONE THIS IS BECAUSE MALAYSIA IS THE NET EXPORTER OF OIL THAT IS ONLY AFTER DEDUCTING DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION THE BALANCE IS EXPORTED TO EARN FOREIGN EXCHANGE. THESE LIARS MAKE US BELIEVE BY CONTINUOUS PROPAGANDA THAT THERE ARE OIL PRICE SUBSIDY BUT IN FACT THERE WERE NONE BECAUSE THE PRICE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACTUAL SALE LOCALLY AND THE PRICE THEY INTENDED TO SELL ABOARD IS AN OPPORTUNITY COST NOT PRICE SUBSIDY.

We urge all BN Components & MPs with a conscience to do the necessary to make possible a New Malaysia for all Rakyats of Malaysia so that all our children and their children & their children’s children’s future will be safe and secured in the Country we all love and not be intimidated by those UMNO Clowns now in power with their oppressive & fear tactics and in the verge of making Malaysia a Police State if left unchecked otherwise. Save RPK as he is the midst of a conspiracy of the real murderers of Altantuya to silence him for good, instead of being C4ed he could be poisoned and worse off if he is on hunger strike by himself. The Acting IGP is defending the Police position after being made the tools of UMNO’s fear tactics & so he is now making lame excuses for being the Stringed Puppet to be easily manipulated by the Puppeteer, power that be. The Deputy IGP must be held personally responsible for the safety of RPK who has been heard to be tortured otherwise he must be made to eat his own medicine come the New Dawn of Malaysia.

Moronic PeeM and Botak Home Minister last minutes’ attempts to cling on power by using the fear tactics of using the ISA at their whims and fancies selectively against dissent & tried to deny their own actions as they now have no balls to face the wrath of the all the Rakyats of Malaysia. ONE DAY THE MORONIC BOTAK AND FLIP FLOP AND C4 MUST BE MADE TO TASTE THEIR OWN MEDICINE OK?

All Rakyats of Malaysia will see to that these Clowns will be thrown out soon come the New Dawn of Malaysia & that all Rakyats of Malaysia will welcome the New Malaysia on Malaysia Day 916, 2008 for a Malaysia for All Malaysians.

Justice MUST BE DONE for Altantuya and for all those detained under ISA without the trial nor the rights of appeal. Light-up a Candle in the Lantern of the Mid-Autumn Festival for them all to usher in the NEW DAWN OF MALAYSIA COME 916, 2008

Sharvind Pavel Salomiya Says:
September 30, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Can someone co ordinate this visits to the open houses???

Sharvind,

I’m co-ordinating tomorrow’s at PWTC

Kerajaan Rakyat Says:
September 30, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Salam Saudara Haris,

Keberanian dan keikhlasan saudara amat disanjungi.
Dalam masa yang sama harap saudara berhati-hati.

Doa saya semoga segala usaha saudara dan kita semua
akan diberkati ALLAH.

Selamat Hari Raya buat saudara dan keluarga.

Sofi.

Ben Says:
September 30, 2008 at 7:46 pm
SELAMAT EID UL FITR, to Haris and Farida and all muslims celebrating this auspicious occasion.

God blesses us DAILY. Sometimes blessings are huge and easy to spot and sometimes they are so small we may be too busy to even notice them. Thankfully, whether we recognize those blessings or not they are there to protect us, teach us, encourage us, and help us grow to be the people we are supposed to be.

And most often, He blesses us through other people,
whether they are ever aware of it or not!

Which means…

You Are a BLESSING to Someone!!!

Think about that for just a moment…

YOU ARE A BLESSING

Do you have a blessing to share?

Do it today!

Regina Ho Says:
September 30, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Wondering why there are 2 jamuans in Melaka on the same day? Who’s money is it? Personal pocket or rakyats??

Still wondering…

mala Says:
September 30, 2008 at 8:18 pm
CLICK on this URL (below) and send a letter to those who signed RPK’s, HINDRAF’s and other ISA detainees detention orders. We plan to flood their emails with thousands of protest letters. Your letter can indeed make a difference. The letter on this website was drafted by the Abolish ISA Movement or GMI (Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA):

http://abolishisa.com/project1/abolishisa_login.php

This is a peaceful protest. It’s as simple as ABC - type your name, click on SEND (NOW!). Make sure you click on all four, and make sure your name is typed in when you do it.
Please, this is easy. Just write your name and click on the buttons.

No need to stare down an UMNOputra or someone in blue.

No need email address or IC.

So, what’s holding you?

Crankshaft Says:
September 30, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Bro. Isn’t that enough to get us arrested?

Crankshaft,

I’m ready

artic turban Says:
September 30, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I read with gret sadness and sorrow the article about your visit to RAJA PETRA KAMARUDIN. I feel very sad this has come to pass, where the ‘Patriots’ are put in jail to Silence them, while the ‘CROOKS, SCUMBAGS AND DOGS’ FEAST AWAY LIKE MANGY DOGS they actually are.
I have a humble suggestion, to all those who are totally against the ISA DETENTATION OF RPK, one way for lifting up his spirit is to blow your horns throughout Malaysia everyday at 8pm. Those who are in TAIPING, why not take a short drive by PUSAT TAHANAN KAMUNTING, PARK AT THE CAR-PARK EVERYDAY, STAY IN YOUR CARS AND BLOW YOUR HORNS NON-STOP FOR A MINUTE. The cops can’t do anything about this, nor can they fine you, the more the vehicles the louder the noise, I am sure if it loud enough THE DETAINEES IN KAMUNTING WILL REALISE THEY ARE IN THE THOUGHTS OF THE PEOPLE. IT WILL LIFT UP THE SPIRIT OF EVEN THE DISHEARTENED. What say you to this suggestion, passive protest, you can even do it driving by the prison. if enough people do this we will show this government how much we hate and detest ‘CHEATS AND LIARS’.

wandererAUS Says:
September 30, 2008 at 8:53 pm
How dare they (UMNO leaders), serve us with leftovers with our money!

maha Says:
September 30, 2008 at 9:06 pm
SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI KEPEDA SEMUA PENGANUT ISLAM. First i ingat nak boycatt open house Pak Dollah but then now i rasa i pun nak join u all gak.I akan bawa kawan-kawan sekali. See u all there.

maha,

Thank you, kawan

Jarod Says:
September 30, 2008 at 9:18 pm
aiyoh… no T-Shirt no worries. Get the Anti ISA badge and stick it on your shirt. Or else DIY! Its all whether u wanna do it or not! Just do it!

Agnes Khaw Says:
September 30, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I am not a blogger and have no idea how to. However, I do read whatever I can that’s available on Malaysiakini. I live in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and I wish I could get hold of these t-shirts and do my little bit here. But…..maybe some time soon.
Keep up the good work. I will be with you tomorrow at PWTC in spirit!
Selamat Hari Raya. Maaf zahir & batin.

lucia Says:
September 30, 2008 at 10:19 pm
let’s see this friday when i go for the anti isa candlelight vigil at dewan sri pinang in penang, i’ll ask the organisers if they want to organise a hartal isa at the PM’s open house on 4 oct. oh… but i don’t have RPK’s t shirt. never mind. hopefully GMI will have the anti isa t shirt on sale.

Navinda Says:
September 30, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Hi Harris,
Won’t be able to join you guys as I am in Kota Baru. I would like to wish yo and your team a Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, and to the readers too.

Teach the BN guys that they can have all the left overs for themselves. I am aa for the Hartal.
Best of luck.

AM Says:
September 30, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Salam Eid Mubarak to you Haris!

My thoughts & prayers will be with you, RPK and friends against the ISA. Take care and may peace be with you guys.

Meng Says:
September 30, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Who is paying for the PWTC open house?? If it is the raayat’s money it cannot be the PM and muslim ministers open house. Should be changed to The Raayat’s Open House..

viveg Says:
September 30, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Hi Haris Bro,

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri & Maaf Zahin Batin.

I would very much like to “show-up” at Pak Lah’s open house. The problem is, I am now stuck with work in Thailand and will only be back to Malaysia in the middle of October.

I called my friends and they will definitely go. They will be with the Hindraf contingent that plans to gate-crash the event whether Pak Lah likes it or not.

Too bad I have to miss the ISA candlelight March and the open house gate-crash. Rock-on guys!!!
Love U All Malaysians!!!!!

CPK Says:
September 30, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Dear Harris,
You said : I’m ready
I say : Please don’t martyr yourself tomorrow. There is a long fight ahead, and you will serve the cause better where you are now, not from Kamunting. There may be an element of guilt feeling, knowing that RPK is jailed and we are free - but getting the Generals jailed along with RPK is not the way to go. Please approach this in a cold and calculated manner, and not let emotions cloud your judgement.
You have my highest regard and no offence is intended. This is just my 2-sen.

