Note: Gerakan is a partner in the ruling coalition. UNMO the Malay partner is the senior and dominant partner which makes the decisions. The rest of the partners are seen as stooges without real power.
Gerakan rep: Umno incites racial sentiments
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76305
Dec 21, 07 6:23pm
In an audacious move, a notable Gerakan politician has taken Barisan Nasional coalition leader Umno to task for inciting racial sentiments among Malays to gain political mileage.
"They incite racial sentiments among their community in a petty attempt to further their political career," Gerakan Youth vice-chief S Paranjothy alleged today.
Such attempts, he said, include taking potshots at other BN component parties which draw their support from non-Malay communities.
"Umno leaders are very found of picking on component parties and use them as their punching bag or stepping-stone to gain popularity in their community," Paranjothy said in a hard-hitting four-page statement entitled 'Discrimination from Womb to Tomb' and his deputy Khairy Jamaluddin's claim that non-Malays would take advantage of a weak Umno leadership, as prime examples of racial posturing.
He also cited Khairy's speech at the Umno general assembly last month, during which he blamed newspaper vendors for not wanting to work on Deepavali day. He made a pointed reference to the fact that the sector is predominated by Indian Malaysians.
(Each year, the print media takes a break during the major festivals. This year, Deepavali fell during the week of the Umno general assembly, and there was no publication on the day following the delivery of the presidential address.)
"Umno is fond of playing up sensitive issues among Malaysians. Statements and decisions made by Umno politicians have been (discriminatory) and contain a lot of racial slurs. So who is playing racial politics in Malaysia?… So who is causing racial disunity?" asked Paranjothy.
He warned that national unity would be elusive as long as political parties and politicians continue their communal approach towards politics.
"Politicians always feel (they) must fight for (their) own party. Since we have mostly ethnic parties, they are fighting for their ethnic group. It is difficult to achieve any kind of consensus."
He stressed that the 14 BN component parties must consolidate into a single party in order to "end racial manipulation in politics".
"In a multiracial party, if a politician wants to succeed, he would need to prove his ability and win support from all races, not just his own," he explained.
'Fourth-class citizens'
Commenting on the Nov 25 Hindraf rally, Paranjothy said the 30,000 Indians took part to express their "frustrations and anger" because the community has been "marginalised, oppressed and ignored".
Paranjothy said Indians form the most neglected group in economic terms, as shown by key performance indicators such as tertiary education.
"(They) are treated as fourth-class citizens. Where the Indians predominate over their fellow Malaysians is mostly in prison, violent crimes, gangsterism, suicide and social ills. Government policies have failed to improve (their situation)."
On the government's hardline stance against public demonstrations, Paranjothy said the government has practised double-standards in the issuance of police permits.
"I have participated in street demonstrations and rallies organised by Barisan Nasional Youth, spearheaded by Umno Youth, to handover a memorandum… over certain issues that had taken place (abroad) which I believe would not have benefitted Malaysia.
"Did BN Youth obtained a permit to hold the rallies or demonstrations?… Looks like the government is one-sided when it came to the issuance of permits for public gatherings. BN started this culture of street demonstrations and now others have emulated it."
Friday, December 21, 2007
Struggle for equal rights must go on: Hindraf leader Uthayakumar from detention camp
Struggle must go on: Hindraf
P. S. Suryanarayana
SINGAPORE (Dec. 22, 2007): Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P. Uthayakumar, now in detention without trial under Malaysia’s tough Internal Security Act (ISA), has told his followers that “the struggle [for the ‘equal rights’ of Malaysian Indians] must continue.”
“He is in high spirits. He is doing fine,” said Thanenthiran, Hindraf’s new Coordinator, after meeting Mr. Uthayakumar at the Kamunting Detention Centre, about 350 km. north of Kuala Lumpur. Four other Hindraf leaders — M. Manoharan, V. Ganapati Rao, R. Kengadharan, and P. Vasanthakumar — are also being held there under the ISA, all without trial. They have been accused of fanning “racial hatred” and posing “a threat to national security.” All five Hindraf leaders were not being subjected to harsh treatment under detention, Mr. Thanenthiran said.
