Police question Ambiga for one hour over links to Soros-funded organisation

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan has been questioned by police for about one hour here Thursday over links to the Open Society Institute (OSI), which is part of the Open Society Foundations (OSF) founded by hedge fund billionaire George Soros.

"I only know that I was called in as the former Bersih chairman for matters relating to funding and OSI," she said.

Ambiga, who was Bersih 2.0 chairman from 2010 until 2013, said she was being investigated under section 124C of the Penal Code for activities detrimental to Parliamentary democracy.

"They keep alleging that we want to topple the Government. Just to be clear, our main demand is fair and free elections. We would be mad to do something like that," she said when met outside the Bukit Aman police headquarters.

She said the funding for Bersih 2.0 was the focus of the investigation and the issue was not new and had been raised before in 2012.

She said they had taken an English-language newspaper to court over the allegations then, and the publication had apologised for it.

She added that Bersih had always been transparent about its funding.

"We have always made it clear that Bersih 2.0 received US$25,000 (RM110,675) in funds from OSI in 2011 and US$9,690 (RM42,897) from the National Democracy Institute (NDI).

"Both sums were used in election-related projects and neither OSI nor NDI are banned by the Government," she said.

Why RM2.6b not probed under Section 124C, asks Ambiga

With the spotlight now on foreign funding, former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan has demanded Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed to provide an explanation on
the RM2.6 billion donation issue.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Ambiga said it was outrageous that NGOs are being hounded over their funding when there is an admission that the RM2.6 billion in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s accounts was used for the last general election.

"If anything, this is the direct interference in our parliamentary democracy, not the work of NGOs fighting for our democratic institutions.

"The deputy minister owes the public an explanation as to why this RM2.6 billion is not being investigated as an activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy under Section 124C of the Penal Code since, there is a spotlight on foreign funding," Ambiga added.

Electoral reform group Bersih, the Bar Council and Malaysiakini are being investigated under Section 124C over reports of funding from Open Society Foundations, which is linked to American billionaire George Soros.

On Nov 18, Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah was detained for 10 days under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

Ambiga also criticised Nur Jazlan for his comments on United Nations representative Maina Kiai (photo), whom the deputy minister accused of interfering in Malaysian affairs.

"This guy, who is not Malaysian and works for a foreign organisation, comes here and tells the people to demonstrate and criticise the government. He is interfering in Malaysia.

"His action gives reason for the police to investigate groups or NGOs that receive foreign funding to check whether there is foreign interference," Nur Jazlan told Malaysiakini.

However, Ambiga described Nur Jazlan’s remarks as "ill advised, if not rude".

"This ‘guy’ he refers to is a respected UN rapporteur on freedom of assembly and given that Malaysia is a member, the comment does not speak well of Malaysia.

"The deputy minister would do well to remember that we were twice members of the human rights council and we are on the UN Security Council now.

"He should also read Malaysia's Aide Memoire seeking membership of the human rights council that reflects Malaysia's commitment to the Federal Constitution and fundamental liberties. This comment is an embarrassment to Malaysia,” Ambiga said.

During a lecture in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Kiai called for a common standard in dealing with foreign funding, questioning among others, the dangers of receiving funds from Saudi princes and whether these donors were influencing the recipients.

The RM2.6 billion in Najib’s accounts was described as a donation from a Saudi royalty to the prime minister with no strings attached, though his critics like Dr Mahathir Mohamad insist that the sum originated from 1MDB.

Najib has denied abusing public funds for personal gain and blamed such allegations on Mahathir and those conspiring to topple him from power.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali also cleared the prime minister, and revealed that of the US$681 million received, US$620 was "returned" to the donor.

In its suit on the alleged abuse of 1MDB funds, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) claimed US$731 million flowed into the accounts of an individual it named as "Malaysian Official 1" or MO1.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan confirmed that MO1 is Najib, but claimed that since the documents did not name the prime minister, he was not part of the investigation.

The DOJ in its lawsuit named four individuals, including Najib’s stepson Riza Aziz and Malaysian-born businessman Jho Low, who is said to be a close to the prime minister’s family.

Ambiga seeks access to Maria before Tuesday's hearing

Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah's lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan is urging police to allow access to her client before Tuesday's habeas corpus hearing.

Ambiga said Maria's lawyer and family members have not been allowed to see her since last Sunday.

"Please give us access to Maria for instructions on legal matters before her case on Tuesday.

"Have been trying to no avail," she said in a tweet to inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.

She added that an official request has also been sent.

Maria is held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, which allows detention without trial for 28 days.

She was arrested on Nov 18, the eve of the mammoth Bersih 5 rally which attracted at least 40,000 people in Kuala Lumpur, to demand clean elections and clean government.

Her family said they have not received any information on Maria and do not know her whereabouts.

It is believed that she is held at the Batu police camp in Kuala Lumpur, where the now defunct Internal Security Act detainees were once held before they are moved to the Kamunting Detention Centre in Perak.

Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) visited her last week and said she was held in solitary confinement in a windowless cell, which only has a woooden bed with no mattress and access to cold water for washing.

Her family said the light is constantly on in her cell, disrupting her sleep.

Police said they nabbed her over documents found in the raid at the Bersih office, connected to American billionaire George Soros-linked Open Society Foundations.

Bersih refutes this, saying that there was no such document seized during the raid, according to the list of items seized provided by police.

You can be the start of the change this nation needs, Ambiga tells UTM VC

Former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan today shared her thoughts on the erroneous information contained in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s teaching modules regarding Hindus and Sikhism.

In an open letter to UTM vice-chancellor Wahid Omar, she outlined the root causes of such incidents, and suggested solutions.

Below is her letter in full:

Open Letter to the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Prof Ir Dr Wahid Omar

Dear Vice-Chancellor,

Your apology and expression of remorse together with your commitment to investigate the Titas slides is most welcome.

Let me, however, offer you a perspective which I hope you will consider.

What happened at your institution is, in my view, merely a symptom of a much larger problem that the country is facing. Years of brainwashing, racist supremacist statements by our leaders, and a system that condones and encourages racial polarisation have brought us today, to those infamous slides. As an educator, I am sure you are equally alarmed at where we are, given that this is the 21st century we are talking about and we are no longer a young nation.

The systematic creation of a narrow and bigoted thought process may help in a political agenda, but does nothing for the recipients of such tutelage. We can only rewrite history and social science so much. I hope that you share my view that those who have manipulated our young minds into becoming so closed have done the community a great disservice. They have also done a great disservice to those who are made to feel they are lesser mortals. Indeed, what they have done is to stunt the potential of our youth, both in heart and mind, making it difficult for them to compete in the global village.

