Justice.. Must Prevail The very independence of our nation is diminished each time the fundamental liberties of our citizens are brutally assaulted.

o the Games have be­ have rocked the nation. Indeed But there can be no real freedom gun! Malaysians have foreign journalists covering the if injustice prevails. There can be been distracted by the Games have found more inter­ norealfreedomifMalaysiansare 11 spectacle of the much­ esting and newsworthy items to denied natural justice and the in­ hyped Commonwealth Games, report outside the various stadi­ herent basic rights that are be­ soon after the Merdeka celebra­ ums and sports arenas. stowed upon us by the God we tions that marked our 41st year profess to belie~e in. Indeed, the of independence. The political leadership had veryindependenceofournation hoped that the Commonwealth is diminished each time the fun­ The sports extravaganza threat­ Games would usher in a wave damentalliberties of our citizens ens to push the controversial of patriotism to lift the droop­ are brutally assaulted. sacking of Deputy Prime Minis­ ing spirits of Malaysians strug­ ter Anwar Ibrahim and lUs ex­ gling to cope with the reces­ By definition, therefore, we can­ pulsion from the dominant sion. The trappings of patrio­ not profess to be patriotic if we United Malays National tism - flags fluttering all over are not concerned about freedom Organisation into the back­ town, feel-good songs over the and basic rights. ground. television, a sense of achieve­ ment over Malaysia's sporting Even as we marvel at the records Hosting the Games was meant successes - are there for all to being shattered at the Common­ to showcase to the world that see. wealth Game::. and the superb Malaysia had come of age in the conditioning or the participating international community. Ap­ But, on reflection, the sense of athletes a sense of uneasiness parently, some quarters believe pride thatis being promoted bor­ envelops U5 like a thick dark we have much to show off: the ders on the superficial; it's a shal­ shroud. glittering RM10 billion new low form of patriotism. A closer Kuala Lumpur IntemationalAir­ look will reveal many instances Of late, we have seen how power port; gleaming skyscrapers in­ of injustice clouding thehorizon. has become even more cluding the world's tallest build­ centralised at the top and how ings, the Petronas Twin Towers; Real patriotism goes deeper than democratic institutions have the impressive new Bukit Jalil mere symbols of national pride. been undermined. main stadium. It is far removed from the blind patriotism that refuses to The deputy prime miruster's Sure enough, Malaysia has be­ recognise the truth and to see the postL-. now vacant after Am··ar's come a household name across warts behind the beauty. sacking. The one-time ~ eir ap­ the globe. But what has captured parent now faces a sle' . OJ seri­ the attention of the foreign me­ A real patriot passionately fights ous allegations that ha ~ )t.t to dia and visitors from abroad, for the freedom and rights of rus be proven. apart from the Games proper, are or her fellow citizens so that they the effects of the recession and can live in peace, happiness, and It is not for us, ordin;•rv 1\fal.ay­ the political shock-waves that prosperity. sians, to judge An· ar prema

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Poge 2 Justice Must Prevail Uphold Principles Of Natural Justice All Over? Or All Over Again? Sacking Of Anwar: Responses Lies And Political Conspiracy U

No Thanks To Badawi Trampling On Human Rights 26 Responses To Lim Guan Eng's Jail Sentence 32 Lim Guan Eng's Wife: No Regrets 35

16 19 ALIRAN'S HOMEPAGE 28 http://www.malaysia.net/aliran

Printod by RP Prinlln Sdn. Bhd. 23 66, 68 & 70 Jahn AU Ibm 38 10460 Pubu Phung. Maloysu. 39 Tel : 604 • 2265546 Fax: 604 - nntM

Published by Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN)

12, J~lan Pant.ti Aziz Ibrahim. U900 PuLlu Pinang. Mlhysia. CPosLtl Address: P 0 Box 1049, 10830 Pulau Pi~ng. Malaysia.) Tel/ Fax : 604 • 6415785