He said habeas corpus petitions had also been filed to secure the release of all five. The petitions might come up for hearing next week.
ANI reports:
Meanwhile, the island state of Johor Baru has claimed that the needs of the Indian community are being met. Johor Malay Indian Congress Liaison Committee Chairman Datuk K. S. Balakrishnan said the state had granted RM 9 million over the past several years for the development of Tamil schools.
http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/22/stories/2007122255701400.htm
P. S. Suryanarayana
SINGAPORE (Dec. 22, 2007): Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P. Uthayakumar, now in detention without trial under Malaysia’s tough Internal Security Act (ISA), has told his followers that “the struggle [for the ‘equal rights’ of Malaysian Indians] must continue.”
“He is in high spirits. He is doing fine,” said Thanenthiran, Hindraf’s new Coordinator, after meeting Mr. Uthayakumar at the Kamunting Detention Centre, about 350 km. north of Kuala Lumpur. Four other Hindraf leaders — M. Manoharan, V. Ganapati Rao, R. Kengadharan, and P. Vasanthakumar — are also being held there under the ISA, all without trial. They have been accused of fanning “racial hatred” and posing “a threat to national security.” All five Hindraf leaders were not being subjected to harsh treatment under detention, Mr. Thanenthiran said.
He said habeas corpus petitions had also been filed to secure the release of all five. The petitions might come up for hearing next week.
ANI reports:
Meanwhile, the island state of Johor Baru has claimed that the needs of the Indian community are being met. Johor Malay Indian Congress Liaison Committee Chairman Datuk K. S. Balakrishnan said the state had granted RM 9 million over the past several years for the development of Tamil schools.
http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/22/stories/2007122255701400.htm
Ethnic Indians are fourth class citizens in Malaysia: noted Gerakan politician
Ethnic Indians Are Fourth Class Citizen in Malaysia : Noted Gerakan Politician
This statement was made by Paranjothy of Gerakan party, a partner in the ruling coalition in Malaysia.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76305
Fourth-class citizens'
Commenting on the Nov 25 Hindraf rally, Paranjothy said the 30,000 Indians took part to express their "frustrations and anger" because the community has been "marginalised, oppressed and ignored".
Paranjothy said Indians form the most neglected group in economic terms, as shown by key performance indicators such as tertiary education.
"(They) are treated as fourth-class citizens. Where the Indians predominate over their fellow Malaysians is mostly in prison, violent crimes, gangsterism, suicide and social ills. Government policies have failed to improve (their situation)."
On the government's hardline stance against public demonstrations, Paranjothy said the government has practised double-standards in the issuance of police permits.
"I have participated in street demonstrations and rallies organised by Barisan Nasional Youth, spearheaded by Umno Youth, to handover a memorandum… over certain issues that had taken place (abroad) which I believe would not have benefitted Malaysia.
"Did BN Youth obtain a permit to hold the rallies or demonstrations?… Looks like the government is one-sided when it came to the issuance of permits for public gatherings. BN started this culture of street demonstrations and now others have emulated it."
Full article entitled, "Gerakan Rep: Umno Incites Racial Sentiments" can be accessed at :http://rockinsince86.wordpress.com/2007/12/21/gerakan-rep-umno-incites-racial-sentiments/
This statement was made by Paranjothy of Gerakan party, a partner in the ruling coalition in Malaysia.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76305
Fourth-class citizens'
Commenting on the Nov 25 Hindraf rally, Paranjothy said the 30,000 Indians took part to express their "frustrations and anger" because the community has been "marginalised, oppressed and ignored".
Paranjothy said Indians form the most neglected group in economic terms, as shown by key performance indicators such as tertiary education.
