| ISA, Sedition Act tools for communalism |
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| Wednesday, 13 August 2008 | |
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The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Writers
Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI) condemn calls to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) and Sedition Act
against the Bar Council for organising a forum on "Conversion to Islam" on
August 9, which was aborted shortly after it started due to pressure from a
group of about 300 protesters. We call upon civil society to express our solidarity with the Bar in the face of such threats. CIJ and WAMI are dismayed by the response of the government and leading political parties, for not only taking no part in assuaging the conflagration of their constituencies, but actually allowing key leaders to inflame the anger of the protesters by calling for such draconian sanctions.
On August 11, Malay daily Utusan Malaysia reported that Rustam Ali, vice
president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the ruling party in
the Federal government, called for the Bar Council members to be arrested under
the ISA, which allows for indefinite detention without trial, while Salahuddin
Ayub, the youth chief of the Pan-Malayan Islamic Party (Pas), wanted the Sedition Act
used on the organisers. Members from both rival political parties were involved
in the protest against the forum, which was held to discuss legal issues
arising from a person's conversion to Islam.
CIJ and WAMI are deeply concerned by these calls, which we see as
reflective of
an authoritarian administration that represses the voices and
grievances of minority
groups. We are also alarmed that PAS has indicated a similar
authoritarian
streak despite its promise of a more civil governance, which garnered
the party
much support during the March general election. We call upon Pas,
which has always opposed ISA, to reiterate its commitment to democracy,
human rights and open governance in its coming Muktamar.
The calls for the use of the ISA and Sedition Act to clamp down
open discussion
on the constitution, family law and religious administration reflect
the desire to perpetuate communalism. It is exactly the prohibition of
and obstruction to Malaysians discussing
issues of grave concern in a civil manner that has prevented Malaysia
to mature politically as a people and made our independence hollow.
CIJ and WAMI call on the BN and PAS leaders to retract their extreme calls for
the use of the ISA and Sedition Act. Both laws should be done away with, for
they are a deterrent to freedom of expression and are open to abuse.
Ends
Issued by
Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
and
Wong Chin Huat
Chairperson
Writers' Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
For more information please contact Wai Fong at 03 40230772
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