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 3 turely. Any proper judgement is events of the past year. the director of operations of a best left to an independent court. popular television station were Anwar should be allowed to de­ Ten years after the infamous as- replaced. fend himself. Instead, we have sault on the judiciary in 1988 witnessed how the media were when Lord President Salleh Eighteen activists, including shamelessly used to all qut pro­ Abas and two other Supreme three Malaysians were held in nounce Anwar guilty before he Court judges were unceremoni­ Burma when attempting to dis­ was given a chance to defend ously dumped, question marks tribute messages of goodwill himself. still hang over the judiciary's in­ and freedom to mark the 10'1 an­ dependence. niversary of the people's upris­ The allegations, if true, wilJ ing in that land. They were re­ surely dent Anwar's image. UN Special Rapporteur for the leased only after an international Even if they are true, the way Independence of Judges and outcry. Tellingly, the Malaysian Anwar was ruthlessly hounded Lawyers Param Cumaraswamy government maintained a out of political power left a bad is himself the target of libel steady silence. taste in the mouth. Sure, the charges which the courts have Prime Minister has the right to refused to throw out. But all this pales in comparison dismiss him from the Cabinet­ with the ouster of President but who can't fail to be disturbed Economic control and policy­ Suharto of Indonesia -followed by the manner it was done? making have been taken out of by the dramatic events of recent the Cabinet and placed in the weeks in Malaysia. Anwar now faces a prolonged hands of the National Economic court battle to clear his name. Action Council - or more spe- Some activists feel that the time Worse, he could be detained. If dfically, in the hands of Daim for reform has come. Others he is, the former social activist Zainuddin, Mahathir's most want to snuff out such a natural who rose meteorically up the trusted ally. Worryingly, neither quest for freedom before it sinks ranks to become the number hvo seems answerable to Parliament, its roots deep. person in the country will be in and by extension, the public. good company. But real reform, however, must Exchange controls and controls begin with il1temal change- in Opposition stalwart and Mem­ on capital flows - which many our hearts and minds. Without ber of Parliament, Lim Guan analysts have welcomed in the that, it is meanin~less. Eng, seen as a potential leader of short run - were introduced the Democratic Action Party without public discussion. The We are now at a cross-roads in (DAP) languishes-all but forgot­ long term repercussions on an our nation's history. We need to ten now-behind bars on charges economy that is so dependent on explore new frontiers and sail of 'sedition' and 'publishing foreign capital for growth have through uncharted waters in our false news' on the alleged statu­ not been adequately discussed in search for true freedom, and jus­ tory rape of a 15-year-old school a wider forum. tice. As we embark on this jour­ girl by the former Malacca chief ney, our prayers go out to all minister. Parliament, to all inten ts and tho~e who are denied freedom purposes, is now a pale shadow and justice. We are one with This silencing of outspoken of its former self. 1t has been re- them. voices and potential challengers duced to a mere monument to a to the political leadership should system of parliamentary democ­ Take heart, justice will triumph be seen in the wider context of racy that was once the pride of uJtimatelv. For now, we will do developments in recent months. the region. well to remember that we are all In a sense, the ominous smog stewards of God. As stewards that shrouded the region last The media were further sup­ we have a responsibility to en­ September proved to be the cur­ pressed when the editors of two sure that Justice and Truth tain-raiser for the tumultuous leading Malay newspapers and should prevail. 0

