KUALA TERENGGANU: The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) held a ceramah in Batu Anam, Manir, here despite not having a police permit. The rally was scheduled to be held in Batu Burok but was changed to Manir after the organiser decided to have the event at a PAS base here. Bersih wanted to use the rally to raise the issue over the rejection of bail for two men alleged to have inflicted injuries on a policeman during a Batu Burok rally last Sept 8. However, the Kuala Terengganu High Court granted bail to Muhamad Azman Abd Aziz, 21, from Pasir Panjang and Suwandi Ab Ghani, 38, from Kampung Binjai Rendah, Marang, yesterday. The two had earlier claimed trial to the charges against them.
Showing posts with label assembly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label assembly. Show all posts
Bersih switches venue of gathering
No permit for gathering
Saturday January 5, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR: No permit has been granted for the Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA gathering scheduled for today at Dataran Merdeka.
Police said roadblocks would be set up at main entrances to the city centre to prevent untoward incidents, while Jalan Raja will be closed.
Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said he had received a letter from the group informing him about the gathering, to be held at 8pm.
He then urged the organisers to fill up a form in order for him to consider whether to approve the permit.
However, ACP Zulkarnain said members of the group who met him on Wednesday refused to fill up the form.
“I received their letter on Monday and advised them to fill up the application form but they refused to do so,” he said yesterday.
It is learnt that Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA, an unregistered body, also did not submit any application to City Hall.
ACP Zulkarnain said police would take stern action against anyone joining in the illegal assembly and advised the public to stay away.
The gathering, which was to have been held at Dataran Merdeka on Dec 22, was postponed to today.
Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA president Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said they would go ahead with the gathering despite not having a permit.
“We expect about 100 to 200 people to take part but there could be more people turning up,” he said.
Public warned against attending gathering near palace
Thursday December 27, 2007
KUALA KANGSAR: Members of the public have been warned against attending an illegal gathering scheduled to be held next to Istana Iskandariah, the official palace of the Sultan of Perak, on Friday night.
Kuala Kangsar OCPD Supt Zakaria Pagan said that the police had not issued any permit for the gathering organised by a group called Malaysians For Solidarity.
"Those found at the gathering will be deemed as participants of an illegal assembly," he said.
Supt Zakaria said those found in possession of a pamphlet on the gathering, or those found distributing it, were also breaking the law since the pamphlet did not carry the identity of the printer nor the publisher, an offence under Section 11 (2) of the Machine and Printing Act 1984.
"Those possessing or found distributing such pamphlets can be jailed up to a year or fined up to RM5,000," he said, adding that those found participating in an illegal assembly could be charged under Section 27 (2) of the Police Act 1967.
"They can be punished under Section 27 (8) of the Police Act where they are liable to be fined not less than RM2,000 and not more than RM10,000 and jailed up to a year," he said.
"I urge members of the public not to attend the gathering because stern action will be taken by the police," he said.
He said the gathering should not be held there not only for security reasons but the location was also inappropriate due to its proximity to the palace.
Supt Zakaria also said even though the organiser of the gathering had not applied for a police permit, nevertheless he did receive an application from PAS on Dec 24 to organise a talk at the same place and time.
"It's a political `ceramah' and after studying and giving due consideration to the application, I have decided against issuing a permit for the gathering supposedly to be attended by about 1,000 people," he said, adding that the applicant of the permit had been duly informed of the rejection.
Candlelight vigil postponed
Saturday December 22, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: The candlelight vigil organised by Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA, planned tonight, will not take place.
KUALA LUMPUR: The candlelight vigil organised by Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA, planned tonight, will not take place.
GMI said the event has been postponed to Jan 5.
Its secretary E. Nalini, when contacted, confirmed the postponement, and said this was because there was shortage of lawyers to defend them should they be arrested.
"Most of the lawyers who volunteered to help us are out of town because of the holidays," she said.
Nalini said the police have asked it to re-apply for the new date.