Thus I see your latest problem as an inevitable result of a system that has been in place for years and which is sanctioned by those in power. You know the system I am talking about. You said this is an isolated incident. I don’t believe it will be the last of such incidents to surface in our education system. The only reason we know about the slides is because they went viral. But how many other such incidents are undetected? It may even be happening discreetly and may manifest in so many different ways.

Do you not think it is time to change, sir?

As an educator you must know that this brainwashing and feeding of young minds with false information must stop. Not all fall prey to this abuse, mind you. Many students, due to their parents’ and other teachers’ positive influences, do not succumb. I also know there are many good and dedicated teachers and these teachers are not the ones I am speaking of.

Having somewhat identified the source of the problem, I think I should be constructive. But before that, I believe you should ignore those who have suggested that you should not offer an apology. They are the ones who would encourage the system of “them and us”. They do not want Malaysians to live in harmony. They love the polarisation. They do not believe that human beings are all equal. They certainly do not believe in our diversity, as you do. They fail to understand that your tendering an apology is a sign of strength and courage, not weakness and that it is an acknowledgement that human beings are not infallible but that we can become better.

Now the solutions. You have stated that you are conducting investigations and that due action will be taken as necessary. I have some other suggestions.

May I suggest that you take your inquiry much further than just this incident. I suggest that you delve deeper and identify the root causes of the thought process of the educators who were responsible for the slides. It appears that they too are a product of the system I spoke of. I suggest you also engage all your lecturers of all races and ask them what they truly feel about each community in the country. Do they feel superior, or do they feel like second-class citizens? Investigate where your educators are from. Their schools, their influences and the reasons for their mindsets.

Engage your students in the same way. Ask if they stick to groups of one race or do they engage harmoniously with one another. I believe the polarisation is stark in most institutions and this has been the case for many years.

After all that, tabulate the findings and then move on to your second phase. The difficult one. Changing the mindsets of both the lecturers and students.

Teach them to value each others’ cultures. Show them how rich each culture is. Let them learn how much a diverse Malaysia can teach them. That we are all humans with the same aspirations. That they must open up their minds and embrace all the knowledge that they can acquire and can share. And most importantly that they must have an inquiring mind, free of prejudices and bigotry. In fact, why not have them all learn about the different religions? Did you know that when I want to give speeches, I can go to any religious text and I will have no problems finding beautiful passages on peace, justice, compassion and integrity.

What do you think, sir? Are you willing to carry out this experiment for the sake of the nation? There are many people who will gladly help you. Take it not only as a challenge but as a necessary step to reverse our intellectual decline.

Were you aware, sir, that there is a wonderful article in the latest The Economist about how to make a good teacher? It is worth a read. And it is worth asking your teachers to read it too. It is clearly time to invest in our teachers.

It is also time we aimed for a system of education with integrity and intellectual excellence. We need to encourage true scholarship. I am not an education professional but I believe we have to keep politicians out of deciding education policy and leave it to educators instead. In other words, let’s take the politics out of education.

You can be the start of the change that this nation needs. I hope that as an educator you will set an example and consider what I have said with an open mind. It is time. Our children deserve much better.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
Ambiga Sreenevasan

NGOs: AG must explain ignoring rulers in leap toward dictatorship

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali must explain the reason for ignoring concerns raised by the rulers over the National Security Council (NSC) Bill, said a coalition of NGOs.

This was after the legislation was gazetted as law on Tuesday without royal assent.

"The attorney-general had confirmed there were no amendments to the bill despite promising scrutiny of some provisions after his meeting with the rulers in February.

"It is now incumbent on the attorney-general to disclose if any provisions were scrutinised at all and the reasons why no amendments were made nevertheless," said #TakNakDiktator representative Ambiga Sreenevasan in a media statement today.

On Feb 17, the Conference of Rulers asked that the NSC Bill, which would give the National Security Council headed by the prime minister emergency-like powers, to be refined.

However, according to the national gazette, the NSC Bill was automatically assented the following day on Feb 18 under Article 66(4A) of the Federal Constitution.

The provision granted automatic assent to any legislation if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong does not provide his assent within 30 days from when the legislation is presented to him.

"Whilst this is constitutionally permissible, serious questions arise as to why the government acted so hastily and in defiance of the concerns raised by the Conference of Rulers particularly as the bill directly impinges on the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"More so, as they have acted in complete disregard of the valid concerns raised by the public with regard to the ramifications of this act," said Ambiga.

'A leap towards dictatorship'

Ambiga said Putrajaya's move to ignore the Conference of Rulers' concerns should trigger alarm bells.

"In this exercise, this government has behaved as if they are accountable to no one, neither the rulers nor the people.

"The fact that there were no amendments to the bill is proof of this. If this is not a dictatorship, then what is?" she said.

She warned that the NSC Act represented an extremely dangerous step for Malaysia as it concentrated extraordinary powers in the hands of the prime minister and NSC.

"No person or entity should have such absolute and unfettered powers. Concentration of power leads to abuse, particularly in times of political crisis.

"The NSC law represents a leap towards a dictatorship and a military-police state with little or no safeguards," she said.

She added that the law was unconstitutional and a grave abuse of power.

"Malaysia does not need such a law which goes against all principles of democracy and undermines the rule of law in the country," she said.

The #TakNakDiktator coalition comprises Amnesty International Malaysia, Bersih, Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism, National Human Rights Society, Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram), Institut Rakyat, Lawyers for Liberty, Society for the Promotion of Human Rights and Suaram.

How can Ambiga be cited for contempt, Shafee?

 

COMMENT Charge Ambiga Sreenevasan with contempt of court?

Seriously? Is this coming from a man who managed to put opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim through his own legal brilliance? I cringed when I read the article about Umno-linked lawyer Shafee Abdullah planning to cite Ambiga with contempt of court.

In the first place, it is obvious that Ambiga Sreeneevasan, a former Bar Council president, was merely asking the question, “Are the courts BN?”

In basic English, this is a question. It  is not a statement. Ambiga was merely asking a question, while most of us reading the question believe we already have the answer. How then could Ambiga be cited for contempt of court, my dear Shafee (left)?

When we were discussing over this article in Malaysiakini, a friend quipped: “Really? Is this contempt, contempt charge coming from a qualified lawyer? Where did he finish his law studies? Is he a junior legal assistant with some firm or what?”

I had to correct his impression. This is a veteran lawyer. He appears to be linked with a number of Umno cases. I told him, too, that I am amused by such caricatures when I see them in our courts and there is no wonder why cartoonist Zunar has a lot to capture on paper.