"(They) are treated as fourth-class citizens. Where the Indians predominate over their fellow Malaysians is mostly in prison, violent crimes, gangsterism, suicide and social ills. Government policies have failed to improve (their situation)."
On the government's hardline stance against public demonstrations, Paranjothy said the government has practised double-standards in the issuance of police permits.
"I have participated in street demonstrations and rallies organised by Barisan Nasional Youth, spearheaded by Umno Youth, to handover a memorandum… over certain issues that had taken place (abroad) which I believe would not have benefitted Malaysia.
"Did BN Youth obtain a permit to hold the rallies or demonstrations?… Looks like the government is one-sided when it came to the issuance of permits for public gatherings. BN started this culture of street demonstrations and now others have emulated it."
Full article entitled, "Gerakan Rep: Umno Incites Racial Sentiments" can be accessed at :http://rockinsince86.wordpress.com/2007/12/21/gerakan-rep-umno-incites-racial-sentiments/
Gerakan youth slams temple demolitions (June 2006)
Gerakan Youth slams temple demolitions (June 2006)
This is from June 2006, and it is from a coalition partner. Complete apathy and ignoring concern and feelings of non-muslims led to Hindraf rally on Nov 25, 2007 and current pathetic state of affairs. The blame came be completely placed on the Bumiputra ruling party UNMO.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/52340
Jun 10, 06 9:12pm
The wanton destruction of Hindu temples by local councils in several states must now stop as it could fan religious and racial animosity among Malaysians, Gerakan Youth warned today.
"We strongly believe that the local authorities have blatant disrespect for other religions in this country and for violating the Federal Constitution by their disrespectful manner in which places of worship have been demolished," its deputy chief S Paranjothy said in a strongly worded statement.
Article 11 of the Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of religion while laws such as Section 295 of the Penal Code describes defiling religious buildings as a criminal offence.
Paranjothy's criticism comes hot on the heels of a heated parliamentary roundtable on temple demolitions last Sunday attended by more than 160 temple caretakers, all decrying the recent trend.
The latest incident revolved around the Muniswaran Alayam temple in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur which was destroyed by DBKL on Thursday.
Remember 'Kerling incident'
"We hereby issue a stern warning to all local councils to stop demolishing temples and to avoid the repeat of another 'Kerling incident' because of their (local governments) insensitivities of the right of minority groups," added Paranjothy.
In 1977, five Muslim Malays, accused of being involved in a series of temple desecration, were killed after being ambushed near the vicinity of a Hindu temple by several Indian Hindus in Kerling, near Kuala Selangor.
The incident drew a storm of controversy and the assailants were all given jail sentences. They were then represented by former MIC secretary-general DP Vijandran.
Paranjothy argued that most of such temples have been long in existence and the local authorities should show sensitivity by relocating them to appropriate places.
MIC has failed
Paranjothy also took a swipe at fellow Barisan Nasional component party MIC over their failure to protect these temples.
"We regret that the MIC who claims to represent and champion the cause of the Indian community in this country has failed to safeguard and protect these temples from being demolished," he added.
He also called on the Malaysian Hindu Sangam, an MIC initiated religious body, to be more proactive in protecting Hindu temples and not take a "passive stand".
Next on Paranjothy's firing-line was the Attorney-General's Chambers, which he claimed has yet to take any action on police reports made against local councils in regards to temple demolitions.
"We sincerely hope that the AG's Chambers is not biased towards the majority by discriminating the minority of their rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution. In this instance, silence is not golden," he stressed.
This is from June 2006, and it is from a coalition partner. Complete apathy and ignoring concern and feelings of non-muslims led to Hindraf rally on Nov 25, 2007 and current pathetic state of affairs. The blame came be completely placed on the Bumiputra ruling party UNMO.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/52340
Jun 10, 06 9:12pm
The wanton destruction of Hindu temples by local councils in several states must now stop as it could fan religious and racial animosity among Malaysians, Gerakan Youth warned today.