The vigil was supposed to have been held at 8pm at Dataran Merdeka on Saturday.
Hindraf asked to fight cause in the country
Wednesday December 5, 2007
PUTRAJAYA: Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders can fight their cause within the country instead of seeking overseas support, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
Stating that getting outsiders involved in their “fight” was not a good move, he added that foreigners had no right to interfere in Malaysian affairs.
“It is therefore our responsibility to protect our home. Don't invite outsiders to protect us or fight on our behalf,” he told reporters here yesterday after launching Wisma Putra's time capsule to mark the ministry's 50th anniversary.
When asked to comment on Hindraf's intention to present their petition directly to Buckingham Palace in London, Syed Hamid wished them good luck.
The time capsule to be opened in December 2057 and placed at the ministry's lobby, contained Syed Hamid's letter to the future Foreign Minister, a copy of the book No. 1 Wisma Putra, two copies of the Wisma Putra @ 50 magazine and name cards of Wisma Putra staff.
Syed Hamid revealed that he wrote on bilateral relations, international issues and problems.
He also related his experience working under two prime ministers – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Shocked by ‘apartheid’ report
Wednesday December 5, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz was shocked during a recent work trip to India to find a newspaper there carrying a front page article that claimed that Malaysia was practising apartheid against Hindus.
Holding up the DNA newspaper of Nov 28, the International Trade and Industry Minister said that the article quoted a 22-year-old Sri Lankan-born poet who had spent 17 years in Malaysia, as saying that she fled Malaysia last month to escape “systematic racial harassment.”
“Fleeing Malaysia? Oh my goodness gracious. Can you imagine? This is really telling lies,” Rafidah told reporters yesterday after chairing a Wanita Umno meeting.
The Wanita Umno chief said that the poet, Sharanya Manivannan, had also claimed in the article that there had been cases in Malaysia of “body-snatching” of Hindu corpses by the authorities so that the deceased could be buried according to Muslim rites.
She said that the poet, however, had never mentioned that these men had converted to Islam.
Rafidah added that Sharanya had said in the article that “countless (Hindu) temples have been demolished and idols smashed – oftentimes in the middle of prayer sessions and devotees attacked”.
“What a lie. Words like this are terrible. The article really hurts,” she said.
Rafidah was heading a trade mission to India from Nov 26 to Dec 1 when she came across the newspaper article at one of the five-star hotels there.
“I was shocked. Obviously there is already an international network set up,” she said, adding that she believed that this was politically motivated.
During the mission to New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, the minister said she was asked once or twice about the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) Nov 25 demonstration in Kuala Lumpur.
She said she explained that it was untrue that Hindus were being marginalised in Malaysia, adding that Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) director-general Datuk R. Karuna Karan, who accompanied her on the trade mission, was himself a Malaysian Hindu.
“He (Karuna) is a perfect example of those who get to the top. He’s not there by chance. MIDA is the organisation we put our trust in to get billions in investments.
“And Datuk Karuna is the chief because he’s the best,” she said, adding that his predecessor too was a Hindu.
Rafidah slammed Hindraf for using religion for its political purposes.
She said that if there were groups that felt sidelined, they should use the proper channels to let the Government know their grievances in black-and-white, rather than taking it to the streets and to the Queen of England.
Hindraf has filed a US$4 trillion (RM13.5 trillion) suit in London, claiming the British is to blame for the marginalisation of Indians in Malaysia, as they had brought them to the then Malaya as indentured labourers and exploited them.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the system of democracy practised in Malaysia, though dissimilar to that in the other democratic nations, is fair and transparent.
“Our democracy is founded on our history, cultural values and our traditions.
“The important thing is that we give every citizen the right to fairly elect anyone they wish to make up the Government,” he said in the Bicarawara interview programme on RTM1 last night.
Hisham hit by another malicious SMS
Wednesday December 5, 2007
SINGAPORE: Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the latest malicious SMS made against him is another lie by unscrupulous people who are trying to disrupt racial harmony in the country.
