Solidarity from Irene
Feb 2nd, 2007 by Tian
Solidarity from Irene Fernandez
Press Statement: 2 February 2007
UPHOLD THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION OF THE CONSUMER: STOP THE LEGAL ACTION
The rapid response from the police to question three political leaders, Tan Sri Khalid, Tian Chua and Ronnie Liu arising from a police report made by Gabungan Pemimpin Mahasiswa Malaysia and Jaringan Pelajar Islam Se- Malaysia comes as no surprise since it is politically motivated.
Once again, the Prime Minister has shown that his words are mere rhetoric. The nation believed that there will be reforms and fighting corruption is the main agenda. How can corruption be wiped out or even seen to be addressed when the government cannot be honest with the rakyat or the people?
It is the ordinary people who use the toll daily who are affected by the regular price hikes. There has been no clear explanations made by the current leaders, especially, by the Works Minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, except that contracts have to be adhered to. The people who pay must know what were the terms of these contracts and with what prudence and rationale were these made and who is benefiting from the contract. If these simple questions cannot be answered, then what is good governance all about? It is the fundamental right of every consumer to correct information. This right cannot be denied to the people who use the highways.
If the Prime Minister is committed to wiping out corruption, building good governance and making changes to build integrity, then there he must reject the call made by the Works Minister, S. Samy Vellu to use the Official Secrets Act to harass the three political leaders.
We call upon the IGP, Tan Sri Musa Hassan to stop using the police report made by the two NGO’s to question the three leaders. It is indeed a waste of public money. The time could be used for addressing the rising crime in the country. The police cannot become a tool for suppressing relevant information that will help to fight corruption and relieve the people from the burden of increased toll payments.
Irene Fernandez
Director of TENAGANITA
Website: www.tenaganita.net