"We strongly believe that the local authorities have blatant disrespect for other religions in this country and for violating the Federal Constitution by their disrespectful manner in which places of worship have been demolished," its deputy chief S Paranjothy said in a strongly worded statement.
Article 11 of the Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of religion while laws such as Section 295 of the Penal Code describes defiling religious buildings as a criminal offence.
Paranjothy's criticism comes hot on the heels of a heated parliamentary roundtable on temple demolitions last Sunday attended by more than 160 temple caretakers, all decrying the recent trend.
The latest incident revolved around the Muniswaran Alayam temple in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur which was destroyed by DBKL on Thursday.
Remember 'Kerling incident'
"We hereby issue a stern warning to all local councils to stop demolishing temples and to avoid the repeat of another 'Kerling incident' because of their (local governments) insensitivities of the right of minority groups," added Paranjothy.
In 1977, five Muslim Malays, accused of being involved in a series of temple desecration, were killed after being ambushed near the vicinity of a Hindu temple by several Indian Hindus in Kerling, near Kuala Selangor.
The incident drew a storm of controversy and the assailants were all given jail sentences. They were then represented by former MIC secretary-general DP Vijandran.
Paranjothy argued that most of such temples have been long in existence and the local authorities should show sensitivity by relocating them to appropriate places.
MIC has failed
Paranjothy also took a swipe at fellow Barisan Nasional component party MIC over their failure to protect these temples.
"We regret that the MIC who claims to represent and champion the cause of the Indian community in this country has failed to safeguard and protect these temples from being demolished," he added.
He also called on the Malaysian Hindu Sangam, an MIC initiated religious body, to be more proactive in protecting Hindu temples and not take a "passive stand".
Next on Paranjothy's firing-line was the Attorney-General's Chambers, which he claimed has yet to take any action on police reports made against local councils in regards to temple demolitions.
"We sincerely hope that the AG's Chambers is not biased towards the majority by discriminating the minority of their rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution. In this instance, silence is not golden," he stressed.
Human Rights Watch, USA: news and releases protesting Malaysia's use of ISA
Hindu Rights Activists Detained in Malaysia
Thursday, December 20 2007 @ 10:15 AM EST
Edited by: Kandy Ringer
Human Rights Watch 2007
News and Releases
Compiled by Kandy Ringer
Government Again Uses Internal Security Act to Detain Without Trial
BBSNews December 20, 2007 -- New York (HRW) The Malaysian government should order the immediate release of five Hindu Rights Action Force leaders detained under the Internal Security Act, Human Rights Watch said today. Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA), which permits indefinite detention without charge or trial, has long been used against peaceful political and rights activists.
On December 13, the government arrested Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders P. Uthayakumar, M. Manoharan, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan, and T. Vasanthakumar under the ISA. Hindraf protests what they believe are discriminatory government economic policies against Malaysia's Indian population, and on November 25 held a rally in Kuala Lumpur drawing between 10,000 and 30,000 participants.
"Holding Hindraf leaders under the ISA is an attempt to frighten into silence a minority community concerned about its rights," said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "If laws were broken, then the offenders should be charged and properly tried, not detained indefinitely."
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, who is also minister of internal security, reportedly said that Hindraf leaders were undermining national security because they threaten racial and religious harmony among Malaysia's Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities. On December 15, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan told the media, without elaboration, that the five detained activist leaders "clearly have links with international terrorist organizations and they are involved in activities that amount to inciting racial hatred." Three of the five detained leaders have also been charged with sedition.
