Clampdown on dissent a concern
Gayathry VenkiteswaranPublished: May 22, 2009 9:35 AM | Updated: May 22, 2009 9:36 AM
We refer to the Malaysiakini report Dozens arrested, including 8 lawmakers.
The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is deeply concerned that the new administration under Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has begun a swoop of those publicly opposed to the takeover of the northern state of Perak by the Barisan Nasional coalition, the incumbent ruling coalition at the federal level.
According to reports, authorities arrested close to 80 people allegedly involved in organising and participating in the protest campaign, including writers, opposition Members of Parliament as well as civil society activists.
Of that number, 60 were arrested yesterday morning in Ipoh, the capital of Perak state where a protest gathering was held.
The sequence of action suggests pre-meditation and conspiracy on the part of the authorities and this raises concern that this clampdown would merely be the first of more to come.
Although most of those arrested have been released, the swoop should not have occurred in the first place in line with the spirit of Article 10 of the federal constitution which guarantees freedom of expression and assembly.
The Barisan Nasional administration has once again demonstrated its tendency to subvert laws, democratic processes and state institutions.
The swoop also indicates that the Najib administration is far from sincere about instituting reforms and allowing greater openness despite his call for ‘1Malaysia'.
With institutions such as the police force, the mainstream media and to some extent the judiciary remaining shackled and firmly biased towards the Barisan Nasional administration, it is difficult to not be cynical about the administration's propensity to abuse these very institutions for the preservation of the executive.
This despite rhetoric on the contrary since the days of former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
CIJ reiterates its concern and worries that the current developments may indicate the Barisan Nasional's intent is to re-consolidate its power through the wide-scale repression of the voices of critics and civil society.
The writer is executive director, CIJ.
The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is deeply concerned that the new administration under Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has begun a swoop of those publicly opposed to the takeover of the northern state of Perak by the Barisan Nasional coalition, the incumbent ruling coalition at the federal level.
According to reports, authorities arrested close to 80 people allegedly involved in organising and participating in the protest campaign, including writers, opposition Members of Parliament as well as civil society activists.
Of that number, 60 were arrested yesterday morning in Ipoh, the capital of Perak state where a protest gathering was held.
The sequence of action suggests pre-meditation and conspiracy on the part of the authorities and this raises concern that this clampdown would merely be the first of more to come.
Although most of those arrested have been released, the swoop should not have occurred in the first place in line with the spirit of Article 10 of the federal constitution which guarantees freedom of expression and assembly.
The Barisan Nasional administration has once again demonstrated its tendency to subvert laws, democratic processes and state institutions.
The swoop also indicates that the Najib administration is far from sincere about instituting reforms and allowing greater openness despite his call for ‘1Malaysia'.
With institutions such as the police force, the mainstream media and to some extent the judiciary remaining shackled and firmly biased towards the Barisan Nasional administration, it is difficult to not be cynical about the administration's propensity to abuse these very institutions for the preservation of the executive.
This despite rhetoric on the contrary since the days of former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
CIJ reiterates its concern and worries that the current developments may indicate the Barisan Nasional's intent is to re-consolidate its power through the wide-scale repression of the voices of critics and civil society.
The writer is executive director, CIJ.
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