Random Links 286 (“ISA Crackdown” Malaysia Edition)

Don’t fear a dying beast’s last strike, but don’t fall for its rouse either

Important points to consider here, especially when one is angry . it’s ok to be angry, but violence is not our way! In short . “please stay calm and do not react.” I would add be creative in how one expresses their displeasure and solidarity!

Viveg commented at 12.59am : Situation in Bukit Mertajam is quite tense. Just came back from BM police station. Received call from friend that people in Raja Uda, Butterworth (Chinese area) are extremely angry. Went to the Berapit Kampung Baru to see a friend and he informed me that the mood is the same. They know where to push the people to make them angry. Please help put up a post to calm down the people as Malaysia Today, People’s Parliament and Malaysiakini has the widest coverage. I just don’t want the people to walk into the trap they have set.

abu sayap commented at 1.18am : I would like to call upon all Malaysians to do these:

1. Remain calm

2. Do not do anything rash

3. Do not take to the street

4. Do not be instigated by people to demonstrate

5. Just voice it out in your blog, your comments to the blogs, and inform your friends and relatives about the situation

6. Call your Aduns or MPs and voice out your objection about these arrests and urge your representatives to voice out

7. Members of political parties, sms your leaders to pressure them to voice out

We shall object to these draconian acts by using civility and do not fall into the traps of giving the big brother a chance to declare emergency rule..

Viveg’s got every reason to be concerned and abu sayap’s advice is spot on.

ISA crackdown as PM faces dissension

Malaysiakini back to it’s stripped down version .

Beware! Cavemen Working!

An ironic result from the past which was meant for the future? Has the future invaded the present too quickly for the liking of some?

It is this unique combination of the Internet and Raja Petra together with the peculiar situation existing in Malaysia today that has produced this phenomenal success. The peculiar combination I refer to is first, the atrocious standards and utter lack of credibility of the mainstream media that eased the acceptance of Malaysia-Today by Malaysians. The second is the foresight of Dr. Mahathir with his Multimedia Super Corridor initiative and its solemn promise of non-censorship that made Raja Petra and Malaysia-Today blossom.

Today we, Malaysians as well as non-Malaysians are the beneficiaries. Raja Petra’s being held under the ISA would not in any way diminish that luster. But then what do cavemen know of about luster or gold and platinum! To them those are nothing but rocks and pebbles!

"Hoon Cheng Acted Professionally"

We are proud of you, Hoon Cheng . now we’re challenged not to let you bear the whole weight on your shoulders!

"Only one female officer was in her uniform out of the ten police officers. They asked Hoon Cheng to open the door through the gate, but Hoon Cheng requested them to produce the arrest warrant."

"One of the officers claimed that they were form Bukit Aman, and said they wanted to bring Hoon Cheng away. Hong Cheng did not open the door, and told them she needed to make a few phone calls."

"Before taking her away, the female officer informed Hoon Cheng that the police were investigating one of her reports under Internal Security Act. She has also asked Hoon Cheng whether she wrote the article. After that, the female officer verified Hoon Cheng’s IC and telephone number. The officers were also checking her room as well."

Before they whisked her away, the female officer assured of her personal safety, and if there was any development they would contact her family.

According to Sin Chew Daily northern region chief reporter Chua Ching Joo, Hoon Cheng made a few phone calls, eventually she managed to get him.

"Hoon Cheng sounded very upset, but she was professional in handling the situation, she did not even cry."

He said, "Hoon Cheng explained the whole process in a simple yet precise manner. She only said the police were taking her away. She did not mention where they were bringing her to."

Keadilan Untuk Semua

Voice from the north ..the pictures makes the voice clearer!

We want to insist that this is NOT a racial issue, but it is about Justice for ALL Malaysians. Tonight, Malay Malaysians stood with Chinese Malaysians and Indian Malaysians in protest of the atrocity by the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional Government, especially the Prime Minister and the Home Minister who had approved the use of the unjust draconian ISA on innocent citizens Raja Petra, on journalist Tan and on a parliamentarian and a state minister YB Teresa Kok. Let us unite together and reject evil with goodness and love.