Since when are questions banned?

I am wondering since when, in a democratic country like ours, have we not been allowed to question the decision of even the highest courts, what more to raise a question as relevant as Ambiga’s: “Are the courts BN?”

Based on the way how Anwar’s Sodomy II case was conducted from Day One to the day when he was sent to prison, everyone has been asking the same question raised by Ambiga.

A former US ambassador to Malaysia, John Malott (right), had even gone all the way to create an open petition to the president of the United States of America, and I quote Malott’s petition statement:

“Anwar is a political prisoner. The future of democracy in Malaysia is at stake. Securing Anwar's release from prison must be a top priority in US policy towards Malaysia, to be advanced in every way possible.”

To date, some 51,000 people around the world have attested to that. It is still short of 49,000 signatures in order to reach the 100,000 mark in oder to capture President Barack Obama’s attention.

Therefore, what Ambiga had said in her speech pales by comparison. Anwar’s jail sentence for the next five years was something most people had expected, but for someone to further carry out a character assassination of Anwar or to put a suggestion into the mouth of another person, and citing her for contempt of court, can only happen in one’s wildest imagination.

According to Professor Gurdial Singh Nijhar, Shafee has not conducted himself properly as a legal practitioner. This is something which I believe the Bar Council’s president, Christopher Leong has to pick up to carry out an investigation against Shafee in order to protect the good name of the profession.

Leong should also include this accusation that Shafee had made against Ambiga, which I view as being very serious; if not addressed to quickly, will only damage the reputation of the legal profession in this country. Don’t you think so?

---

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.

Anwar more dangerous in prison than on the outside, warns Ambiga

Putrajaya will soon realise it has made a mistake in incarcerating Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, warned lawyer and activist Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan today, saying that the opposition leader was more dangerous inside prison.

She said that despite being convicted of sodomy and sentenced to five years in jail, Anwar should not be discounted.

"Don't discount him. He is at his best when he is down‎. BN (Barisan Nasional) will see that it has made a terrible mistake in imprisoning him‎," she said at a forum at Malaysiakini office in Petaling Jaya tonight.

Ambiga, who is the former Bersih 2.0 co-chair, said Anwar was a bigger factor than ever before.

"He symbolises what our struggle is about. He becomes ‎a rallying factor for Pakatan Rakyat," she added.

"Without Datuk Seri Anwar, there will be no PR."

In a strongly-worded speech, Ambiga, referring to the internal conflicts in the coalition, said that Pakatan now had no choice but to unite for the interests of the people.

"This is something that we are anticipating, and that we demand of Pakatan Rakyat.

"With Datuk Seri Anwar in jail, you have to step up and stop internal bickering. It is very tiring for the people to see this," she said.

She also noted that Pakatan Rakyat was made up of politicians who are intelligent and talented, unlike ministers from the ruling BN government, whom, she noted, "could not string a sentence that made sense".

"Are you telling me you can't solve your problems? I don't accept that," she told Pakatan.

"You have no choice but to unite and I demand and the people demand that you do."

Ambiga, who previously led two massive rallies in Kuala Lumpur to demand for clean and fair elections, said there was no reason to demonstrate against Anwar's conviction although most of the people were disgusted with the Federal court's decision.

"The difference between 1998 and 2015 is the existence of social media. It has allowed the people to get the message."

She also revealed that Anwar, who is serving his sentence at the Sungai Buloh prison, was sleeping on a two-inch thick mattress.

"This is what a 67-year-old man is going through because BN has no guts to take him on in Parliament.

"What we are seeing here is the extent of the cruelty of this government. I don't like it one bit. Nobody deserves it," she added.

Also present at the forum were Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong, Parit Buntar MP Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa, social activist Hishammuddin Rais and Batu MP Tian Chua, who said Anwar has helped create awareness to use people’s power to bring about change.

"In 2008, the two party-systems existed because the public demanded good governance," he said of the general election that year which saw Pakatan denying BN its traditional two-third majority by winning 82 parliamentary seats and also capturing four states – Kedah, Perak, Penang and Selangor while retaining Kelantan.

Mujahid noted that following Anwar's second sodomy conviction on Tuesday, there was no major street protest.

"It does not mean that people are insensitive. The BN should not misinterpret such a conduct."

Pakatan, he said, could move forward without Anwar's leadership if it found solutions to its internal problems.

"The only thing is that we have to stop telling the public that we have no problems. Admit that we do.

"And then, we must also give a time frame for when we can resolve these issues," he added.

Hishammuddin said it was an uphill task for Pakatan to take over Putrajaya unless the public could pressure the Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections.

Liew, who is also DAP political education director, said that Pakatan wanted to see the end of Umno just like the congress party in India.

"The coalition must be defeated in the next election by a landslide."

He added that the coalition's immediate campaign is to ensure that Anwar remained safe and secure in prison.

"We must exert pressure to see that he will be treated decently," he said. – February 12, 2015.

Gloomy prospect for Ambiga's olive branch

 

NegaraKu patron Ambiga Sreenevasan's renewed urging for the ruling coalition, opposition and NGOs to make peace may have received a positive response but it appears unlikely to be translated into action.

Political observers cited the absence of political will in both the ruling coalition and opposition as well as the lack of incentive to cooperate with each other.

Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) chief executive officer Wan Saiful Wan Jan pointed out that even within the respective coalitions, political will was lacking to get things done.

"In Pakatan Rakyat, there is disunity as they fight among each other, while in BN, there is also no political will to even reprimand a minister for attacking Chinese businesses," he told Malayskini when contacted.

Echoing this, Wong Chin Huat, a fellow at the Penang Institute, said the ruling coalition and opposition are occupied about their own survival.

"For cooperation to happen there has to be assurance of mutual co-existence, this is not the case.

"If they were to work together, the side that becomes the loser (in the election) is worried they will be wiped out.

"So for them, survival is the most important thing and I will not blame the politicians because this is how the system in this country is like," he said.

Another hurdle to such cooperation, Wan Saiful said, is that political leaders sometimes deviate from hard issues when it comes to the topic of cooperation.

For example, he said cooperation is sometimes painted as a unity government  which can take on a racial tone like an Umno-PAS coalition at the expense of other allies.

PAS' central committee member Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who backed Ambiga's proposal, had expressed similar frustration.

"Every time when we talk about cooperation (with the other side), we are asked if we want to join them, that is very low-class (politics).

"It is not about cooperating politically but to discuss about the nation," he said.