Selamat Hari Raya to you and your family,
CPK

raykumar Says:
September 30, 2008 at 11:56 pm
I’ll be there tomorrow Haris.
See you….

Ray

SK Says:
October 1, 2008 at 12:05 am
Are other PR parties put in efforts to get signatures for FREE RPK petition ? Shouldn’t be that low the way I look at it ‘coz many of RPK’s articles alone got average of 50K hits/article & above.

I got > 10 signatures, and I am not even active in politic, shouldn’t be too difficult for the rest who are active in politic, I supposed ? By this calculation, 36,000 names / 10 = average 3,600 people working on it only ?

For those who have been visiting MT but yet to take action, pls do so asap. This petition is important to show RPK our support & gratefulness for what he has done for us & Malaysia.

Just a sharing thru’ my experience, I check around & help to post the signatures for those who support RPK’s vision but not aware of this petition and other activities, ‘coz they either don’t surf internet or has no access to internet. Their support was based on hardcopy/email on RPK’s articles/words shared by others.

Am sorry for RPK, Marina & the family, & Malaysians. Glad he has people like you guys.

GOD BLESS RPK, his family & Malaysia !

Lastly, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to our Muslim brothers / sisters !

anonymous Says:
October 1, 2008 at 12:11 am
My take is to boycott all functions hosted by the BN politicians.Let us show them that we will not partake in their lies and falsehoods whatmore using the rakyats money to glorify their events.

Will TLS Says:
October 1, 2008 at 12:14 am
Will b there. 11:30 am PWTC, No T-Shirt. Call Gan once but voice box, didnt try again. Hope you r selling tomorrow there

Gan tells me he is selling there

omarkhayyam Says:
October 1, 2008 at 12:24 am
” The first part, which is for the dignitaries, is from 11.30am-12.30pm.”

are there any digNitaries left still

cheers

AnakBangsaMalaysia Says:
October 1, 2008 at 12:28 am
A BIG thank you to Haris n Gang for all the great work you’re doing; but please please be careful, RPK, all ISA an Malaysia needs you n Gang to be on the outside, not in Kamunting!

Wishing all Muslim brothers n sisters Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Will TLS Says:
October 1, 2008 at 12:29 am
Dear all, I wasnt at Bersih, Hindraf, 927. I feel being iiresponsible to my country and children. If BN continues in this manner our country will be in doldrums in this global infor tech age.

Muhammad Firdaus Christopher Says:
October 1, 2008 at 12:57 am
Dear brother Haris,

Right on dude and yes, we are certainly ready to GREET Pak Lah in Penang. I just contacted the MT administrator on the island and pushing to have the T shirts ASAP, in order to be ready for the occasion at Dewan Millenium which is 5 mins from my home.

By the way, just got word from our comrade in Australia and will be purchasing another 50 shirts for our friends from DownUnder.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to wish you and all our Muslim comrades Selamat Menyambut AidilFitri, Maaf Zahir & Batin. And to all our non Muslim pals, Happy Holidays and May The Force Be With Us ALL

Cheers & God Bless, Christopher

sinewy Says:
October 1, 2008 at 1:00 am
The present government has put in place someone who is oppressive, ruthless, uncaring, inhumane, power-crazy, arrogant, irresponsible and indifferent to have the sole authority to place any citizen in detention without trial at his own perception and discretion. Why should the citizen of this country accept that? This person is put in place by a so-called ruling party who has less than 30% of the voting population’s support. Why are we allowing hom to have such absolute power? I think the ruling government has failed to protect the right of the citizen and allow them to be terrorised by such a rude person. The citizen must be given the right to counter this madness in empowering one person in the country to threatened the whole population. It looks like he is even more powerful than the PM and the King. His instruction to detain people as a result of his own perceived possibility of unrest from his self-proclaimed “majority” of the people (or his party member?) is most frightening and difficult for the ordinary people to comprehend. Can some rationality prevail in this country and put some sense to do what is right for the citizen and not the political party.

kosmoa Says:
October 1, 2008 at 1:11 am
harris,jus want to wish u n family ’selamat hari raya aidilfitri’!u are one of the great guys who are being appreciated for trying in making malaysia a better place for all malaysian,now n future!!

charade Says:
October 1, 2008 at 1:21 am
Just imagine how it would spook the gomen if every sunday all non BiN supporters wore T-shirt with the same message protesting against ISA - like in the movie V for vendetta everyone wore the mask! We could all make the t-shirt with standard word, font, colour etc.

Kenneth Says:
October 1, 2008 at 1:26 am
Harris,

How many people will be required to storm Kamunting? Sometimes I feel so angry that I think we should organize a mob to storm Kamunting. What right has this regime to kidnap decent honest citizens and throw them in the dungeon? This isn’t the medieval times, we have rights.

Like the storming of the Bastille which heralded the end of the decadent French monarchy, the storming of Kamunting will herald the end of the corrupt BN regime by taking down their symbol of fear and oppression. These goons are only impressed by force.

If only we can quietly organize 15,000 people to gather and storm Kamunting, ram down the gate, tear down the fence and disappear into the night. If only dreams could come true…

Loh Eddie Says:
October 1, 2008 at 1:33 am
Sorry,it’s not leftover food,it’s dog food.

anna brella Says:
October 1, 2008 at 1:48 am
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to you Haris.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all you GOOD bloggers.

And Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to RPK and all ISA detainees.

I am certain things will change for the better before the next Hari Raya is here if all of you keep on fighting, refuse to give up or accept the status quo and focus on KICKING BN OUT!

But for now, have a happy Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.

su Says:
October 1, 2008 at 6:03 am
Haris, please remember to take photos and share them with us.

God bless.

Malaysian Wannabe Again Says:
October 1, 2008 at 6:19 am
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to you Haris, your family and all our “true” Muslim brothers and sisters.

May this auspicious day bring you joy and happiness and may the Almighty shower Malaysia with a brighter future that will surely come when the BN Government is eliminated for good.

Paul Warren Says:
October 1, 2008 at 7:48 am
Great idea..lets steal the pomp and bullshit the PM wants to sell to the dignitaries.

Let the dignitaries know that if they have come to feast in Malasyian taxpayer’s money, that it is at the cost of freedom of 64 Malaysians who have not been tried in any court of law.

Let the dignitaries know that Hari Raya is celebrated by UMNOputras at the cost of institutionalised abuse of human rights.

Let the dignitaries know that they are eating and drinking out of tainted vessals.

Let the dignitaries know that by partaking in these festivities it would be construed, in the way MSM reports it, that they too agree with this illegitimate UMNO/BN government of the day and all that it is doing.

In case the dignitaries don’t realise it by partaing in this “open house” it would be no different from going to a neighbour’s party when you know very well your neighbour is incestously raping his kids and is abusing his wife.

So, it is quite alright to wear all those Anti ISA and Free RPK T shirts. It is far more decent than attending this open house with a false smile on your face. But then it is perfectly a-ok to wear those T-shirts and go for the open-house.

God speed and be with you Haris. And also, Selamat Hari Raya to you and family too

Kerajaan Rakyat Says:
October 1, 2008 at 7:57 am
::

Salam Haris,

Dipagi raya ini saya dan keluarga
mendoakan kesejahteraan buat saudara
dan keluarga.

Saudara adalah lambang setiakawan.

Semoga ALLAH merahmati dan memberkati
usaha murni saudara.

Salam
http://kerajaanrakyat.com/

::

SHE IS UPSET BUT STILL SHE WISHES ALL SELAMAT HARI RAYA FROM PETE AND HER FAMILY.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

SHE IS UPSET BUT STILL SHE WISHES ALL SELAMAT HARI RAYA FROM PETE AND HER FAMILY.


I called Marina at 9:15pm and she said that she had arrived in Taiping. "How are things?" she asked. "Gus says that Haris and I have put him in a spot.....he is getting calls about the T-shirts as far away as Kota Kinabalu." I replied. "How are you coping?" I asked pretending to be cheerful.
"I am upset, Bernard," she said. I know why. Read her posting:

I just read my husband's article on www. malaysia-today.net No Holds Barred and was extremely upset and it made my heart so heavy reading what Pet wrote: “It costs RM8 to feed a dog according to the Malay Mail survey and only RM4.50 to feed ISA detainees.....