Ali ron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 4 Uphold Principles Of Natural Justice Whatever his alleged crimes may be, Anwar should be charged in open court to establish the truth of the allegations liran is deeply dis­ tions. He should be given ev­ the country." tressed at the outland­ ery opportunity to defend llish allegations lev­ himself and clear his name. It makes a mockery of our pro­ elled at Anwar in one of the This would be conduct befit­ fessed allegiance to transpar­ four affidavits filed in the ting a civil society - conduct ency when Malaysians remain High Court yesterday. It is im­ that will not sully our civilised in the dark as to why Anwar portant to bear in mind, how­ notion of justice. was dismissed. It is no longer ever, that they are only allega­ a party matter. Anwar is ana­ tions as of now. The fact is the If, on the other hand, all legiti­ tional leader and if his alleged truth of these allegations have mate avenues are blocked and crimes are so serious as to war­ not yet been verified or estab­ the doors of the democratic rant his dismissal, Malaysians lished. process are slammed in have a right to know the rea­ Anwar's face, it will take little son. Aliran desperately hopes that persuasion to believe his claim Anwar will not be detained that there was indeed a high This right to know should not under either the obnoxious level conspiracy to topple him. be confused with the Prime Internal Security Act or the The evidence that Anwar Minister's prerogative to ap­ despicable Official Secrets Act. claims to possess - "docu­ point or dismiss a member of Both are undemocratic laws. ments, tapes and statutory the Cabinet. Nobody is ques­ The ISA and other similar dra­ declarations under oath" -to tioning that prerogative. But, conian laws shamelessly deny deflect all these nefarious al­ as citizens, we have a right to an accused the fundamental legations and to prove his in­ know why a leader is being right of self-defence that he or nocence should be scrutinised dismissed. It is not something she is entitled to under the in an open court of law. to be confined among 41 indi­ principles of natural justice. It viduals behind closed doors. is precisely because the ISA As a human being, he de­ can be used to stifle critics and serves that right. It doesn't Besides disclosing the reasons, dissenting views that Aliran speak well for the state of we hope the government will and other groups in the coun­ justice in our country when also dispel the sinister feeling try have vehemently opposed the number two man has to that is emerging of a possible this patently unjust law. cry out for justice. It is very crackdown against activists depressing to hear Anwar's and dissidents. Whatever his alleged crimes plea for justice: "If I as num­ may be, Anwar should be ber two man in the country P Rmnakrishrum charged in open court to estab­ cannot be assured of justice, President lish the truth of the allega- then it is a great shame for 4 September 1998

Ali ran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 5 All Ov~r? Or All Over Again? What we lose from Anwar~ fall by Khoo Boo Teik

alaysians who insist on personal problem'. Nor is it a credentials was sullied without their right to challenge mere issue of the prime his having any real chance of g those in political minister's prerogative in sack­ defending himself. power have always ing his deputy over policy dif­ had to expect heavy-handed ac­ ferences. A father of six children, and tion from the authorities. Deten­ long portrayed as a man of Is­ tion without trial, prosecution The manner of Anwar's dis­ lam, he stands accused of sor­ for sedition, dismissal from of­ missal exposes it as a political did sexual misconduct. A poli­ fice, unfair media treatment -­ manoeuvre to expel him from tici~m who started as a Malay the threats to personal liberty, UMNO so as to pre-empt any nationalist, he is tarred with in­ freedom of expression, and in­ challenge to Dr Mahathir.lt is a sinuations of being 'anti-na­ dividual reputation go on and problem affecting all the pow­ tional' if not a 'foreign agent'. on. erful people in UMNO, the gov­ A person who made his repu­ ernment, and the corporate tation as a campaigner for so­ For 16 years, between 1982 and world, whom Anwar has cial and political reforms, he 1998, Datuk Seri Anwar antagonised in one way or an­ faces d1arges of corruption. Ibrahim belonged to all the win­ other. ning teams -- Datuk Seri Dr And although successive Mahathir Mohamad's govern­ Let us not be naive. Anwar is UMNO general assemblies ment, UMNO's 'Team X, and not your innocent bystander - elected, and re-elected, him as the Barisan Nasional -- that pelanduk yang mati di tengah­ their Deputy President, it took monopolised heavy-handed tengah. He is a seasoned politi­ just one Supreme Council meet­ action against their opponents. cal gajah who played for the ing to terminate his party highest stakes in the power memberhip. Thus, who could have pre­ game, and lost. dicted that someone as power­ Before 2 September, Anwar was ful as Anwar could so suddenly But let us be decent. The execu­ DPM and UMXO Deputy be subjected to 'all the powers tion of Anwar's fall was repul­ President. The L~0 politi­ of government' imaginable? sive. It was vile even by the low cians and a supine press standards of political behaviour couldn't angknt him enough as From hero to villain we have seen in recent years. Dr Mahathir's 'annointed suc­ In 48 hours cessor'. After 2 September, the In just 48 hours, Anwar was same politicians and the same We are not a stu.pid or uncaring thrown out of high office, press run him d0\'\"1\ as if he's people. No matter what his en­ threatened with prosecution the lowest form of low life. emies in UMNO and their ser­ and arrest, smeared by the me­ vants say through their mass dia, and expelled from his party. Have the lJMI',;O politicians media, Anwar's fall is not 'his Virtually every one of Anwar's abandoned all sense oi Malay

