Police start to arrest Bersih promoters and call organisers to IPD for taking statement!(Updated)

The Bersih organisers, Ambiga included are called to IPD to give statement while those who speak at the launch are expected to be called in later. Meanwhile there are 7 arrests from those who try to promote the Bersih Rally in KL and Johor.

Update: arrests around the country has reached 91, consisting 2 big contingents of PSM members from Johor(released) and Penang(still detained). More are expected to be arrested to make the public panic about a blanket crack down! But the over-reaction may also turn the public off and attract more participants to the July 9th rally.

24 June 2011

Arrests are attack on Freedom of Expression

Bersih 2.0 condemns the arrests of Khairul Anuar and seven others detained in Kluang, Johore.

Khairul Anuar was arrested at Uptown Shah Alam, where a Bersih 2.0 road show was planned at 10.00 p.m. today (24 June2011). The purpose is to raise awareness on the eight electoral demands of Bersih 2.0.

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Why is Bersih march pronounced `illegal’?

The mainstream press and the ruling politicians are sticking to the description of the Bersih march as `illegal’-but why `illegal’? This question is very important-as it may be where rationality/argument/public choice-based democracy depart from arbitrary/capricious/discretionary/haphazard dictatorial rule! So let us examine the likely `reasons’ for making the Bersih `illegal’!

Does it affect the traffic? Many official functions involved closing of roads eg National Day procession. Traffics are diverted in pre-announced orderly way. There are some inconveniences-but few people will complain about it beyond a short period. So why can’t the police re-direct traffic for Bersih march?

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2 wonderful promo videos on Bersih out-more to come in video competition!

KUALA LUMPUR – There is never a shortage of online video clips on Malaysian politics, but these two latest promotional clips in the run-up to the Bersih rally are making waves on the internet through various websites and blogs, including on YouTube.

The clips, posted on a Facebook page in support of the July 9 rally in Kuala Lumpur, are available in Malay and English respectively.

In the Malay version, the song “Kelibat Korupsi” by homegrown punk rock band One Buck Short is played following a selection of clips showing statements against the rally from the police, leaders of UMNO as well as its sister organisation Perkasa.

“Ingat kita takut?! Apa mengarut?! Kita tunjukkan! Rakyat Ke depan! (Think we’re scared?! What nonsense?! Let us show! People at the front!)” runs the spirited chorus from the song, released by the group in 2007.

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Opposition motion to debate vote buying in Tamin was rejected on spurious grounds!

Motion on vote buying based on MEO-Net evidence rejected at Sarawak State Assembly. What a shame!

June 24, 2011

Motions on money politics and ‘corrupt’ CM rejected

Hornbill Unleashed @ 12:00 AM

 

Joseph Tawie

Sarawak DAP’s attempt to get the State Legislative Assembly to compel Chief Minister Taib Mahmud to go on an extended leave was thwarted yesterday.

The Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Asfia Awang Nasar yesterday rejected bids by opposition DAP to debate money politics in the recent state elections and allegations of corruption against Chief Minister Taib Mahmud.

Citing various ground to support his decision, Asfia rejected Opposition Leader Wong Ho Leng’s move to table the two motions.

In tabling his first motion, Wong who is Bukit Assek assemblyman said that vote buying had been rampant in Tamin constituency in the April 16 election as alleged by Malaysian election observers.

According to Malaysian Election Observers (MEO), payments were made in cash and by way of cheques which were issued by the CM’s  office.

“The above allegation is serious as it implies gross criminality against the state and casts severe aspersions on the integrity of Sarawak chief minister’s office and the government of the state.

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