"I feed my cats and fish premium food such as science diet and would never dream of feeding my pets the food that we are fed here. I actually stopped eating the food here after the first couple of days because it gave me diarrhea. A couple of nights ago I vomitted after eating the food and now I cannot even stand the sight or smell of the trays that they sent to our cell twice a day. I now survive on dates and plain bread....."

Umno preparing food for 200,000 people for their Open House for the 1st day of Hari Raya and what would the cost be per head?

How can Muslims of high authority use this unIslamic law, the ISA, on people during the month of Ramadan (the holy month for Muslims), put them under such barbaric conditions and rehabilitate them according to their perverted standards. Where is the compassion, where is the humanity and most important of all, where is the love of mankind that Islam enjoins its followers to observe? Can someone please explain all this to me? I am really very confused. All I can see is hypocrisy and man's inhumanity to man, not compassion, consideration and common decency.

Jakim is coming up with an Islamic rehabilitation program for my husband, it is a joke. Did they even understand what Pet wrote in the first place since it is in English? What he wrote was not anti-Islam. The use of the ISA on Pet is all politically motivated. He has taken on powerful people and since the Prime Minister is weak, he is unable to use the powers that are available to bring justice. This is the tragedy of our country. Let us work towards a change in government, one that is committed to abolishing the despicable ISA. We want Rule of Law not Rule by ISA.

I am in Kamunting today, staying the night so that I can be first in line to get into the prison. It pains the grandchildren, children and I to be without Pet on Hari Raya. We miss him and the joy that he brings to us each day.

Thanks for your support and prayers my family have received. We must continue this fight to free Pet and his friends under detention in Kamunting. "Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf, Zahir dan Batin."

Love from Pet and Family




OVER THIS FOOD THING, SOMEBODY MAY THROW A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL INTO PETE'S CELL.....YOU JUST CANNOT DISCOUNT THE POSSIBILITY.....THEY WILL CLUTCH AT ANY STRAW.....NOW THAT THE SHIP IS SINKING AND THE CREW IS DROWNING.


I AM DEMANDING FROM HAMID-ALL-BLURRED THAT YOU PROVIDE RPK WITH ALL THE PROTECTION HE DESERVES SINCE YOU PUT HIM IN THERE TO PROTECT HIM.


Posted by zorro at 4:20 AM 1 comments
PETE, HE DID IT AGAIN AND WITH FLAIR.....

GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH






NO HOLDS BARRED: TUESDAY 30SEPT.08


Raja Petra Kamarudin


I was perturbed when I read YB Teresa Kok’s statement that the food under ISA detention is equivalent or slightly better than dog food. It costs RM8 to feed a dog, according to the Malay Mail survey and only RM4.50 to feed on ISA detainees.

I feed my cats and fish premium food such as science diet and would never dream of feeding my pets the food that we are fed here. I actually stopped eating the food here after the first couple of days because it gave me diarrhea.

A couple of nights ago I vomited after eating the food and now I cannot even stand the sight or smell of the trays that they send to our cell twice a day.

I now survive on dates and plain water and I suppose if that is good enough for camels to survive in the Arabian Desert, it should be good enough for me.

I was told camels have a healthy sex drive and I would like to believe it because of the date that is my staple food. Of cause, there is no way I can test this theory until I come safely out of this place.

Actually, food is the least of my worries at this point of time. I am presently in three months solitary confinement and the only pussy I get to see is this mangy cat that somehow has found its way into my cellblock to sleep outside my locked door.

It has not rained since I arrived here a week ago and I was told Kamunting has not seen any rain for the last few weeks.

The heat in the cell is unbearable and the air is very stuffy.

The uncomfortable environment does help to put your mind off your growling stomach.

I am what they call under orientation. This three months' orientation I suppose is to get me used to the 2 years I am going to spend here.

One of my favorite classics that I used to read in Standard 1 is the Tale of Two Cities, which is about the French Revolution. I can now better appreciate the battle cry “give me liberty or give me death”. They say you appreciate something only after it has been taken away from you. Today, my liberty is at the top of my priority list. But I know it shall not come soon and it shall not come easy and it shall only come if there is a change of government and if the new government fulfills its promise to abolish the ISA.





GO HERE FOR COMMENTS TO THIS POSTING FROM KAMUNTING


Posted by zorro at 3:58 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
THIS ZAID PIECE HAS THE SMOOTHNESS AND POTENCY OF AN 18YRS OLD MACALLAN.
JACQUELIN ANN SURIN who helms the NutGraph smsed me this morning to alert me to Dato Zaid's Letter to the PM. Like my title says, it has that unfamiliar smoothness and potency that I have to share it with all of you. But before that "Have a Good Hari Raya; Be Safe" and let's look forward to the Next Hari Raya in a New Malaysia.



29 September 2008

YAB Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi
Prime Minister of Malaysia
5th Floor, East Wing
Perdana Putra Building
Putrajaya, Malaysia


Dear Mr Prime Minister,

In our proclamation of independence, our first prime minister gave voice to the lofty aspirations and dreams of the people of Malaya: that Malaya was founded on the principles of liberty and justice, and the promise that collectively we would always strive to improve the welfare and happiness of its people.

Many years have passed since that momentous occasion, and those aspirations and dreams remain true and are as relevant to us today as they were then. This was made possible by a strong grasp of fundamentals in the early period of this nation. The Federal Constitution and the laws made pursuant to it were well founded; they embodied the key elements of a democracy built on the Rule of Law. The Malaysian judiciary once commanded great respect from Malaysians and was hailed as a beacon for other nations. Our earlier prime ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak and Tun Hussein Onn were truly leaders of integrity, patriots in their own right, and most importantly, men of humility. They believed in and built this nation on the principles and values enunciated in our Constitution.

Even when they had to enact the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 1960, they were very cautious and apologetic about it. Tunku stated clearly that the Act was passed to deal with the communist threat. "My cabinet colleagues and I gave a solemn promise to Parliament and the nation that the immense powers given to the government under the ISA would never be used to stifle legitimate opposition and silence lawful dissent", was what the Tunku said. Our third prime minister Tun Hussein Onn reinforced this position by saying that the ISA was not intended to repress lawful political opposition and democratic activity on the part of the citizenry.

The events of the last three weeks have compelled me to review the way in which the ISA has been used. This exercise has sadly led me to the conclusion that the government has time and time again failed the people of this country in repeatedly reneging on that solemn promise made by Tunku Abdul Rahman. This has been made possible because the government and the law have mistakenly allowed the Minister of Home Affairs to detain anyone for whatever reason he thinks fit. This subjective discretion has been abused to further certain political interests.

History is the great teacher and speaks volumes in this regard. Even a cursory examination of the manner in which the ISA has been used almost from its inception would reveal the extent to which its intended purpose has been subjugated to the politics of the day.

Regrettably, Tunku Abdul Rahman himself reneged on his promise. In 1965, his administration detained Burhanuddin Helmi, the truly towering Malay intellectual, a nationalist who happened to be a PAS leader. He was kept in detention until his death in 1969. Helmi was a political opponent and could by no stretch of the imagination be considered to have been involved in the armed rebellion or communism that the ISA was designed to deal with. This detention was an aberration, a regrettable moment where politics was permitted to trump the rule of law. It unfortunately appears to have set a precedent, and many detentions of persons viewed as having been threatening to the incumbent administration followed through the years. Even our literary giant, the late Sasterawan Negara Tan Sri A Samad Ismail was subjected to the ISA in 1976. How could he have been a threat to national security?

I need not remind you of the terrible impact of the 1987 Operasi Lalang. Its spectre haunts the government as much as it does the peace-loving people of this nation, casting a gloom over all of us. There were and still are many unanswered questions about those dark hours when more than a hundred persons were detained for purportedly being threats to national security. Why they were detained has never been made clear to Malaysians. Similarly, no explanation has been forthcoming as to why they were never charged in court. Those detainees included amongst their numbers senior opposition members of parliament who are still active in Parliament today. The only thing that is certain about that period was that Umno was facing a leadership crisis. Isn't it coincidental that the recent spate of ISA arrests has occurred when Umno is again having a leadership crisis?

In 2001, Keadilan reformasi activists were detained in an exercise that the Federal Court declared was in bad faith and unlawful. The continued detention of those that were not released earlier from the Kamunting detention facility was made possible only by the fact that the ISA had been questionably amended in 1988 to preclude judicial review of the minister's order to detain. Malaysians were told that these detainees had been attempting to overthrow the government via militant means and violent demonstrations. Seven years have gone and yet no evidence in support of this assertion has been presented. Compounding the confusion even further, one of these so-called militants, Ezam Mohamad Noor, recently rejoined Umno to great fanfare, as a prized catch, it would seem.

