DAP: Repealing EO might save Najib’s credibility

(Malaysiakini) In order to regain credibility after the “gross mishandling” of the PSM 6, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak must publicly repeal the EO and annul the obsolete emergency proclamations as well as other “oppressive legislature”, says Lim Kit Siang.

In a statement today, Lim said the release of the PSM 6 does not restore Najib's credibility, as it was his government's “high-handed” handling of the Bersih 2.0 rally that had landed the six in detention in the first place.

“It was (Najib's) greatest failure of leadership as prime minister leaving his credibility in tatters – which is why his claim yesterday, that the release of the PSM6 under the Emergency Ordinance was in accordance with the rule of law, was met with nation-wide derision.

Lim slammed the PM for the “arbitrary and totally unjustifiable arrests” of the six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members over a month ago, “first on the ridiculous grounds of 'waging war against the Agong' and 'reviving communism' and then under EO for being 'prime movers' of Bersih”.

The six were finally released yesterday evening after mounting pressure from PSM, politicians and a cross section of civil society both at home and abroad.

They were part of a group of 30 party members arrested on June 25 during the massive pre-Bersih crackdown.

'Repeal EO now'

Lim said the PM's handling of the rally was amongst the failures that marked Najib's “worst period” in office, “making him the object of ridicule and scorn not only in the country but also internationally”.

The only way Najib could restore any credibility, said the veteran DAP leader, was for him to publicly annul the obsolete emergency proclamations, and repeal the EO and other “oppressive legislature”.

The home minister and IGP also needed to issue an immediate apology to the PSM 6 for “unlawful detention”.

He also called for the “ridiculous ban on Bersih 2.0" and on things yellow like the Bersih T-shirt be lifted, and for a Royal Commission of Inquiry on free and fair elections to make recommendations prior to the next general election.