The world is on a shopping spree, coz Christmas is just around the corner. But guess what is Malaysia doing? It’s on an arrest spree.
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s government is arresting just about everyone who’s suspected of organising rallies on sight. It was only International Human Rights Day yesterday (Dec 10), when the government arrested lawyers who walked for justice.
Today, Abdullah has ordered all roads to Parliament blocked, and arrested scores of people ranging from activists, politicians and writers, for gathering at the August House to submit a memorandum protesting the extension of the Election Commision chief’s retirement age. (If you want to know why Abdullah wants to crush Bersih – the rally’s organiser – read Elizabeth Wong’s)
The Opposition, especially Keadilan and PAS, are mostly targetted. Human Rights activists and the writers’ group as well. Even a teenager was nabbed during the fiasco. Is Malaysia truly Asia, or just truly mad?
SUARAM’s latest statement says that the government’s crackdown on peaceful assembly continues with the arrest of 23 individuals, including SUARAM executive director Yap Swee Seng. Those arrested are reportedly held at the Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK Kuala Lumpur). As of 2pm, 23 individuals (including a 13 year old ) were confirmed detained at IPK Kuala Lumpur. They were detained either on the way to Parliament to submit the memorandum, or when they were leaving the Parliament, about 1.00 to 1.30pm.
I’ve never seen such cowardice. But wait…I actually have…in 1987 and during reformasi days. Whenever UMNO is at its lowest and weakest points, instead of tackling business in-house, it diverts attention and attacks others. No wonder the rot in UMNO continues.
It’s great to see the people coming together defying Abdullah’s dictatorship. Abdullah would have been able to live up to his “Mr. Nice Guy” label, if he had only shown some respect for human rights. But alas…
Who’s giving him advise these days, I wonder? Fourth floor guys? Najib, the deputy prime minister?
Looks like someone wants the prime minister to look really bad. And the stupid guy just falls into their trap.
ENTER THE FREE SPEECH ZONE 3 HERE
*SUSAN LOONE's Blog* 
Pak Lah has CRACKED.
“Merry” Christmas, “Happee” Human Rights Day…
It’s not long before UMNO ejects Pak Lah.
A nice guy, better man than Mahathir but simply incompetent?
Should have just let people demonstrate peacefully. After all, UMNO always chants that it has the rural heartlands in its hands. Then why so scared?
It’s so 1984….So Orwellian….
I`m glad da bodo is digging his own and his party`s grave.
Well, badawi might be digging his own grave and playing into other ppl’s hands, but I am not glad all. No one should be.
Today, the people were barred from Parliament. The MPs are called wakil rakyat for a reason.
And to amend the constitution for who? A clearly biased Election Commissions chairman. And the motion to amend the constitution was passed unanimously. Without dissent from any BN member. WTF?
Election Commission are partners in cheating. And this rashid has recently said that BN is the best `regime` for the country. This is how he does it:
[Note: pls read my earlier posting “Excuse me, WTF registered me as a Voter?” to have an idea of this posting]
An afternoon at the Election Commission. And so I was at the SPR yesterday. The officers were able to answer some of my questions.
When was I registered?
1999.
How was I registered?
Someone filled up the form.
How come?
Before July 2002, political parties were allowed to register on behalf of constituents who had not been registered.
Some questions they couldn’t answer.
Was it the BN or the Opposition that registered me?
We don’t know.
Did I “vote” for the 1999 and the 2003 general elections?
We have no idea.
How did this political party in Taman Rapat Setia register me when I never lived there?
We can’t tell.
http://rockybru.blogspot.com/2007/09/i-phantomed.html
lot ppl at IPK Kuala Lumpur rite now!
will be there, soon.
[…] Metroblogging Kuala Lumpur added an interesting post on Malaysia mad with arrests, 23 nabbed including teenagerHere’s a small excerpt […]
Susan , first time in your blog and wanted to comment , but the Cat with the MachineGun made me fall of my chair and i am still in tears laughing …
I`m glad for bodo`s and umno`s demise. It is my turn to say `i told you so`. Until such things happen people continue to live in la la land.
So i`m glad. My dad is glad. Heck my whole family is glad.
arifabdul:
Ok guys, have to concentrate on work.
But please for suarakeadilan.com for updates, there’ll also be some on bangkit.net.
There’s a solidarity gathering, it’s at the KL Police Headquarters on Jalan Hang Tuah, opposite from Pudu Jail, 4pm.
I am scheduled to speak thereafter at the KL-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall at 7.30pm. Original topic is Hindraf, but a lot of things have been happening since.
http://jelas.info/2007/12/11/dollahs-gamble-solidarity-at-ipk-hang-tuah-at-4pm-forum-chinese-assembly-hall-730pm/
[…] Read the rest of this great post here […]
The Cruelty Of The Police Force
Looks like he had fainted.
Don’t ever look down on teenagers. After all, it just took a 19 year-old Bosnian Serb to assassinate the Archduke of the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1914 and that started World War I. 80 million dead within 4 years
My only consolation is that BN is digging their own graves.
You’re right, Susan. It’s Truly Mad.
“The Mufti of Sabah issued a fatwah (religious decree) that declared all Buddhist statues haram (forbidden). With that fatwah the Thean Hou Foundation was forbidden from erecting the Goddess of the Sea statue and was ordered to halt all work although they had already brought in the statue and work had progressed halfway”
http://www.malaysia-today.net/nuc2006/index.php?itemid=1042
Macam tak biasa lah… suka sangat tangkap2 orang..
I am indeed sad for Human Rights but sadder for the peace loving people of Malaysia.
I am indeed sad for the people of Malaysia. I hope you would have a new government who cherish the democratic rights of the people of Malaysia.
ARIFFABDUL…..buddy I am glad that you are OK…I was worried for you on Sunday….went to IPK but couldnt get news as Ambiga was not allowed in. That was much earlier. I couldn’t do much for Ali Raja who was the last of the strollers to be arrested. He just slipped away when I got distracted by some well-wishers. I looked for his sister to apologise to her for my failure to take care of her brother.
Badawi sent x’mas cards to churches in 2003 !! what has happened to him now !!??
He also sent chinese new year cards in 2004 !!
Now !? will he ??????????????????????????????????????? !!
stcin, the receipients of them in 2003 and 2004 can now send him yellow and red cards ala soccer referee code.
The pak lah administration is really in a denial mode and are actually very scared stiff…why else would they just arrest under iSA and sweep everything under the carpet
The high handed crackdown indicates a desperate , corrupt government ‘s move in trying to hold on to its last breath.
Barisan nasional…? Yes, Truly, Madly, Deeply
The official ‘rationale’ spewed by them is mind boggling, to say the least… Definitely not the man on the Clapham Omnibus…