Jui Meng quits MCA, joins PKR - Malaysiakini

Former health minister Chua Jui Meng today announced that he was defecting to the opposition by quitting MCA and joining PKR.

"I am resigning as a member of MCA and with the permission of PKR's de facto leader (Anwar Ibrahim), I'm announcing that I'm joining PKR," he told a crowd of 1,000, which responded with loud shouts of 'reformasi'.

"I'm convinced that today I'm standing on the right side of history, especially at this defining critical moment of our history, in joining PKR."

In hearing the response of the jubilant crowd, Chua quipped: “You know, I never got so much applause like that ever in MCA.”

He and Anwar appeared together this afternoon at PKR's 'The Truth Behind the Scandals: Perak, PKFZ and the BN Conspiracy' forum in Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa.

The forum participants applauded as Chua and Anwar entered the hall at 3.30pm. A banner 'Congratulations to Chua for joining PKR' was unfurled as the former MCA vice-president walked in.

According to Chua, he decided to join PKR because Umno was undermining the country's two-coalition political system.

He added that the death of Teoh Beng Hock, the political aide of Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was the “tipping point” in his decision to defect.

Teoh's body was found on Thursday sprawled on the roof of an adjacent building after he had undergone questioning late into the night at the offices of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

In joining PKR, Chua said he was taking a "new journey, a journey of change".

Chua was accompanied by former MCA senator David Yeoh Eng Hock and former Lumut parliamentarian Yap Yit Thong - both of whom also announced they were joining PKR, which drew a thunderous applause from the crowd.

Pakatan seeks to regain momentum

Malaysiakini had on Thursday reported that Chua would defect to PKR. On that day, Chua called an emergency meeting of his Bakri MCA division where he resigned as its division chief after 23 years.

It is believed that the opposition is seeking to use Chua's defection to regain momentum for the opposition which has been floundering due to internal bickering and a resurgent Barisan Nasional under new Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The other senior former minister to have recently joined PKR is former Umno leader Zaid Ibrahim.

Chua, 64, had contested for the MCA president's post twice and lost to two Ongs - Ong Ka Ting in 2005 and Ong Tee Keat in 2008.

He was not picked to defend his Bakri parliamentary seat last year.

The seat was subsequently won by DAP's Er Teck Hwa - making Bakri the sole parliamentary seat in Johor to fall to the opposition in the 2008 general elections.

Chua: Wow, nine times

Chua said BN's power grab in Perak and the wooing of PAS by Umno to form a unity government based on race and religion have both contradicted Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's '1Malaysia' motto.

“What will happened to the Chinese, Indians and other races? And of course, there is the prosecution of the PKR de facto leader once again for sodomy.”

Chua said that although Anwar had been acquitted by the Federal Court years ago, he was now been charged again for sodomy.

“I've heard that Anwar was charged for allegedly sodomising Saiful (Bukhari Azlan) eight times...,” said Chua.

He was quickly corrected by the crowd that the actual number was nine times.

“Wow, nine times! Then I take off my hat to you, sir - 62-year-old and can sodomise nine times although he has a medical history...

“Not only should you be the head of the opposition, you should be the prime minister!” he joked as Anwar, who was sitting at the other end of the stage, looked flustered.

To be given a 'prominent' post

At the press conference later, Anwar said that Chua would be given a major role to play in PKR.

“Chua's role will be the prominent one. Other than the supreme council, I would seek the approval of the president (Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) and the political bureau to immediately accept him (as appointed member),” he said.

However, Chua brushed aside suggestions that he quit MCA because he would be given a top position in PKR.

“I joined the party without condition. There is also no condition set by Anwar before I join PKR,” he said.

On his relationship with MCA boss Ong, the former party vice-president said that they would have a healthy respect for each other although he has chosen to go on separate ways.

“He is my friend and he is a man of ideals and principles. I respect him for that and I think he will accept me for that too. I believe that our relationship will continue as friends,” he said.

Q & A with Chua

Why did you deny (on Thursday) that you were joining PKR?

I was wrongly quoted - I never denied and I never confirmed. I did tell them (journalists) that you would know when the time is right.

I always maintained that one must be consistent, don't tell lies. If you can't tell people now, tell them to wait. And in any case what I said in Bakri, in terms of the need for major reforms - deep reforms not superficial reforms - the journalists should have understood...

Have you submitted your resignation to (MCA president) Ong Tee Keat?

I will be doing it, I have announced it. I did announce my resignation just now, this other thing is just the formality of sending a letter.

Are you disappointed with where the MCA is heading to?

No, I'm not going to touch on that - whether I'm disappointed or not. There is some reluctance, of course, as to why I have left MCA.

Before this, I have issued two manifestoes - in 2005 and 2008. I have compared the contents of the manifestoes and the vision of Anwar and his Malaysian agenda in the last general elections. I see many areas of commonalities where there can be in agreement. That was the thing that really persuaded me that PKR is the right channel for me to join.

My life, my career, (all this while) I have make sure that the government takes care of all the races. What I'm going do is to help him (Anwar) achieve his Malaysian agenda.

What took you so long to join PKR?

Very simple, I have stated this very clearly. I wanted to reform MCA. You may not know this, when I campaigned for presidency, (I argued that) MCA should reform whether or not Umno reforms itself. If Umno refuses and only initiates superficial reforms, then MCA must come out of Barisan Nasional.

Did you join PKR because you lost in the MCA president contest?

That does not arise at all. I could lose and win, and it is the same with me. When I lost last year to Ong Tee Keat, I right away invited him to my division in Bakri and told the Chinese community over there that we have no problem in contesting against each other.

When we contest based on principles, we can still remain friends.

__________________________________________________________________

What compelled me to ditch BN?- Malaysiakini

There has been much speculation recently in the media as what my next move in politics would be.

Today I make one of the most important decisions of my life, to leave the MCA and to join PKR. A few days ago, I resigned as chairman of MCA Bakri division, a post I have held for 23 years, freeing me to undertake a fresh struggle for the realisation of my vision for reforms. These are contained in the manifestos I wrote during the MCA presidential elections of 2005 and 2008.

Today I announce that I am resigning as a member of MCA. Now I announce I am joining PKR.

Today I am persuaded that I am standing on the right side of history at a defining and critical moment of our nation's history. What has compelled me to do so?

The 2008 general elections witnessed the passionate desire of 52 percent of Peninsular Malaysians for change. This astounding voting power gave birth for the first time to a two-party system. As a result, we have seen a hitherto unseen phenomena of Umno leaders saying “if we do not change, the people will change the government".

Out of this desperation, Malaysians see the Umno-led government making some movement towards appeasing the people. That is the fruit of people's power.

Two-party system undermined by Umno

Today we see this nascent two-party system under threat, the unrelenting harassment by the Umno-led government to divide and destroy the two-party system, the hard-earned gains of last year's general election.

We see the abuse of power in the use of the federal institutions to harass, persecute and prosecute the leaders of the opposition, institutions that were supposed to protect the rights of the citizens
of Malaysia.

The tragic death of 30-year-old Teo Beng Hock is the consequence of one such institution going overboard in its action. The seizure of power in Perak, the wooing of PAS by Umno to form a unity government based on race and religion, the farcical persecution and prosecution of Anwar Ibrahim once again for sodomy despite the reports of two hospitals - one from Hospital Kuala Lumpur - to the contrary, all these are indicative of a pattern of attempts to topple this precious two-party system.

It seeks to remove the people's new-found choice to choose between two political fronts. If this conspiracy succeeds Umno will continue to be the dominant political party going back to its old ways unfettered.

It is in these times of trouble and crisis for PKR and Pakatan Rakyat that has precipitated my decision to join them. It is in these difficult circumstances that I want to contribute in humility to the preservation of this two-party system. My hope is that ordinary Malaysians will stand up and be counted in the struggle to protect, preserve and promote the growth of this system. Count me in.

There are other reasons why I am joining PKR. I see in Anwar a kindred spirit seeking for change, for deep and genuine reforms. I know also that multiracial political parties caring for all races is the way forward.

I know that I am leaving the comfort and security of my present life for a road less travelled, a tough and rough road and that ahead of me awaits hardships. I am prepared for this last hurrah of my life. May God bless our endeavours, our struggle. CHANGE!

Chua Jui Meng
Former MCA vice-president and former health minister

First imam to join Sabah DAP

BEAUFORT (Sabah) - Sabah DAP is following the steps of ex-BN component party Sabah Progressive Party in focusing on the recruitment of Bumipteras.

It scored its first 'scoop' among the Malay community when Haji Jusri Kamat, an imam (congregation head) from Beaufort signed up with the party.