At around the same time, members of PAS were also detained for purportedly being militant and allegedly having links to international terrorist networks. Those detained included Nik Adli, the son of Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, the Menteri Besar of Kelantan. Malaysians were made a promise by the government that evidence of the alleged terrorist activities and links of these detainees would be disclosed. To date no such evidence has been produced.

The same formula was used in late 2007 when the Hindraf five were detained. Malaysians were told once again that these individuals were involved in efforts to overthrow the government and had links with the militant Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam of Sri Lanka. To date no concrete evidence has been presented to support this assertion. It would seem therefore that the five were detained for their involvement in efforts that led to a mobilisation of Indian Malaysians to express, through peaceful means, their frustration against the way in which their community had been allowed to be marginalised. This cause has since been recognised as a legitimate one. The Hindraf demonstration is nothing extraordinary as such assemblies are universally recognised as being a legitimate means of expression.

In the same vein, the grounds advanced in support of the most recent detentions of Tan Hoon Cheng, Teresa Kok and Raja Petra Kamarudin leave much to be desired. The explanation that Tan Hoon Cheng was detained for her own safety was farcical. The suggestion that Teresa Kok had been inciting religious sentiments was unfounded as was evinced by her subsequent release.

As for Raja Petra Kamarudin, a prominent critic of the government, a perusal of his writings would show that he might have been insulting of the government and certain individuals within it. However, being critical and insulting could not in any way amount to a threat to national security. If his writings are viewed as being insulting of Islam, Muslims or the Holy Prophet (pbuh), he should instead be charged under the Penal Code and not under the ISA. In any event, he had already been charged for sedition and criminal defamation in respect of some of his statements. He had claimed trial, indicating as such his readiness and ability to defend himself. Justice would best be served by allowing him his day in court more so where, in the minds of the public, the government is in a position of conflict for having been the target of his strident criticism.

The instances cited above strongly suggest that the government is undemocratic. It is this perspective that has over the last 25-plus years led to the government seemingly detaining arbitrarily political opponents, civil society and consumer advocates, writers, businessmen, students and journalists whose crime, if it could be called that, was to have been critical of the government. How it is these individuals can be perceived as being threats to national security is beyond my comprehension. The self-evident reality is that legitimate dissent was and is quashed through the heavy-handed use of the ISA.

There are those who support and advocate this carte-blanche reading of the ISA. They will seek to persuade you that the interests of the country demand that such power be retained, that Malaysians owe their peace and stability to laws such as the ISA. This overlooks the simple truth that Malaysians of all races cherish peace. We lived together harmoniously for the last 400 years, not because of these laws but in spite of them.

I believe the people of this country are mature and intelligent enough to distinguish actions that constitute a "real" threat to the country from those that threaten political interests. Malaysians have come to know that the ISA is used against political opponents and, it would seem, when the leadership is under challenge either from within the ruling party or from external elements.

Malaysians today want to see a government that is committed to the court process to determine guilt or innocence even for alleged acts of incitement of racial or religious sentiment. They are less willing to believe, as they once did, that a single individual, namely the Minister of Home Affairs, knows best about matters of national security. They value freedom and the protection of civil liberties and this is true of people of other nations too.

Mr Prime Minister, the results of the last general election are clear indication that the people of Malaysia are demanding a reinstatement of the rule of law. I was appointed as your, albeit short-lived, minister in charge of legal affairs and judicial reform. In that capacity, I came to understand more keenly how many of us want reform, not for the sake of it, but for the extent to which our institutions have been undermined by events and the impact this has had on society.

With your blessing, I attempted to push for reform. High on my list of priorities was a reinstatement of the inherent right of judicial review that could be enabled through a reversion of the key constitutional provision to its form prior to the controversial amendment in 1988. I need not remind you that that constitutional amendment was prompted by the same series of events that led not only to Operasi Lalang but the sacking of the then Lord President and two supreme court justices. Chief amongst my concerns was the way in which the jurisdiction and the power of the courts to grant remedy against unconstitutional and arbitrary action of the executive had been removed by Parliament and the extent to which this had permitted an erosion of the civil liberties of Malaysians. It was this constitutional amendment that paved the way for the ouster provision in the ISA that virtually immunises the minister from judicial review, a provision which exemplifies the injustice the constitutional amendment of 1988 has lent itself.

I also sought to introduce means by which steps could be taken to assist the judiciary to regain the reputation for independence and competence it once had. Unfortunately, this was viewed as undesirable by some since an independent judiciary would mean that the executive would be less "influential".

I attempted to do these things and more because of the realisation that Malaysia's democratic traditions and the rule of law are under siege. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with giving everyone an independent judiciary and the opportunity to a fair trial. This is consistent with the universal norms of human rights as it is with the tenets of Islam, the religion of the Federation. Unchecked power to detain at the whim of one man is oppressiveness at its highest. Even in Israel, a nation that is perpetually at war, the power to detain is not vested in one man and detention orders require endorsement from a judge.

If there are national security considerations, then these can be approached without jettisoning the safeguards intended to protect individual citizens from being penalised wrongfully. In other jurisdictions involved in armed conflicts, trials are held in camera to allow for judicial scrutiny of evidence considered too sensitive for public disclosure so as to satisfy the ends of justice. If this can be done in these jurisdictions, why not here where the last armed struggle we saw, the very one that precipitated the need for the ISA, came to an end in the 1980s? Any doubts as to the continued relevance of the ISA in its present form should have been put to rest by the recommendation by the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) that the ISA be repealed and an anti-terror legislation suited to the times enacted in its place. Containing as it did a sunset clause in its original times, the ISA was never intended to be a permanent feature of the Malaysian legal landscape.

Through its continued use in the manner described above and in the face of public sentiment, it is only natural that the ISA has become in the mind of the people an instrument of oppression and the government is one that lends itself to oppressiveness. Its continued use does not bode well for a society that is struggling to find its place in the global arena. It does not bode well for the democracy that is so vital for us to develop sustainably.

Mr Prime Minister, I remember very clearly what you once said: that if one has the opportunity to do what is good and right for the country, then he must take on the task. I respect you deeply for that, and if I were confident that I would have been able to do some good for Malaysia, I would have remained on your team. Sir, you are still the prime minister and you still have the opportunity to leave your footprint in Malaysian history. I urge you to do so by repealing the ISA once and for all.

Let us attempt to fulfil that solemn promise made by our beloved first prime minister to the people of this country.


Yours sincerely,

ZAID IBRAHIM
Kuala Lumpur

+++++

I am off to celebrate the eve of Hari Raya but we will knock glasses for our Muslim friends who have to be home to help around the house.


dang, the smoothness and potency of that letter from a TOWERING MALAYSIAN......


Posted by zorro at 7:49 PM 13 comments
FOR THE FIRST TIME I WILL GO TO AN OPEN HOUSE....BUT IT WILL BE WITH A DIFFERENCE.

pic:www.thenutgraph.com


StarOnline would not have made a mistake about the open house at PWTC. The first session at 11:30am is for the Privileged and the second is for the Not-So-Privileged. I am convinced I belong to the Privilege class as I was born here and so was my father, grand-father and great-grandfather.
I suppose the second for the Not-So-Privileged are for the immigrant workers. It is good of the BN Government to think of these people who helped build all our white elephants and detention centres. But I ain't no immigrant....not even a squatter. Dang, I did own a property which I have now bequeathed to my son. I am a Malaysian of Chinese ancestry unlike some people of mixed breed but want to SQUAT as Malays,and in the process, defiling the pure Malay strain. Sheesshhhhh.


I thus certify myself as Privilieged and will go to the open house for the 11:30 session I will be wearing this T-Shirt.

So come along if you are not a squatter.
Purchase the TShirt from Gus Gan 016-3021125.


I visited People's Parliament and this is Haris' message for those who want to come along:

"I’ll be meeting up with friends in the vicinity of Secret Recipe at the Mall around 11.00am before moving on to PWTC.
For those of you who must have further details, you may contact me at no.bn.no.isa@gmail.com"




TO MY NEIGHBOR SHAH, SOPHIE, JIM BOY AND DANNY, YOU BET I WILL BE BACK FOR YOUR DO.....IF I AM LATE....YOU KNOW WHAT TO KEEP FOR ME.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA TO ALL MY MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

Molotov Cocktails Attack Teresa Kok

Molotov Cocktails

Posted by madpiscean on September 28, 2008

I am really concerned and most disgusted that this trend of throwing Molotov Cocktails into the houses of people you don’t like is starting to become a ‘common’ occurence. Read Teresa’s blog.