Simmering partisanship

Wong said politicians are not the only one to be blamed for their lack of interest in cooperating as voters in general are also partisan and do not advocate such cooperation.

He added that the way the ruling coalition and opposition behave is in some part a reflection of the people's stance.

"Political actors can learn to cooperate if voters punish them for not cooperating, but that is not happening," he said.

While acknowledging that the country was on a "wrong trajectory" and supporting Ambiga's urging, Wan Saiful, too, acknowledged it is a difficult task.

Wan Saiful said NGOs can try to play the intermediary between the two political coalitions.

"If civil society focuses more on issues rather than partisan politics, I think civil society will have the potential to bring people together," he said.

Echoing this, Wong said while civil society is often non-partisan, their supporters may be partisan, which may make it difficult to reach out to the other side.

"It is a question of whether we can rise above partisan interests for the national interest," he said.

For rakyat’s sake, Ambiga pleads for truce

 

For the sake of the people, NegaraKu patron Ambiga Sreenavasan has made a plea for a ceasefire, calling on all stakeholders to rise above politics.

She said leaders from the government, opposition and civil society should set aside their differences and come together to immediately deal with four urgent issues confronting the country.

They are:

• The devastation floods, indiscriminate deforestation and the reconstruction efforts.
   
• Weakening economy and the search for realistic solutions.
   
• Racial and religious tensions.
   
• The unprecedented dengue menace.

“I will call these our ‘immediate concerns’. There are more but we should start with these,” she said in a speech at a function to honour Tunku Abdul Rahman and national laureate A Samad Said in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Moratorium on Sedition Act

The former Bar Council president also proposed that several compromises be undertaken by the government as an act of good faith, which included a moratorium on strengthening the Sedition Act.

She said the moratorium should also include all charges brought and pending under the same legislation.

Ambiga also suggested that a moratorium be imposed on the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is to take effect on April 1.

The other compromises put forth are to ensure freedom of the press, a moratorium on logging and deforestation, independent inquiry panels be established in one form or the other to determine how the environmental crises have arisen.

“These compromises will immediately inspire the confidence of the rakyat in the proposed solution and will enable parties to work more effectively with each other.

“It will remove the atmosphere of doom and gloom that prevails because people are afraid to speak their mind. We cannot make the people live under this fear anymore. They have enough on their plate as it is. They have a right to live with peace of mind,” Ambiga said.

Stressing that it is a “plea” and not a “demand”, she implored all who are in a position to do so, to consider this suggestion and to implement the proposal by agreement.

“This means setting up four joint task forces to address each of the immediate concerns. I will call this Projek Rakyat,” she added.

Give people hope

Ambiga said if those in the government, opposition and NGOs open their minds to this, they would be demonstrating not leadership, but statesmanship.

“You will be giving people hope. You will lift people out of the melancholy that pervades all conversations about our future.

“This is the moment to act. Let this moment turn into a momentum to rebuild and recapture the soul of this nation. The government cannot be expected to do this alone.

“Let the rakyat help. Let them be empowered by allowing them to participate. Let us work together.  For now, let us give our political differences a rest until the elections. Let us be happy and let our future be secure,” she added.

Ambiga said the country is now facing many challenges, which are a direct result of allowing financial success to override everything else of real value, including basic constitutional rights and the nation’s institutions.

“Once these became vulnerable, whether to abuse of power or corruption, the destructive path was set.

“The economy is cause for concern. Our ringgit continues to slide, oil prices are falling, 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) is looking fragile, GST is coming, household debt is rising and people are really worried.

“We additionally have the problem of the fabric of society being ripped apart by the few who seek to divide us.

“The recent floods were the latest in a line of disasters. Look at Cameron Highlands as well.  All this has been caused by the disrespect we have shown to our environment and by uncontrolled corruption,” she added.

Unity forged in calamity

However, Ambiga pointed out that the calamity in the east coast saw Malaysians of all walks of life rushing to help the victims.

She said the race or religion of the victims and volunteers alike did not matter one bit.

“We had transcended all our differences in a humanitarian crisis. I am reminded of a saying ‘It is the hour of trial that makes men great, not the hour of triumph’.

“This was an hour of trial and it brought out the best in Malaysians. We saw the same goodness come forth with the crisis of MH370, and MH17,” she added.

Ambiga also recalled photographs during the recent floods which showed a minister carrying an old lady who was a flood victim, army, police, volunteers and NGOs helping with packing, washing and cleaning, a Sikh squad who dropped supplies in remote areas, especially for the Orang Asli who were neglected and a menteri besar helping to clean the streets.

“These pictures tell us something. They tell us that in a crisis we can rise to the occasion,” she said.

“That we can put aside our differences for the greater good. That in our hour of trial, we can be great.”

Banned from Sabah, Ambiga speaks at Negara-Ku forum via Skype

Prominent lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan addressed about 150 people at the Negara-Ku nationwide roadshow to "reclaim Malaysia" in Kota Kinabalu through Skype last night, despite being banned from entering Sabah.

Event moderator Gerald Joseph said Ambiga, who is also the movement’s patron, spoke to the crowd for about 20 minutes from Kuala Lumpur.

She also took questions from the floor which lasted another 40 minutes.

Gerald said yesterday's event only showed that the prohibition to stop Ambiga from addressing the people's legitimate concerns was not effective.

"You can stop the messenger… but not the message," Gerald told The Malaysian Insider.

He said some among the crowd criticised the Sabah government and immigration authorities for stopping Ambiga from entering state, as she was not a threat to national security and public order.

Tan Sri Simon Sipaun, a former Human Rights Commissioner, said the authorities owed Malaysians an explanation for banning Ambiga from entering the state to participate in a legitimate activity.

"As a Malaysian, her right to freedom of movement and expression has been unreasonably restricted," said Sipaun, who also spoke at the forum.

Other speakers were Star party chief and Bingkor assemblyman Datuk Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan and Negara-Ku chairman Zaid Kamaruddin.

The event in Sabah is part of Negara-Ku's programme to return the nation to rationality, allow for open and civil discussion, moderation and harmony.

The roadshow began two weeks ago in Malacca, and covered six other states: Perak, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Sabah and Kuala Lumpur.

Endorsed by over 60 civil society groups, the movement's patrons are Ambiga, national laureate Datuk A. Samad Said and Sipaun.

Gerald said the organisers decided to resort to Skype after Ambiga was notified on November 14 that she had been banned from entering the state.

A letter from the Sabah Immigration Department had been sent to Ambiga in response to her inquiry to them on November 11, informing them of her intention to visit Sabah on November 25 for a programme with Negara-Ku.