In a ceremony here Friday, Jusri handed over his application form to join the DAP to the party's state chief and Kota Kinabalu MP Dr Hiew King Cheu. ALso present were state vice-chairman Edward Ewol Mujie, Beaufort DAP chief Jinlin bin Abdul Rahman and other branch chairmen and members. (photo)

However, this is surprising in Sabah as people in the state are more open and liberal about religion.

Jusri said he decided to join DAP because he admires the devotion and spirit of DAP leaders in the state to help the people.

"The party inspires a lot of people in Sabah, and the people now understand that they cannot depend too much on the Barisan Nasional government, but have to stand up to find ways to survive, both economically and politically.

More Bumiputera branches

He expressed the hope that his move would encourage more Muslims in the state to join the party and work for a better future for the state and people.

Hiew said the Sabah DAP is gaining more support from the Muslim community in Beaufort and other parts of Sabah.

"We will work harder and push forward to further strengthen the support from all corners of Sabah in order to achieve a grand victory in the next general election," he said.

"A change to the present government is the only solution to the many long and outstanding problems in Sabah. So if Sabahans want a change, we have to work hard together and help change Sabah," he added.

Hiew also announced that the party will be setting up more Bumiputera branches in such places as Kota Belud, Tenom, Ranau, Lahad Datu, Kudat, Tawau and Sandakan.

Did MACC know they were torturing a Bridegroom-to-be and father-to-be?

I believe the most heartbreaking fact of Beng Hock’s death is that it happened just on the eve of his marriage registration and he was going to be a father in seven months’ time.

What crueler thing can be done to his fiancee and his unborn baby?

Are those snatched away their future husband and father not the cruelest snatch theives in the world?

One question remains: did these life-snacthers know that they were torturing a bridegroom-to-be and a father-to-be and yet went on without any mercy?

Torturing anyone – confirmed: interrogating for 11 hours; possible: threat of violence – to the extent that would end the person’s life is unforgiveable.

But doing so knowing that a wife would be deprived of husband and an unborn baby deprived of father is simply evil.

Yes, EVIL. I don’t normally use harsh words. In this case, any other word would be an understatement.

So, did they know it? Were they evil or merely cruel?

Would they not find out Beng Hock’s family life in the 11-hour mental torture disguised as interrogation?

Another “witness” called in by the MACC, Kajang municipal councillor Tan Boon Hwa had this horror story to tell: “They said that if I don’t ‘tell the truth’, they will take away my wife and there would be no one to care for the children. …”

Taking away a woman from her husband and children? Is this a human traficcking mafia or a state agency?

Malaysians must settle for no less than a Royal Commission of Inquiry and suspenssion of all involved officers of MACC right from Ahmad Said.

More than this, the Royal Commission of Inquiry must be just another PR tool. We must spell out two clear demands:

1. Its term of reference must cover MACC’s command and power structure to see if that played any role in Beng Hock’s tragic death.

2. At least half of its members must be nominated by the Federal Opposition.

And Najib should deliver that on the coming cabinet meeting on next Wednesday (July 23), which is incidentally the 7th day of Beng Hock’s demise, an important day in the Chinese mourning custom.

Stop talking, start acting

We have forgotten who the enemy is. The enemy is not each other. The enemy is Barisan Nasional and the stooges of Barisan Nasional that include PDRM, MACC, SPR, the AG Chambers and the judiciary.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

The Catholics are complaining about the Muslims. They lament about what the Muslims did, which can be considered downright sacrilegious and an insult to the Catholics. So what do they do? They issue press statements from the comfort of their homes.

The Muslims are angry with the Christians. They accuse the Christians of subverting Islam. They want the Christians to be cut down to size and put in their place. They organise protests and demonstrations and threaten the Christians with bloodshed. And the Christians hide in the safety of their homes.

The Chinese and Indians are brutalised by the PDRM and MACC. They are physically and verbally abused, beaten up, tortured and even killed. What do they do? They sign petitions and memorandums and march to the Agong’s palace to hand their protest note to the Agong calling for royal intervention.

The Malays slam the Chinese because they want a Malay representative to sit in the council or committee. The Indians slam the Malays and Chinese because not enough Indians are appointed to the committee or council.

DAP slams PKR and PAS. PAS slams DAP and PKR. PKR slams DAP and PAS.

DAP fights amongst themselves. PAS fights amongst themselves. PKR fights amongst themselves.

And against the backdrop of the above all these people claim they are fighting for change. They are fighting for justice. They are fighting for transparency and good governance. They are fighting to eradicate corruption, wastage of public funds and abuse of power. They are fighting for a better Malaysia and for a better future for their children and grandchildren.

Actually, they are fighting with each other and amongst themselves. And this is why they will never see the reforms that they clamour for.

They say change will come when the next general election is upon us. They will vote. And they will vote the present government out off office. And that is when they will see change and achieve the aspirations of these reforms that they seek.

But this will not happen. It will not happen because those who seek change are weakening by the day. And they are weakening by the day because they are not really fighting for change but fighting amongst themselves.

They would need at least 70% of the votes to see change. With 70% of the votes they can then offset the rampant and blatant fraud perpetuated every general election and get in with at least a simple majority, not even a two-thirds majority. 1969 proved this. 1999 proved this. And 2008 proved this as well.

Short of 70% of the votes change will never come. It will never come because Barisan Nasional will still be in power. Getting anything short of 70% of the votes would mean that the election fraud would enable Barisan Nasional to get back into office.

But only 70% of the eligible voters bother to register as voters. And only 70% of the registered voters bother to come out to vote. And only 50% of those who bother to come out to vote will vote for change -- the rest will vote for Barisan Nasional.

So change will never come. It will never come because only 30% of those who are eligible to vote will vote for change. The rest of the 70% will either vote for Barisan Nasional, or will not come out to vote, or will not register to vote.

So waiting for change every five years and hoping that change will come through the general elections is a pipedream. It is futile to expect change though the ballot box. The two choices are either the ballot or the bullet. And the ballot is a lost cause.

Pilehan Raya or Pilehan Jalan Raya. Those are the two choices open to us. If both can work then we can choose the one that we feel can achieve the maximum result. But if only one works then we choose that only one. It will be only one option. It will not be two options.

Stop talking. Start acting. It is now time to take to the streets. It will be too long to wait for the ballot box. We must vote now. And we must vote with our feet.

We have forgotten who the enemy is. The enemy is not each other. The enemy is Barisan Nasional and the stooges of Barisan Nasional that include PDRM, MACC, SPR, the AG Chambers and the judiciary.

So let’s stop fighting each other. And let’s start fighting the real enemy. And stop dreaming of the ballot box. Vote today. Vote with your feet. And vote in large numbers.

‘Election Day’ starts tomorrow. And the ‘election timetable’ is as follows. Make sure you come out to ‘vote’.

Justice for Teoh Beng Hock events

19 July (Sunday)
4.30 pm: Justice for Beng Hock Solidarity Gathering (organized by Selangor state government)
Stadium Kelana Jaya

20 July (Monday)
10 am: Funeral Beng Hock’s family home, Alor Gajah

21 July (Tuesday)
10 am: Memorandum to Prime Minister to demand for Royal Commission of Inquiry (Pakatan Youth Wings)
PM’s Office, Putrajaya

21 July (Tuesday)
8 pm: Justice for Beng Hock Solidarity Gathering Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang, Jalan Utama, Penang

22 July (Wednesday)
8 pm: Justice for Beng Hock Solidarity Gathering Malacca DAP Headquarter

23 July (Thursday)
8 pm: Justice for Beng Hock Solidarity Gathering Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, KL

No hurry to form royal commission, says Hishammuddin

KLUANG, July 18 — The establishment of a royal commission to investigate the death of Teoh Beng Hock, political aide to a Selangor executive councillor, should not be done hastily as the investigation into the case was still at the preliminary stage.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said discussions on the proposed commission would be carried out in detail before its implementation.

"The discussion will be in detail. We don't know yet the decision, so we have to act rationally," he told reporters after attending a police-community programme at Felda Ulu Belitong here today.

Hishammuddin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sembrong, said the investigation would also be carried out in a transparent manner.

Teoh's body was found on the balcony of the fifth floor of the Plaza Masalam building in Shah Alam on Thursday after he was believed to have fallen from one of the upper floors of the building which houses the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Teoh was one of the witnesses in the MACC investigation into the alleged misappropriation of Selangor state government allocations. — Bernama

Another victim of MACC’s ‘racism’?

By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani - The Malaysian Insider

PETALING JAYA, July 18 — Is the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) racist?