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 6 etiquette and common Malay­ false, it'd be too bad for seen in Malaysian politics? sian decency? Have they be­ Anwar's enemies: he'd emerge come so contemptuous of us as a martyr. Then, Malaysians Obviously, popular attitudes that they believe the public will would want to ask: How has towards Anwar will be critical, not see through their grotesque our political system so degen­ assuming he has not lost all wayang? erated that it spawned the most credibility. But will sufficiently cynical character assassination large numbers of voters support Which slcle of our modern history? him either in sympathy, or out are you on? An Anwar of protest, or even in the hope that he represents a new way co~nellack? No doubt Malaysians con­ forward in Malaysian politics? cerned with the truth will long Malaysians and foreign observ­ Or will too many voters worry continue to ask: Are all the alle­ ers who are chiefly interested in that an Anwar challenge will be gations against Anwar true? the politics of Anwar's fall can too destabilizing, and opt for raise endless questions about 'stability and development' un­ The blindly anti-Anwar people his plans and prospects for a der Barisan Nasional? will accept (and use) them with­ comeback. out further ado. The solidly pro­ Such questions are intriguing Anwar people will reject them Let us assume that Anwar re­ whether one is a coffeeshop out of hand. fuses to fade away. Further as­ gossip, a journalist, an academi­ sume that his opponents don't cian, or a political plotter. These Many people belong to neither stop him in other ways, such as questions can only be answered camp. But few can resist tor­ jailing him like a common with time. rents of fihzah and tomah, surat criminal, or detaining him un­ layarzg andsurat khabar. Or they der the ISA. Will Anwar then One critical question, however, think it's their duty to 'trust our start a new political party, join can and must be answered now: leaders' completely. Between an existing party, or build a 're­ What does Anwar's departure the two choices, they may form movement'? If he tries any mean for ordinary Malaysians? hedge their bets and say, 'There of these -- or something else - is no smoke without fire.' how many of Anwar's 'boys' in Father ancl son UMNO will ra11y around him When Anwar joined UMNO in But Malaysians must insist that outside UMNO? Has the sup­ 1982, he disappointed not a few the only principled answer is: posed 'Anwar majority' in people. We don't know unless and until UMNO switched allegiance, or those allegations are stringently is it merely lying low? Some people had been close to tested in a fair and open trial pre­ him during the 1974 Baling sided by judges of unimpeachable Naturally his staunchest sup­ demonstrations, for which he credentials. porters will hope that Anwar (among others) was imprisoned succeeds where Datuk Musa without trial for two years, and If the allegations, so tested, Hitam and Tengku Razaleigh were upset that he planned to prove to be true, it'd be too bad Hamzah had failed. In that case, support a government that for Anwar: he can fade away. what will Anwar's political would not renounce the use of But, then, Malaysians would platform consist of? Will he re­ the ISA. want to ask: How could Anwar turn to champion Malay inter­ have fooled so many politicians ests and a more resurgent Islam, Others had cooperated with in such high positions for so or will he try a new hand at Anwar in 1981 to form a broad long? multiracial politics? Can he in­ social movement to oppose the vent another wawasan to inspire notorious amendments to the If the allegations prove to be a degree of social reform not yet Societies Act, and regretted that