“I had written to them because I don’t want to fly all the way there just to be told I’m not allowed in. It was just a formality, to confirm there was no restriction.

“But then they wrote back and said they had rejected my application – even though I wasn’t even applying for their permission to enter Sabah,” she said.

The civil lawyer said that under section 67 of the Immigration Act, she was entitled as to enter Sabah as the trip was for engaging in a legitimate, non-partisan community activity.

The Sabah immigration department did not provide any reason for barring Ambiga from the state.

Sarawak immigration authorities had also stopped her from entering the state during the April state election in 2011 but her legal challenge fizzled out as she filed the suit in Kuala Lumpur.

The Federal Court ruled she should have started her case in Kuching as there were two high courts (Malaya and Sabah and Sarawak) of equal jurisdiction.

Ambiga, when contacted today, said she was pleased to be able to speak to the enthusiastic crowd and to interact with those present.

"All such bans are no longer working due to technological advancements," she said, adding that she would be filing for a judicial review in Kuching through a lawyer there.

She has 90 days from November 14 to do so. – November 26, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/banned-from-sabah-ambiga-speaks-at-negara-ku-forum-via-skype#sthash.9bs3HUZE.dpuf

Ambiga to challenge ‘ridiculous’ Sabah travel ban

Malay Mail
by PATHMA SUBRAMANIAM

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 — Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan has vowed to challenge the latest ban on her entry into Sabah, insisting that the state authorities have no valid reason to stop her from traveling to the east Malaysian state.

 

The renowned lawyer and human rights activist labelled the travel ban “ridiculous” and accused the state authorities of being overly paranoid of her presence in Sabah.

“The grounds to deny entry are very narrow, it is not to be used at their whims and fancy, so I will challenge this,” she told Malay Mail Online when contacted.

“I don’t know what they are paranoid about... in this day and age, these types of restrictions are meaningless, when there are other ways to go about it,” she added.

According to the former Malaysian Bar president, she was informed of the travel ban through correspondence with the Sabah Immigration Department last Friday.

She explained that she had written to the department on November 11 to inform the agency of her trip to Sabah on November 25 for an event by pro-unity group Negara-Ku, of which she is a patron.

The human rights activist was scheduled to attend the event along with the group’s co-patron Tan Sri Simon Sipaun and prominent Sabah politician Datuk Dr Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan.

In response, Ambiga said the department’s director-general Noor Alam Khan A Wahid Khad wrote back to say that she would not be permitted into the east Malaysian state.

No reasons were cited, she added.

“I was not seeking for permission, I wrote to them informing them of my visit so that I don’t waste time traveling,” said Ambiga, who was also the co-chair of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0).

She said the ban appeared quite out of the blue as prior to Election 2013, she had similarly written in to the department and was informed then that there were no restrictions on her entry into Sabah.

“This is my country and I want to have the freedom to go around... there are very specific grounds in refusing entry but my objective is for the sole purpose of engaging in non-partisan community activity,” said Ambiga.

Despite her travel ban, the activist said Negara-Ku will proceed with its programme as scheduled and she will participate in the forum via video conferencing or Skype.

Negara-Ku’s nationwide roadshow began two weeks ago in Malacca, and will be taking place in Perak, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Sabah and Kuala Lumpur.

This is not the first time Ambiga has been barred from East Malaysia.

On April 15, 2011, she was refused entry into Sarawak upon arrival at the Kuching Airport during the state’s election to partake in a 10-day election campaign. She was forced to leave on the next available return flight.

Ambiga has also been unsuccessful in seeking for a judicial review over Sarawak government’s decision, as the Federal Court felt that she ought to have taken up the judicial review at the High Court in Sarawak.

Negara-ku says Sabah ban on Ambiga uncalled for, mulls other options

Disappointed over Sabah’s entry ban imposed on Negara-ku patron Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, the non-governmental organisation said it is looking at other ways, such as Skype webcam, to enable her to speak at its forum in the state later this month.

“We are disappointed and feel that the ban is inappropriate. After all, she has been given a datukship, as a recognition for her contributions to the country," said Negara-ku co-founder Zaid Kamaruddin.

He said the people’s movement might consider using other options to enable Ambiga to participate in the November 25 forum.

"For now, we have no plans yet but we will consider the practicality of using Skype as an option," he added.

Ambiga, who formerly headed the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), was informed yesterday via a letter from the Sabah Immigration Department that she was not allowed to enter the state.

She had earlier written to the department to enquire if she would be restricted from entering the state to speak at a forum on national unity, which will also feature Tan Sri Simon Sipaun and Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

Zaid said that as far as he knew, no other Negara-ku member has been barred from entering the East Malaysian state for the forum.

The visit to Sabah is part of Negara-Ku's nationwide road show to "reclaim Malaysia" and return rationality, open and civil discussion, moderation and harmony to the country.

The roadshow began on Wednesday night in Malacca, and will cover six other states: Perak, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Sabah and Kuala Lumpur.

Endorsed by over 60 civil society groups, the movement's patrons are Ambiga, national laureate Datuk A. Samad Said and former vice-chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), Tan Sri Simon Sipaun.

The ban on Ambiga has been criticised by politicians, including Penampang MP Darell Leiking, who said the Sabah government should not abuse its power to deter people who do not pose any security problems to enter the state.

"I must emphasise that I fully support the autonomy of Sabah on being able to decide who can enter Sabah. But it must be used in the right manner," he said.

"It should be used against real criminal elements who pose security concerns such as Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Perkasa president), who had threatened to burn Bibles."

He said the state was using its right as a "political tool" against Ambiga, who was bringing "constitutional enlightenment" to the people of Sabah.

"I don't know what they are so afraid of. What about the vast number of illegals entering Sabah, which is a huge problem. That is more of a concern than people who want to educate and help," he added.

Earlier, Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng said the ban on Ambiga showed that the Barisan Nasional government have lost their power of reason and their sense of what is right and wrong, pointing at their "siege mentality".

"Laws are meant to ensure the interests and security of Sabah, and she is only going to be speaking about the rule of law. She is a lawyer.

"How can the rule of law and upholding what is right and wrong be a threat to Sabah's security?

"Obviously this is a travesty of justice and we hope they will respect the rule of law and democracy by reversing the ban," Lim said. – November 15, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/negara-ku-says-sabah-ban-on-ambiga-uncalled-for-mulls-other-options#sthash.ufwRfgjK.dpuf

Ambiga praises students for facing up to UM’s administration

Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan tonight praises Universiti Malaya students for their courage in taking on the administration of the Malaysia's oldest university which allowed Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to enter campus grounds.

