Malaysiakini :: Letters
Malaysiakini :: Letters |
| Using EO on Bersih a low point in Najib's tenure Posted: 03 Jul 2011 05:15 AM PDT The right of citizens within a democratic society should be respected by all parties especially the State in ensuring fundamental human rights are exercised in an environment where there is collective responsibility. Over the past week we have seen the attempts from various quarters to restrict democratic rights. These actions include the arrest, the banning of t-shirts, the declaration that Bersih is an illegal movement. In addition the personal attacks on Ambiga Sreenevasan (Bersih chair) questioning her integrity and sincerity by main stream media, the reference to communist threat and violent overthrow of the government are unfounded accusations. These actions can be read as creating a situation of political tension and reducing public confidence in the way the Federal government is addressing the situation. July 2, 2011 can we noted as a dark day for human rights during the Najib administration with the rearrest of Sungai Siput MP Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj and six others under the Emergency Ordinance (Public Order and Prevention of crime) EPOPCO after being held in remand for 7 days. EPOPCO is a preventive detention law similar to the Internal Security Act, which enables the police to hold the arrested people for 60 days and subsequent through the minister's order a further detention for two years. The Royal Police Commission in 2005 recommended "that EPOPCO be repealed because it has outlived its purpose and in some instances has facilitated the abuse of some fundamental liberties" (page 310). The use of this law or any preventive legislation is clearly a violation of human rights. Proham calls on the Home Affairs Minister and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) not to use preventive legislation but charge any suspect or accused person in the court of law, consistent with Malaysia's move to be a developed nation by 2020 Proham calls on the IGP to release MP Michael Jeyakumar and the five others whom the police had already remanded for seven days or charge them in open court Proham calls on the prime minister who has a very strong commitment to moderation and rational response to national concerns to provide strong political leadership in brining about a 'win –win' situation for human rights and community harmony through a mediation process among the various leaders Proham feels there is still time for the prime minister and his administration to provide a conducive framework and environment for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights by expressing their views and concerns for a free and fair elections.
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| Bersih would bring RM6mil business to KL Posted: 03 Jul 2011 04:54 AM PDT The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections 2.0 (Bersih 2.0) expresses its deepest regret over the deputy inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar's unreasonable rejection of negotiation, sacrificing the interests of the Kuala Lumpur central business district. Bersih 2.0 points out that the visit of 100,000 Bersih patriots to Kuala Lumpur's central business district may create a business turnover of at least RM 6 million on transportation, food and shopping. As most of the rally participants are from outside of central Kuala Lumpur, it is reasonable to estimate that each person will spend at least RM20 on transportation, or RM2 million in total. The bulk of this will be earned by public transport operators, from Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), Transit KL, coach companies to taxi drivers. Even non-rally-goers will likely visit the city centre by means public transport given the anticipated closure of roads in any situation. Besides transportation, most of the rally goers will also likely dine in central Kuala Lumpur, some perhaps for three meals. Given the food price hike, we expect an average Bersih patriot will spend up to RM20 for food and beverage before, during and after the march. The bulk of the RM2 million will likely go to restaurants, stalls and mobile hawkers around Kampung Baru, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Puduraya, Masjid Jamek, Central Market, Jalan Petaling and KL Sentral. In conjunction with the Malaysian Mega Sales promotion, many rally participants are likely to shop in Sogo, KLCC, Pavilion, Time Squares, Putra Palace, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Little India, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Imbi, Brickfields, Jalan Petaling and Central Market. Per capita spending of RM 20 will be considered a conservative estimate. On top of this, some rally goers may even patronise hotels and backpackers in Kuala Lumpur, creating wealth for the hospitality industry, adding more to the RM6 million business opportunity. Bersih 2.0 therefore reminds the police that rallies, like concerts, carnivals, festivals and sport events, are pro-business. Kuala Lumpur would be an international laughing stock if the police had locked down the city on last Sunday to prevent the Standard Chartered International Marathon. Luckily, the police instead closed down certain roads in Kuala Lumpur up to eight hours, directed traffic and maintained order, making the Marathon a big success and helping Kuala Lumpur to stand out on global map of events. Bersih 2.0 called upon the police to employ common sense and be pro-business in dealing with the July 9 rallies as they did in the Standard Chartered International Marathon. With negotiated routes, the rallies can make everyone a winner. Bersih 2.0 therefore called upon the IGP Ismail Omar to continue negotiating with Bersih and two other rally organisers on the routes. Negotiation must be seen as a sign of strength, not weakness. In fact, personal ego, institutional pride and partisanship must give way to national interests. Bersih 2.0 believes, the public will only praise the Police for their professionalism, impartiality and business-friendly attitude should they negotiate with the rally organisers to find a win-win solution. Bersih is looking forward to meeting Ismail Omar next week for a reasonable outcome. Bersih 2.0 reminds the police that, even detention of Bersih leadership under the Internal Security Act (ISA) will not stop the Bersih 2.0 rally. Instead, more will turn up on July 9 in solidarity. All the public relations effort and investment by the Government will be undone by the police. Should the peaceful Bersih rally be marred with permitted violence by agent provocateurs, as how thugs were permitted by police's inaction to surround the Parti Keadilan Rakyat's headquarters and Penang chief minister's residence and threaten violence, the police will also only tarnish its own and the country's image irrecoverably, undermining the government's effort in steering economic growth. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
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