Malaysia ISA Crackdown

This is a very big news in Malaysia.
12th of September 2008, 3 people: Raja Petra, Sin-Chiew Journalist (Yun Ching) and Teresa Kwok were arrested under Internal Security Act (ISA)

Raja Petra was arrested, given a reason that his article shows Desecration of Islam.
http://www.sinchew-i.com/sciWWW/node/43698?tid=189


Whereas Sin-Chiew Journalist was arrested, because of reporting Ahmad Ismail issue wrongly and cause religious tension. Ahmad Ismail (Umno,BN) insists he didn't say anything wrong.


But MCA(BN) supports the journalist.
Datuk Ong Tee Keat: If the issue will cause religious tension, why blame the reporter but not the person who said that? Charge him/her in the court if he/she is guilty, why ISA?
http://www.sinchew-i.com/sciWWW/node/43723?tid=189
Dato Seri Ong Ka Ting: Release the journalist if not MCA will do something.
http://www.ongkating.net/Chinese/Blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=37
http://www.sinchew-i.com/sciWWW/node/43722?tid=189


Teresa Kwok (DAP) was arrested over a religious manner.


But even Dr Hatta Ramli from PAS doesn't agree about it. (since it's about Islam, PAS suppose to be the angriest one~)


Umno said something wrong, catch the reporter. DAP said something wrong, catch the one who said. What is the logic behind? I really don't know. But what I totally agree with what Malaysian Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan said, that ISA is totally unfair in civilized Nation.

08 03 2008 Malaysia Election

12th Election in Malaysia, this is the second time (1st time was in 1969) that the opposition performs well and the National Front unable to get majority (2/3) of the seats in Parliament.

(Ps. short form:
BN = Barisan National/National Front;
DAP = Democratic Action Party/Parti Tindakan Demokratik;
PAS = Islamic Party of Malaysia/Parti Islam SeMalaysia;
PKR = Parti Keadilan Rakyat/People's Justice Party;
IND = Individual.)

Parliament result, Overall 222 seats:
BN 140 seats, 63.06% ;
DAP 28 seats, 12.61% ;
PKR 31 seats, 13.96% ;
PAS 23 seats, 10.36% .
Summary: BN is still able to form a government with a simple majority (between 1/2 and 2/3).


State government:
Perlis (BN won by 93.33%): BN 14 seats, PAS 1 seat.
Kedah (Opposition won by 61.11%): BN 14 seats, PAS 16 seats, PKR 4 seats, DAP 1 seat, IND 1 seat.
Kelantan (Opposition won by 82.86%): BN 6 seats, PAS 28 seats, PKR 1 seat.
Terengganu (BN won by 75%): BN 24 seats, PAS 8 seats.
Penang (Opposition won by 72.5%): BN 11 seats, DAP 19 seats, PKR 9 seats, PAS 1 seat.
Perak (Opposition won by 52.54%): BN 28 seats, DAP 18 seats, PKR 7 seats, PAS 6 seats.
Pahang (BN won by 88.10%): BN 37 seats, DAP 2 seats, PAS 2 seats, IND 1 seat.
Selangor (Opposition won by 64.29%): BN 20 seats, PKR 15 seats, DAP 13 seats, PAS 8 seats.
Negeri Sembilan (BN won by 58.33%): BN 21 seats, DAP 10 seats, PKR 4 seats, PAS 1 seat.
Melaka (BN won by 82.14%): BN 23 seats, DAP 5 seats.
Johor (BN won by 89.29%): BN 50 seats, DAP 4 seats, PAS 2 seats.
Sabah (BN won by 98.33%): BN 59 seats, DAP 1 seat.
Sarawak no result as the state government postpone the election.
Summary: The opposition alliance controls five states, they are Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak and Selangor.

CNN news
BBC news
Malaysiakini

Teargas used on rare Malaysia demo

(CNN) -- The largest political protest in nearly a decade erupted in Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur, Saturday with riot police aiming water hoses and tear gas at thousands of protesters gathered to demand electoral reform.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur to demand electoral reform.

Opposition parties and civic groups demonstrated against alleged fraudulent activity in the electoral process and demanded an overhaul of Malaysia's electoral commission ahead of general elections widely expected for early next year.

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had vowed to suppress the demonstration, and on Saturday police had erected roadblocks and ramped up security in an attempt to close down the city's center.

Nevertheless, in defiance of a government ban, between 30,000 and 40,000 demonstrators massed outside the royal palace in Kuala Lumpar, according to media reports. Opposition group leader and former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim put the number much higher, claiming more than 100,000 people had gathered in the streets.

One witness said police fired tear gas and jets of "chemically-laced water" at hundreds of demonstrators who sought refuge in the city's Jamek mosque and in commercial buildings.

"Squads of police are chasing hundreds of protesters along alleys and on the city streets," the witness said, speaking on condition of anonymity. He said blockades had been set up around the city to hem in demonstrators.

Photos of the crackdown showed protesters dressed in yellow t-shirts and head scarves shielding their heads as water from cannons blasted down on them.

New York-based Human Rights Watch slammed the rally ban and urged the government to support free speech ahead of elections expected to be called early next year.

"If Malaysia wants to count itself a democracy, it can begin by upholding constitutional guarantees of free speech and assembly. The way the system works now, only the ruling coalition can get its messages out," it said.

Human Rights Watch said Malaysian elections have been sullied by vote-buying, the use of public resources by the ruling parties and accusations of bias against the Election Commission.

Malaysia has had only one party in power since 1957.

Speaking to CNN after briefly addressing the opposition-backed rally, Anwar said "we are demanding that the (election) process be cleansed. There are no such thing as fair elections in Malaysia at the moment."

He said a memorandum detailing allegations of corruption by the commission had been handed to Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Malaysia's constitutional monarch.

Malaysian law stipulates the sultan must give his royal assent to the commission after it has been appointed by the government.

Opposition party leaders, including Anwar, called the mass meeting to protest alleged fraudulent activity in the electoral process.

"This was an attempt to threaten the people. But I am very proud that Malaysians were not intimidated and turned out in such great numbers and that they behaved peacefully," Anwar said.Anwar was heir apparent to former premier Mahathir Mohamad until 1998, when he was sacked and charged for corruption and sodomy.

The sodomy conviction was overturned, but the corruption verdict was never lifted, barring him from running for political post until next year.