The Negara-Ku co-chair said she was amazed by the fighting spirit displayed by the students, especially Universiti Malaya Undergraduates Assopciation (PMUM) president Fahmi Zainol, describing them as the agent of change in the country.

"What we see now is change happening, now we are seeing our youths rising up against oppression.

"I truly admire Fahmi, who was willing to face up to the autocratic attitude of the UM administration and I praise them (the students)," she said, in her speech during the Anti-Sedition Act dinner at Dewan Sivik in Petaling Jaya tonight.

Ambiga said with the latest development, the Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) government could no longer duped the people and should be aware of it by now.

"This shows that you can't lie to everyone all the time," she said. – October 27, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ambiga-praises-students-for-facing-up-to-ums-administration#sthash.MaLKBOSl.dpuf

Make Najib’s UN speech basis to build Malaysia, says Ambiga

Impressed with Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s recent speech in the United Nations, which derided discrimination and subjugation, and promoted inclusive politics and co-existence of faiths, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan now wants it to be used as a basis for nation-building at home.

The former Bar Council president and now patron for people's movement, Negara-ku, said the prime minister had managed to capture the strength of the nation in the speech delivered on September 26.

“We must use this. We must say to all the people who are trying to divide us, this is what the prime minister of this country has said, and this is what we should do,” she said, in a veiled reference to right-wing groups inflaming racial issues in Malaysia.

She said four particular paragraphs – marked as paragraphs 23 to 26 in his official transcript – should be adopted verbatim to guide programmes and policy in Malaysia.

Commending Najib for uttering them in the international arena, she also invited the prime minister to make the very same delivery on home soil.

In the speech at the 69th UN General Assembly in New York, Najib had said: “We must break the cycle where one group gains power only to wield it against the other. Where marginalisation leads to radicalisation, as people lose confidence in the state’s ability to provide both security and co-existence.

“Individuals and ethnic and religious groups need to feel they have a stake in a nation’s success, not its failure. So we should commit to more inclusive politics. This is difficult work; it demands pragmatism and compromise. And it must come from within.

“Malaysia stands ready to share its experience; of marginalising extremism; maintaining a multi-religious country, where different faiths coexist and prosper; and showing that Islam can not only succeed, but drive progress and development in a pluralistic society.

“Like all nations, we have had our growing pains. Stability is never permanent; it must be actively maintained. But in Malaysia, there are streets in which mosques, temples and churches stand side by side. Ours is a society in which religions may differ, but do so in peace; in the knowledge that we are all citizens of one nation."

Speaking at a fund-raiser for human rights NGO Aliran in George Town last night, Ambiga said what was needed was for Najib to say the exact same words in Malaysia. The call sparked applause from the crowd of more than 500.

“I only regret the prime minister will not make a speech like this in Malaysia," she said. "Because that’s all we need.”

“He has captured the strength of this nation. He knows, in other words, exactly what is needed in this nation.

“They all know,” added the former co-chair of electoral reforms group Bersih 2.0, referring to politicians in Putrajaya.

She also said the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) should come up with a blueprint for an anti-discrimination programme, based on UN guidelines, for children in schools.

She said this in light of recent allegations by Umno and hard-line Malay leaders that Chinese schools were impeding racial harmony.

On October 5, Umno Petaling Jaya Utara division deputy head Mohamad Azli Mohamed Saad had reportedly said that the party's general assembly next month should debate whether Chinese vernacular schools should be abolished.

This, he said, was because Chinese schools were being used by the opposition to breed racial and anti-government sentiments.

Cheras Umno division chief Datuk Seri Syed Ali Al Habshee reiterated the call on October 7, urging the government to abolish vernacular schools and to set up a single-stream school system which, he said, could help in fostering national unity in the country.

“Why don’t we introduce this programme in every school?” Ambiga asked.

“I think we should start developing an anti-discrimination policy in this country.”

She said the UN has guidelines for programmes among pupils in schools “to reverse the effects of the brainwashing and discrimination”.

She said such a programme has been adopted by many countries where people were genuine about fighting racial discrimination.

“Because when we free their minds from this, from the shackles of bigotry and racism, it will be a different Malaysia.” – October 12, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/make-najibs-un-speech-basis-to-build-malaysia-says-ambiga#sthash.qDLzMNR3.dpuf

If I’m charged, I know I’m in good company, says Ambiga

As police initiate investigations into Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, the former Bar Council president said she was proud to be among those caught in Putrajaya's sedition dragnet.

Ambiga said that the probe into her “may be a good thing” for the future generation, but added that she had yet to receive word from police, and may not even be charged.

“Nevertheless, if I am charged, I know I am in good company and am proud to stand with all the others who are presently facing the odious Sedition Act,” Ambiga told The Malaysian Insider.

The Malaysian Insider reported today that police are now investigating the Negara-Ku patron for sedition following remarks she allegedly made about Biro Tata Negara (BTN) or the National Civics Bureau at a conference in Kuala Lumpur recently.

The Malaysian Insider learnt that a police report was lodged against the lawyer by a Malay group, Persatuan Pertubuan Merah Terengganu, on October 2, after she allegedly claimed BTN camps were nothing more than brainwashing sessions to turn Malays into racists and bigots.

“I think this may turn out to be a good thing after all. Let the truth emerge,” Ambiga told The Malaysian Insider in a text message.

“We all want what is best for our children and we must never be afraid to speak up in defence of our children, the next generation, if there is any instruction that has the effect of narrowing their minds, thus depriving them of the chance of achieving intellectual excellence.”

She said as taxpayers, every Malaysian had a right to question the government’s actions.

“I note with interest that in other cases, similar words may have been used in relation to vernacular schools and no action was taken because the words are not considered seditious.

“This is why it is best to wait and see if in fact there will be a charge,” added Ambiga.

She was apparently referring to Umno deputy division chief Mohamad Azli Mohamed Saad’s call to abolish vernacular schools in the country.

It was reported yesterday that Sepang police chief Mohd Yusoff Awang said Azli’s statement did not contain seditious elements and the case has been classified as a civil matter.

“This was just a suggestion from him, not a public statement,” Yusoff was quoted as saying in a Malaysiakini report.

“Therefore, we won’t open any paper to investigate it.”

Ambiga joins a slew of opposition politicians, academics and activists who have been charged, convicted or are being investigated under the Sedition Act 1948.

Last week, constitutional expert Dr Abdul Aziz Bari was asked to give his statement to police after reports were lodged against him for allegedly insulting the Sultan of Selangor.