My most vivid (not necessarily the first) impression of Molotov cocktails are courtesy of the stories my relatives told me about 513 (Wiki entry). They used to have to close the shutters, windows etc so that none of these incendiary devices would end up flying through an open window thereby torching their house. They also had to line the cracks underneath the doors with water-soaked towels and rags, and had pails of water handy in the event something did catch fire. Dark days indeed.

These days, even though the threat of 513 is unlikely to happen again on such a scale (credit also to the unified stand of the Pakatan Rakyat who have again and again denounced and countered the increasingly racist stand of the ruling coalition), Molotov cocktails are used when aggrieved parties feel that they have been slighted, insulted or if their ideas/principles are becoming irrelevant. And god forbid these uncivilised arrogant morons should be ignored or paid less attention to!

But how many of us know what exactly is a Molotov Cocktail and why is it called that… I did some Googling, learnt something new and would like to share it with yawl.

Well, the Molotov Cocktail is also known commonly as the petrol bomb, or alcohol bomb. We’ve most often seen them used by rioters on TV news segments.

It’s a glass bottle filled with a fuel like petrol/alcohol and then a burning, fuel-soaked rag or wick is used as the stopper (at the mouth of the bottle). When the bottle is thrown and it smashes on impact, the droplets and vapour of the alcohol or petrol is ignited, and you get a fireball.

As for the origins of the name ‘Molotov’, that apparently came from Vyacheslav Molotov, who was a Soviet Union Foreign Minister (1890-1986). You can read more at the Wiki entry for it but here’s a brief explanation…


During WWII, Finland refused to surrender some strategic ports to the Soviet Union. So the Soviets invaded in Nov 1939 in what is known as the Winter War. The Finns borrowed the design of an incendiary device (bomb dispensers combining a high-explosive charge with a cluster of incendiary bombs). from the Spanish Civil War, in which Franco ordered the Nationalists to use the weapon against the Soviet tanks. When this Molotov chap claimed in radio broadcasts that the Soviets were not dropping bombs but rather ‘delivering food to starving Finns’, the Finns started to call them ‘Molotov bread baskets’.So the Finns responded by attacking the tanks with an improvised incendiary device terming it the Molotov cocktail or “a drink to go with the food” (according to Wiki). They were then mass-produced at a distillery during the Winter War.

So there you go. And please folks, don’t try this at home. Selamat Hari Raya and have a great week.



This entry was posted on September 28, 2008 at 11:12 am and is filed under Observation. Tagged: 513, Add new tag, alcohol, malaysiakini, molotov, petrol, WWII. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “Molotov Cocktails”
wits0 Says:
September 28, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I think, madpiscean, you may have forgotten to mention the poignant Hungarian Revolution of 1956 where molotov cocktails were used against T-34 tanks. That was when it became well known worldwide in the post war years.

BTW, using kerosene is hardly effective(you can try it out!). Petrol is. Not that I would want to disseminate such knowledge but it is an already known fact too that a little detergent mixed with petrol makes this firebomb more effective.

Madame Says:
September 28, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Wits0…well known fact? What have you been playing with???? :D

wits0 Says:
September 29, 2008 at 7:23 am
Madame, detergent spreads the petrol and flame faster on any surface. Adding latek(which is of course dissolved automatically)cause it to have a sticky effect, imitating a sort of napalm/phosphorous (stick n burn) effect, it is believed. Don’t think they knew that yet in Budapest in 1956. Knowing doesn’t mean practising! But now that you know, the Che Guevara school will give you double promotion should you apply. :D












http://dapmalaysia.org Press Statement by Teresa Kok in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, 27th September 2008:

Authorities urged to conduct thorough investigation on molotov cocktail hurled into family residence

I am deeply saddened and most perturbed upon hearing from my family first thing this morning that some criminal elements have thrown a molotov cocktail into the compound of my family residence where my parents and siblings reside at about 3 am today. Also found or thrown into the compound was a paper on which the following (message) worded "WOI TERESA BABI!!! LU JAGA SIKIT. JANGAN SUKA CARI PASAL … NANTI GUA BAKAR SAMA LU DENGAN LU PUNYA FAMILY, PAHAM!!! CIBAI LU TERESA KOK".

Fortunately the petrol did not ignite and there was no fire damage and no one was hurt. The family very shaken and now fear for their safety.

I view this act as most despicable and criminal which is designed to instill fear, anxiety in me and to prevent me into performing my duties as an elected representative. Inter alia, I also attribute this despicable act to certain media groups and blogs that have deliberately demonised and portrayed me as chauvinistic, anti Malay and anti Islam and they persisted in reporting similar fictitious and false stories, prior and after my arrest under the ISA on 12th September 08. This may have also stoked the contempt and hatred towards me and my family. I am deeply concerned about the personal safety of my family now.

I urge the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this and bring the culprits to face justice soonest otherwise public confidence in the security services may be severely undermined. Elected representatives will also be hampered and be intimidated from carrying out their legitimate duties unto their constituents.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Teresa Kok, Exco of Selangor State Government, MP for Seputeh and ADUN of Kinrara












Molotov Cocktail Thrown At My House
September 27th, 2008 by DAP Seputeh



Press statement by YB Teresa Kok, Exco of Selangor State Government, MP for Seputeh and ADUN of Kinrara On 27th September 2008 at Kuala Lumpur

Authorities Urged to Conduct Thorough Investigation On Molotov Cocktail Hurled Into Family Residence

I am deeply saddened and most perturbed upon hearing from my family first thing this morning that some criminal elements have thrown a molotov cocktail into the compound of my family residence where my parents and siblings reside at about 3 am today. Another was found at the gate. Also found thrown into the compound was a paper on which the following (message) worded “WOI TERESA BABI!!! LU JAGA SIKIT. JANGAN SUKA CARI PASAL … NANTI GUA BAKAR SAMA LU DENGAN LU PUNYA FAMILY, PAHAM!!! CIBAI LU TERESA KOK“.
Fortunately the petrol did not ignite and there was no fire damage and no one was hurt. The family very shaken and now fear for their safety. I view this act as most despicable and criminal which is designed to instill fear, anxiety in me and to prevent me into performing my duties as an elected representative. Inter alia, I also attribute this despicable act to certain media groups and blogs that have deliberately demonised and portrayed me as chauvinistic, anti Malay and anti Islam and they persisted in reporting similar fictitious and false stories, prior and after my arrest under the ISA on 12th September 08. This may have also stoked the contempt and hatred towards me and my family.

I am deeply concerned about the personal safety of my family now.I urge the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this and bring the culprits to face justice soon otherwise public confidence in the security services may be severely undermined. Elected representatives will also be hampered and be intimidated from carrying out their legitimate duties unto their constituents.

Teresa Kok









Kenyataan Akhbar oleh YB Teresa Kok, Ahli EXCO Kanan, Kerajaan Negeri Selangor, Ahli Parlimen Seputeh & ADUN Kinrara Pada 27hb September 2008 di Kuala Lumpur



Pihak Berkuasa Digesa Menjalankan Siasatan Penuh Atas Serangan Molotov Cocktail Ke Kediaman Keluarga Saya



Saya berasa amat dukacita dan terganggu ketika mendengar dari keluarga saya awal pagi ini bahawa anasir-anasir jenayah pada kira-kira 3.00 pagi membuang bom petrol (Molotov cocktail) ke dalam kawasan kediaman keluarga saya di mana ibu-bapa dan adik-beradik saya tinggal.



Juga tercampak ke dalam kawasan kediaman tersebut sehelai kertas dengan nota yang berbaca “ “WOI TERESA BABI!!! LU JAGA SIKIT. JANGAN SUKA CARI PASAL … NANTI GUA BAKAR SAMA LU DENGAN LU PUNYA FAMILY, PAHAM!!! CIBAI LU TERESA KOK”.



Ibu dan adik saudara saya duduk di sebelah saya dalam sidang akhbar



Nasib baik bom petrol tidak meletup, tiada kebakaran dan tiada siapa tercedera.Keluarga saya amat terganggu dan bimbang akan keselamatan mereka. Saya memandangkan serangan ini sesuatu yang amat keji dan bersifat jenayah yang bertujuan mencetuskan ketakutan dan kebimbangan terhadap saya dan mencegah saya melakukan tugas saya sebagai wakil rakyat.



Antara lain, saya juga tanggungjawabkan tindakan yang keji ini ke atas kumpulan media dan blog tertentu yang yang sengaja menghantui saya dan mencerminkan saya sebagai seorang yang bersifat perkauman, anti Melayu dan anti Islam dan berterusan melaporkan cerita / berita yang palsu dan direka, sebelum dan selepas tahanan saya di bawah ISA.

