In the dramatic incidents happened on 12.09.2008, 3 individuals unrelated with each other were arrested under the draconian law- Internal Security Act 1960 (better known as "ISA").
Raja Petra Kamaruddin, the editor of Malaysia Today (online news web) and well known "deep throat" in the Malaysia political arena was arrested in his house in Sungai Buloh, Selangor at approximately 1:50pm.
Tan Hoon Cheng, the reporter of Sin Chew Daily News (a famous local newspaper in Malaysia) was arrested at her house in Bukit Mertajam at approximately 8.40pm on 12.09.2008.
Teresa Kok, the Selangor Senior Executive Councillor, State Assemblyman of Kinrara, Selangor and Member of Parliament of Seputeh (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) was arrested at 11:20pm during her journey home from a function.
These arrests were made after three local newspapers (namely Sin Chew Daily, The Sun and Suara Keadilan) were issued with show cause letter by the Home Ministry on why their publishing license should not be suspended/revoked.
All the 3 individuals were arrested under section 73(1) of the ISA which reads as follows:
"73. Power to detain suspected persons.
(1) Any police officer may without warrant arrest and detain pending enquiries any person in respect of whom he has reason to believe -
(a) that there are grounds which would justify his detention under section 8; and
(b) that he has acted or is about to act or is likely to act in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to the maintenance of essential services therein or to the economic life thereof.
(2) Any police officer may without warrant arrest and detain pending enquiries any person, who upon being questioned by the officer fails to satisfy the officer as to his identity or as to the purposes for which he is in the place where he is found, and who the officer suspects has acted or is about to act in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to the maintenance of essential services therein or to the economic life thereof.
(3) Any person arrested under this section may be detained for a period not exceeding sixty days without an order of detention having been made in respect of him under section 8:
Provided that -
(a) he shall not be detained for more than twenty-four hours except with the authority of a police officer of or above the rank of Inspector;
(b) he shall not be detained for more than forty-eight hours except with the authority of a police officer of or above the rank of Assistant Superintendent; and
(c) he shall not be detained for more than thirty days unless a police officer of or above the rank of Deputy Superintendent has reported the circumstances of the arrest and detention to the Inspector General or to a police officer designated by the Inspector General in that behalf, who shall forthwith report the same to the Minister.
(4) -(5)(Repealed).
(6) The powers conferred upon a police officer by subsections (1) and (2) may be exercised by any member of the security forces, any person performing the duties of guard or watchman in a protected place and by any other person generally authorized in that behalf by a Chief Police Officer.
(7) Any person detained under the powers conferred by this section shall be deemed to be in lawful custody, and may be detained in any prison, or in any police station, or in any other similar place authorized generally or specially by the Minister."
Raja Petra Kamaruddin (or better known by referring as "RPK") was arrested for suspected posting of seditious statements in his post regarding religion and in particular Islam.
Ms. Tan was arrested for reporting the statements of UMNO (the dominant political party in Malaysia") Bukit Bendera division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail's statements and caused racial sentiments in the country.
Teresa Kok was arrested for allegedly involved in a dispute pertaining to a petiton to one Mosque in her constituency (which she denied involvement).
With Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ("DSAI") announcement of political power swifting on 16 September 2008, these untimely arrests under ISA had caused stir in the now instable community and to which the public are shocked by rational of such actions taken.
On 13.09.2008, after almost 16 hours in arrest, Ms. Tan was released and the Home Minister had in a press conference said that she was arrested for ensuring her safety and to assist on certain investigation.
Leaving other issues aside, the arrest of Ms. Tan had raised public outcry on why the person suspected to make racial remarks was not arrested but instead it was the reporter reporting the statements which was arrrested.
The arrest of Ms. Tan really doesn't look good on the government or help our country in any way. The press freedom is currently under tremendous pressure and the public is not at all happy to it.
The thing is, what political wisdom would be exercised by the Government to help restore the image of Government which had said that they would be more democratic and allow criticism prior to this incident.
Press Freedom, is our government doing enough? Is our government promoting it or otherwise?
1 comment:
This incident had shown that the BN government led by UMNO are stubborn to change after the 308 political Tsunami. We all may be were puzzled of why they still act in the way that against the people's will which demanding an urgency change of the Malaysian political landscape into a more multi racial, justified, open and transparent society. Does they realize that their action will only speed up the possible collapse of the BN government authority in view of the current political instability and uncertainty in Malaysia?Let us wait and see. How the scenario will be developing?!
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