DAP member Dariff Din is buttressing that claim, saying today he was a victim of racial remarks by the body’s interrogators looking into alleged misappropriation of state allocations by DAP state lawmakers.

Dariff, who is assistant to Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San, is the second person to make the claim after Kajang municipal councillor Tan Boon Wah who made the same allegation yesterday.

“They asked me if I was Chinese or Malay and I told them that I was Malaysian but they kept insisting on my race,” Dariff told reporters at the DAP Paramount service centre when relating details of his interrogation on July 15 by MACC officials.

He said they were mainly interested in his ethnicity rather than the case itself, adding the officer was curious because he looked Chinese but had a Malay name. He told them his father was Malay and mother was Chinese.

“Everything went smoothly after they learned that I was a Malay Muslim,” Dariff said, adding he was questioned about his background for another hour before they asked him how Lau’s office spent the state allocations.

The investigator went through all the files they seized from Lau’s office, Dariff said, adding he was surprised the officer even asked if anybody had attended the programme even though there were photos to prove the event was not a hoax.

“They told me that now there are computers, so the photos can be made,” he added

After the interrogation was complete, Dariff asked for the written statement but the officer refused and claimed it was against procedure and it was a secret.

“How can it be secret when I made the statement?” Dariff asked, adding he was questioned from 4.30pm until 9pm that day.

Dariff also asked the interrogator why he was being investigated when there are bigger cases like the PKFZ.

“It is not our jurisdiction, it up to the head office. We are only Selangor,” he quoted the officer as saying.

Dariff added that he was allowed to roam freely in the office and claimed he saw Teoh Beng Hock being escorted to the back of the MACC office at 6pm. Teoh was found dead a day later outside the building.

Lau has now instructed his assistant not to attend any interrogation in the MACC office until the investigation is complete and there is royal commission inquiry into Teoh’s death as their personal safety is at risk.

He said he believes the MACC has no proof but is fishing for evidence against opposition assemblymen and is using scare tactics to get them.

Apart from Lau’s office, the MACC officers also raided the service centres of Teoh’s superior, Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah. They only introduced themselves as MACC officers and demanded Dariff go to the MACC office for questioning.

LKS wants to meet Najib at the first available opportunity after his overseas trip

Note: This fax was sent at 9.38am

18hb Julai 2009

Y.A.B. DATO’ SRI MOHD. NAJIB BIN TUN HAJI ABDUL RAZAK
Perdana Menteri Malaysia
Pejabat Perdana Menteri,
Blok Utama, Bangunan Perdana Putra,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62502 PUTRAJAYA.

Menerusi Fax (603-8888 3444) & Emel (ppm@pmo.gov.my)

YAB Dato’ Seri,

Per: Meminta satu perjumpaan dengan YAB segera

Saya menulis untuk meminta supaya satu perjumpaan dengan YAB boleh diaturkan secepat mungkin selepas kepulangan YAB dari lawatan ke luar negara.

Ini adalah mengenai isu kematian misteri salah seorang pembantu Exco Negeri Selangor, En Teo Beng Hock, di sekitar Ibu Pejabat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) Selangor semasa memberikan penerangan di pejabat berkenaan pada hari Khamis, 16 Julai 2009. Insiden ini telah mencetuskan perasaan takut dan curiga orang ramai terhadap kebolehpercayaan SPRM khasnya dan pihak penguatkuasa kerajaan amnya dalam menjaga kepentingan rakyat dan negara.

Diharap YAB akan mengizinkan permintaan ini.

Sekian, terima kasih.

Yang benar,

Lim Kit Siang
Ketua Parlimen
Parti Tindakan Demokratik

LIVE: Cops order crowd outside Ipoh DAP to disperse

Teoh Beng Hock with fiancee Soh Cher Wei on his 29th birthday in April 2008 – Photo courtesy of Justice for Beng Hock

2209: The cops move in after 30 minutes or so, and the crowd gradually disperses. “It was a very solemn gathering, ” says the eye-witness at the scene. “The cops didn’t really seem in the mood to make arrests although a ‘Black Maria’ arrived at the scene.” A few left early as they were not taking any chances…

2126: Some 300 people are now gathered outside Wisma DAP in Ipoh, according to an eye-witness at the scene. Among those present is Kit Siang.

About 30 police personnel are there as well and they have given the crowd 20 minutes to disperse. They are being ‘generous’ today; usually it’s more like three minutes!

2105: A solemn crowd of between a hundred and two hundred Perakians tried to gather outside the Ipoh MACC office, near the Perak state government complex.

But red-helmeted police blocked the entrance to the office, according to an eye-witness at the scene.

So the crowd are now walking back to Wisma DAP opposite the complex.

Meanwhile, the question that is being widely asked is, how come, in all these years, there have been hardly any investigations (that we are aware of) of the constituency allocations to the BN MPs and State Assembly members, and now suddenly, in Selangor, there is an investigation involving a string of PR politicians?

Press Release: Establish Royal Commission of Enquiry to investigate death of Teoh Beng Hock

The Malaysian Bar is shocked at the news of the death of Teoh Beng Hock, political secretary to Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah.

The reported actions and omissions of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) call into serious question the treatment of witnesses and suspects, and the methods of interrogation used on them by law enforcement officials.

It is astounding that yet another individual has been found dead, under highly-questionable and dubious circumstances, in the context of an investigation conducted by yet another law enforcement agency. Such incidents merely cement, in the public mind, the perception that law enforcement officers are either negligent or reckless in fulfilling the duty of care that they owe to those who have been called in to assist in investigations; even worse, severely abusive towards them.

This is not the first time that the MACC has reportedly held witnesses and interrogated them overnight. It is indefensible that a witness in a routine investigation should have been deprived of sleep and interrogated for more than eight hours, reportedly from about 5 p.m. until 3.45 the next morning. Even detained persons have the right not to be interrogated during the night. Rule 20 of the Lockup Rules 1953 provides that detainees “shall be locked up for the night by 6.30 p.m. and shall rise and be dressed by 6.30 a.m.” They are to be allowed adequate rest. If there was insufficient time to finish questioning Teoh during reasonable hours of the day, he should have been released and asked to return on another day. He was not a flight risk, and indeed was to have had a civil registry marriage on the following day.

Even more inexcusable and unacceptable is that Teoh was denied access to legal counsel during questioning. The presence of a lawyer when an individual is questioned or arrested promotes accountability because lawyers serve as a check-and-balance, on the spot, against excess and abuse by law enforcement officers. Law enforcement agencies command far more physical and tangible power than any other public service agency, and hence a mechanism for accountability is all the more necessary. Access to legal counsel is a highly imperative safeguard for the rights of detained persons. It is for these reasons that Article 5 of the Federal Constitution and Section 28A(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) have been provided in order to guarantee a detained person’s right of access to a legal practitioner of his/her choice. These provisions must be jealously safeguarded.

All MACC officers who were part of Teoh’s interrogation must be suspended immediately. All officers who had contact with Teoh must be questioned to establish a detailed record of accountability for his whereabouts and welfare. The investigation papers and diaries/logbooks should also be seized to avoid allegations of tampering.

The manner of Teoh’s interrogation amounts to torture according to internationally-accepted human rights norms such as the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment 1984 and the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights 1966.

Given the above, we demand that the Federal Government establish a Royal Commission of Enquiry to investigate the circumstances of Teoh’s death and to review MACC’s protocols on interrogation and investigation techniques.

We note that this incident is the latest in a deplorable string of deaths occurring in the context of investigations carried out by law enforcement agencies. This must be the last.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Teoh’s fiancée and family.

Ragunath Kesavan
President
Malaysian Bar
18 July 2009

Selamat Berjuang, Dr. Chua!

Petang tadi, bekas Naib Presiden MCA Datuk Dr. Chua Jui Meng telah mengisytiharkan dirinya keluar dari MCA seterusnya mengumumkan penyertaannya ke dalam Parti Keadilan Rakyat di hadapan hampir 1,000 hadirin yang memenuhi dewan utama Hotel Sunway di Subang Jaya.

Selepas beberapa ketika andaian demi andaian dibuat, maka petang tadi terjawab sudah hala tuju perjuangan politik mantan Menteri Kesihatan itu.

Saya ucapkan tahniah kepada Datuk Dr. Chua dan ahli keluarga beliau terutama isterinya Datin Honey Hum, Datuk David Yeoh (bekas Senator MCA) dan Datuk Yap Yit Thong (bekas Ahli Parlimen Lumut) yang menyokong penuh keputusan beliau.