Sekarang, saya amat bimbang akan keselamatan keluarga saya.


Saya menggesa pihak berkuasa mengadakan siasatan penuh dan membawa mereka yang terlibat ke mahkamah secepat mungkin; kalau tidak kepercayaan orang ramai terhadap agensi keselamatan akan amat terjejas. Wakil-wakil rakyat akan juga terjejas dan takut melaksanakan tanggungjawab kepada pengundi mereka.





Teresa Kok


YB Dzulkifli daripada PAS, Ahli Parlimen Kuala Selangor juga datang memberi sokongan kepada saya


Wanita di sebelah kiri saya ialah YB Zuraidah, Ahli Parlimen PKR di Ampang.


Daripada Kiri ke kanan: YB Lim Lip Eng, YB Tian Chua dan YB Lim Kit Siang


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38 Responses to “Molotov Cocktail Thrown At My House”
on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 16: 32.37 leguan
Violence in any form must be nibbed in the bud.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 16: 49.46 Your friend
O dear, first and foremost, Thank God no one was injured. Pls Teresa, do consider have lights install or anything that makes it bright. better still, have dog in the compound. These are cowards and scumbags of the lowest kind.
All forms of safety needs to be look at, forget about relying on the ‘police’. We need to continue praying for safety and strengths. I wish there are other ways I can express but do not let intimidation gets to you. Pls take extra care. God bless.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 17: 09.14 bentoh
Home Minister should detain you under ISA to protect you…

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 17: 20.06 bentoh
Anyway,

I think you should start playing down the whole controversy already… It seems like the more you appear in the Utusan cover, the more the-powers-that-be is interested in fanning the racial hatred, and further portraying you negatively…

and no doubt some even make you look like a desperate lady looking for publicity stunt…

(Talking about publicity stunt… it seems like some of your party’s MP are so hardworking and supportive that they appear in every single event and photo…)

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 17: 23.02 Johnnie
Dear Teresa,
I suspect it could be the job of the Umno Seputeh, after the found out to humiliate themselves from reporting the egg and that it backfired, maybe it’s them. I am not saying it’s them, it could be the job of Utusan Melayu or the Umno Seputeh, because they can’t get you so maybe they want to do cowardly tactics.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 17: 38.12 Orangasing
Really sorry to see this happened!
Memang memalukan Malaysia with this kind of uneducated creature living among us.
Let’s wait and see if the police can solve the case by finding that person. If they did, I would be very very impressed!

You have our full support, my dear!

With lovessssssss from LONDON.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 17: 52.18 middleground
From the warning note, one can easily conclude these are the low down creeps, who are a disgrace to their community. Fear them not, do not give them the pleasure to feel they are successful in their cowardly act.

Take more care, Teresa.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 18: 18.51 eagle
Home Minister and IGP, This is what we call threatening the security and with intention of creating instability. So the people want to see police in real action, not arresting innocent people. Luckily for Teresa and family, it didn’t explode, now we want to see how efficient is our Police force tracking this real threat to the society.
God bless you YB and family. Be calm. IN GOD WE TRUST.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 18: 33.46 nordin
Dear Teresa,

Be strong and stay focused. Don’t let this racists events undermined your spirit and derailed our struggle.

To whoever did this despicable act, let me warn you that I’ll not tolerate this kind of behavior. I’ll not allow any harm to be inflicted to my fellow malaysian brothers and sisters. Over my dead body.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 18: 38.36 lee wee tak
the wording on the note suggest a low life wrote it. Teresa’s political opponents should come out and make their stand clear, whether they condemn this or they endorse this. There should be no grey area; with they support this terrorist-like approach or not.

Malaysia is no Bosnia, Palestine, Somalia, Pakistan or other chaotic countries. Those who did it is committing treason because he or it is trying to drag
Malaysia into abyss of racial hatred and violence. This creatures have to be stopped.

No need to ISA these fellas but attempted murder, attempt to cause public mischief and possession of weapon is adequate legislation under the penal code.

PDRM should come out with their statement of intent and show some result; otherwise there will be a public perception that the PDRM is unwilling to accord Teresa, a respectable tax payer, a rightful level of accountability and responsibility; which is overridden by perceived political interest, which I sincerely hope is not the case.

As for the bombers, you are no jihadist. You are cowasrd. Come out and defeat Teresa on polemics and debates. When you can’t win with logic and reason, don’t create violence. Your skills is needed in Iraq, Afganistan, Palestine etc so book a one way ticket. I’ll sponsor your bottles and get the hell out of my beloved country.

(The right legs of the letters R and K are in a marching position, approx 45 degree angle. If readers know anyone who writes like this, please report to the nearest police station and also alert Teresa. Thanks) Moderator

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 19: 15.17 low.ks
Dear Teresa,

Do not be afraid of such tactics, we will stand behind you. Do not let umno’s old tactics shake you.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 19: 38.20 inspiron
These are the challenging times and God knows you’re able to go through it. Our body is just a “body” but our spirit, our soul and our mind are what most important. Nobody can take that away from you!
May I suggest you install as many CCTV as possible around the house. At least, you could monitor your surroundings where ever you are. We can’t depend much on the police nowadays. Remember, they are the one who locked you up the other day.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 20: 50.17 Gunnfan
Please watch your six dear Teresa.

I am so pissed off right now.

What kind of lowlife scum threaten a woman and her elderly parents.

Perhaps private security for the house would be the way to go and also to engage a private investigator to look for the scum?

ps Maybe some people complain about eggs so much due to plain jealousy; coz they have no telur to speak of themselves.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 21: 35.50 ventura
Such a low morale in the political application on the game of the part of present government coalition.

First it was misrepresenting and betrayal of the people in resolution of the price of petrol and economical upheaval.

Secondly the awakening of the fearsome ISA development in preventing even civilians and elected MP to function to their representative role. Apart from that the limitation and prevention of freedom of expression of bloggers and press sharing in the democratic country Malaysia.

Thirdly racist sentiment was stir and put the blame on a scrape goat into prison rather than the initiator that causes the problem in the first place. Hence creating fear and confusion of bondage within the community of Malaysia and race in the delusion of control on repetition of May 13 histories.

Lastly individual opposition politician was put in fear thru arson and antagonism of threat to their personal life, family and property.
Is this the society that we want to protrude to the world community at large? Is this also the political fair play that we want to shown to the society and community of the investment world to our Malaysia people character and personality of indecency and barbaric behavior.

We have parliament and representatives and the lawful mean to express our view to certain mean of influence. We have the people vote to determine the democratic value of election by the people of Malaysia. On the contrary at times those days the government will curtail and prevent the view and woes of the public as to deter their inadequacy. But with the current government in governing why such effect of antagonism and expression is amplify thru such a condemn act, when the present government is in power? I wonder the present government is able to preserve the harmony and peace of the Malaysia. Are they slipping their grip to the forces of opposition party which exert pressure to that extend the status quo of such as position is threaten with an act of rebellious in nature.

The question of investigation will have to rely on the police department to find out the true of this action. And hope that the relevant authority will diligently go into ground thru thoroughly investigation of such a despicable mean to fear and causes grievances and harm. The question is that can be depend on the professionalism of the police department in investigate the proprietor of the crime to face justice.

The only thing we can hope that the public will detest such an act as capable to their reason of appointed representative is being hinder and expression out their view is prevented to practice. How can they oust out their representation is their representator was being threat and danger by criminal mean, this is seen as an absolute or diverting ways to hinder the process of democratic application in Malaysia.

We, the people have to voice out and act!