Earlier last month, activists Safwan Anang and Adam Adli Abd Halim were sentenced to 10 months and 12 months in prison respectively, for remarks made at a May 13 forum last year calling on the people to take to the streets over the general election results.

Activist Ali Abd Jalil faces three sedition charges for allegedly insulting the Johor royalty and the Selangor Sultan in Facebook postings. Ali, declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, was released on bail after being detained for more than 20 days.

On September 26, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had his statement recorded by police over a report lodged against him in 2011, where he allegedly uttered seditious remarks over his second sodomy case.

On September 20, police recorded a statement from lawyer Edmund Bon, who is being investigated for sedition for saying that non-Muslims are not subject to fatwas or the Shariah courts.

Former Selangor PAS ulama committee member, Wan Ji Wan Hussin, was charged on September 10 with sedition after posting allegedly seditious words on Facebook that belittled the Selangor Sultan’s role as head of Islamic matters in the state.

On September 4, journalist Susan Loone was arrested in Penang over her article based on an interview with state executive council member Phee Boon Poh and the mass arrests of the state’s Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) on Merdeka Day.

Universiti Malaya law lecturer Azmi Sharom was charged with sedition on September 2 for his remarks on the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis published in an online news portal.

Other opposition politicians who have been charged with sedition include Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, Padang Serai MP N. Surendran, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Batu MP Chua Tian Chang, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad and Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer.

A group of United Nations (UN) human rights experts have urged Malaysia to withdraw the colonial-era law, noting that it was reportedly used to prevent Malaysians from freely expressing political opinions.

“It is time for Malaysia to adjust its legislation, including the 1948 Sedition Act, to be in line with international human rights standards, and take firm steps towards the effective enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression,” they said. – October 9, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/if-im-charged-i-know-im-in-good-company-says-ambiga#sthash.8WyJayUF.dpuf

Stop rewriting history to justify racist policies, Ambiga tells Putrajaya

(Malay Mail Online) – Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan accused Putrajaya last night of rewriting history purportedly to justify its race-based policies and to strengthen its hold on power by driving wedges between the country’s different racial communities.

The renowned lawyer and activist told a forum last night that to achieve this end, Putrajaya has been drilling falsehoods into the minds of school kids through history textbooks.

“They (government) are trying to discount our true cultural and historical background because by doing that, they are trying to make parts of our rewritten history relevant for their own good,” she said when met after a forum titled “Stemming The Tide of Racism in Our Nations” here yesterday.

In her speech at the forum, Ambiga accused Putrajaya of indulging in an effort to maintain power, and justifying its Malay-supremacy policies.

She described the education system as one where “the Malays are told and are made to understand that they are better and that others are ‘pendatangs’ (a derogatory Malay word for immigrant)”.

“Then we have national service thereafter. So much damage has already been done and I don’t think it can be fixed,” she added.

“They (Putrajaya) may set up the National Union of Consultative Council (NUCC) and all, but there is a concerted effort to keep the races apart and this is what we are up against — the system.”

Ambiga also urged parents to be more vigilant of what their children are learning in schools and suggested that the education system undergo a review to identify racial elements, and to study if it does lead to racism and bigotry among children.

“We should have it even if the government doesn’t want it,” she told the forum organised by Komas and pro-unity movement, Negara-Ku.

“Rewriting our history books must stop, as you are narrowing their (children) minds..they will never be able to compete abroad as they don’t have the required broad-mindedness, and you are doing them a terrible service,” she added.

Ambiga also alleged that the so-called racism in government policies has created rifts between the country’s different racial communities and an atmosphere or “first class” and “second class” citizens.

“Is that what our constitution (Federal Constitution) intended? The constitution does not have two classes of citizenship, and there is nothing there that divides us as citizens.

“And we have to bear in mind that we cannot be pushed to feel lesser than other Malaysians,” she said, urging Malaysians to speak up on the matter.

Apart from Ambiga, other panellists in the forum last night include Muslim Youths Movement of Malaysia (Abim) secretary-general, Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, and a senior Indonesian academic, Ahmad Zainul Hamidi.

Two days ago, the patron of Negara-Ku accused the National Civics Bureau (BTN) of brainwashing children and turning them into racists and bigots.

She said there have been complaints that the government agency, which is tasked to instil patriotism in students through training courses, has been telling Malay children that non-Malays are “pendatang”.

“I really wish parents would speak up. I’d be really annoyed if people were brainwashing my child and turning him into a racist and bigot. I’d put my foot down.

“But the problem is, many parents don’t know this is happening,” the former Malaysian Bar president said

For Ambiga, BTN camps are brainwashing hubs

The Kem Biro Tatanegara (BTN) or National Civics Bureau camps are nothing more than brainwashing sessions to turn Malays into racists and bigots, Datuk S. Ambiga Sreenevasan said today.

The Negara-Ku patron said parents, whose children had attended the camps, were baffled by the objectives contained within the modules and things that were being taught.

"I have met several Malays who have attended these camps and they come out feeling disgusted and angry."

She was speaking during the “4th National Conference on Non-Discrimination: Unity and Social Cohesion in Malaysia – Making It Possible” in Kuala Lumpur.

"What does that tell you? Malays are being brainwashed into becoming racists and bigots while attending these national camps," Ambiga said.

The National Civics Bureau is under the purview of the Prime Minister's Office and camps are held regularly, especially for civil servants.

"I am disgusted with our leaders, they are not interested in tackling these issues. They are only interested in the politics of the issue.

"I have heard people say that this particular minister issues racist statements simply because he HAS to do it.

"What kind of an explanation is that? The blame lies entirely with our leaders, there are no excuses," Ambiga said.

"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak appears to specialise in making fancy speeches when addressing the international community in the United Nations.

"But when it comes to walking the talk, Putrajaya fails miserably," she said to a loud round of applause from the audience.

"We are interested in national harmony, the rakyat are trying to achieve national harmony, but I am not sure that our leaders are."

She also criticised the police reports lodged against constitutional expert Professor Dr Abdul Aziz Bari, saying Malaysia was the land of police reports.

"Malaysia must be in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest number of useless police reports being lodged," Ambiga said.

"For giving his legal opinion, more than 100 reports are lodged against Aziz. Are you mad? Is this where you want to take the country?"

Ambiga said even the English would be embarrassed at the direction their colonial-era law was being taken to.

She expressed her incredulity when she read about reports that a group of influential Malays approached the Malay rulers to urge them not to repeal the Sedition Act.

"Words could not begin to express my feelings when I read about this meeting," Ambiga said, wondering what was the point of retaining the Act.