Aliron Monthly September 1998. 18(81 Page 7 he had chosen to enter the party and corrupt than anyone could fore, Anwar came to stand for responsible for those amend- remember. refonn in such ways as to be seen ments. as a real threat to the combina­ Then Anwar seemed to pay at­ tion of Dr Mahathir, Tun Daim Yet others regarded hlm as a tention to low-cost housing, Zainuddin, and the tokoh leader of the ' Islamiu resur­ lower-cost health care and so­ korporat. gence' in Malaysia, and thought lutions to social ills. Maybe his he had made a big mistake in sentiments were genuine, and Anwar's return? not joining PAS if he had to join would have been translated What happened after that we any political party at all. into policies if he became prime know. minister. Maybe he was only Those misgivings never caused trying to enlarge his political There is no need to romanticize Anwar to look back 0n his ei't­ base. At least someone was talk­ or idealize Anwar or to create try into UMNO. His political ing about things that mattered legends about him. Like any career rose very swiftly -­ to the little guys, the ruraJ folk, other politician, he has his am­ Pemuda UMNO President in labour, the poor, the sick, and bitions, agenda and, yes, even 1982, UMNO Vice-President in the 'socially deviant' teenagers. cronies. 1987, and UMNO Deputy Presi­ dent in 1993. Anwar, assisted by his think­ What then does Anwar's dis­ tankers, launched a pet project missal mean for ordinary Ma­ By the time he established him­ which variously spoke of 'car­ laysians if they are not to be dis­ self as 'No. 2', his relationship ing civil society, sustainable tracted by a number of Ss - with 'No.1' had reportedly be­ development, empowerment, 'shocking measures', SUI< OM, come so close tltat Anwar lik­ cultural renaissance, and of sensationalism and stock mar­ ened himself to being a son to Malaysians belonging to 'one ket? Dr Mahathir. family. Maybe it was mostly rhetoric. But it addressed the It means the loss of a potential DiHerences concerns of broad sections of counter-balance to policies Throughout that period, Anwar the Malaysian populace who which place the interests of the was by Dr Mahathir 's side"' and wanted a more democratic, lib­ corporate world far above the supported his policies. But, like eral, just, or Islamic society. concerns of the 'grassroots'. It Musa Hitam in the mid-1980s, means the loss of yet another Anwar began to project an im­ Perhaps that's why a number of check on the concentration of age of being more open, ap­ the dissidents of Malaysian power in the hands of the Ex­ proachable and caring, unlike politics, having parted ways ecutive. lt means the worsening the blunt, harsh, and uncom­ with him in 1982, continued to erosion of civil and democratic promising Dr Mahathir. view Deputy Prime Minister rights. Anwar as an unfulfilled ABIM The pre-July 1997 economic activist. If Anwar plans to 'rehrrn' and boom fostered a relentless and 'start all over again', his 'old competitive pursuit of wealth in Perhaps that's why, under the .friends' in the political opposi­ Malaysia. Soon, Wawasan 2020 present crisjs, they and many tion, Islamic organizations. and practically meant nothing more others thought it credible that NGOs must ask him how he in­ than privatisation, Malaysia Anwar, as the Minister of Fi­ tends to make this society better. Inc., the KLSE, tokoh korporat, nance, would be a reformer and the mega projects. Many against korupsi, kronisme, And thls time Anwar's answer Malaysians were uneasy that nepotisme. would have to be better than our society had become more what he offered the past 16 consumerist, callous, cronyist, Wittingly or unwittingly, there- years.O

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Poge 8 An Open Letter To YB Dato' Seri AnVIar Ibrahim

q ero ~!fo Jlfl tlJe i lw; JJifl( However,Iamnotwritingthis of certain accusations letter to you in an attempt to brought against him, The giveyouacharacterreference Prime Miniser prevented or to defend you against the this by declaring that a man charges that have been lev- should be considered inno­ elled against you. Nor do I cent until proven otherwise. write in order to take sides in I admired the Prime any debate on economic Minister's stand on that oc­ policy in which you may have casion. But the same prin­ been involved. I am not in a ciple does not appear to have position to comment on these been applied in your case. things. I believe that my feelings of take the liberty of I am writing to you simply to dismay and disgust at the way g writing to you be­ express my utter revulsion you are being treated are cause as one of your and disgust at the manner in shared by many Malaysians former teachers at the Malay which you have been regardless of race or political College Kuala Kangsar I both hounded from your position affiliation. If one of the most know you and remember you in the Government and in powerful figures in the land as one of the most promising UMNO. It has been a nau­ can be degraded and humili­ and open-minded students seating experience to witness ated in such a swift, biased that it has ever been my privi­ not of your preemptory dis­ and twisted fashion, what lege to teach. Of course, this missal from office - that is a hope is there for the rest of us, does not give the right to claim legitimate risk which all ordinary citizens of this coun­ any special relationship with politicians must be prepared try? you, but it does mean that I to face - but the purported have been able to follow your attempt which is being made What hope indeed is there for political career since you left through the media to destroy our country if this is how po­ MCKK and recognise the you as a person even before litical power is exercised? same traits of open­ you have been given the mindedness and idealism that chance to defend yourself. I conclude with the fervent characterised your attitudes as prayers that in the end true a student. I recall how a few years ago, justice will be done and that when calls were raised for you will be vindicated. For this reason I am all the the Chief Minister of Mal­ more appalled by the crisis acca to be stripped of his D. f. Muzaffar Tate that has now overtaken you. powers and position because Kuala Lumpur