Hindraf's efforts to obtain police permission for the November 25 rally were rebuffed by the Kuala Lumpur police, which refused to issue a permit. Asserting that Malaysia's constitution guaranteed freedom of assembly and expression, Hindraf proceeded with the demonstration. Given the early morning march, some of those planning to participate gathered during the evening of November 24 at Batu Caves, a sacred Hindu site some seven miles from Kuala Lumpur, where they mingled with worshipers. At 4 a.m., police officers used tear gas and water cannons -- it is unclear if they broadcasted warnings or dispersal orders -- against those in the temple. Scores were detained. Later that morning, a rally in Kuala Lumpur proceeded peacefully until police told demonstrators to move on. When they refused, police used tear gas, chemically laced water, and batons to disperse them. Protesters lobbed the canisters back at police.
In the weeks since the protest, in addition to the sedition charges filed against the three leaders, the government charged 31 demonstrators with attempted murder after a policeman was allegedly injured outside Batu caves. The murder charges were dropped on December 17 and all 31 were released on bail. However, 25 members of the group still face charges for causing mischief and for unlawful assembly.
Human Rights Watch said that elections are expected in early 2008.
"The upcoming elections will be an important opportunity for Malaysians to have their voices heard on a range of issues," said Pearson. "The government must allow all voices to be heard, including those from marginalized communities like Hindraf who are seeking equal access to basic rights."
For many years, Human Rights Watch has called for the Malaysian government to abolish the ISA. All persons now held under the ISA -- 87 in September 2007 -- should be freed or charged and tried under conditions that meet international standards of due process.
Malaysia, a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), signed the ASEAN charter on November 21, 2007. Both under the ASEAN charter and also as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Malaysia has pledged to "promote and protect" human rights. Human Rights Watch urged the Malaysian government to honor its pledges to those international institutions as well as uphold its human rights obligations under international law by abolishing the ISA.
More of Human Rights Watch's work on Malaysia is available online.
http://bbsnews.net/article.php/20071220101550209
Thursday, December 20 2007 @ 10:15 AM EST
Edited by: Kandy Ringer
Human Rights Watch 2007
News and Releases
Compiled by Kandy Ringer
Government Again Uses Internal Security Act to Detain Without Trial
BBSNews December 20, 2007 -- New York (HRW) The Malaysian government should order the immediate release of five Hindu Rights Action Force leaders detained under the Internal Security Act, Human Rights Watch said today. Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA), which permits indefinite detention without charge or trial, has long been used against peaceful political and rights activists.
On December 13, the government arrested Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders P. Uthayakumar, M. Manoharan, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan, and T. Vasanthakumar under the ISA. Hindraf protests what they believe are discriminatory government economic policies against Malaysia's Indian population, and on November 25 held a rally in Kuala Lumpur drawing between 10,000 and 30,000 participants.
"Holding Hindraf leaders under the ISA is an attempt to frighten into silence a minority community concerned about its rights," said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "If laws were broken, then the offenders should be charged and properly tried, not detained indefinitely."
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, who is also minister of internal security, reportedly said that Hindraf leaders were undermining national security because they threaten racial and religious harmony among Malaysia's Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities. On December 15, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan told the media, without elaboration, that the five detained activist leaders "clearly have links with international terrorist organizations and they are involved in activities that amount to inciting racial hatred." Three of the five detained leaders have also been charged with sedition.
Hindraf's efforts to obtain police permission for the November 25 rally were rebuffed by the Kuala Lumpur police, which refused to issue a permit. Asserting that Malaysia's constitution guaranteed freedom of assembly and expression, Hindraf proceeded with the demonstration. Given the early morning march, some of those planning to participate gathered during the evening of November 24 at Batu Caves, a sacred Hindu site some seven miles from Kuala Lumpur, where they mingled with worshipers. At 4 a.m., police officers used tear gas and water cannons -- it is unclear if they broadcasted warnings or dispersal orders -- against those in the temple. Scores were detained. Later that morning, a rally in Kuala Lumpur proceeded peacefully until police told demonstrators to move on. When they refused, police used tear gas, chemically laced water, and batons to disperse them. Protesters lobbed the canisters back at police.