“I read this SMS today, which is untrue, a deception, and is laced with racism. It accused me and my deputy Khairy Jamaluddin of planning to go to Kampung Baru to incite hatred of the Malays against other races on Dec 19.
“The intentions (of the sender) is evil. It is an act to worsen the situation. Just like the earlier SMS, which claimed that I do not need the support of the Indians and Chinese, it is a lie,” he said.
Hishammuddin said neither he nor Khairy had any intention of going to Kampung Baru to incite Malays against non-Malays.
“That is not how we work in Barisan Nasional. That is not something we will ever do,” he said.
He called for Malaysians not to be easily influenced by lies and deception that can disrupt harmonious society, saying that those spreading them wanted to create chaos in the country.
While the earlier SMS quoted Bernama as the source, Hishammuddin said the new one did not quote anybody.
“When Bernama was framed, Bernama denied sending it and that shows that the SMS was a complete lie.
“This recent SMS did not quote Bernama, so they have learnt from their mistake,” he said.
He vowed to expose those behind the rumours and said that they will continue to monitor the SMS although he would not lodge a police report.
“We will expose them, their evil intentions, and their narrow-minded aim. If I am to lodge police reports over SMSes, then I will be at the police station everyday,” he said.
Hindraf demands too extreme, says PAS
Tuesday December 4, 2007
PETALING JAYA: PAS has become the first opposition party to hit out at the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), urging the Government to set up a commission to investigate the “absurd” allegations it has made.
Its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang slammed Hindraf in a statement here yesterday, saying:
“We think that part of the demands and accusations made by Hindraf are extreme and we want the Government to immediately set up an independent body to investigate them.”
However, he stressed that PAS still agreed that all parties should be given the right and freedom of assembly and speech as provided for in the Federal Constitution.
“Racial unity should continue to be maintained in this country and anything that will evoke the emotions of either Indians, Malays or Chinese should be rejected,” he said.
Last Sunday, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse an illegal gathering organised by Hindraf.
Thousands converged at various locations in Kuala Lumpur to support Hindraf’s plan to submit a petition with 100,000 signatures to the British High Commission.
The petition was to ask Queen Elizabeth II to appoint a Queen’s Counsel to represent the Indian community in a class-action suit filed against the British government for bringing Indians as indentured labourers to the then Malaya and exploiting them.
Bersih 10 set to be charged
Tuesday December 4, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: Ten people who took part in the Nov 10 Bersih gathering in the capital have been told to appear in the magistrate’s court today as they are going to be charged.
Bersih steering committee member R. Sivarasa, who is also a lawyer, said the exact details of the charge were not known but it has to do with the Nov 10 gathering.
He said they could be charged under the Police Act or for illegal assembly.
“Malaysia should respect the right of freedom of peaceful assembly.
“This (the charge) poses a threat to that right and will not go down well internationally or nationally,” he added.
Sivarasa, who is also a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president, stressed that charging the 10 would have no impact on Bersih’s campaign.
“We will continue our activities until free and fair elections are held,” he said.
Lawyer Latheefa Koya, who is also from PKR, said the investigating officer had called up the 10 individuals on Sunday and told them they were going to be charged.
She said most of the 10 were PAS members and from the “unit amal” group, and responsible for managing the crowd during the gathering.
Latheefa said 14 individuals who were arrested during the gathering on Nov 10 had been released on police bail.
“So we are not sure if all 14 will be charged or it’s only 10. We only know that that 10 have been called up,” she said.
Bersih is a coalition of non-governmental organisations and opposition parties who are pushing for free and fair elections.
The police did not grant Bersih a permit for the Nov 10 gathering in the city on grounds that it would cause chaos and disruption.
Despite this, the illegal gathering was attended by tens of thousands.