Pastinya keputusan ini diambil selepas membuat pertimbangan yang teliti. Berhadapan sistem yang bobrok dan kebejatan yang berterusan, maka tidak menghairankan sekiranya Datuk Dr. Chua memilih KeADILan sebagai wahana pencetus serta melaksanakan perubahan.

Adalah diharapkan Datuk Dr. Chua dapat berkongsi pengalaman beliau yang luas dalam menabur khidmat kepada masyarakat dengan ahli-ahli KeADILan dan Pakatan Rakyat lainnya. Sekali lagi saya ucapkan tahniah dan selamat berjuang kepada Datuk Dr. Chua Jui Meng!

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Another “sudden death” in police custody?! The case of R. Gunasegaran

by Nathaniel Tan

While we are still reeling over Teo, there has been another death in custody, via Susan:

A suspected drug addict collapsed while having his finger prints recorded at the Narcotics Division of the Sentul Police District Headquarters here today, and died when being rushed to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Sentul police chief ACP Zakaria Pagan said.

He said R. Gunasegaran, 31, collapsed between 6.45pm and 7pm, and was pronounced dead at 7.40pm at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

A police officer tried to administer first aid but Gunasegaran did not respond, he said.

“After the effort failed, he was sent to Kuala Lumpur Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival by a medical officer. We believe he died while on the way to the hospital,” he told reporters at his office, here.

Zakaria said a post-mortem revealed that death was caused by drug intoxication, and the case was classified as sudden death.

“No force was applied on him or on any of the other detainees. They were undergoing a standard interrogation process,” he said.

Zakaria said the inspection by the medical officer at the hospital found no injury on the body of Gunasegaran and that this was confirmed by a magistrate.

Here we face the exact same problems as we do in Teo’s case.

As established earlier, “standard interrogation process” tends to involve massive amounts of abuse.

Secondly, in the aftermath of A. “died from drinking water” Kugan, who in the public trusts these anonymous government “medical officers?”

Once again, I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt - maybe Gunasegaran did die from a drug overdose. But in this atmosphere of such doubt, such lack of transparency, and most of all: from a history of abuse, I cannot help but still harbour suspicions.

Comparing Tan & Teo’s interrogations: Rampant abuse & intimidation; Was Teo really released at 4am? Or actually held overnight like Tan?

by Nathaniel Tan

Firstly, don’t forget the gathering at the Kelana Jaya Stadium, 4.30pm, Sunday 18th July to commemorate Teo Beng Hock’s passing.

Picture someone took at Masjid Jamek:

One of the strange aspects of the story is why Teo would have decided to stay on in a place where he was made to endure such a terrible experience, even at 4am.

The testimony of Tan Boon Hwa, who I think is the last known person to have seen Teo alive, is revealing. Three things worthy of note: how abusive his own interrogation was, the fact that he was held overnight, and his observations of Teo at 6am:

Tan said that the two officers who questioned him tried to extract false confession from him, pressuring him to deny that he supplied 1,500 national flags for a Merdeka function at the Sri Kembangan state constituency.

During the interrogation, Tan said the officers used the ‘good cop, bad cop’ technique; initially being polite but later switching to verbally abusing him and making him to stand for four hours between 10pm to 2am.

Tan was questioned on the same day Teoh Beng Hock, the political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hean Wah, was also interrogated by MACC.

According to Tan, he was threatened with physical violence, with one officer pointing to his forehead and allegedly saying, “You don’t lie. This is my place. I can hit you. Believe me!“

During interrogations, he said other officers would randomly walk into the room to mock his poor command of Bahasa Malaysia and used derogatory terms such as “Cina bodoh” (stupid Chinese) and asked him if he was a Chinese citizen.

The worst intimidation, Tan said, were threats to his family which he described as “mental torture“.

“They said that if I don’t ‘tell the truth’, they will take away my wife and there would be no one to care for the children. But I did not give in,” said Tan, during a press conference at the Selangor state secretariat today.

He was allowed to sleep on the carpeted floor and the interrogation continued the following morning.

To top it off, when he was released the following day at about 1.30pm, Tan said he was asked by MACC staff not to make an issue over their interrogation technique.

When asked, Tan said he did not know that Teoh was in the same building when he was brought there. The duo met only when Tan woke up at about 6am the following day while on the way to the toilet.

“He was in the pantry. I greeted him, but he replied only with a ‘Umh’. But when I came out of the toilet, he was gone. He did look a little tired,” said Tan.

The MACC says that Teoh was released at 3.45am yesterday but he chose to “stay back and sleep on a couch, where he was last seen at 6am.”

Very strange. I guess we can conclude that he was alive at 6am.

The MACC say he was released at 4am, but Tan on the other hand, was allowed to sleep but still detained by the MACC, as interrogations continued the next morning.

Would it be reasonable to conclude that Teo was also in fact still under MACC detention? That he was not released, but ‘allowed to sleep,’ just like Tan?

I suppose it would make more sense than Teo being allowed to leave at 4am, but inexplicably deciding to stay on.

*

The public should also be given full access to the notes from Teo’s interrogation - given the circumstances of his death. The longer this is delayed, the more likely they will be tampered with.

His handphone, in police custody, which might reveal important information, can also be easily tampered with.

The torn pants did not concern me much at first, but they now seem curiouser and curiouser.

The autopsy report will be the next big development. But once again, credibility becomes such a crucial issue.

*

Whatever the odds, we must continue to apply pressure for the truth to be made known. Failure to do so after Altantuya and dozens upon dozens of deaths in custody unaccounted for will condemn our children to a government of murderers.

This week, a woman was widowed, a child deprived of his father forever. How many more?

Umno Will Always Protect Malay Rights: Muhyiddin

KUALA KANGSAR, July 18 (Bernama) -- The special privileges of the Malays as enshrined in the Federal Constitution will continue to be protected for as long as Umno is in power and the party is aware of its responsibility to champion the cause of the Malays, said Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"That has been our cause in the past, present and in future, insya-Allah. This is most important and we cannot ignore it," he said when opening the Padang Rengas Umno divisional delegates conference at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tun Perak, Padang Rengas, near here Saturday.

He said the claim by certain groups that the move taken by the government to liberalise the economy to attract foreign investments into the country would affect the position of the Malays was a misconception and should be corrected.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said the thrust of the Umno struggles all this while had never changed, and stressed that the party would never abandon its responsibility to champion the cause of the Malays in terms of the economy, politics, culture, education, social and matters specified in the constitution.

"There are quarters who allege that the present leadership are no longer interested to defend the rights of the Malays. We are opening too much space to the extent that the Bumiputeras are not in a position to face the competition.

"For how long must the Bumiputeras depend on aid and not make any effort to be self-reliant just because of the protection provided by the government to them," he said.

As such, Muhyiddin said the approach taken by the leadership in terms of the national economy as well as in protecting the Bumiputera interests must be understood by the Umno leaders as well as members themselves.

He said the move to liberalise the economy was taken after taking into consideration the world economic situation which was most challenging where Malaysia would be lagging far behind if it did not revamp its economic structure.

"I want to stress that we will not abandon or ignore our responsibility...that we will continue to defend the policy and the spirit of the new economic policy (NEP)," he said.

Earlier, Muhyiddin opened the Kuala Kangsar Umno divisional delegates conference at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Mercu, here.

Protesters want MACC probed, 7 arrested (Must Watch)

Pakatan seeks royal commission

Kes Teoh: Saksi dedah soal siasat SPRM

Kes Teoh: 7 termasuk pemimpin Pakatan ditangkap

ANNOUNCEMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS PARTY (HRP), MALAYSIA

The official announcement of the Human Rights Party (HRP), Malaysia would be made as follows:-

Date: 19 July 2009 (Sunday)

Time: 9.30 am

Venue: Hokkien Hall, Klang (Off Federal Highway).

HUMAN RIGHTS PARTY (HRP) is a multi racial party that would carry on with the Hindraf Makkal Sakthi’s 18 point demands dated 12/08/2007 and in particular Article 8 (Equality before the law) Article 12 (1) (b) (no discrimination) and Article 153(1) (legitimate interests of other communities) of the Federal Constitution. Our main thrust is to be the focus group in putting the Malaysian Indians back onto the National mainstream development of Malaysia after 52 years of having been left out. Our party would also focus on all other communities that is suffering from the worst forms of violations of human rights in Malaysia in particular the Malaysian Indians who instead get the least attention not only from the ruling UMNO regime but also from the Opposition parties PKR, DAP, Pas, NGO’s, civil society and the print and electronic media generally, albeit to a lesser extent. We would also struggle against all forms of racism and racial discrimination by the UMNO led government of Malaysia. We hereby invite the multi – racial people and leaders of Malaysia to join us in undoing the injustices meted out to all marginalized communities in Malaysia including in particular the Malaysian Indians.