Aliron Monthly September 1998: T8(81 Page 9 Greatly Concerned Ancl Disturbed Failure to account for the dismissal of the Deputy Prime Minister will certainly give credence to the conspiracy theory

e are greatly con­ vestiges of credibility that this raises the fear that oppressive cerned and disturbed government has. laws such as the ISA and the by the manner in OSA will be used to ensure the which Datuk Seri Anwar Furthermore, failure to ac­ political survival of Mahathir Ibrahim has been summarily count properly for the dis­ and his cronies. Malaysians, dismissed by the Prime Min­ missal of the Deputy Prime regardless of creed, race and ister. The total lack of transpar­ Minister will certainly give political ideology should ency in this episode is a re­ credence to the conspiracy stand up to protest against any flection of the utter contempt theory that is being widely such repression of their fun­ and disregard that the Prime propagated. In fact, the damental rights and Minister has for the views of events surrounding the dis­ liberties.O the people of the country. missal of Anwar strongly in­ dicate that there is a politi­ .lolnt p .... state•_, The dismissal of a Deputy cal conspiracy to remove Signed by: Prime Minister and Finance him from all positions of 1.Amnesty International (Pro­ Minister during a time of se­ power. The people of the tem Malaysia Group) vere economic crisis is a mat­ country have a right to be 2.AWAM (All Women's Action ter of great concernfor the citi­ fully informed of the real Society) 3.CENPEACE (Cen­ zens of the country. This is all situation. tre for Peace Initiatives) the more so, when until days 4.COAC (Centre for Ora11g ago, the Prime Minister had If indeed Anwar is guilty of Asli Concerns) 5.DAP(Demo­ assured the people that all was serious crimes which warrant cratic Action Party) 6./NSAN well between him and his his dismissal, he should be (Institute for Social Alralysis) 7.LRC (Labour Resource Cen­ deputy. The people have a charged in open court and tre) 8.MTUC (Malaysian right to know the reasons for given a fair and independent Trades Union Congress) this sudden change of senti­ hearing. The unsubstantiated 9.Persatu.atl Sahabat Wanita ment. Failure to provide a full affidavits, vague insinuations 10.PRM (Parti Ralcyat Mlllay­ and reasonable explanation of of treason and other nebulous sia) ll.SCR (Society for Chris­ the events leading to the dis­ accusations that have been tum Reflection) 12.Selilngor missal of Anwar, and the rea­ presented today through the Chinese Assembly Hall, Youth sons for it will only lead the media without right of reply Section 13.SUARAM (Suara people to believe that they are unacceptable. Rakyat Malaysia) have been deliberately misled 14.TENAGANITA 15.WDC (Women's Developmmt Collec­ all this while, give rise to wild This action on the part of the tive) speculation and erode the last Prime Minister once again