Kita nak ingatkan bahawa ini BUKAN isu perkauman, tetapi isu Keadilan untuk Semua. Pada malam ini, orang-orang Melayu berdiri bersama dengan orang-orang Cina dan Indian untuk membantah kekejaman Kerajaan BN pimpinan UMNO dan juga membantah tindakan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Dalam Negeri yang menggunakan undang-undang tidak adil ISA ke atas Rakyat yang tidak bersalah seperti Raja Petra, seorang wartawan Tan dan seorang ahli Parliamen serta Ahli EXCO Selangor Teresa Kok. Biar kita bersatu padu untuk melawan kejahatan dengan kebaikan dan kasih sayang.

RPK, ISA And The Rest Of Us

I recall an older motto during the height of the Y2K controversy that has always kept me on the ground “NO Hype, NO Hysteria!”

The news has spread fast. With it are concerns that a wider 1987 type crackdown is going to happen or that even worse, there is going to be chaos and racial violence.

We must remain calm. Reactionary behaviour and fear mongering is not going to make things any more sensible or easier. Things will unfold as they have to.

The Government must also do its part and explain clearly how RPK is a threat to national security and why he has been detained. He had presented himself everytime he was asked to at police stations and in court. He has been charged, has not attempted to flee the jurisdiction and has indicated his desire to defend himself in court.

Press Statement in response to RPK’s arrest and show cause letters issued to three newspapers

The Malaysia Bar Council reminds us that Malaysia is a member of the UN Human Rights Council.

The Malaysian Bar has consistently denounced the ISA as draconion and undemocratic, and believes that preventive detention laws should not be invoked under any circumstances. The ISA and other preventive detention laws violate fundamental rights, are unconstitutional and oppressive, and have no place in a society that respects and upholds the rule of law. If an offence has been allegedly committed, the individual concerned must be charged in court and given a fair opportunity to defend himself. We agree with the view reportedlyexpressed by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim yesterday when he disagreed with the call for the use of the ISA on Datuk Ahmad Ismail, saying that this “will have a huge effect on. the rule of law” and that he should therefore “go through the normal process of law“.

The Bar Council is equally perturbed that three newspapers have been issued show-cause letters today over their news coverage. This together with the arrest of Raja Petra Kamaruddin under the ISA may be viewed as a chilling message that our fundamental freedoms are not secure.

The racial remark: Stay calm!

I hope more people will be aware of the dynamics that are in play .. and not fall into any trap . being impulsive is not going to help anyone.  Breath slowly (even when you have the right to be angry). Cool down (as you find ways to let off steam non-violently), Act wisely (with due reflection, and better still consultation with people whom we trust and who can help us see things clearly).

The way I look at it, as far as I’m concern, this emotional level has gone up to a new high as the snub came from not only Ahmad as an individual, but by the entire Umno divisions from Penang which is led by no other than the PM. It’s unprecedented in our nation’s political landscape which unfortunately painted a very negative outlook among the international eyes at the same time.

Moreover, based on what I’ve read and heard from the little birds so far, I’m afraid things are getting quite out of control, beyond the authority of the PM and the DPM who continue to remain mum ever since the press conference, with more leaders from all sides joining the fray, more or less portraying themselves as the representatives or the hero of the respective race the party is representing.

I suspect the open abuse and racist remarks together with the constant denial as a trap to stir up the racial emotions and gives unwanted opportunities for the authority to call for an emergency state.

If that’s to happen, it’s going to create a huge setback and might foil the September 16 plan indefinitely, hence I’d like to urge the people to stay clam and not to react emotionally which might lead to a chaotic situation which I’m sure you and I wouldn’t want to be in.

For anything which is not good to take place during this turbulence period, mind you, it’s going to ugly, very ugly. A repeat of May 13 nightmare is a disaster we must avoid at all cost.

Make love, not war. A cool head is what we really need now.

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营造紧张气氛捉记者治媒体 纳吉准备逼宫瓦解民联变天?

It’s quite amazing how quick this piece comes out and tries to make sense of what is happening now. For those who can read Chinese you will appreciate this article.

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营造紧张气氛捉记者治媒体
纳吉准备逼宫瓦解民联变天?