We are not going to be the typical political party ‘playing politics’ and working towards one’s own personal and selfish interest. For us Human Rights, Social Justice, People and Public Interest, comes first above all else. We are more of political activists and political workers rather than politicians who only care about winning electorate seats and forming Governments at the expense of the People and their Rights. We would be moving on to use this political platform vide the Human Rights Party (HRP) to further our 18 years struggle in championing and upholding fundamental Human Rights in Malaysia.

Much has been written especially in the mainstream media that the field for an Indian based political party is crowded for a community of a mere two million Malaysian Indian. But the fact remains that we are the first and only Indian based multi racial political party which is in the opposition and which is not aligned to UMNO/BN.

A book titled ‘Malaysian Indian political empowerment strategy- the way forward’ written by P. Uthayakumar during his 514 days of imprisonment under the ISA without charge, trial or conviction in an open court of law would also be released on 19/07/2009.

Our official letter dated 18/06/2009 to the Registrar of Societies was duly acknowledged receipt also on 18/06/2009 with their official rubber stamp. Vide this said letter we had applied for the registration of this our Human Rights Party (HRP), Malaysia, further to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution within two (2) weeks from 18/06/09 as had been done for another political party in May 2009.

Hindraf Makkal Sakthi would remain apolitical and would continue to be a forceful and vocal NGO which would continue to speak without fear or favour under the leadership of it’s Chairman Mr. P. Waytha Moorthy.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

(P. Uthayakumar )

Secretary General (pro tem)

Human Rights Party (HRP), Malaysia.

Tel no: 03-22825622, 03-22825241 Fax: 03-22825245

Note 1: Reporters from Utusan Malaysia, Berita Harian and TV3 who generally do not practice fair reporting, independent journalism and are known to be the biased mouthpieces of the UMNO regime especially with regards to the Hindraf Makkal Sakthi movement are not welcome to cover this aforesaid event or any of our events.

Note 2: Our media liasion officer Mr. S. Jayathas could be reached at

012-6362287.

Selangor Police Chief Revenge Against Manikavasagam

Selangor Police Chief , Khalid Abu Bakar today clearly took revenge against S Manikavasagam by instruction his officer to arrest the Kapar MP. Khalid clearly mentioned “Tangkap YB Mike” knowing well Manikavasagam just standing with the crowd awaiting arrival Pakatan defactor Leader Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Some 300 supporters of Pakatan and elected representative today gathered at Shah Alam MACC office building to press for Justice on death of the 30-year-old political Teoh Beng Hock an aide to DAP’s Selangor Exco Member Ean Yong Hian Wah.

Early, this year Manikavasagam slamed Selangor Police Chief for his aggrogance and irresponsible reply when questioned death of A Kugan while under police custody. Manikavasagam also called for the resignation of Khalid.

The call by Manikavasagam and other Pakatan Leaders for independent investigative authority against Government department especially on police now proofed necessary.

Police also arrested YB Xavier Jayakumar whom spoked to the crowd earlier together with his assistance and few others.

Police had taken all arrested to Shah Alam Sec 15 Station for further Investigation , however yet to record any statement at time of writing 1400hours today. The Police purposely trying to delay statement recording , probably awaiting instruction from top. Whom, the police working for ? Instead of finding how TEOH was dead , they arrest elected representatives in an attempt to divert public attention. The same old method they did when public outcry reach highest after murder of A Kugan in Custody.

After Kugan’s Murder in Police Custody , Sungai Buloh Prison riot, Immigration / Rela now MACC too under Murder Allegation list, what’s next?

KEMATIAN TEOH BERMOTIFKAN POLITIK: Teoh Saksi Paling Penting Kecelakaan Exco Cina Selangor

From Pro Umno Blog

Lihatlah Kerajaan BN, bersangka baik kepada ahli pembangkang dan menyifatkan kematian Teoh sebagai kematian mengejut dan membiarkan polis menyisat semua ini.

Teoh Beng Hock, 30, yang dipanggil ke pejabat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) sejak pukul 5 petang semalam, dipercayai terjatuh dari tingkat 14 pejabat SPRM Selangor di Plaza Masalam.

Siapa Teoh dan mengapa semua ini berlaku kepada dirinya?

Inilah kisahnya...

Ramai yang tahu Teoh ini adalah setiausaha politik dan pegawai khas kepada Ean Yong Hian Wah salah seorang exco kerajaan negeri, tapi ramai yang tak tahu yang Teo ni dulu pernah menjadi pegawai khas kepada MP Petaling Jaya Utara iaitu Tony Pua.

Yang penting Teo ni dah lama menyakitkan hati pemimpin DAP.

Masih ingat lagi pada 25 Mac lepas, Karpal Singh pernah memaki Pemuda UMNO dalam Parlimen dengan ayat "celaka" berikutan dengan kes itu, pemuda umno datang memnuntut penjelasan daripada karpal dan meminta karpal memohon maaf, tapi karpal celaka buat bodoh saje sehinggalah berlaku pertengkaran dan hampir-hampir terjadinya pergaduhan antara pemuda umno dan hero matcha gobinad singh deo.

Dikatakan terdapat 2 rakaman video ketika insiden tu berlaku, rakaman video pertama di percayai di rakam oleh salah seorang ahli DAP dari pada ipoh timur dan satu lagi rakaman video di rakam oleh seorang pegawai khas kepada ahli parlimen petaling jaya utara Tony Pua, rakaman video kedua itu kemudiannya di dowload kedalam youtube, orang yang bertanggung jawab merakam video itu ialah Teo yang baru sahaja mati petang tadi, dalam rakaman video tu, memang jelas yang pemuda umno langsung tidak mengusik karpal yang lumpuh separuh badan.

Bila kepimpinan DAP tahu Teo yang mengedarkan klip video tu, maka si Teo ni diberikan amaran oleh berberapa gangster yang di payung oleh Ronnie Liew dan Teo pula di tukar oleh kepimpinan DAP untuk bertugas di SUK dan Pejabat Adun Sri Kembangan supaya Ronnie dan Ean Yong Hian Wah supaya senang untuk memantau pergerakannya.

Menurut sumber, Teo kurang berpuas hati dengan cara pentadbiran berberapa adun DAP di selangor, cara Ronnie dan Hian Wah menggunakan kongsi gelap dalam pentadbiran kerajaan dan dengan suka-suka mengunakan peruntukan kewangan kerajaan negeri membiayai kegiatan kwong si gelap tidak di senangi oleh Teo dan memang betul apa yang di laporkan oleh ahli parlimen wangsa maju YB. Wee Choo Keong yang mana ronnie dan Hian wah menggunakan kongsi gelap, dan pejabat Exco telah digunakan sebagai tempat bermesyuarat mereka yang dikatakan mempunyai kaitan dengan peniagaan haram dan aktiviti haram.

Mungkin tidak tahan dengan kerenah kongsi gelap yang selalu turun naik pejabatnya maka Teo mula mengugut Ronnie dan Hian Wah supaya memberhentikan segera kegiatan itu tapi tidak di endahkan oleh dua ekor exco itu. sudah tidak tahan dengan keadaan itu maka Teo dengan beraninya membuat laporan kepada SPRM tentang kegiatan ronnie dan Hian Wah.

Bagaimana pula ADUN Kampung Tunku, Lau Weng San.Selain Ean dan Lau, Teresa Kok (Kinrara), Hannah Yeoh (Subang), Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan), Dr Cheah Wing Yin (Damansara Utama) and Edward Lee (Bukit Gasing) turut terlibat?

Perlu di ingat, fail-fail kes adun-adun yang lain tu telah lama berada dalam simpanan SPRM dan hanya menunggu masa sahaja untuk di bongkar. Mungkin SPRM melihat ini lah masa yang sesuai, maka SPRM pun bertindak. Kalau diperhatikan betul-betul adun-adun cina yang kantoi tu, mereka ni berkongsi satu majlis perbandaran yang sama, sebagai contoh, Teressa dan Hannah berkongsi sama PBT iaitu Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya, Wing Yin, Elizabeth, Edward dan Lau Weng San pula berkongsi Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya.

Maka diatas percaturan dan sifat tamak mereka ni yang menjadi mangsa ialah Teo.

Perlu di ingat, kesemua ADUN cina di selangor menggunakan kongsi gelap untuk menjaga mereka dan Ah Long pula menjadi banker mereka,

Jadi, ADUN-ADUN ini pasti terikat dengan perjanjian bersama dengan Ah Long dan Kongsi Gelap tadi.