In the weeks since the protest, in addition to the sedition charges filed against the three leaders, the government charged 31 demonstrators with attempted murder after a policeman was allegedly injured outside Batu caves. The murder charges were dropped on December 17 and all 31 were released on bail. However, 25 members of the group still face charges for causing mischief and for unlawful assembly.
Human Rights Watch said that elections are expected in early 2008.
"The upcoming elections will be an important opportunity for Malaysians to have their voices heard on a range of issues," said Pearson. "The government must allow all voices to be heard, including those from marginalized communities like Hindraf who are seeking equal access to basic rights."
For many years, Human Rights Watch has called for the Malaysian government to abolish the ISA. All persons now held under the ISA -- 87 in September 2007 -- should be freed or charged and tried under conditions that meet international standards of due process.
Malaysia, a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), signed the ASEAN charter on November 21, 2007. Both under the ASEAN charter and also as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Malaysia has pledged to "promote and protect" human rights. Human Rights Watch urged the Malaysian government to honor its pledges to those international institutions as well as uphold its human rights obligations under international law by abolishing the ISA.
More of Human Rights Watch's work on Malaysia is available online.
http://bbsnews.net/article.php/20071220101550209
Another Ethnic Malaysian Indian dies in police custody
Another Ethnic Malaysian Indian Dies in Police Custody
http://colour-blind.org/wordpress/?p=398
Raub: Death in custody
A childhood friend who knows Lachumanan for more than 20 years lodged a police report with the help of human rights lawyer N Surendren this afternoon at the Raub police station.
Kanniyappan A/L Manie, 38, told us that the police kicked and slapped him, and one of them used vulgar words such as pig, monitor lizard and dog on them; one of them even threatened them with words like " you will be half-dead" ( "ini hari you setengah mati" .
When he was released on 18 Dec 2007,he learned that his friend has died in the police lockup in Raub.
He did not believe that his friend would killed himself and he now wanted the police to investigate the matter thorougly.
Lachumanan 's sister Sarasvathy,32, made a police report yesterday. She too did not believe that his only brother who has six young children would want to hang himself to death just because he was accused of stealing some scrapped metal (or grass-cutter).
She also said that she and her family members were not informed about the arrest and detention of Lachumanan (on 14 Dec 2004) and only told about the death of her brother on 18 Dec 2007. A second post-mortem was conducted following the police report made by Sarasvathy yesterday. The report should be out next week.
'Deaths in custody' has been an issue highlighted repeatedly by the Policewatch and then Hindraf and one of the reasons why we need to establish IPCMC in this country.
Lachumanan 's death in custody has in a way strengthened the argument of the Hindraf movement as well as the need for a genuine independent committee on misconduct of the police force.
I will bring the Lachumanan case to Opposition Leader lim Kit Siang and other DAP leaders and lawyers for further actions.
Note: I was shunned by the OCPD of Raub Wan Shamsuddin when Surendran and I were trying to ask him a few questions. I was told to shut up! Is that how a senior police officer should behave (on a Hari Korban)? He is certainly one of the worst OCPDs I have ever met. Do you trust an officer to carry out the investigation thoroughly? I don't. That's the reason why I urged the IGP to look into the matter personally in the press conference this afternoon.
Also read
VICTIMISATION BY POLICE
Studies have revealed that Indians form about 60% of ... of the killings of suspects death in police custody and the holding at ...
www.frontlinedefenders.org/ru/node/362
2002: 19 deaths in police custody
http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/content/view/952/2/ Friday, 22 November 2002, 12:00am
The Bar Council refers to the report in The Star, 15 November 2002 concerning the deaths of 19 people while in police custody this year, and also to the recent death of R Sundaraju on 18 November 2002 following an alleged beating by other detainees in the police lock-up.
