Malaysia will be more open and democratic with “revolutionary” new laws that will herald a “new era”, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Really? Has Najib made good on his promises? We take a look at the prime minister’s legacy of legal reforms since Malaysia Day 2011.
police
BN vs Bersih: Comparing 2007 and 2011
By Gan Pei Ling
IS Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak a prime minister of reform as he’s been portrayed to be? Is he more respectful of human rights and dissenting views compared to his predecessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi? Is he less or more prone to strong-arm tactics? A comparison of how the government treated Bersih in 2007 and how it is treating Bersih 2.0 in 2011 gives Malaysians and the world an indication of whether things have gotten better under Najib or much worse.
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Bersih 2.0 – Why walk?
By Ding Jo-AnnTHE planned Bersih 2.0 rally calling for improvements to Malaysia’s electoral system has been garnering mixed reactions. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said police may arrest illegal demonstrators, even under the Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite state detention without trial. Perkasa said they would demonstrate, too, to keep Bersih protesters from mischief. […]
The cost of losing credibility
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
ON 17 June 2010, a startling accusation was made against the Malaysian armed forces. The father of Sergeant N Tharmendran said in a police report that his son, who has been charged with stealing two jet engines from the Sungai Besi air base, was tortured by officers to confess to the theft. The Royal Malaysian […]
“Is Chinese penis really that good?”
By Shanon Shah
IN part two of stories about those who have encountered the religious police, freelance writer Nabila Nasir, 25, recounts the harassment and extortion she and a now ex-boyfriend experienced at the hands of moral guardians in mid-2007.
Holding governments to account
Holding Court by Ding Jo-Ann
Updated on 7 June 2010 at 11.20am IT was interesting to see our Malaysian government defending the rule of law and upholding human rights in the international arena recently. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his colleagues condemned the recent Israeli commando-style raid of the flotilla of ships attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, resulting […]
Police can kill in defence
By Ding Jo-AnnPETALING JAYA, 26 May 2010: Police officers are entitled to kill or injure innocent persons as long as they genuinely believe lives are in danger, said the Home Ministry. Click thumbnail to read ministry’s letterIn a letter to The Nut Graph dated 17 May 2010, the ministry said: “Although police officers’ actions may result in […]
Saving the police
By Wong Chin HuatWILL the late Aminulrasyid Amzah be the last victim of state violence? Like political aide Teoh Beng Hock‘s death in custody — the anniversary is two months away — the extra-judicial killing of Aminulrasyid has caused a lot of anger because he was not one of the “usual suspects”. Screencap of the Facebook groupWhat if […]
Aminulrasyid’s shooting not isolated
By The Fairly Current Show
THE fatal police shooting of 15-year-old schoolboy Aminulrasyid Amzah on 26 April 2010 has profoundly shocked the nation. The Fairly Current Show host Fahmi Fadzil speaks with lawyer Puspa Rosman, who will be acting on behalf of Aminulrasyid’s family, about the issue of police power, and politicking that surrounds Aminulrasyid’s case. These include the ongoing […]
Suhakam denied shooting guidelines
By Ding Jo-AnnPETALING JAYA, 30 April 2010: The police have denied the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) a copy of its written guidelines on the use of firearms despite requests following a shooting that happened last year. “The police have told us that there are written guidelines. However, it is a very confidential document,” Suhakam commissioner Datuk […]