Satu bala besar akan menimpa ADUN Cina selepas Teoh dipanggil oleh SPRM.

Kematian Teoh pasti ada kaitan dengan Kongsi Gelap tadi maka inilah masanya Teoh perlu dihapuskan dari muka bumi ini.

Jadi Teoh telah ditolak dari tingkat 14 bangunan tersebut.

Kenapa pejabat SPRM pula dijadikan tempat pembunuhan?

Mudah sahaja, supaya SPRM boleh dituduh sebagai defenden pertama dan itulah yang menyebabkan Ronnie Liu sekarang ini menyerang SPRM. Seterusnya menjadikan kerajaan BN sebagai defenden kedua. Perarakan yang dianjurkan oleh puak Cina DAP ini adalah bukti petuduhan mereka kepada orang tidak terlibat.

Puak cina celaka ini kononya bijak, namun mereka yang selama ini suka mencipta musuh telah disepak punggung mereka oleh musuh mereka tadi dan pastinya mereka tidak dapat lari dari sebuah kebenaran.

Semoga SPRM tabah menyiasat kes ciptaan Cina pembangkang ini dan semoga kebenaran disebalik kematian orang yang mampu membongkarkan ketidaktelusan ADUN Pembangkang selangor akan terungkai.

Wallahhualam.

If this is not a pattern then my name is not RPK

In his report, he also claimed an officer pressed him against the wall and threatened to arrest his wife and ask her to strip if he refused to confess that he had handed money to Umno members.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Municipal officer: MACC staff beat me
New Straits Times, 16 July 2009

JOHOR BARU: A Simpang Renggam Municipal Council administrator has accused Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission officers of physically abusing him during an investigation into a bribery case.

The 29-year-old alleged he was blindfolded, punched, kicked and had his clothes removed while held in a dark room for 12 hours by MACC officials here on Tuesday.

The man, identified only as Zul, said two MACC officers came to his office at 8.30am and took him and another staff to their headquarters here.

They were told that they were needed for questioning into a bribery case involving a senior council member.

"I was told to remove my ring and wrist watch. They used my tie to blindfold me and took me to a room.”

"There two officers questioned me about a working trip to Bandung, Indonesia, organised by contractors in April.”

"I told them I did not know anything about this trip, and this was when the beatings began."

Zul, who came to the New Straits Times office here yesterday, alleged that the officers at one time removed all his clothes and forced him to lie on the floor before one of them stepped on his shoulders.

He claimed he was taken to an officer's room where he was told that he was the main witness in a bribery case they were investigating. "One of the officers warned me not to reveal what had taken place during the interrogation."

He claimed that he was questioned between 9am and 11pm. "However, my other colleague, who was questioned separately, did not go through the same experience."

He sought treatment at Kluang Hospital before lodging a police report.

Johor MACC director Simi Abdul Ghani said he was shocked by the allegations against his officers.

MACC lodges report against Umno leader
The Star, 29 January 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has lodged a report to counter allegations that an Umno division leader was assaulted by MACC officers during detention.

Earlier, the 46-year-old division leader from Maran, Pahang, reported that he was punched in the head, shoulder and stomach during his four-day remand in Kuantan.

He also claimed that he was forced to strip naked, lie and roll on the floor besides being asked to do squats and sing the national anthem repeatedly.

In his report, he also claimed an officer pressed him against the wall and threatened to arrest his wife and ask her to strip if he refused to confess that he had handed money to Umno members.

He lodged his report at the Damansara police station Thursday.

MACC deputy commissioner Datuk Abu Kassim Mohammad said the MACC had lodged a report against the Umno leader for allegedly lodging a false report.

“Before being released, he told us that he will lodge a report and smear MACC’s image, so we waited for him to lodge a report before we ourselves lodged a report.

“We want the police to thoroughly investigate the man’s allegations against our officer and if there is any evidence that the MACC officers had abused or assaulted him, then the police must take action.

“However if there is no such thing, the police must take action against him for lodging a false report,” he said.

Abu Kassim also said that the MACC investigation into money politics involving the Umno leader would continue without fear or favour.

Teoh Beng Hock begins last journey home

On what was to have been his wedding day, Teoh Beng Hock is taken home in a metal box. - Picture by Jack Ooi

By Lee Wei Lian - The Malaysian Insider

KLANG, July 17 – With plaintive chants of “follow us home, brother”, Teoh Beng Hock’s sister exhorted his spirit to follow her as she claimed his mortal remains from the morgue at 6.30pm this evening.

Teoh Lee Lan, 29, red-eyed and teary-voiced, was praying in Hokkien while gazing with sorrow as Teoh’s body, resting in a metal casket, was loaded by morgue attendants into the Nirvana Memorial hearse for his last ride home.

Older brother Teoh Beng Kee, 33, had to comfort a sobbing Soh Cher Wei, the ashen-faced girl who was to have been the blushing bride of the DAP political aide today.

No comments or autopsy report was issued by morgue officials.

The body has been taken from the Klang General Hospital to the Nirvana Memorial centre in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur for funeral preparations and possibly another medical inspection tonight.

It will then make the two-hour journey to his family home in Alor Gajah, Malacca, where the funeral will take place at 11 am on Monday.

His final resting place however, will be a memorial park in Semenyih.

Earlier in the evening, Daniel Chong, assistant to Selangor state executive councillor Ronnie Liu, told The Malaysian Insider that he last spoke with Beng Hock on Wednesday, when they talked about Beng Hock’s plans to take up law studies.

The next day, he got a call informing him that the political secretary to DAP’s Ean Yong Hian Wah was found dead just outside the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Shah Alam.

Teoh’s future in law, his political career and dreams of starting his own family, all these will now not happen.

And why that is, the nation is waiting to find out.

Will you continue to stand on the sidelines and just watch?

By Haris Ibrahim

My dear friend, Goh Keat Peng, says he will not keep to his seat, or shut his mouth and stay neutral in the face of the bizarre, unexplained circumstances in which the young life of Teo Beng Hock was cruelly snatched. Read his thoughts HERE.

And the rest of us?

Are we capable of going beyond just blogging or commenting in cyberspace?

Or are we without the requisite gumption to rise from our seats and be heard with one voice so that, perchance, we might get to the truth?

Raja Petra still in Malaysia, court told

PETALING JAYA, 17 July 2009: The Sessions Court here today was told that blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin, accused of sedition, was believed to be in Malaysia and not in Australia as reported by the media.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said police investigation revealed that Raja Petra, 59, had never left the country.

"Based on the police investigation, there is no immigration record whatsoever that indicates that Raja Petra has left the country. The police are in the midst of tracking down the man and working closely with Interpol to ascertain the allegation that he is now in Australia.

"The investigation has shown positive signs and we may be able to locate and serve the warrant of arrest on Raja Petra in three to four months," he said.

Mohd Dusuki said this after Raja Petra's counsel, J Chandra, submitted that there was no effort by the police to locate Raja Petra after 7 July, despite recent media reports that the blogger was in Australia.

Raja Petra is charged with posting an allegedly seditious article titled Let's Send Altantuya's Murderers To Hell on www.malaysiatoday.com.

He is alleged to have committed the offence at his house in Sungai Buloh on 25 April 2008.

Earlier, Mohd Dusuki submitted that the police could not serve the warrant of arrest on Raja Petra and a show-cause notice on his wife, Mable @ Marina Lee Abdullah, as they were not home when the police went to the house on 7July.

Judge Rozina Ayob fixed 12 Oct for re-mention of the case.

On 23 April, Rozina issued an arrest warrant against Raja Petra after he failed to turn up for his sedition trial.

She also issued a show-cause notice on Marina, who stood as bailor. — Bernama

Teoh was in pantry at 6.00am: Councillor

By Anil Netto

I thought this snippet from a Malaysiakini report was interesting. It quotes Kajang Municipal Councillor Tan Boon Hwa, who was also being questioned by the MACC, as saying he saw Teoh in the pantry:

Tan said the MACC raided his house on Wednesday evening without a warrant. He was then taken to the Selangor MACC headquarters at about 9pm.

When asked, Tan said he did not know that Teoh was in the same building when he was brought there. The duo met only when Tan woke up at about 6am the following day while on the way to the toilet.

He was in the pantry. I greeted him, but he replied only with a ‘Umh’. But when I came out of the toilet, he was gone. He did look a little tired,” said Tan.

The MACC says that Teoh was released at 3.45am yesterday but he chose to “stay back and sleep on a couch, where he was last seen at 6am.”

So Teoh must have died some time between 6.00am on Wednesday and 1.30pm, when his body was found.