Such reports are cause for grave concern as they call into question the integrity of the police force in respect of the treatment of detainees and in the administration of police lock-ups. In addition, the reports could generate fear in the public of the police that would be unhelpful for necessary cooperative efforts in investigating and preventing crime.
http://colour-blind.org/wordpress/?p=398
Raub: Death in custody
A childhood friend who knows Lachumanan for more than 20 years lodged a police report with the help of human rights lawyer N Surendren this afternoon at the Raub police station.
Kanniyappan A/L Manie, 38, told us that the police kicked and slapped him, and one of them used vulgar words such as pig, monitor lizard and dog on them; one of them even threatened them with words like " you will be half-dead" ( "ini hari you setengah mati" .
When he was released on 18 Dec 2007,he learned that his friend has died in the police lockup in Raub.
He did not believe that his friend would killed himself and he now wanted the police to investigate the matter thorougly.
Lachumanan 's sister Sarasvathy,32, made a police report yesterday. She too did not believe that his only brother who has six young children would want to hang himself to death just because he was accused of stealing some scrapped metal (or grass-cutter).
She also said that she and her family members were not informed about the arrest and detention of Lachumanan (on 14 Dec 2004) and only told about the death of her brother on 18 Dec 2007. A second post-mortem was conducted following the police report made by Sarasvathy yesterday. The report should be out next week.
'Deaths in custody' has been an issue highlighted repeatedly by the Policewatch and then Hindraf and one of the reasons why we need to establish IPCMC in this country.
Lachumanan 's death in custody has in a way strengthened the argument of the Hindraf movement as well as the need for a genuine independent committee on misconduct of the police force.
I will bring the Lachumanan case to Opposition Leader lim Kit Siang and other DAP leaders and lawyers for further actions.
Note: I was shunned by the OCPD of Raub Wan Shamsuddin when Surendran and I were trying to ask him a few questions. I was told to shut up! Is that how a senior police officer should behave (on a Hari Korban)? He is certainly one of the worst OCPDs I have ever met. Do you trust an officer to carry out the investigation thoroughly? I don't. That's the reason why I urged the IGP to look into the matter personally in the press conference this afternoon.
Also read
VICTIMISATION BY POLICE
Studies have revealed that Indians form about 60% of ... of the killings of suspects death in police custody and the holding at ...
www.frontlinedefenders.org/ru/node/362
2002: 19 deaths in police custody
http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/content/view/952/2/ Friday, 22 November 2002, 12:00am
The Bar Council refers to the report in The Star, 15 November 2002 concerning the deaths of 19 people while in police custody this year, and also to the recent death of R Sundaraju on 18 November 2002 following an alleged beating by other detainees in the police lock-up.
Such reports are cause for grave concern as they call into question the integrity of the police force in respect of the treatment of detainees and in the administration of police lock-ups. In addition, the reports could generate fear in the public of the police that would be unhelpful for necessary cooperative efforts in investigating and preventing crime.
ISA arrests of Hindraf 5 -- Operation Lalang II in the making?
ISA Arrests of HINDRAF 5 – Operation Lalang II in the Making?
Published December 21st, 2007 in Announcement and ISA.
ISA Arrests of HINDRAF 5 – Operation Lalang II in the Making?
Date: 21st December 2007 (Friday)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
The distinguished panel of speakers will include:
YB Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader
YB M Kulasegaran, MP for Ipoh Barat
YB Fong Kui Lun, MP for Bukit Bintang
Sdr Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General
Sdr A Sivanesan, DAP Central Executive Committee Member
Other speakers to be confirmed
http://salinankarbon.com/?p=567
Background info. on Lalang I
Operation Lalang (Weeding Operation; also referred to as Ops Lalang) was carried out on October 27, 1987 by the Malaysian police to crack down on opposition leaders and social activists. The operation saw the infamous arrest of 106 persons under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the revoking of the publishing licenses of two dailies, The Star and the Sin Chew Jit Poh and two weeklies, The Sunday Star and Watan...
