Candle Light Vigil for ISA Detainees

It came at about 3pm, the call. Nat Tan had spoken to Rocky and asked that we avail Blog House for a candle light vigil for our friends detained under the ISA.
Since the Anti ISA forum at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam some moths back, I had become disillusioned with public response. Checking my email, I noticed that Nat had sent the information about the candle light vigil to no more than 7 recipients.

I got to blog house at around 7 pm, and was met there by Zorro.
Not long after, the crowd trickled in. As it was an impromptu event, Nat opened the evening's proceedings with a short speech. He then introduced Zorro (Bernard Khoo) who conveyed Marina's regrets for not making the vigil as she had to meet her lawyers. Typical of him, he got the crowd going, before introducing Dato' Ambiga.

Dato Ambiga, Bar Council President gave a few words

Dato Ambiga touched on the need for Malaysia to conform to the United Nations Charter on Human Rights. Citing the need to protect its citizens from 'a most reprehensible piece of legislation', that Malaysians do not deserve to be treated in this unhumane way. Dato Ambiga reminded those present that there are some 65 people that are still held under this act. She also announced that the BAR Council will be calling an EGM come Saturday. Reminding everyone that we need to keep in mind and speak up for those who can't, she also touched on the need for the media to continue to critically report news as it is, and for the citizenry to continue to stand up for their rights. She ended in asking where the detainees are kept, the process of interrogation and the continuing silence and denial of legal rights to RPK and YB Theresa Kok. Commending the action of YB Dato Zaid Ibrahim who threatened to leave his Ministerial post should the government continue to use the ISA, she finished by informing all her intention to write to the deputy Inspector General of Police.
Zorro, then provided information that a similar group had gathered in Penang for another candle light vigil. 600 people or so were gathered there.
Madeline from Bersih was then asked to give her views. She had known and worked with Theresa Kok for more than 7 years. She tried but she could not say anymore, overwhelmed by emotions. She was also one of the few who had spoken to YB Teresa Kok just before she was taken away by the Police.

Madeline Chang from Bersih

Feisal Mustaffa then shared his experience both with Raja Petra and YB Teresa Kok through the years. He also cited his experience with the Seputeh constituency, and reiterated his stance on the ISA being a piece of legislature that continues to violate human rights. Feisal also questioned the use of the act against Tan Hoon Cheng who was released after 24 hours.

Feisal Mustaffa

YB Sivarasa then took over and provided first hand information on his experience during Operation lalang. He was of the opine that the days of ISA will come to an end soon. With the impending takeover of the PKR led Pakatan, YB Sivarasa feels that the Government is acting out of desperation. He took the opportunity to remind those present that these arresst was intended to intimidate those who write, be it for blogs, or any other media. As such, he felt that there is a need for the public to respond by informing the government that we shall not be intimidated. He asked that a forum be held to bring together the media. Before ending, he asked those around to spread the information of the mammoth gathering at the Kelana Jaya stadium on the 15th of September.

YB Sivarasa

Richard Yeoh

Richard Yeoh then informed all that the Legal Team for Teresa will be filing a Habeas Corpus writ at the High court accompanied by YS Teresa's parents and also YB Lim Guan Eng.
He also asked for the resignation of the Dato Syed Hamid Albar, given the nonsensical statements he had recently made, which included arrest of Tan as a safety aspect!

YB Wee Choo Keong

The evening's proceeding closed with a short giving by YB Wee Choo Keong who thought that these actions arise from the weak leadership and concluded by reminding the need for those who protested the arrest to not resort to the streets, and continue to protest peacefully and through written petitions.
A short while later, members of All Blogs (Zorro, Anuradha and this writer) committee present were introduced to the attendees, as well as bloggers present, including Shanghai Fish, Ancient Mariner, Fisherman's Wharf.
It was also pleasant to note that those present also shared their views and took to the mic voluntarily (thanks to Quenie and friends).
A small collection from some contributors was also collected in aid of Blog House (RM445)
Although Rocky could not make it, he was in agreement with YB Sivarasa on the need to have a forum soon enough to bring together the media.

For the security of those present, The Royal Malaysian Poilce provided 3 patrol cars and 3 unmarked cars manned by 12 personnel! 6 in uniform, and 6 others including the famed SB Camera Unit!

Marina's Message to RPK's supporters

Kenyataan Bersama National Alliance of Bloggers (AllBlogs) dan Center for Policy Initiatives

Kenyataan Bersama National Alliance of Bloggers (AllBlogs) dan Center for Policy Initiatives

10 09 2008

Kuala Lumpur
9hb. September, 2008

Amaran SOS kepada Semua Rakyat Malaysia berkenaan kes Raja Petra

Dalam beberapa hari kebelakangan ini terdapat terlalu banyak berita yang tidak menyenangkan — baik yang bertulis atau lisan– seolah-olah menunjukkan bahawa Raja Petra Kamaruddin pasti akan ditahan di bawah Akta keselamatan dalam Negeri (ISA).