Ali ron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 10 A Plea for Justice The media is indulging in an orgy of lies and half· truths designed to character assassinate Anwar Ibrahim

t is a pity that Prime to corruption to being a for­ g Minister and UMNO eign agent-and for that rea­ President, Dr. son, there is no basis for using Mahathir Mohamad, has cho­ the ISA against him. The use sen not to give any reasons for of the ISA against Anwar the sacking of Dato' Seri would be seen by the public Anwar Ibrahim from the Cabi­ as a cruel and cowardly at­ net and the party. The general tempt to silence an individual public and the UMNO mem­ who is determined to prove bership are entitled to know his innocence 'through the nor­ why Dr. Mahathir had to mal legal process. make such a drastic decision. This is thdr fundamental right If he is going to be charged as cittzens of a democracy. under any of the ordinary torney-General's office and laws of the land, Anwar Instead of providing an offi­ the Judiciary. It shows that in­ should be given a fair trial. It cial explanation for the sack­ stitutions of state charged is important to emphasise this ing, the media is indulging in with upholding the rule of law given prevailing perceptions an orgy of lies and half-truths and ensuring justice, have be­ of the Judiciary, reinforced by designed to character assassi­ come pliable instruments in the recent Lim Guan Eng ver­ nate Anwar Ibrahim. Unsub­ the hands of the powerful. dict. stantiated allegations made in affidavits which have not been From media reports, Anwar Finally, Anwar's supporters, subjected to the judicial pro­ not only denies all the allega­ however angry they may be cess should never be manipu­ tions made against him but by his sacking, should not do lated by the media for ulterior also insists that justice be anything that can be con­ motives. By conniving in such done. And indeed, it would be strued as a transgression of the a despicable act, the Mahathlr a travesty of justice if he is law. It is everyone's responsi­ controlled Malaysian media detained without trial under bility to ensure that peace and has disgraced itself. It is a vile the Internal Security Act USA). calm prevail. example of trial and execution Anwar should be given a by the media. chance to defend himself in an Dr. Chandra Muzaffar open court. There are laws President The misuse of the affidavits in that can deal with all the alle­ Intemational Movement the 'Nalla case' also reflects gations made against him­ for a Just World badly upon the Police, the At- from sexual misdemeanours 4 September 1998

Ali ron Monthly September 1998. 18(8) Page 11 Lies And4 Political Conspiracy Translation of Anwar Ibrahim's letter to Dr Mahathir, dated August 25, J998

would like to enlighten than a year ago with a poison-pen as Tun Zaim Zainuddin, Datuk you regarding the letter circulated so widely that it Megat Junid and Datuk Azit: g calumnous campaign reached down even to small Shamsuddin. Tun Dairn and against me as a person Umno branches. Even mosques Datuk Megat Junid 'A170te to me and a politician. I am filled with have not been spared this des­ to deny their involvement in any dejection over the revolting lies ecration. pact of calumny. (Tun Daim's let­ that a pack of frresponsible hu­ ter is appended.) man beings have invented to con­ Normally, I would ignore accu­ fuse the people and to inspire sations contained in unsigned I had hoped that the smear cam­ doubt in them regarding my circulars, but this time they were paign would then stop. Imagine character and my morals. They too offensive to be left unchal­ my consternation when I learned, have even raised questions about lenged. I therefore lodged a po­ a few days before the Umno gen­ my loyalty to you, which I have lice report through my aide-de­ eral assembly, that a person by affirmed openly and repeatedly. camp, ASP Zull Aznam Haron, the name of Khalid Jafri had writ­ Considering the method by on the 15th of August last year. tena book which in part repeated which these slanders are spread Following the report, the police all the poison-pen lies and that and the timing of their release, 1 arrested and questioned two the book would be distributed by cannot but conclude that they are men-Mohd Taib Salamon and the tens of thousands at the politically motivated. Tan Ah Kow alias Tan Beng venue of the assembly. To preve11t Kim-who had impersonated it, I had no choice but to get a I am sorry that for the last couple police officers from the Special court injunction. Unlike the poi­ of weeks I have taken up so much Branch. The two had detained son-pen letter, the book carries of your time over a matter that and intimidated Ummi Hafilda the names of an author and a has no direct connection with the Ali and Azizan Abu Bakar, the publisher, as if daring anyone to running of government, what supposed originators of the web challenge the truth of its contents. with the country facing an eco­ of lies against me. I had to go to court to make that nomic crisis. But I am left with no challenge; otherwise some read­ choice. Only the two of us can 1 thank you for coming to my ers would suspect that there was clarify the muddied waters and defence when the slanderous ac­ truth in the book. This issue re­ untangle the knots. Any interfer­ cusations first caught media no­ garding a campaign to calumni­ ence from any quarter, be it from tice. I took your advice-al­ ate me has been raised even in the political or administrative though the Attorney-General had Parliament. (See Appendix 2.) side, will only aggravate the situ­ a different view at that time-and ation. decided not to let the matter drag, My confidential secretary, Mohd especially because it would in­ Azmin Ali, made a police report The conspiracy to bring me down volve or implicate personalities over the distribution of the book, through calumny began more in government and politics, such the contents of which are clearly