Pakatan Rakyat Menuntut Penubuhan Suruhanjaya DiRaja Siasat Kematian Mendiang Teoh Beng Hock

KENYATAAN MEDIA

MAJLIS PIMPINAN PAKATAN RAKYAT

17 JULAI 2009

Tubuhkan Suruhanjaya DiRaja Siasat Kematian Mendiang Teoh Beng Hock

Majlis Pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat menyatakan rasa dukacita yang amat mendalam di atas kematian mendiang Teoh Beng Hock, Setiausaha Politik Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan negeri Selangor. Mewakili seluruh rakyat Malaysia yang cintakan keadilan, pihak Majlis Pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat ingin merakamkan ucapan takziah kepada keluarga mendiang. Sebelum ini telah terdapat banyak kematian yang berlaku dalam tahanan pihak berkuasa seperti Allahyarham Rumie Azzan Mahlie dan mendiang Ananthan Kugan. Kematian mendiang Teoh Beng Hock merupakan kemuncak kepada penyalahgunaan kuasa pihak berwajib dalam menjalankan amanah yang dipertanggungjawabkan rakyat.

Sehingga kini pihak Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) telah secara berterusan menjalankan siasatan dan membuat ancaman ke atas para pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat, sedangkan laporan demi laporan mengenai penyalahgunaan kuasa para pemimpin Barisan Nasional tidak diendahkan. Ini adalah bukti kukuh bahawa suruhanjaya yang baru beroperasi selama enam bulan itu hanyalah dijadikan alat oleh Barisan Nasional dan UMNO untuk melemahkan Pakatan Rakyat. Rakyat menuntut jawapan yang lebih tegas dari SPRM dan Perdana Menteri yang menjadikan SPRM sebagai kuda tunggangan UMNO, dalam tindakan untuk merampas kerajaan negeri Selangor yang diterajui oleh Pakatan Rakyat.

Badan seperti SPRM seharusnya bertindak profesional dan menyelamatkan integriti mereka dengan mengambil tindakan ke atas laporan terhadap para pimpinan Barisan Nasional yang telah diketahui umum terlibat dalam penyalahgunaan kuasa dan rasuah. SPRM juga seharusnya memberhentikan teknik mendera dalam soal siasat mereka. Dalam kes Mendiang Teoh, SPRM perlu mengenalpasti pegawai terlibat seterusnya membawa mereka ke muka pengadilan. Kami percaya bahawa rakyat semakin hilang kepercayaan terhadap SPRM dan institusi lain yang dtubuhkan oleh kerajaan. Pakatan Rakyat akan terus menerus menentang kezaliman dan salahguna kuasa institusi ini dengan mengadakan kempen di seluruh negara.

Sehubungan dengan itu Majlis Pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat hari ini mendesak dan bertegas agar satu Suruhanjaya DiRaja ditubuhkan bagi menyiasat kematian mendiang Teoh Beng Hock dan meneliti teknik dan kaedah siasatan SPRM selama ini.

DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM
Ketua Umum KeADILan

DATO’ SERI ABDUL HADI AWANG
Presiden PAS

TUAN LIM KIT SIANG
Ketua Ahli Parlimen DAP

UPDATE: THE TEACHING OF MATHS AND SCIENCE

The poll is officially closed today. The vote count has reached 100,000 since last Thursday. I would like to thank all readers who had participated in the poll and made their stand on the issue.

I am not surprised over the disappointment and even anger towards the Government's decision on the teaching of Maths and Science.

Seems to me like the Government is not listening to the voice of the people.

Perhaps a blog poll might enlighten the Government as to the opinions of the people.

The question to be answered is whether visitors to my blog support or oppose the decision to teach Maths and Science in Bahasa Malaysia.

If you support just say Yes.

If you don't please say No.

I will then try to let the Government know your opinion.

Public outcry at Teo’s death: Due to selfish politicising? Or due to consistent, chronic history of MACC and Police abuse of prisoners?

by Nathaniel Tan

Let’s start with those attacking politicians for “jumping to conclusions,” “racialising the issue,” “stirring hate against the authorities,” and insisting that we “wait for a full investigation.”

There is only one major problem.

Can we trust the investigators?

A. Kugan died in police custody from “drinking water.” Choong Soy Soy died in police custody after “slipping in the toilet.” Francis Udayappan “escaped prison, jumped into a river, and died” (how he was beheaded is yet unknown).

A racial issue? What about Adi Anwar, who was beaten half to death?

Is this really the first case of abuse involving the MACC? Or do they have a reputation for abuse?

Pahang Umno division chief:

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has lodged a report to counter allegations that an Umno division leader was assaulted by MACC officers during detention.

Earlier, the 46-year-old division leader from Maran, Pahang, reported that he was punched in the head, shoulder and stomach during his four-day remand in Kuantan.

He also claimed that he was forced to strip naked, lie and roll on the floor besides being asked to do squats and sing the national anthem repeatedly.

In his report, he also claimed an officer pressed him against the wall and threatened to arrest his wife and ask her to strip if he refused to confess that he had handed money to Umno members.

Also, Simpang Renggam Municipal Council administrator:

A Simpang Renggam Municipal Council administrator has accused Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission officers of physically abusing him during an investigation into a bribery case.

The 29-year-old alleged he was blindfolded, punched, kicked and had his clothes removed while held in a dark room for 12 hours by MACC officials here on Tuesday.

“I was told to remove my ring and wrist watch. They used my tie to blindfold me and took me to a room.

“There two officers questioned me about a working trip to Bandung, Indonesia, organised by contractors in April. I told them I did not know anything about this trip, and this was when the beatings began.”

Zul, who came to the New Straits Times office here yesterday, alleged that the officers at one time removed all his clothes and forced him to lie on the floor before one of them stepped on his shoulders.

He claimed he was taken to an officer’s room where he was told that he was the main witness in a bribery case they were investigating. “One of the officers warned me not to reveal what had taken place during the interrogation.”

Are we seeing a pattern? Let’s not forget that MACC probably consists largely of ex-cops.

The most pertinent question: So many incidents. Any single arrest for abuse of power?

Not a *single* law enforcement officer has been arrested, charged, or tried for inflicting grevious bodily harm.

To those talking about selfish politicians exploiting this death, I kindly request you take a reality check.

In honest to God truth, I don’t know what happened to Teo Beng Hock.

But I have read enough about how his lawyer M Manoharan (the recent ISA detainee who last spoke to him) said he was composed and well, how his boss YB Ean Yong Hian Wah said he had been calm and how distraught his fiancee was to consider suicide an extremely remote possibility.

Even in the very unlikely event that Teo threw himself out of the window, I don’t think anyone will believe that it didn’t have something to do with what the MACC did to him from 5pm to 3.45am.

It’s simply a case of credibility. Maybe if the unsolved deaths and abuses above were resolved to the greater satisfaction of the public, we might believe what the MACC and police have to say on this matter.

Under the circumstances though, Malaysian law enforcement has time and again forfeited all credibility and transparency. The public outcry at this is not due to some dumb politicians trying to make a quick profit. It’s due to a chronic history of abuse of power and lack of accountability.

Again, who knows what happened. RPK has one possible version. Zorro writes of possible torture and suspicious lack of blood. Maybe he was killed and thrown out the window. It’s all hard to say.

I just wish we had a more credible police force investigating.

Unless there is a true amount of transparency and clear proof regarding this case, public discontent will only continue to rise.

I’ll see you at the solidarity gathering at the Kelana Jaya stadium this Sunday at 4pm. Also possibly a vigil tonight, but I’m looking for confirmation of that and will update here if anything.

Najib Conveys Condolences To Teoh's Fiancee And Family

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Friday conveyed his condolences to Teoh Beng Hock's family and fiance, Soh Cher Wei, 28.

"I am deeply saddened when told of the incident. My sympathy goes out to Teoh's family and his fiancee," he told Bernama when contacted from Medina Friday.

The Prime Minister said police would investigate the matter thoroughly and professionally so that all quarters would be able to know what actually happened.

Najib also called on all quarters not to make statements or speculations which could confuse the public.

"The government hopes that the people will remain calm and patient. Let's leave it to the authorities to investigate," he said.

Yesterday, Teoh, 30, the political aide of Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam after giving his statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

His body was found nine floors down from the MACC office on the 14th floor of the building at 1.30pm.

Teoh was assisting MACC's investigations pertaining to misappropriation of allocations involving several Selangor assemblymen.

Tragic death, tragic reaction

With updates at the end of posting

The death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock, 30, at the building that housed the Anti-Corruption Commission's office in Shah Alam is most tragic.