"Is it because we cannot detain people without trial any more? If the police force cannot function without these type of legislations, what does that tell you about the police?" – September 30, 2014

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/for-ambiga-btn-camps-are-brainwashing-hubs#sthash.wUoFWQnh.dpuf

Ambiga’s NGO calls on Azmin Ali to make reforms

Azmin may have newly assumed his post, but C4 already has recommendations for him.

PETALING JAYA- The Centre to Combat Corruption & Cronyism (C4), the new NGO headed by former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan, released a series of recommendations for the newly minted Selangor Menteri Besar (MB), Azmin Ali.

Saying that Azmin cannot be afforded a “honeymoon period,” C4 called upon Azmin to espouse “competent, credible and clean administrative policies” in order to regain the confidence of Selangor’s electorate, who had to endure eight months of political impasse between PKR and former MB Khalid Ibrahim.

The C4 called for eight key changes to be made in Azmin’s administration. Firstly, clean, transparent and accountable administration, calling into question Azmin’s past as an UMNO politician and “unflattering reputation”. They also recommended an open government relationship, which involves the government and civil society cooperating for better accountability. Public participation was also highlighted in C4′s statement, bringing up the heavy handed decisions of the previous administration on the Kidex highway and other projects.

Prudent financial administration was also called for, as Selangor had RM3 billion in it’s coffers from Khalid’s administration and must be used prudently and in an accountable manner.
C4 also demanded that the state’s Freedom of Information Act make available access to all important state projects. Local elections and open tenders were also part of C4′s recommendations, claiming local council had “inadequately qualified councillors tasked with making decisions they are incapable of,” and that an open tender system would eliminate cronyism and ultimately allow the public to keep an eye on the public service delivery system.

Finally, the C4 asked that a public service Ombudsman be implemented in the name of good governance. Describing it as an “independent oversight mechanism that is tasked to oversee and manage better public services in the State,” it would prove Selangor to be transparent, which is necessary for a “corrupt free state.”

Ambiga: Judiciary can stop abuse of Sedition Act

 

The judiciary is the only institution which can stop the abuse of the Sedition Act, said former Bar Council president S Ambiga.

"It is the only institution that stands between the people and those abusing power," she added.

She also pointed out that lawyer Edmund Bon, who is under investigation for sedition, was merely offering his legal opinion when he said non-Muslims were not subjected to fatwas.

"I agree with his opinion. You may think it is wrong, but it is his view and it was a legal opinion," said Ambiga, who was one of the guest speakers at the launch of the Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH) last night.

Bon was called up by the police last week over comments he made in an article published by The Malaysian Insider.

Ambiga, the co-founder of NGO Negaraku and former Bersih co-chairperson, also said that the government's actions are the catalyst for hate and contempt.

"It is what they are doing to us that is bringing them to hate and contempt," she added.

Activist Safwan Anang, who recently received a 10-month jail sentence for sedition, told the audience that he was given the jail sentence because he was not a politician.

"We know that (PKR MPs) Tian Chua and N Surendran were charged so that there will be by-elections in Batu and Padang Serai, where having to pay a fine of just RM2,001 will forfeit their parliamentary seats.

"Since I am not a politician, that is why I was given a jail sentence," he added.

According to Safwan, no one is safe under the Act with the exception of Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

"Only he will be safe from being charged under the Act, although everyone knows how this 'frog' (a term used in reference of Ibrahim hopping to different political parties) is the king of all things seditious," he added.

'Those around Najib will not allow repeal'

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya law lecturer Azmi Sharom labelled the Sedition Act as the biggest "penghasut" (inciter) as it is "anti-democracy".

"The Act is against democracy and against the country's identity. That's why it needs to be abolished," added the academic, who was charged under the Act recently.

DAP's Lim Kit Siang, who was accused of making seditious remarks against Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, said the country was not becoming the “world's best democracy” as mentioned by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"What that has been happening (spate of arrests under the Sedition Act) is quite the opposite," he said.

Former deputy minister Saifuddin Abdullah (left) said that even if Najib wanted to abolish the Act, those around him would not agree.

"We should show him (PM) that we want the Act to be abolished. Amending the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) was hard, but I believe that together, the message will be delivered.

"Malaysians have their own strength to ensure it will be abolished," he said.

Saifuddin said that the country will not be a good democracy "if we continue nurturing the culture of fear".

Ambiga: This is not courage, Mr PM - Malaysiakini

 

More than two weeks ago, Dr Mahathir Mohamad had unleashed a scathing criticism of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Among others, the former prime minister said Najib lacked courage and pandered to the demands of the opposition and civil society groups, such as in repealing the Internal Security Act.

The 89-year-old former Mahathir remains influential in Umno and Najib has been cautioned on the perils of disregarding the impact of his criticism.

After all, the doctor-turned-politician has a reputation for amputating political careers.

So, is the current sedition dragnet, which has now enveloped the academia as well, Najib's response to Mahathir and to prove to Umno that he has fortitude?

But when the question was posed to former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan, she dismissed the latest developments as being synonymous with courage.

"Courage, in this context, is not coming down hard on criticism, it is bullying. Facing criticism and engaging the critics is the courage we expect from the leadership," she said.

Without mincing words, Ambiga, who is the patron of NGO NegaraKu and former chairperson of Bersih, described the crackdown as "despicable treatment of your own people".

Noting how Najib did a "marvellous job for a noble cause" in engaging with the Ukrainian separatists over the MH17 incident, she called on the prime minister to do the same at home.

"I am asking the same prime minister to engage with his own people.

"I would urge good sense, and for the prime minister to engage with civil society and critics instead of taking the easy way out," she added.

Setting a bullying example

Ambiga also questioned Najib for turning on his own people shortly after delivering a speech that emphasised on unity.

She expressed disappointed that a prime minister, who promised transformation and greater democratic space, is now setting a "bullying example" that others are following.

Citing the slew of police reports lodged by Perkasa against a Malaysiakini journalist, Ambiga asked: "Are we turning into a society of bullies?"

"But Najib can change all that by withdrawing the (sedition) charges," she added.

In his Merdeka speech, Ambiga said, she was pleased when Najib spoke about the next generation.

"But having said that, is this the legacy you wish to leave behind, a society that is oppressive and repressive, where bullying tactics are legitimised?" she asked.

Ambiga also reminded Najib that times have changed, and that Najib is embroiled in a different ball game compared with his predecessors.

"We are in a different era, it is a different ball game now, you have the social media and people who are well informed.

"The leaders must come out of the framework that belongs in the dark ages and move into the 21st century," she said.