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 22: 10.32 Susan David
Bravo Theresa..this is one of ur VICTORY…itz bcoz u have shaken up them by ur political skillz n u have also made them realise dat dey r nearing d “loserz group” so datz d reazon dey r cumin up wit all kind of cheap tacticz as usual…plz dont wazte ur time thinkin of thiz kind cheap buztardz, juzt continue winning ur battle…d whole rezponzible citizenz r by ur side… alwiz & 4eva…afterall we d oppositionz r trying to save our country from thiz uneducated & cheap mentality cockerz…CONGRATZ and GOD BLEZZ…

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 22: 17.38 depressman
So sad to hear this. May God bless and protect you & your family.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 22: 29.27 zztop
It is a despicable and desperate act by someone who is racist with no brain. What the government and police are doing all these while?? The country situation has become like Zimbabwe. Just like the great Mugabe, if you don’t dance to my tune, this is what u get.
I can bet the Umnoputras, MIC/MCA/Gerakan and our MSMs especially that “UTUSAN” will ever come out and voice their concerns on this despicable act.
I hope Teresa should not be afraid of such evil tactics.
You are our rep. You did a great job despite a lot of obstacles,barriers and frustrations thrown at you. Keep up the great work.
We are now doing our own investigation on who is/are behind this.
God bless you and your family.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 22: 40.20 pak njang
YB TERESA
Saya sebagai warga malaysia berbangsa melayu dan beragama islam merasa amat keciwa dengan perbuatan orang yang tidak bertanggongjawab membuang bom petrol (Molotov cocktail) ke dalam kawasan kediaman keluarga YB Teresa. Sebagai bekas anggota polis saya berharap pihak polis dapat menjalankan siasatan rapi insiden tersebut. Ini bukan budaya kita raayat malaysia. Apa yang saya harap Yb Teresa jangan menyerah kalah dengan ugutan tersebut. Teruskan perjuangan demi pakatan raayat. saya akan terus menyokong YB Teresa, dan saya juga mendoakan muga YB Teresa dan Ibu Bapanya diberi perlindungan oleh Yang Maha Berkuasa.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 22: 44.15 damocles
Teresa, how about body guards for you and your family.
I mean the privately hired ones, not those provided by the government. Get someone to assist you to get some really good ones.
Perhaps, even get a gun licence and arm yourself?
Of course, you’ll have to go for firearms training.
Perhaps the above are worth considering?
Best wishes & regards.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 22: 47.18 AhMoi
We are on your side, YB Teresa. Together we shall bring those culprits down. May the Lord continues to protect you.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 23: 10.52 S..Tan
I tried to post this in Tun Dr M blog but rejected. But Tun’s blog allowed 2 full comments on YB Theresa’s comments on ‘Similar to dog food’ although it was out of topic. You decide why is this so.Read my submission.

MAKANAN …….

Saya nak ‘defend’ sikit YB yang diseret ke kolam kucar kacir oleh Utusan. The controversy surrounds the meaning of the word ‘similar’. YB menjawab soalan pemberita (bukan sengaja dia bangkit) tentang makanan. Dia jawab the food is ‘worse..’ (dia sedar ini salah,tersasul dia berhenti agak lama cari kata sesuai) kemudian ‘similar to dog food’. ‘Seperti’ jika dengan istilah ’sama’ is not the correct translation for ‘similar’ when you look at the context.

‘Similar’ is not ’same’.
In English similar and same difference is wide. Example, I can correctly say 2 different religions, human and monkeys,laptop and desktop are similar but wrong to say they are same. Similar means there are differences only some aspect same. Same means no difference. YB meant giving SAME type and SAME taste SAME style of food for breakfast, lunch, dinner on consecutive days is similar to serving dog food NOT THE FOOD ITSELF! Study how she took the trouble to describe getting the SAME food for breakfast AND lunch AND dinner AND everyday. She could have just said ‘it is dog food’, full stop! If you look at context of the word, the elaboration after the word, the FULL SENTENCE AND PARAGRAPH, facial expression, you will conclude she did not say biscuit, eggs, cucumber is dog food. The way it is served everyday same taste is ‘similar to (serving) dog food’ NOT the food itself. This is the context!

Spinning
I don’t blame you if cannot grasp this.Saya pun fikir begitu sekali dengar, tapi bila diteliti videonya saya pasti maksud dia. That is why English media did not report this but Utusan blew it up with an incorrect BM translation! Tun will gladly testify to this ‘problem’ because he claims to be no 1 victim of this type of ‘SPIN’, refer ‘A Study in Spinning’(Tun’s blog) Lain maksud kita lain yang diputar, dengan mencengkam satu perkataan, padam penjelasan lanjutan perkataan itu, dan tutup seluruh perenggan dan latar belakangnya(context).
Apa bezanya! Bezanya timbul bila soal maaf.

Apology
Nak salahkan YB tak patut soal mutu makanan dalam tahanan ada asas, tapi tuduh YB menghina makanan tersebut tak betul. Some have requested YB apologise based on Utusan version, ‘understanding’ or ‘spin’ of the word ‘similar’ which is wrongly (or intentionally?) translated. So you can criticize YB for complaining about quality and type of food served in detention but not for ‘allegedly saying’ biscuit,eggs,cucumber kuah is dog food. YB did not say or mean this. That is a lie and fitnah if you pursue to destroy her character with this. Kepada yang terasa makan biskut,telur,timun dan kuah ialah makanan anjing saya harap sedar sedikit leretan Utusan ini. Tapi kalau masih nak percaya Utusan, it is your right. YB is also right in stating she did not say it. Lets still live on, and work together where we can for the country. Hidup Malaysia!

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 23: 21.07 Woman in Malaysia
The people who did this to your family do not even have the guts to engage in a debate with you over what you said. The more they do this to you, the more support and sympathy you will get. Don’t bother about such scum, but please take the necessary precautions to keep yourself and your family safe.

on 27 Sep 2008 (2 days ago) at 23: 26.10 Sa1nt_Jam3s
Their intention is to intimidate you, the more you are afraid, the bolder they get..this is the raw theory of the jungle..

Do not play into their hands and glorify their actions …

I wonder what Hamid have got to say now in regards to endangered personal safety?

Do we all Malaysians now have to fear for our personal safety because of the inefficiencies or incompetence of the agencies under Hamid?

on Yesterday at 00: 18.41 afa98
dear yb kok,

i think u should stay under ISA because you will be saved there under the custody of PDRM dont worry la because you kan pejuang sejati tak takut punya orang lagi pun inilah peluang untuk you pointing your finger and start blame other people loo………good chance what apa lagi mulakan la lu punya propaganda ,i ingat you should lefer to latuk seli anwar iblahim loo……
dia manyak pandei bikin propaganda tau……

on Yesterday at 00: 56.20 MotivationInMotion
When thinking is done not with the head but the tail
One ugly outcome is to receive the molotov cocktail
Such a response all sane people must condemn to fail
With those responsible being jailed without any bail

(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng - 280908
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Sun. 28th Sept. 2008.

on Yesterday at 01: 00.52 Hasbullah Pit
YB Teresa,
Saya bersimpati dengan mesej berunsur ugutan / ancaman ini.

Walaubagaimana pun, beberapa hari lalu, Ali Rustam telah menghantar mesej berunsur jenaka kepada YB Teresa, sudahkah YB membacanya?

rujuk:
http://hasbullah.pit.my/2008/09/jenaka-ali-rustam-mahu-teresa-kok.html

on Yesterday at 05: 05.40 enigman
Dear Teresa,
Only a coward & the lowest of the scumbags would resort to this despicable act. Be strong & know that we are all behind you. I know deep in my heart that you’re NOT what Utusan tried to potray you to be - a villain ,chauvinistic, Islamophobic person. This form of intimidation can only come from one source - people who are narrow-minded & easily influenced by MSM. (Why do I have the niggling feeling that it was done by UMNO goons?)

Please be extra careful from now onwards. If possible install a CCTV in your parents house. At least it will be a deterrent to those who wish to harm you & your family.

Above all, do not let this incident deter you from discharging your duties as an elected representative. Our prayers go towards your safety & well-being.

on Yesterday at 05: 47.53 Sabahfan
The Umnoputras are really desperate..

They know that Sassy is getting support from Moslems in her constituency.

Dont you think they will be frustrated in seeing Malays who once voted blindly for Toyol, now coming to support a multi racial party?

When they lose in election, they resort to dirty tactics..

ISA, creating artificial sensitive issues, threatening others safety….. really the work of MAFIAs…

on Yesterday at 06: 44.18 clear conscience
YB Teresa

This is the most despicable act some quarters can ever do in these modern days of democratic governance.

Though it may be threatening, let God have it in HIS hands; certainly not the police nor Syed Hamid. They only know how to arrest innocent people to “protect them” from being under threat. Perhaps, YB, you may be expecting another ISA arrest to “protect” you from such threats.

On the more realistic view, there are a few reasons for this Molotov cocktail being thrown at your family members; amongst which are:-
i) being thrown at your parents’ home is specifically meant to frighten them in order for them to persuade you to tone down your “rhetoric” successes in countering the authorities pertaining to the recent events,
ii) as a warning to you to stop or continue attacking the government, police and Utusan Malaysia
iii) to intimidate you into submission to “Ketuanan Melayu” mentality and “supremacy”
iv) certain quarters are full of frustration
v) mentality of the worst kind in this civilized world
vi) Malaysia Boleh “spirit”

However, these people behind this act forgot that by carrying it out would be testing the government, in particular the police and Syed Hamid. What would these people say in the light of this. Your guess is as good as mine, “The police will do everything to ensure the safety of all Malaysians and will bring to book those responsible”.