Was there foul play? Was it accidental? Did he commit suicide?

We all want to know what happened and how Teoh fell to his death.

Amid our shock and the family's grief, we have a politician like Lim Guan Eng who reminds us that everything in life - and death - has something to do with politics and the DAP.

His letter published in mysinchew is Malaysia's political tragedy. The Chief Minister's assertion that Teoh's death was the result of the MACC's "political persecution of PR, especially DAP leaders and members" is cheap and malicious.

This picture of Teoh with MACC officers was taken two days ago and appeared in yesterday's Malay Mail.

Updates:

1. Let the police investigate, says Muhyiddin

2. Daily Despatches: The absurd conjectures and suppositions in Teoh's death, by Azmi Anshar

3. Calls for Royal Commission of Inquiry

Kematian Teo dibunuh SPRM ; Teori Raja Petra

Semuanya telah diberitahu lebih awal. Amaran demi amaran diberikan tetapi tidak dipedulikan kerana yang memberi amaran ialah Malaysia Today. Malaysia Today dianggap bukan sumber maklumat yang sah. Malaysia Today dianggap penyebar khabar-khabar angin dan cerita-verita karut.

Apabila BPR (sekarang SPRM) menculik keluarga seorang inspektor polis, Malaysia Today membongkar cerita tersebut. SPRM menculik isteri dan anak seorang Inspektor polis yang menyiasat tentang ketua kumpulan haram diatas arahan pegawai atasan polis yang berpangkat ASP. Inspector tersebut hanya menjalankan tugas seperti yang diarahkan dan membuka satu fail dan penyiasatan tentang aktiviti pelacuran, pengedaran dadah dan judi haram. Dan ini menyebabkan tiga ketua sindiket ditahan.

Apa yang dimahukan oleh SPRM amat mudah. Mereka mahukan Inspektor polis tersebut mengubah laporannya supaya tiga ketua sindiket tersebut boleh dibebaskan. Dan ispektor polis tersebut perlu melakukannya sekiranya mahukan isteri dan anaknya dibebaskan. Inspektor polis tersebut enggan melakukannya. Sebaliknya dia membuat satu laporan polis. Begitu juga dengan isternya. Tetapi tiada tindakan susulan dibuat oleh pihak polis.

Tiada pegawai SPRM yang ditangkap ataupun diheret kemahkamah kerana kesalahan menculik SPRM kemudian membocorkan maklumat tersebut kepada media bahawa mereka sedang menyiasat seorang pegawai kanan polis, Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Perdagangan (CCD), kerana kesalahan tidak mengisytiharkan harta bernilai 27 juta ringgit.

Sepatutnya siasatan SPRM adalah rahsia kerana tertakluk dibawah OSA, tetapi itu tidak menja hal. Lagi pun, OSA hanya digunakan terhadap penyokong pembangkang dan bukan mereka yang berkuasa. Walaubagaimanapun, Pengarah CCD tidak didakwa kerana tidak mengisytiharkan harta bernilai RM27 juta. Dia didakwa kerana menyalahgunakan harta milik polis untuk kegunaan sendiri, sesuatu yang dilakukan oleh semua pegawai kerajaan, menteri dan ahli politik setiap hari dan minggu. Tetapi jenayah sebenar yang dilakukan oleh Pengarah CCD ini ialah menahan beberapa ketua kumpulan haram Cina yang mengawal jenayah pelacuran, Ah long, dadah dan judi haram diseluruh Malaysia.

Mereka menahan peguam yang bertindak bagi pihak Pengarah CCD tersebut. Pegawai SPRM menahan beliau pada malam raya dan menggari beliau selepas memperlakukan seolah-olah peguam tersebut seperti seorang perompak bank. Untuk memastikan peguam tersebut mendapat malu, beliau ditahan dalam operasi ala Hollywod, dimana beliau ditahan dihadapan seluruh staf beliau. Malaysia Today menulis semua ini.

Malaysia Today bukan sahaja menulis semua ini malah mengulang cerita ini berkali-kali untuk memastikan tiada siapa yang terlepas cerita ini. Tapi tiada tindakan dibuat. Tiada siapa yang menafikan cerita ini. Lebih penting lagi, tiada siapa yang melakukan sesuatu tentang apa yang dibongkar oleh Malaysia Today. SPRM telah menjadi alat untuk mereka yang berkuasa untuk sekian lama.

Secara rasmi, BN mempunyai 14 parti komponen dimana Umno menjadi peneraju utama. Secara tak rasmi, BN mempunyai 17 parti komponen. Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya (SPR) adalah komponen ke15, PDRM adalah komponen ke 16, dan SPRM ke 17. Mereka berkhidmat untuk kepentingan Umno dan Perdana Menteri.

Bila ditanya, mereka akan menjawab. “Siapa yang tembak? Mana pistolnya? Mana buktinya?” Tak ada siapa yang menembak…tak ada pistol…tak ada yang mati…jadi tiada jenayah yang berlaku! Hari ini, ada mayat bergelimpangan. Ianya adalah mayat seorang pemuda Cina, setiausaha politik kepada ADUN Seri Kembangan yang ditangkap dan disiksa oleh pegawai SPRM. Ya…dia telah disiksa. Dan dia disiksa kerana SPRM mahu dia bercakap. Tetapi dia tak boleh bercakap. Dia tak bercakap kerana tiada apa-apa yang hendak dicakapkan.

SPRM mahukan beliau memerangkap rakan-rakan dalam pembangkang. SPRM mahu menyabitkan rakan-rakan beliau dalam pembangkang diatas beberapa kesalahan jenayah yang SPRM dakwa dilakukan oleh pembangkang. Dia cuba menerangkan bahawa dia bukan degil. Dia cuba menerangkan bahawa tiada jenayah yang telah dilakukan. Dia cuba menerangkan bahawa rakan-rakannya dalam pembangkang tidak melakukan jenayah dan itu semuanya hanyalah khayalan SPRM.

Jadi, mereka terus menyiksa beliau. Dan dia tidak mampu menahan siksaan. Lagipun, dia bukan lah yang bersifat ‘macho’. Dia merupakan seorang yang berperawakan lembut dan akan berkahwin hari Jumaat ini. Itu sahaja yang dia mahu.

Mereka mengugut akan membunuhnya sekiranya dia tidak mahu bercakap. Dengan linangan airmata, dia meminta belas kasihan dan memohon belas kasihan supaya jangan mengapa-apakan dia. Pegawai SPRM mengugut akan mencampak beliau kebawah sekiranya dia enggan bercakap. Dia menangis dan melutut memohon agar tidak diapa-apakan.

Mereka mengheret beliau ketengah-tengah bilik dan membuka tingkap. Satu kesilapan berlaku. Sepatutnya ia hanyalah satu ugutan. Mereka hanya mahu menimbulkan ketakutan. Mereka sebenarnya tidak mahu menghumban lelaki tersebut kebawah. Mereka hanya mahu beliau melihat kebawah. Lelaki muda tersebut panik. Dia meronta apabila melihat ketinggian dimana dia akan dicampak. Pegawai-pegawai SPRM tidak dapat mengawalnya dan terlepas. Lelaki tersebut terjatuh dan meragut nyawa beliau.

SPRM kemudian mengumumkan bahawa mereka telah membebaskan Teoh Beng Hock malam sebelumnya. Mereka gagal memberitahu bahawa SPRM bukan membebaskan Teoh sebaliknya menghantar Teoh kealam lain. Tiba-tiba mereka menjumpai mayat tersebut. Dia melompat. Dia membunuh diri. Dia mengambil nyawanya sendiri. Dia tidak pernah disiksa. Dia tidak diheret ke tingkap untuk diajar bagaimana hendak terbang.

Keadaan ini sudah berlarutan untuk satu jangka masa yang lama. SPRM bertindak seolah-olah mereka Tuhan. Mereka menculik keluarga dan menyiksa mereka yang ditangkap. Mereka mengugut untuk membunuh sisiapa yang mereka tahan sekiranya enggan bercakap. Dan sekarang, lelaki muda ini telah mati. Tetapi tiada sesiapa yang akan didakwa.

Tiada sesiapa yang akan menerima hukuman kerana lelaki ini mengambil nyawanya sendiri. Mengapa dia mengambil nyawanya sendiri…tiada siapa tahu. Dia tidak pernah disiksa. Dia tidak pernah diugut untuk dibunuh. Dia tidak diheret ketingkap. Dan dia secara tidak sengaja telah terjatuh. Inilah yang akan diberitahu oleh SPRM kepada kita semua. -

translation by MSK (MatSamanKati)