Although most of the detainees were released either conditionally or unconditionally, 40 were issued detention order of two years. Included were Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh plus five other party colleagues, a number of PAS members and many social activists...
The leading Malaysian English daily, The Star, was closed down for a few months. In the weeks prior to Operation Lalang, The Star had continuously provided transparent news coverage about the Opposition's point of view. This construed treason as far as the UMNO government was concerned, and they were shut down under Malaysia's repressive sedition laws. The Star resumed publication months later under a completely different management that was installed by UMNO. Most of the previous staff of The Star were laid off or otherwise threatened with prison and ISA. From that point onwards, The Star, as well as many other media outlets in Malaysia, became government-controlled mouthpieces with an obvious pro-government slant. These media outlets were also noticeably whitewashing all of the UMNO government's wrongdoings and corruption. All the cover-up and whitewashing by the mass media became more obvious towards the late-90's, when another power struggle within UMNO (the Mahathir vs Anwar episode) revealed the extent of corruption and crimes among the UMNO executive that have never been revealed or reported.
Amendments were also made to the Police Act making it practically impossible to hold any political meeting, including a party's annual general meeting, without a police permit. An illegal meeting could earn the person concerned a fine of RM10,000 and a jail term of one year. Even more ridiculous, an assembly of more than five people in a public area is considered an "illegal assembly" and could not be held without a police permit. This law was intentionally made to be so restrictive in order to give the police arbitrary rights to detain any group in public by citing it is an illegal assembly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Lalang
Published December 21st, 2007 in Announcement and ISA.
ISA Arrests of HINDRAF 5 – Operation Lalang II in the Making?
Date: 21st December 2007 (Friday)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
The distinguished panel of speakers will include:
YB Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader
YB M Kulasegaran, MP for Ipoh Barat
YB Fong Kui Lun, MP for Bukit Bintang
Sdr Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General
Sdr A Sivanesan, DAP Central Executive Committee Member
Other speakers to be confirmed
http://salinankarbon.com/?p=567
Background info. on Lalang I
Operation Lalang (Weeding Operation; also referred to as Ops Lalang) was carried out on October 27, 1987 by the Malaysian police to crack down on opposition leaders and social activists. The operation saw the infamous arrest of 106 persons under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the revoking of the publishing licenses of two dailies, The Star and the Sin Chew Jit Poh and two weeklies, The Sunday Star and Watan...
Although most of the detainees were released either conditionally or unconditionally, 40 were issued detention order of two years. Included were Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh plus five other party colleagues, a number of PAS members and many social activists...
The leading Malaysian English daily, The Star, was closed down for a few months. In the weeks prior to Operation Lalang, The Star had continuously provided transparent news coverage about the Opposition's point of view. This construed treason as far as the UMNO government was concerned, and they were shut down under Malaysia's repressive sedition laws. The Star resumed publication months later under a completely different management that was installed by UMNO. Most of the previous staff of The Star were laid off or otherwise threatened with prison and ISA. From that point onwards, The Star, as well as many other media outlets in Malaysia, became government-controlled mouthpieces with an obvious pro-government slant. These media outlets were also noticeably whitewashing all of the UMNO government's wrongdoings and corruption. All the cover-up and whitewashing by the mass media became more obvious towards the late-90's, when another power struggle within UMNO (the Mahathir vs Anwar episode) revealed the extent of corruption and crimes among the UMNO executive that have never been revealed or reported.
Amendments were also made to the Police Act making it practically impossible to hold any political meeting, including a party's annual general meeting, without a police permit. An illegal meeting could earn the person concerned a fine of RM10,000 and a jail term of one year. Even more ridiculous, an assembly of more than five people in a public area is considered an "illegal assembly" and could not be held without a police permit. This law was intentionally made to be so restrictive in order to give the police arbitrary rights to detain any group in public by citing it is an illegal assembly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Lalang
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