■日期/Sep 13, 2008   ■时间/01:27:21 am

■新闻/家国风云   ■作者/本刊庄迪澎

【本刊庄迪澎撰述】人民联盟“变天”逼近,警方昨天相继援引《1960年内部安全法令》扣留咬着副首相纳吉不放的政治部落客拉惹柏特拉、记者陈云清及行政议员郭素沁,而原本同意首相阿都拉巴达威的2010年交棒方案的纳吉也突然宣称交由巫统党员决定应否执行此方案,令人揣测与担忧的是:纳吉是否正在秘谋“逼宫”夺权,进而瓦解人民联盟的“变天”大计。

9月16日逼近,我国政坛原来就酝酿着山雨欲来风满楼的气氛,尽管民联昨天正式宣布“变天”大计将会延后,但随着警方援引《内安法令》扣留拉惹柏特拉及纳吉发表上述言论后,令“夺权”事件再添变数,最终结果到底是民联推翻国阵改朝换代,抑或纳吉“逼宫”夺权并展开大逮捕行动,挫败民联的夺权大计?

“逼宫”之迫切,乃由于民联“变天”成败,不仅关乎安华和纳吉谁能当首相,更关乎蒙古女子阿尔丹杜雅的命案是否会继续追查下去、会查出什么辫子、牵扯出哪些人、涉案者有什么下场。因此,这是一场不只关乎权位与利益,更关乎人命存亡的惨烈政治决斗。【点击:岂止“瑜亮情结”般单纯安华纳吉殊死战势不两立】

推翻交棒方案?

根据官方新闻社马新社报道,纳吉今天在吉隆坡为广东-马来西亚商业大会主持开幕后对记者说:“众所周知,首相和我在七月间达致的权力转移方案获得(巫统)最高理事会认可。”

“我已经和巫统各区部主席开了会,我说那个方案必须得到巫统区部支持,特别是在今年的代表大会。因此,由于巫统是奉行民主的政党,此事必须由党员经由党内程序,即区部大会决定。”

首相兼巫统主席阿都拉巴达威(右图右)在今年7月10日笑脸迎人地宣布,将在2010年6月退位,希望副首相兼巫统署理主席纳吉(右图左)继续当他的副手,直到2010年接棒为止;纳吉当时回应道:“他宣布今日开始,遵循巫统的传统,按部就班地移交权力。他给了我信心成为他的接班人,我为他愿意依照时间表交棒而非常感动。”【点击:希望纳吉再当副手两年 阿都拉证实2010年交棒】

阿都拉公布交棒方案,用意昭然若揭,就是为了阻截党内挑战者在今年12月的巫统党选中和他硬碰,甚至把他拉下马;他或是冀望采取主动权,迫使纳吉“被动的”公开宣示接受交棒方案,以此令纳吉碍于出师无名而暂时按兵不动。

然而,阿都拉的如意算盘谁看不出来?在交棒方案正式宣布之前,三年来一再猛烈抨击阿都拉的前首相马哈迪(左图)当天较早时已撰文数落2010年交棒只是缓兵之计,在交棒日期到来之前,有人会不断向纳吉投掷指责,以令纳吉看起来不再有资格担任副首相。【点击:交棒日期前会不断攻击纳吉 马哈迪:2010年是缓兵之计】

马哈迪言下之意,就是阿都拉会无所不用其极把斗垮纳吉,但曾任马哈迪副手六年之久的人民公正党实权领袖安华依布拉欣的看法恰恰相反;安华在交棒方案公布的第二天透露,有巫统领袖告诉他,倘若今年12月后阿都拉仍然在位,他们一定会斗阿都拉。易言之,阿都拉的如意算盘用意虽然路人皆知,但未必打得响。【点击:奚落阿都拉交棒方案 安华:巫统仍会斗他】

“逼宫”迹象

两个月后的今天,纳吉改口说“交由党员决定”是否执行交棒方案,显然是意图借助党内“民意”在区部大会期间否决乃至推翻交棒方案,为“逼宫”铺路。如今的问题是,“逼宫”会在何时发生?会以什么速度发生?会以什么形式发生?尽管这些问题的答案只有纳吉才懂,但最近几天的事态演进,已经显露了“逼宫”预备迹象。

一度被马哈迪“点名”说有资格接任巫统主席的现任副主席慕尤丁(右图)前天(9月10日)已放话要阿都拉提早退位,以让巫统有充足时间为2013年全国大选备战。

慕尤丁虽然一度被视为阿都拉的亲信,甚至是阿都拉刚就任首相时的副首相热门人选,但在今年3月8日全国大选后,可谓率先喊话要阿都拉交棒的巫统党要;来自柔佛州的慕尤丁甚至公开承认,巫统柔佛州联委会提出的“体面的权力转移计划”(peralihan kuasa secara berhemah),乃其想法。【点击:驳斥“要求首相辞职愚蠢”论 慕尤丁:我建议权力转移计划】