Kami berharap Kerajaan tidak akan memikirkan tindakan seperti ini. Bagi mengurangkan merebaknya dengan segera kemarahan dan kebimbangan rakyat — dalam dan luar negara akibat tindakan yang pendek akal ini, kami menyeru pihak berkuasa yang merancang tindakan ini supaya mendengar amaran ini, iaitu dengan segera menghentikan semua tindakan kepada Raja Petra sama ada melalui ISA atau langkah-langkah penekanan yang lain; tetapi sebaliknya memberi jaminan bahawa:

1. Tiada hasrat untuk menahan Raja Petra melalui ISA;

2. Raja Petra hendaklah diberi kebebasan untuk terus menulis berkaitan perkara-perkara penting yang dihadapi oleh negara;

3. Undang-undang zalim ISA tidak digunakan ke atas Raja Petra atau mana-mana penulis blog Malaysia yang lain sebagai hukuman kerana menyatakan pandangan serta pendapat yang bertentangan dan berbeza.

Pada hemat kami dan sekiranya Kerajaan sanggup menjalankan kajian secara bebas, mengambil kira pendapat majoriti besar rakyat Malaysia dan warga asing, Raja Petra tidak langsung dianggap sebagai mengancam keselamatan dan keamanan negara. Sebaliknya, dia sebenarnya menjadi ancaman kepada individu-individu dan organisasi tertentu yang dilihatnya terlibat dalam tindakan-tindakan tanpa peduli dan bersifat pengecut yang akan meruntuhkan negara.

Ramai rakyat Malaysia juga berpendapat bahawa laman web beliau mengandungi banyak analisis paling tajam berkaitan pelbagai kepincangan yang berlaku di negara kita. Percubaan setrusnya untuk menutup laman webnya atau menyekat kebebasan bercakap beliau bukan sahaja satu serangan kepada seorang patriot yang berani, berprinsip dan beretika tetapi tindakan Kerajaan juga akan dilihat sebagai percubaan untuk menyekat kebebasan kami mendapat maklumat dan bersuara. Tindakan ini juga akan membawa negara ke jurang pemerintahan kuku besi.

Sementara kita menghormati hak bersuara dan mendpat maklumat, kami juga menasihati semua penulis blog dan penulis online lain untuk menggunakan standard dan etika yang sama juga diharapkan daripada kalangan wartawan media tradisional. Kami TIDAK boleh membiarkan penipuan dan niat jahat dalam internet dan tidak hanya berpegang teguh kepada tulisan kami; kami juga mampu mempertahankan kebenaran menganai apa yang kami tulis.

Kami ingin menekankan bahawa pada pandangan kami undang-undang pada masa ini yang berkaitan dengan Hasutan dan Fitnah adalah sama-sama terpakai kepada media cetak dan media online dan seharusnya sudah memadai untuk mencegah penulisan-penulisan yang “tidak bertanggungjawab”. Justeru kami menggesa supaya Kerajaan tidak mengambil tindakan menggunakan undang undang ISA yang zalim ini untuk menjadikan penulis-penulis yang cintakan kedamaian di Malaysia ini sebagai tebusan.

Sebuah Kerajaan yang demokratik tidak akan sekali-kali melayani — apatah lagi meneruskan tuduhan-tuduhan yang telah dibuat terhadap Raja Petra. Untuk mengasingkan segala bentuk kekuatan dalam sistem undang-undang yang seringkali cenderung untuk menggunakan jentera Kerajaan yang menindas terhadap pelbagai pihak yang menentang demi kepentingan mereka sendiri, kami dengan ini menggesa:

1. Semua pemimpin dari Barisan Nasional mahupun dari Pakatan Rakyat yang berfikiran adil dan jujur supaya menyuarakan sama ada di khalayak ramai atau secara peribadi menentang sebarang percubaan menggunakan ISA terhadap Raja Petra;

2. Parti-parti komponen Barisan Nasional dan Pakatan Rakyat secara terbuka hendaklah menentang sebarang usaha untuk untuk menahan Raja Petra di bawah ISA;

3. Masyarakat sivil, golongan professional dan organisasi lain dan individu digesa mendesak Kerajaan memberi jaminan kebebasan bersuara kepada Raja Petra dan beraku-janji tidak menggunakan ISA terhadap beliau sama ada sekarang atau pada masa akan datang.

Kami berharap kewarasan tindakan akan terserlah dalam kepimpinan di negara kita. Sebarang tindakan yang menindas Raja Petra, terutama pada ketika ini, akan dipersoalkan atau perlu dijawab. Kami yakin ratusan ribu malah mungkin jutaan rakyat Malaysia akan berdiri teguh menyatakan tentangan mereka sekiranya Kerajaan memilih untuk menutup mulut Raja Petra melalui penggunaan ISA.

Kenyataan dikeluarkan oleh:

Ahiruddin Atan, Presiden Sementara, National Alliance of Bloggers (AllBlogs)

Dr. Lim Teck Ghee, Pengasas dan Pengarah Eksekutif, Center for Policy Initiatives

Penterjemahaan ini adalah hasil kerja Din Merican dan dipetik dari blog zorro-inmasked