Police broke up the crowd at Masjid Jamek with tear gas and water cannons but allowed the demonstrators to march to Istana Negara where they handed a memorandum to a representative from the palace.
The memorandum, addressed to the King, asked for his intervention for free and fair elections to be held in the country.
On Wednesday, the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said he had offered Bersih alternative venues such as the stadium to hold its gathering peacefully but this was rejected.
Samy: Sad, not angry
Tuesday November 27, 2007
SEREMBAN: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said he was “deeply saddened but not angry” with the Hindu Rights’ Action Force (Hindraf) for organising Sunday's illegal rally.
Samy Vellu said Hindraf could have taken a better approach to air its grievances and should not have accused the MIC of failing the Indian community.
“They must follow the law. In this country, we are very open ... I have never seen a government which is more open.
“The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) has never shut his eyes or ears to their plight ... but they should have abided by the law,” he said to reporters after opening the RM1.3 million SJK (T) Ladang Seremban in Sg Gadut near here.
Hindraf defied a court order to go ahead with the illegal rally of thousands that was dispersed by police using tear gas and water cannons.
During the incident, 241 people were arrested but of those, 105 were released after their statements were recorded.
Samy Vellu said that although he had offered to meet Hindraf leaders after they forwarded a memorandum to the Prime Minister weeks before the rally, they had refused to meet him.
“I told them that I was prepared to see them but I was told that they wished to deal directly with Umno. So what can the MIC do?” he said adding that Hindraf leaders submitted a one-page memo to the Prime Minister about the community's problems over the past 50 years.
Asked if there was merit in Hindraf’s demands, Samy Vellu said problems should be discussed within the system.
“When we discuss among ourselves, we can quarrel as much as we want. But why must we raise our displeasure outside the system?” he asked.
On comments by newly-formed Malaysian Indian United Party president Datuk Nalla Karuppan that the party would work with the Barisan Nasional, Samy Vellu said anyone could do this.
“Working is one thing but getting into the Barisan is a different thing.
“Like I have always said, there will only be one party representing the Indian community in the Barisan and that is the MIC,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Petaling Jaya, MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel said the party would not gamble on the future of the Indian community by urging them to take their grievances to the streets.
He said this was because a large majority of Malaysian Indians depended on the Government for the community’s development.
“We believe we cannot achieve much by going to the streets.
“The cause you struggle for should not only be justified but must be pursued through legitimate means,” he said in a press statement.
105 demonstrators still in custody
Tuesday November 27, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 105 people who took part in the protests on Sunday are still being detained while 24 were released last night.
Federal CID director Comm Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee said those still in custody would be released on bail today. It was reported that 136 people were picked up during the protests at Jalan Ampang here and Batu Caves on Sunday which was attended by thousands. Another 105 had their details recorded.
“We released the others on Sunday and Monday after police took down their statements,” he said when met at Bukit Aman yesterday. Those picked up were remanded at the police training college on Sunday.
A court registrar assisted in the remand proceedings at the college. The process was witnessed by Bar Council members and lawyers for the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) which organised the protest.
Comm Wan said investigations against those detained would be from all angles with a view of charging them under the Police Act for illegal assembly.
They would also be investigated under Section 188 of the Penal Code for disobeying the court’s order not to a hold a gathering in front of the British Embassy.
“We will also investigate them for other offences and forward the investigation papers to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action,” Comm Wan said.
When asked why Hindraf leaders, including P. Uthayakumar, who were present at the demonstration were not arrested for flouting the court order, he said the leaders could not be detected at the early stages of the demonstration.
“They only appeared towards the end,” he added.
On whether the Hindraf leaders would be arrested, Comm Wan said that depended on the outcome of their investigations.
Comm Wan also said police were investigating allegations posted on the Police Watch website that a 20-year-old youth had been beaten to death during the demonstration.
Batu Caves temples not damaged
Tuesday November 27, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: While there was minor damage to the Batu Caves' property, the temples were not damaged by Hindraf demonstrators who had gathered there early on Sunday morning.