除了前天再度放话要阿都拉提早退位之外,慕尤丁最近的另一个“杰作”,就是促成在今年五月退党时信誓旦旦说“阿都拉不退位,我不回巫统”的马哈迪重返巫统。虽然据说马哈迪吃回头草意在支持东姑拉沙里(Tengku Razaleigh)攻打巫统主席职,但此说也可能仅是烟幕,而集结党内势力促成“逼宫”成功才是烟幕后的真相。【点击:“老马”吃回头草了!慕尤丁证实马哈迪回巢】

为何是拉惹柏特拉?

跟着发生的事,就是警方今天援引《1960年内部安全法令》扣留著名部落客拉惹柏特拉(Raja Petra Kamaruddin),而内政部长赛哈密已经证实,拉惹柏特拉将被扣留60天。【点击:警方援引《内安法令》 拉惹柏特拉被扣留60天】

拉惹柏特拉(左图)已肩负煽动罪及刑事诽谤罪起诉,为何警方还要援引《内安法令》扣留他?

经常浏览《今日马来西亚》的公众必然记得,这个网站近两年来“揭露”许多“内幕”,尤其是2006年的蒙古女子阿尔丹杜雅命案及2008年的“安华肛交案”。他揭露的蒙古女子命案“内情”对纳吉极为不利,不但直指纳吉夫妇涉案,甚至立下法定声明,宣称纳吉的妻子曾见证阿尔丹杜雅被炸死;而在“安华肛交案”,他揭露的内情则一方面“印证”安华无辜、一方面指向此案是纳吉主导的另一场政治阴谋。

拉惹柏特拉是马来西亚当红的部落客,将其无畏无惧直指当事人的文章张贴在当红的部落格《今日马来西亚》,影响力不容小觑,肯定会成为纳吉夺权行动(无论是“逼宫”或镇压人民联盟)中最为刺耳的噪音,而这把噪音必将令巫统控制的主流媒体届时为合理化纳吉夺权行动的政治宣传(propaganda)的效果大大减低。

回顾前副首相安华依布拉欣在1998年被革职前夕,马哈迪也迫使《马来西亚前锋报》(Utusan Malaysia)、《每日新闻》(Berian Harian)及第三电视(TV3)的三位据说是“亲安华”的高层主管请辞;而安华被革职后,巫统控制的这些传统媒体一方面全力抹黑安华,另一方面则全面封杀“烈火莫熄”(Reformasi)的讯息。

拉惹柏特拉虽然不是新闻从业员,但以当前互联网时代而言,他堪称为“另类媒体人”,能发挥的“宣传”作用甚至比马哈迪逼走的上述三名媒体主管有过之而无不及。因此,用《内安法令》把他扣留起来,不但能对拉惹柏特拉产生直接而有效的“消音”的效果,更能对其他部落客和网络媒体起杀鸡儆猴的作用。

茅草行动“模拟场景”?

同样“无独有偶”的是,内政部昨天指示三家报纸在一周内解释它们的出版准证为何不应被吊销;这三家报纸是中文《星洲日报》、英文《太阳报》(The Sun)及马来文的人民公正党党报《公正之声》(Suara Keadilan)。【点击:三报纸被追究责任 内政部限一周解释】

尽管这三家报纸的出版准证尚未被掌握“绝对审核权”(absolute discretion)的内政部长吊销,但是勒令“三家不同语文报章”解释的举动,却足以召唤人们的记忆,想起马哈迪政府在1987年发动代号为“茅草行动”(Operasi Lallang)的大逮捕行动时,一举吊销“三家不同语文报章”――中文《星洲日报》、英文《星报》(The Star)及马来文《祖国报》(Watan)――的白色恐怖氛围。这种集体记忆会不转换成集体恐惧吗?

