I am not sure what “Wayang” the Malaysian Royal Police Force (PGRM) is playing. The IGP Musa Hassan claimed that 254 people had been arrested by the police on 10 Nov. However, BERSIH organizers only recorded 34. I was among the group who went the IPK Jalan Hang Tuah to support the detained demonstrators.
A few of us and voluntary lawyers from the Bar Council waited outside the police headquarters from about 17:30hr onwards. We waited for several hours but were unable to verify the exact number and name of those arrested. By 19:30hr, nearly all those arrested were released except 5 members of Unit Amal PAS. I left at about 20:00hr for a ceramah in Kuang, and I heard that the 5 were only freed a few hours later.
We had tried to gather information from all sources, yet we are not able to locate who were the 200 odd persons arrested. The police claimed that these people were arrested and released later. I guess they were not charged or recorded statement. Otherwise the police had denied their basic rights of having legal council at the time of arrest.
Until today, despite politicians making lots of noises, the police have not started the process of investigation. The police could start with bring the 200 over people to court, and proceed with charging the 100 thousand individuals who defied order on 10 Nov. The IGP should also deploy a few thousands Investigation Officers to identify all the faces captured on camera or video that day. It would be another proud record of PGRM: the largest lawsuit in the Guinness World Records.
Today (13 Nov), the IGP played up another “wayang”. This episode is supposed to be performed in Terengganu. In the last 48 hours, the police have threatened to clamp down heavily on a BERSIH gathering in Pantai Batu Burok. Stern warnings were given by the IGP as well as Terengganu Menteri Besar; and were broadcast in all channels of radio and TV.
BERSIH was warned not to go ahead with the program. Well, we normally will not bow to intimidation of this sort. This time is different, BERSIH was not organizing any event tonight. We have done a thorough checking among Parti Keadilan Rakyat and PAS branches, no even a ceramah kelompak was planned tonight.
How could the IGP get his facts so wrong? Were the Special Branch officers failing him? Or, these were just shadow plays to fool (frighten) the public?
At the same time, I believe that the police are trying hard to calm their very vexed political bosses. So, the the police have pretend to be working hard to suppress the rising momentum of protests? The panicking IGP don’t quite know what to do. Now Musa Hasan talked about laying charges to parents who brought their children to the march. The police’s reason: the parents endangered the children by taking them to the march. Again, the IGP invoked the Child Protection Act to harass the organizers.
The last time the IGP intended to use the Child Protection Act, against the parents of Nurin for negligent in taking care of the children.
Tian Chua,
I am glad the Police decided not to “beat you”. They couldn’t because 60,000 Malaysians were watching. Others too around the world.
Well done, my friends in KeADILan, PAS and DAP and BERSIH for a superb job on historic November 10, 2007. You were not intimidated by the awesome display of power by the Royal Malaysian Police and the FRU.
To the men and women of the Force and the FRU, I say “ribuan terima kasih atas perhatinan anda terhadap keselamatan rakyat”. You showed wisdom and maturity and that is more than I can say of your leaders in Bukit Aman.
We love peace and freedom and have rediscovered the role of our King and our Rulers in a 21st century Malaysia. Their Majesties and Royal Highnesses are not just symbols but the true protectors of Malaysia and our institutions.
There is a message to the Government and that is the rights of Malaysians cannot be trampled upon and that power still rests with all of us, not in the hands of politicians who we elect to serve us. They must respect our Constitution.
Take care and be ever watchful. Keep our eyes on the ball and never lose focus. Ubah sebelum parah. Ubah demi maruah.
“How could the IGP get his facts so wrong?” He could if infected with IGP - Ignorance Guiding Presumption.
What wayang indeed: Brownshirts chasing Yellowshirts! Priceless!
Child Protection Act used for harrassment and hiding embarrassment more like Cockup Protection Act.
Keep going folks and keep yellowshirt on! The more the water cannons rinse the more ‘clean’ you’ll be!
Malaysiaboleh!