“Demonstrations are done out of desperation and selfishness. The majority of the people are uneasy with such action …The majority of the people are rational and want important and basic matters to be made a priority by the government.” HOME Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, calling the 1 Aug 2009 anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) protest […]
Found in Quotation
Supporting detention without trial
By Zedeck Siew“Don’t just look to our country only. See our neighbours or other countries. They too have laws more or less like ours or more stricter [sic].” Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, commenting on the need to retain the Internal Security Act (ISA), to “ensure economic and political stability”. He suggested that the Act […]
Gerakan’s protest against the ISA
By Zedeck Siew“Gerakan Youth is of the opinion that struggles of organisations such as Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) should be considered seriously for the sake of justice and recognition of human rights principles enshrined in the federal constitution.” ANDY Yong, Gerakan Youth’s legal, public complaints and social welfare bureau chief, declaring the party youth wing’s interest in […]
Flipping on whipping
By Shanon Shah“The punishment must be more educational rather than causing hurt to a woman to make her reform… So far nobody, not even a male, has been whipped under the Syariah in Malaysia.” PAS central working committee member and Titiwangsa Member of Parliament Dr Lo’ Lo Mohamad Ghazali, on the Kuantan Syariah Court’s whipping sentence on […]
Any difference between Umno and PAS?
By Shanon Shah“The ruling only concerns Muslims and it does not affect the non-Muslims. It is to remind the Muslims not to drink.” PAS vice-president and Kubang Kerian Member of Parliament, Salahuddin Ayub, on the Kuantan Syariah High Court’s decision to sentence Mohamad Nasir Mohamad and Noorazah Baharuddin to a RM5,000 fine and six lashes of the […]
Najib & Co. (Part II)
By Gan Pei LingOn the media: “I firmly believe that there is vital place…for a vibrant, free and informed media. If we are truly to build a democracy that is responsive to the needs of all the people, we need a media — both old and new — that is empowered to responsibly report what they see, without […]
Najib & Co. (Part 1)
By Gan Pei Ling“Give me a chance. I will reform and I will make changes.” Then Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, speaking at a press conference at the Umno general assembly in April 2009, days before he was made prime minister. He said he was aware that some parties expected him to act in an authoritarian […]
The BN’s maturity
By Shanon Shah“They should just give me their proposals because I am worried they may lack maturity and rationale in their views.” HOME Minister and Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, on whether opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) would have a chance to contribute their views regarding potential amendments to the Internal Security Act. (Source: Only 12 […]
Zulkifli and civility
By Gan Pei LingCorrected 5.15pm on 26 June 2009 “If you don’t hear from us at 10am, you should all storm the building.” PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Member of Parliament (MP) for Kulim-Bandar Baru Zulkifli Noordin, ordering 300 protesters to storm the Bar Council headquarters on 9 August 2008 before they knew whether the council’s forum on religious […]
Et tu, Huan?
By Gan Pei Ling“They (some party leaders) say that I am making a lot of noise so it is better for me to leave…I am 99 per cent sure of leaving.” Gerakan vice-president Huan Cheng Guan, announcing on 29 May 2009 his intention to quit the party within three weeks. Huan said he was disappointed with the Gerakan […]