本文临近截稿时,警方援引了《1960年内部安全法令》扣留报道巫统升旗山区部主席阿末依斯迈“华人寄居论”的《星洲日报》槟城记者陈云清。【点击:报道“华人寄居论”记者 陈云清遭援引内安法扣留 】
部落客、记者及政治人物被清算和三家报章可能被清算的事态,不由得人们不揣测,阔别21年的第二场“茅草行动”是否将要发生。这种忧虑并非杞人忧天,将最近几周发生的事情,比照1987年茅草行动前风声鹤唳的气氛,何其相似。

1987年茅草行动前夕,华团大力反对教育部派遣不谙中文的教师担任华文小学行政高职,以10月11日的“天后宫大会”及恫言罢课为高潮。不过,另一边厢,巫统青年团为了抗衡华团而在10月17日主办大集会,恫言“要以华人的血清洗马来短剑”,巫统中央甚至宣布将在11月1日主办50万人大集会。

不过,10月18日深夜,吉隆坡竟发生逃兵“阿当”在秋杰路乱枪扫射,造成一死三伤的离奇案件,国内紧张气氛顿时升温不少。当时备受巫统派系围剿的马哈迪在10月27日开始展开“茅草行动”,除了吊销上述三家报纸的出版准证,也扣留了106人。

尽管在野党及民权组织认为,大逮捕行动的目的是巩固马哈迪的党政地位,但这名政治强人过后在国会发表白皮书时,辩称此举是为了“阻止紧张情势继续恶化,以致流血收场”。

一将功成万骨枯

过去两周,巫统槟州升旗山区部主席阿末依斯迈点起火头的“华人寄居论”事件闹得沸沸扬扬;尽管国阵成员党、华团及其他民间组织纷纷谴责,巫统的纪律行动却姗姗来迟,仿佛任由事件不断升温,更令一些市民有一种族群紧张关系仿如箭在弦上的错觉。

尽管与1987年的情势相比,21年的今天各族市民的族群情绪谈不上激烈,但种族关系紧张的程度如何、是否“危害国家安全”,完全是由内政部长凭其“智慧”定调;因此,“族群关系紧张”及“危害国家安全”极易也经常成为政府援引《内安法令》整肃异议分子的藉口。

在野的人民联盟并非没有警惕,在9月11日发表的联合声明中,民联三党就警惕道:“巫统主导的一些国阵统治精英有意制造乱局,以挫败改革、瘫痪民主及掠夺《联邦宪法》保障的民权。……假设这些问题任其蔓延,将让执政党有藉口采取强硬行动,包括援引紧急状态法律展开大逮捕行动。”【点击:国阵议员出国916大计延后 民联确认最短时间内换政府】

今天的逮捕行动印证了民联的警语并非无的放矢,但国阵政府的行动恐怕比民联预测的来得快。

1987年的“茅草行动”几乎将民间党团、非政府组织的重要领导人及巫统的反对派份子都送进霹雳州太平的甘文丁扣留营,而马哈迪的政治生涯与权力地位却在违反民主与法治精神的镇压行动中得到自保。21年后的今天,第二场“茅草行动”仿佛蓄势待发,继拉惹柏特拉、陈云清及郭素沁之后,“名单”里还有多少人呢?

“泽国江山入战图,生民何计乐樵苏;凭君莫话封侯事,一将功成万骨枯。传闻一战百神愁,两岸强兵过未休;谁道沧江总无事,近来长共血争流。”――唐代诗人曹松千古不衰的《己亥岁》,恰如其分的点明了政治现实之残酷;“变天”与“逼宫”之争,要有多少人成为枯骨?

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People & Power: Malaysia’s Internal Security Act (ISA)

For those of you who might be wondering why some of us are having difficulty sleeping, and are troubled by the recent strong of developments starting with RPK, then Ms. Tan Hoon Cheng, and a most surprising Teresa Kok, the following video gives us a introduction and glimpse of what it’s all about.

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Message from RPK’s Wife Marina

You can see it in her eyes, and the hear it from her voice.  There’s a price to pay for being who they are, and doing what they do.  My prayers are with you Marina, RPK and the growing list of others who are detained under ISA. (HT: Anil Netto)

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Will tomorrow be a better day?

Based in the amount of sad news trickling in … I have nothing much to say … but the picture conveys my feelings somewhat right now.

My prayers are with those directly and indirectly affected by the recent arrests. And I do pray for a brighter tomorrow, God please show up somehow – in spite of the circumstances, or through people, or whatever …

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As for us, feeble and fragile humans, how we react will be crucial … and there’s enough sound out there to remind us to not fall into any traps.  There’s a place to feel discouraged, angry, frustrated, and so on, but we need a cool head too to see beneath the surface, and look beyond what’s before us.

I think I’ve already used to many words for this post.  The picture says it all.

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