KUALA LUMPUR — Student activist groups Bebas and Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) say they have photographic and video evidence to back claims of excessive force by police when breaking up an academic freedom rally in Tanjung Malim on New Year’s Day.
They also say they have witnesses to police beating protesters.
The activists urged Bukit Aman to conduct an independent investigation into their complaint after lodging a police report today.
“We urge the police from Bukit Aman to look into this matter because we believe we need an independent investigation to find out what really happened,” lawyer Fadiah Najwa Fikri told reporters today after lodging the report here.
“There were many witnesses who clearly saw the police kick, step on and beat up the undergraduates. We even have photos and videos of police using excessive force when dispersing the students,” she added.
Fadiah pointed out that Malaysia’s in the UN human rights council and that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak “has said again and again and again, that we will uphold democratic values and human rights standard to the highest level”.
“But is this what is meant by Najib to uphold democratic values and human rights?” she asked.
“This is a lie. The students were not even armed with weapons, they were armed with a voice for academic freedom but were beaten up by more than 200 police officers,” she added.
Kami (Kumpulan Aktivis Mahasiswa Independen) president Haziq Abdul Aziz, who was one of the 17 students arrested during the protest, said that the police officers involved should be punished and brought to justice.
“No preferential treatment should be given to these officers as they are the same as criminals out there,” he said.
“We hope the police take appropriate action (against these officers) and not have double standards when conducting the investigation,” he added.
Suaram programme manager E. Nalini, who was also present, said Sunday’s incident showed the result of the controversial Peaceful Assembly Bill.
“The police can use force in any peaceful demonstration because now they have power without limit with the new Act,” she said.
“This is why we are very concerned. From now onwards, people can be victims of police abuse and it will be legal under the law.”
Haziq stressed that if the police and government do not investigate this incident, it would likely lead to more police brutality in future.
“These criminal officers should be brought to justice in order to prevent abuse like this from happening to other Malaysian citizens,” he said.
1 comment:
Malaysia first or Islam first?
Recently the Malaysian King, the Agung, emphasized on the special position of Islam in Malaysia. That’s not the point. The point is, which comes first, Malaysia or Islam? Rightly, Malaysia comes first and foremost. Always, Malaysia comes first. Is the Agung aware of this? If they choose Islam first, then…………..
If they choose Islam first, then it is time for all non-Muslim Malaysians to give strong moral support to the Philippine’s claim to Sabah. Philippines is a non-Muslim nation; and therefore all non-Muslim Malaysians should give moral support to the Philippine claim to Sabah. Even in India, to this very day, some of the best schools and hospitals were established by Christian missionaries; we need one nation, two systems or one nation several systems in Malaysia. In fact "one nation, several systems" is the best way to administer Malaysia. China is a good model for one nation with two systems for Malaysians to emulate. I hope the Sabahans will lead the way and the rest of Malaysia will emulate the one nation many systems way, using China as a model.
Malaysia first or Islam first?
The Islamic scriptures allows for slavery. Islam is not egalitarian.
In addition, we need to know more about the Malay Regiment. Again, Malaysia first or Islam first?Does the Malay Regiment put Islam first or Malaysia first? The Malay Regiment has to choose between Malaysia first or Islam first because they cannot have both. The Islamic scriptures allows for slavery. All Malaysian citizens have to put Malaysia first.
As regards to Islamic history, let's be honest about it. There are those who have branded Prophet Mohamed a demon possessed pedophile. As a matter of fact, none of the old books, namely Torah, Buddhist scriptures, the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, etc. can be adhered to today. It is a changing world. It is a evolving world. Please visit a library or book store and you would see many new books written within the last one hundred years. New books are sufficient; we do not need old ancient books. Try new books.
At the global level, both Mandarin language and English will compete for influence. It is often a numbers game; and believe me that China with more than a billion people has an advantage in any numbers game. May be Chinese English will eventually be tolerated world-wide. (I define Chinese English as L1 interference English). Since China has a growing economy and more than 1 billion people, it would eventually be hard to avoid L1 interference English; and we also have to tolerate code-switching by bi-lingual and tri-lingual speakers. The Chinese Malaysians should make sure that Mandarin medium schools grow in Malaysia.
By the way, the indigenous people of Malaya are the Orang Asli, not Malays. The Orang Asli are not even mentioned in the Constitution. Furthermore, another person who should hold his tongue and stop making comments is Dr.Chandra Muzzafar. Dr.Chandra Muzzafar has no influence among Malaysian Indians. If Dr.Chandra Muzzafar does make any comments, please ignore it.
The bottom line is that, no matter who says what, the future is that with every passing day both China and India are growing socially, politically, and economically. I don't care who says what; and I don't care who does what. Nothing can change the fact that with every passing day both China and India are strengthening socially, politically, and economically. That's it. The bottom line is the bottom line.
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