The Minister of Home Affairs forcefully evicted Uthaya a week ago from detention under the unconstitutional ISA. Uthaya did not want to be released if the release came with conditions – but they said he had to go no matter, and literally threw him out of Kamunting.
Now that he is out, they are making threatening sounds. Let me quote Malaysiakini about what the Deputy Inspector General of Police, the number two in the Police hierarchy said today ,
‘Meanwhile in another development, the deputy inspector general of police said that the police would be taking the necessary action if Uthayakumar refuses to attend the meeting at the Kamunting detention centre tomorrow.’
Uthaya is a free man, as free as any in this country, the Deputy IGP included. So, what is this about appropriate action by the Police against a free citizen for not attending a meeting called by a government administrative body.
Let me quote article 5 from our Federal constitution:
PART II - FUNDAMENTAL LIBERTIES
Article number: 5
5(1) No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with law.
So, what law has Uthaya broken that his liberty is to be questioned by these threatening sounds. If he has not broken any law, then why all this from the Deputy IGP .
Every now and then the Home Minister of the UMNO Government reminds us that nobody is above the law. Does he really know what he is talking about . Where is substance to all of this? Either there is rule of law in this country or there is not.
If there is rule of law, then here is the law:
No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with law –
now dear Home Minister let us see if you know what you are talking about. Tell the Deputy IGP that he is not above the law to issue these threatening statements. And let us also see what actions you take tomorrow when Uthaya does not show up at Kamunting, which he has clearly indicated he is not going to do as he has broken no laws..
Let me also quote from an article that was published on the Malaysian Bar Council Website:
‘The Federal Constitution is what protects the citizens of this country from abuse of power by those who govern and it guarantees us certain immutable rights. The fact that every law-abiding citizen is free to walk down any street in Malaysia is a right that stems from the Federal Constitution. The fact that we can reasonably expect that when we are merrily on our way to the nearest kedai kopi for a much deserved kopi ‘O’ and roti bakar, we are not suddenly swept off our feet and held captive by some law enforcement officer because of the colour of our skin or our religious beliefs.’….or just because the Deputy IGP does not like us.
On another note, it really came as a surprise when the UMNO Home Minister decided to release the Hindraf 3 when he did. Was that just a knee jerk reaction to avoid the resignation of M. Manoharan, the other Hindraf leader from his ADUN position or to deflect attention from the Perak fiasco or for both those reasons. The Home Minister could have just kept Uthaya in, as Uthaya did not accept the conditions. Uthaya was not begging to be released. In fact he had settled for a rather lengthy stay in Kamunting, because of the ugly truth he spoke, and the clarity with which he spoke it.
Now with this threat, are they saying that Uthaya had better abide by some non-existent conditions or he is headed back to his cell in Kamunting.
If that is what they mean, that does speak volumes about our erstwhile Home Minister, does it not. The UMNO government one day appears to be conciliatory and democratic and the next threatening and bullying – do they know what they really want, or are we to continue to live only by such incoherent and capricious knee jerk policies of this UMNO government.
Do they think all of this is going to go without consequences for them anyway. The people now demand a high level of competence from them in they way they administer society. If they mean freedom, then freedom it must be – no waffling. Maybe those in power lose a little in terms of the discomfort this freedom for the common man means to them , but in terms of the quality of governance they are headed in the direction of the expectations of the people..
But do the UMNO leaders have the ability to think in bold, perceptive and coherent terms like this. Do they?
Can we expect any better from them. The only way out for all of us for a better, more just and equal society is for UMNO to go.
United we stand
United we act
Makkal sakthi
Now that he is out, they are making threatening sounds. Let me quote Malaysiakini about what the Deputy Inspector General of Police, the number two in the Police hierarchy said today ,
‘Meanwhile in another development, the deputy inspector general of police said that the police would be taking the necessary action if Uthayakumar refuses to attend the meeting at the Kamunting detention centre tomorrow.’
Uthaya is a free man, as free as any in this country, the Deputy IGP included. So, what is this about appropriate action by the Police against a free citizen for not attending a meeting called by a government administrative body.
Let me quote article 5 from our Federal constitution:
PART II - FUNDAMENTAL LIBERTIES
Article number: 5
5(1) No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with law.
So, what law has Uthaya broken that his liberty is to be questioned by these threatening sounds. If he has not broken any law, then why all this from the Deputy IGP .
Every now and then the Home Minister of the UMNO Government reminds us that nobody is above the law. Does he really know what he is talking about . Where is substance to all of this? Either there is rule of law in this country or there is not.
If there is rule of law, then here is the law:
No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with law –
now dear Home Minister let us see if you know what you are talking about. Tell the Deputy IGP that he is not above the law to issue these threatening statements. And let us also see what actions you take tomorrow when Uthaya does not show up at Kamunting, which he has clearly indicated he is not going to do as he has broken no laws..
Let me also quote from an article that was published on the Malaysian Bar Council Website:
‘The Federal Constitution is what protects the citizens of this country from abuse of power by those who govern and it guarantees us certain immutable rights. The fact that every law-abiding citizen is free to walk down any street in Malaysia is a right that stems from the Federal Constitution. The fact that we can reasonably expect that when we are merrily on our way to the nearest kedai kopi for a much deserved kopi ‘O’ and roti bakar, we are not suddenly swept off our feet and held captive by some law enforcement officer because of the colour of our skin or our religious beliefs.’….or just because the Deputy IGP does not like us.
On another note, it really came as a surprise when the UMNO Home Minister decided to release the Hindraf 3 when he did. Was that just a knee jerk reaction to avoid the resignation of M. Manoharan, the other Hindraf leader from his ADUN position or to deflect attention from the Perak fiasco or for both those reasons. The Home Minister could have just kept Uthaya in, as Uthaya did not accept the conditions. Uthaya was not begging to be released. In fact he had settled for a rather lengthy stay in Kamunting, because of the ugly truth he spoke, and the clarity with which he spoke it.
Now with this threat, are they saying that Uthaya had better abide by some non-existent conditions or he is headed back to his cell in Kamunting.
If that is what they mean, that does speak volumes about our erstwhile Home Minister, does it not. The UMNO government one day appears to be conciliatory and democratic and the next threatening and bullying – do they know what they really want, or are we to continue to live only by such incoherent and capricious knee jerk policies of this UMNO government.
Do they think all of this is going to go without consequences for them anyway. The people now demand a high level of competence from them in they way they administer society. If they mean freedom, then freedom it must be – no waffling. Maybe those in power lose a little in terms of the discomfort this freedom for the common man means to them , but in terms of the quality of governance they are headed in the direction of the expectations of the people..
But do the UMNO leaders have the ability to think in bold, perceptive and coherent terms like this. Do they?
Can we expect any better from them. The only way out for all of us for a better, more just and equal society is for UMNO to go.
United we stand
United we act
Makkal sakthi
19/05/09
No comments:
Post a Comment