“All the temples are okay. There's no damage,” said Batu Caves supervisor S. Ratnam, 61, when met at his office yesterday.
Ratnam explained that special prayers were supposed to be held on Sunday morning, but a crowd of up to 700 people had turned up outside the gates at about 11pm on Saturday night.
“We close and lock our gates at about 9.30pm every night. After that, no outsiders are allowed in. That is our daily routine,” he added.
Temple secretary M. Devarajoo said the demonstrators had entered the compound, forcing them to call the police for assistance.
“We lodged four reports, including the one on Sunday when the police moved in, and one more yesterday with regards to damage caused.”
Internal Security and Public Order deputy director Senior Asst Comm (I) Datuk Jamaludin Khalid said police only moved in on the demonstrators after receiving a report at about 2am that demonstrators had trespassed into the temple compound.
“We exercised maximum restraint and acted in an appropriate manner. Our objective was to control the situation and retain law and order without causing any untoward incident,” he said.
Admitting that water cannons and tear gas were used to disperse the crowd, SAC Jamaluddin said they were forced to do so as the demonstrators pelted his officers and men with stones and bricks.
He said: “I must stress that police did not fire tear gas or use water canons inside the temple premises to disperse the more than 1,000 gathered there.”
Cop hurt trying to control crowd
Monday November 26, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: A police officer was injured when he was hit on the head with stones and broken bottles during The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) street protest yesterday.
The attack on Dang Wangi CID sub-inspector Chew Choon Peng has left him with two gashes on his head with 12 stitches.
He is also suffering from bruises on his arms, shoulders and legs.
Chew was given outpatient treatment at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital. He is recuperating at his home in Cheras.
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In agony: Sub-inspector Chew screaming in pain after being hurt during the protest in Kuala Lumpur. |
“A fellow officer was attempting to arrest a rowdy protester who was making derogatory remarks at our squad of 15 officers stationed in Jalan Hampshire.
“All hell broke loose when the protestor resisted arrest and I stepped in to help. The next thing I knew there was a sharp stinging pain on my head, and then I fell down,” he said.
He commended his colleagues for quickly controlling the situation and dragging him away from the 200-odd protesters who had begun hurling motorcycle helmets and bricks at the retreating team of policemen.
But the violence fizzled out as quickly as it had started and the protesters, too, retreated in the opposite direction towards Jalan Semarak.
Several of Chew’s colleagues were also seen limping, and others clutching their arms in pain after the short attack.
They then bandaged Chew’s head as he was bleeding profusely.
Hindraf leaders go free ... for now
Monday November 26, 2007
KLANG: The three Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) members charged for sedition, at the Sessions Court here last Friday, were given a discharge not amounting to acquittal by the same court Monday.
The trio had been charged under the Sedition Act for allegedly uttering seditious words to incite hate in their speeches made at a gathering in Batang Berjuntai on Nov 16.
In delivering her decision Judge Zunaidah Mohd Idris said the charge against lawyers P. Uthayakumar, P. Waythamoorthy and V.S. Ganapathi Rao, appeared to be ambiguous because the prosecution had failed to provide original transcripts of the Tamil speeches.
Only uncertified Malay translations of the speeches were attached to the charge sheets.
According to Zunaidah, the prosecution should have transcribed the speeches in the original language first before translating them into Malay.
An accredited translator must also certify the transcription and translation, said Zunaidah.
She added that since the translation was not certified, it was not known if it was an accurate version of the Tamil speeches made by the three defendants.
All these factors, said Zunaidah, resulted in the court being unclear and unconvinced with the charge brought against Uthayakumar, Waythamoorthy and Ganapathi Rao.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ishak Mohd Yusof said the original transcripts would be provided during the trial.
The Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) gathering
Sunday, November 25, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has indefinitely called off the handing over of its petition to the British High Commission.
