Reformasi activists split over Suqiu appeal
Ajinder KaurPublished: Dec 22, 2000 9:29 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
A group of reformasi activists today lambasted eight pro-reformasi websites that called on Chinese lobby group Suqiu to withdraw sections of its 17-point election appeal which allegedly questioned Malay special rights.
The 12 activists including key reformists Abdul Malek Hussin and Lokman Noor Adam, malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais, Harakah cartoonist Zulkifli SM Anuar @ Zunar, FreeAnwar Campaign director Raja Petra Kamarudin and Keadilan's 100,000 People's Gathering organiser Saari Sungib, said that the joint statement posted on the front page of the websites yesterday did not represent the reformasi spirit and struggle.
"We declare that the views behind the joint statement is contradictory to the spirit and stand that is being fought for by the leaders of (former deputy prime minister) Anwar Ibrahim's reform movement," they said in a statement released today on the mahafiraun website.
The activists said that they supported Suqiu's appeal on the whole as it reflected the reformasi movement's struggle to unite the people of different races based on noble principles and not on "expediency politics or the interests of those who have wealth and power".
"We hereby declare our solidarity with Suqiu's leaders and regard their struggle as ours too," they added.
Yesterday, webmasters from Laman Reformasi, Pemantau, Komentar, Jiwa Merdeka, Reformasi Rakyat, Reform Black14, Mahakejam, and Anti-Zalim, said that Suqiu had failed to take into consideration the sensitivity of the Malay community in questioning their rights which are enshrined in the Constitution.
They added that for the sake of respecting Malay rights, they regarded this issue as a collective one involving the Malays and not from the point of view of partisan politics.
However, some of the websites, namely Laman Reformasi, Komentar, and Pemantau retracted the joint statement from their front pages today.
Support for dialogue
Meanwhile, four Chinese organisations today expressed their support on the proposed dialogue between Suqiu and Umno Youth to end the Suqiu election appeal controversy.
The Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section, Negri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section, Selangor-Kuala Lumpur Youth and Graduates Association, and the Malaysian Students' Democratic Movement, said that the dialogue was a rational move to enhance understanding among the various communities.
At the same time, they criticised the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) for making inciting remarks and its threat to organise a gathering of 100,000 members at the Bukit Jalil stadium if Suqiu did not retract parts of its appeal that are deemed sensitive to other communities.
"We urge all the relevant parties to cool down in this controversy. Looking at the current situation, they should be cautious and not fall into the trap of racist politics," the organisations said in a joint statement today.
The 12 activists including key reformists Abdul Malek Hussin and Lokman Noor Adam, malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais, Harakah cartoonist Zulkifli SM Anuar @ Zunar, FreeAnwar Campaign director Raja Petra Kamarudin and Keadilan's 100,000 People's Gathering organiser Saari Sungib, said that the joint statement posted on the front page of the websites yesterday did not represent the reformasi spirit and struggle.
"We declare that the views behind the joint statement is contradictory to the spirit and stand that is being fought for by the leaders of (former deputy prime minister) Anwar Ibrahim's reform movement," they said in a statement released today on the mahafiraun website.
The activists said that they supported Suqiu's appeal on the whole as it reflected the reformasi movement's struggle to unite the people of different races based on noble principles and not on "expediency politics or the interests of those who have wealth and power".
"We hereby declare our solidarity with Suqiu's leaders and regard their struggle as ours too," they added.
Yesterday, webmasters from Laman Reformasi, Pemantau, Komentar, Jiwa Merdeka, Reformasi Rakyat, Reform Black14, Mahakejam, and Anti-Zalim, said that Suqiu had failed to take into consideration the sensitivity of the Malay community in questioning their rights which are enshrined in the Constitution.
They added that for the sake of respecting Malay rights, they regarded this issue as a collective one involving the Malays and not from the point of view of partisan politics.
However, some of the websites, namely Laman Reformasi, Komentar, and Pemantau retracted the joint statement from their front pages today.
Support for dialogue
Meanwhile, four Chinese organisations today expressed their support on the proposed dialogue between Suqiu and Umno Youth to end the Suqiu election appeal controversy.
The Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section, Negri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section, Selangor-Kuala Lumpur Youth and Graduates Association, and the Malaysian Students' Democratic Movement, said that the dialogue was a rational move to enhance understanding among the various communities.
At the same time, they criticised the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) for making inciting remarks and its threat to organise a gathering of 100,000 members at the Bukit Jalil stadium if Suqiu did not retract parts of its appeal that are deemed sensitive to other communities.
"We urge all the relevant parties to cool down in this controversy. Looking at the current situation, they should be cautious and not fall into the trap of racist politics," the organisations said in a joint statement today.
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