The script looks “assuring” but in the end, the “story” ends with a “NFA-No Further Action” due to lack of evidence. Biasalah with such usual endings.

Only God can direct and everything is within HIS power, not Syed Hamid or the police bcoz everyone is also subjected to God unless everyone plays Godly.

on Yesterday at 08: 05.48 simoneyss
All I can see is revenge,revenge and revenge….

Thank God no1 was injured.

From the note that was left by the culprit, we can see that they/he/she is an uneducated,uncivilised, filled with hatred person, brainwashed by irrational Utusan Malaysia that has been doing all the irresponsible reporting. Who himself/herself cannot make a clear rational judgement.

Indirectly implying that Subject Pendidikan Moral in Malaysia is a failure !!! Of course this apply to the way current ministers too!!! Especially Syed HAmid that has made a fool of himself…

Beside knowing how to use law (ISA) that was created by the British Colonial 50 yrs ago, the current government and the oppositions also need to learn from them how to run the country for the good of the people and country and not for individual’s gain.

I cannot see myself coming home to settle yet at this moment as I do not feel safe and has lost confident with the current government and also the hatred from within certain Malays toward other races.

Racial harmony cannot be achieved when people cannot think/behave rationally.

on Yesterday at 10: 30.37 Mr Smith
I feel real, real sorry for Teresa and her parents. This should never have happened to such a wonderful MP who is truly loved by all the races in the country. Yes, even the Malays love her.

This is probably the result of ‘hate journalism’ propounded by Utusan Malaysia. When the paper goes overboard with its hate message, some gullible readers buy their message as real. Thus, the attack.
This low class newspaper which wallows in gutter journalism should be put in place.

on Yesterday at 10: 36.51 Mr Smith
In situation like this, all leaders, regardless of their political affiliation, should come forward and condemn this dastardly action is the strongest terms.
This is the sad part of Malaysian politics which Tengku Razaleigh has rightly described as Thirds World politics….. banana republic.

on Yesterday at 11: 26.49 William Reid
No one should write this off as malicious mischief. This is a clear act of intimidation against a representative of the people and tantamount to a threat against every Malaysian devoted to the preservation of our constitutional liberties. Every fibre of our being should condemn this attack in strongest terms and it is the responsibility as citizens of Malaysia to voice our outrage and stand firmly to say that we will not be intimidated, we will not succumb to fear, we will speak out in righteousness and we love our nation too much to see it fall into anarchy at the hands of conspirators, political brigands and bigots.

on Yesterday at 11: 27.41 S..Tan
Dear Theresa,

This is my closing response to 2 blog comments in Tun Dr M blog about your comment. My comments was rejected. I wanted to leave it at that but after the molotov I cannot let it be. Is there an ulterior intention to air accusation but block the explanation? (My explanation was posted above)

“Terima kasih pada askar bersara dulu menjaga keselamatan M’sia dan bumiputera dulu miskin kini dah berjaya. Minta jangan kecil hati, saya yakin YB tak ada niat menghina makanan kamu. Beri dia ‘benefit of doubt’ di bulan mulia ini. Sikit lagi, dah berjaya usahalah sendiri, jangan tamak mcm setengah orang minta lagi untuk anak.(alasan- hak istimewa), bagi miskin yang lain(mcm kamu dulu) tak kira bangsa. Kamu paling faham keperitan derita orang mcm ini”

on Yesterday at 13: 49.37 lee wee tak
according to Oriental Daily, the bottle contained flmable substance and a large number of nails.

If can certainly maimed. This qualified for intention to kill / maim.

Per Zainuddin, “ini budaya siapa?” certainly not Pakatan Rakyat.

PR’s political opponents better make their stand clear. Dr Koh already did. The continuining elegant silence will make you a silent supporter at the very least.

on Yesterday at 16: 21.06 Jebee
Dear Theresa,

Please be wary of threats by ill intruders with ulterior political motive. These ill hearts whoever they are will ultimately by punished severely by God and to hell in judgement day.

on Today at 00: 21.54 (9 hours ago) Jeanyie
Dear Teresa,

I am truly truly sick and bored of reading politcal news about Malaysia…I really felt so disgrace living here with all this “people” ruling our beautiful country…

I know each and every country…they have their own problems but most of them doesn’t appear on the front page news almost everyday! Most of them don’t insult and threathen their own people.

Last time I was really amazed living in Malaysia because there are so many ethnic and races living happily together in a country, not much country or people could do that…multicultural…but what I see now, war war war…internal war between our so called responsible MPs and Pms and PMS to be……

ISA people detaining MPs for stupid reasons, what you stated is a fact! They just cannot accept it and they detained you just because of that?!….Oh well…I don’t see them detaining “someone” who make fun of people of other races saying that one of the race here does not belong in Malaysia and belong somewhere else….I heard he just got like what?? SUSPENDED?!!?! Is that Keadilan? Oh please…Its a SICK remark!!~!

Detained journalists just because they are doing their job reporting? What is all this? Is this what you meant by Aman dan Makmur? What if other countries read and thought about us? don’t anyone of you government out there know how to write the word “SHAME” or “Embarassing”?

Arresting one another, threathening people who are elderly and little childs of MPs??? Making fun and insult other people races but did not get detained instead just getting suspended? this is what you call fair?

I still remember during the previous election, One of the parties uses women to demean women? Putting obscene posters everywhere just to win votes? Oh well, I clearly understands why this years voting results was so surprising! Thank God for all the dirty tricks that is being done that made the opposition party won!

If the egg being served to MP Teresa Kok is edible, I am pretty sure she wouldn’t make such remark…unless the egg is really rotten and only fits for dogs….if anyone of you out there who dare to show how decent and edible the egg is to local papers then maybe we can blame her for making such remark…but until today we don’t see no egg picture from the ISA detention…

I personally wanted to write this down because I really really sick of the attitudes that is being shown to everyone here in Malaysia…

OH YA>>I alomost forgot! the police of malaysia…Put a poll out there…see who agrees that they are “CEPAT AND ADIL”. Stupid big eating corrupted officers…they asks money intead of just giving you the summons…Asks any malaysians, I am sure 90% of them suffers same things I did!

Those who did that to you don’t even deserve to be voted by anybody,
They don’t even deserve to be respected by anyone here
They do not deserve to be humans too or ruling Malaysia

Like Seriously!!!!!

on Today at 09: 16.12 (35 minutes ago) stevens
Dear Teresa,

I’m deeply sadden of that the incident.
I hope and wish you and your family are safe and well.

Do what you should do to protect you and your family safe.

Keep up the good work and do it even better then before. There are many of your supporters backs you up.

Do take good care my dear..










Teresa Kok sues Utusan for RM30 million

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 9, 2008) : Seputeh Member of Parliment Teresa Kok Suh Sim has filed a RM30 million defamation suit against Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd and its editor over the publication of a controversial article on the `azan' (call for prayers) last month.


The writ of summons was filed at the Civil High Court registry in the Jalan Duta Court Complex today, through law firm, S. N. Nair & Partner.

In her statement of claim, Kok, who is also Selangor senior state executive council member, claimed that the article headlined 'Azan, Jawi, Jais, UiTM dan ba-alif-ba-ya', published in its newspaper on Sept 1, meant that she was untrustworthy, a bad politician, racist and anti-Islam.

She claimed that the defamatory article was also understood to mean that she was also an intolerant, chauvinistic politician who had committed a criminal offence which was punishable with imprisonment.

Kok, 44, said the defendants published the article in question with the knowledge and/or with the intention that the gist of the article would be republished in the local and international media, both electronic and the press.

Kok, who was arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for seven days following the issue, said the defamatory article was republished and disseminated and circulated in Malaysia and to the world, through Utusan's online services.

She said as a result, her reputation was gravely injured and also caused irreparable damage to the character, credit and reputation, both nationally and internationally.

She claimed she was also brought into public scandal, odium and contempt and that she suffered considerable distress, anxiety and embarrassment, entitling her to seek aggravated and exemplary damages.

Kok said on Sept 15, through her lawyer, she demanded from the defendants, a retraction, apology and damages but was refused.

She is seeking RM30 million in general damages, aggravated damages, exemplary damages, as well as an injunction to restrain the defendants or their agents, from repeating the defamatory words, interest, costs and any relief deemed proper by the court. -- BERNAMA