A. Sivanesan, one of the lawyers representing the three Hindraf members who were charged with sedition at the Klang Sessions Court on Friday, said the handing over was called off as the group could not get to the High Commission after gathering for about seven hours.
Large groups were seen gathering at Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak from as early as 6am Sunday.
Police and Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel began dispersing the crowds using water cannons and teargas at the Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak intersection by about 7.20am, after giving them warnings to disperse.
The gathering, organised by Hindraf, had hoped to hand over the petition to the British High Commission.
The police had not given the group a permit to hold the gathering on Sunday.
The petition to the British Commission asks for Queen Elizabeth II to appoint a Queen's counsel to represent the Indian community in a class action suit against the British Government for bringing Indians as indentured labourers to then Malaya and exploiting them.
The group has filed a US$4 trillion (RM13.5 trillion) suit at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in August claiming that the British were to blame for the marginalisation of Indians in Malaysia.
The suit is equivalent to US$1mil (RM3.4mil) for every Indian in Malaysia.
The police had on Friday served a court order on five members of Hindraf and its supporters restraining them from organising or participating in the planned rally.
Jalan Ampang, which had been closed from 3am because of the gathering, was reopened at 1pm Sunday.
The Avenue K and City Square shopping complexes and the restaurants along Jalan Ampang were closed Sunday morning, while various hotels and Suria KLCC had strict security enforced at their entrances.
The KLCC and Ampang Park LRT stations, which were closed from 6am, were reopened at 3.13pm.
Stay away from illegal gathering, says IGP
Thursday November 22, 2007
MALACCA: Police have once again urged the public to stay away from the planned gathering organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) on Sunday as the group does not have a permit for the gathering.
Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said the public should stay away from the illegal gathering at the British High Commission on Sunday.
"I urge the public not to attend this type of gathering as we will take stern action," he said.
The gathering is to submit a petition with 100,000 signatures to Queen Elizabeth II to appoint a Queen's Counsel to represent the Indian community in a class action suit against the British Government for bringing Indians as labourers to the then Malaya and thereafter exploiting them.
The suit, filed at the Royal Courts of Justice in London by Hindraf chief P. Wathyamoorthy in August, sought compensation of up to US$4 trillion (RM13.5 trillion), or US$1mil (RM3.4mil) for every Indian in Malaysia.
Musa said, based on the speeches by certain groups, the topics discussed would instigate racial issues.
"Illegal street rallies and demonstrations would surely lead to aggression and these acts can affect the safety and economy of the country," he added.
He also warned groups never to bring their children to such rallies as this could endanger their lives.
"Under the Child Act, children should not be exploited and stern action can be taken against these irresponsible people because it jeopardises the safety of the children," he said.
Barisan reps stage walkout in Kelantan State Assembly
Thursday November 22, 2007
KOTA BARU: The third day of the State Assembly sitting turned chaotic when Datuk Nozula Mat Diah (BN – Paloh) was suspended by the Speaker, resulting in a walkout by Barisan Nasional assemblymen.
This is the first time that an assemblyman here has faced such an action.
Speaker Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah suspended Nozula after he refused to sit down and insisted on participating in the debate on the royal address.
Wan Abdul Rahim had earlier called upon Mohd Zain Ismail (BN – Bukit Teku) to begin speaking but Nozula, who stood up first, requested for the right to speak.
“I have come from very far, from Gua Musang, to speak and for the last two days, you've denied me my right. I refuse to sit down as the Speaker has been most unfair,” Nozula shouted.
Wan Abdul Rahim then invoked Standing Orders Rule 51.3 which states that all members of the House must respectfully obey the orders of the Speaker.
Following a motion to suspend Nozula, 23 members – all from PAS – voted in favour, with the 21 Barisan Nasional members present opposing. The Barisan members then staged a walkout.
Nozula's suspension will last until Tuesday when this sitting ends.
Wan Abdul Rahim then allowed proceedings to continue with only the PAS members in the House.
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