Ali ron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 12 criminally libellous, and 1 have I have consistently expressed my which is operated by politicians appointed a lawyer to handle a confidence in the professionalism and millionaires who are intent civil defamation suit against the of the police and the Attorney­ on driving a wedge between the author and publisher. I have since General and in our system of jus­ two of us and cutting me down. won an interlocutary injunction, tice. And both the lGP and the The stories in the book are sub­ effective until the ~se is settled. AG have assured me of their im­ merged and new ones arc I append here the court's judge­ partiality. brought to the surface. It is as if ment. (See Appendix 3.) the police have lost their balance. My lawyers assert that investiga­ Witnesses are pressured to make From the beginning, I have kept tions should have easily been car­ statements calculated to shame the Attorney-General informed ried out according to normal pro­ me. For example, when the po­ of developments in my legal ac­ cedure after I had lodged the po­ lice interrogated High Court tion. It is obvious that he is dis­ lice report since the Judge Ms Zainon Ali regarding pleased over my decision to ob­ "suspects" are her loyalty-whether it was to tain the injunction and to go for known and the defamatory state­ the Prime Minister or the Deputy a civil suit. I have given him my ments they are accused of mak­ Prime Minister-they asked her explanation-that unlike the poi­ ing are published in a book. The if she had a sexual relationship son-pen letter, the book has an named suspects are the ones who with me. I cannot yet determine author and a publisher. Never­ should be subject to police inves­ the motive behind such a line of theless, I am satisfied with his tigation. According to the Infor­ questioning. Before becoming a guarantee of a thorough investi­ mation Act, the onus is on them judge, she was the Registrar of gation to build a case of criminal to prove their accusations, to Companies and therefore had a libel against the author. show admissible evidence in lot of official business with the court, not rumour, hearsay orfab­ Ministry of Finance. My relation­ And I have promised that I rications. ship with her, as with other offi­ would cooperate with the police. cials, was strictly business. The Inspector-General of Police But a week after my report was has assigned a senior officer to lodged, it became obvious that I see a picture of contradictions lead the investigation and he has the police, who should be gath­ emerging, one that is unsettling. repeatedly stated his view that ering evidence with which to I do not object to the raid of Datuk the book's contents are ''taste­ prosecute the calumniators, were Nalla's house and his arrest on less" and "rubbish" instead looking into my persona I the justification that these would affairs. It was as if I had become help the police in their investiga­ I acknowledge your aversion to the suspect. My lawyers advised tion. But I have since received the legal steps I have taken. me to demand an explanation information that the idea was to Your opinion is that the book from the IGP and the AG. But I extract a confession from him that should simply be dismissed for told them I had complete faith in would incriminate me in activi­ the sham that it is, but I believe the professionalism and fairness ties that are immoral and dis­ I must act because, more than of both officials. graceful. After I had spoken to just repeating the poison-pen you about this, you told the IGP lies, the book links me with a Perhaps l should not expect sym­ to give me an explanation. I am murder and accuses me of be­ pathy from anyone. But I have grateful for that favour, but when ing a foreign agent and conspir­ the right to justice and I am sure the IGP met me he said only that ing to topple the Prime Minis­ that I will receive justice if gov­ the case was complex and inves­ ter. In fact, the author and dis­ ernment agencies are true to the tigations would continue. At the tributor of the book openly con­ ethics of their various profes­ end of our meeting, he said it tend that my inaction would sions. However, their current would be best for me to settle my prove the book's veracity. They behaviour indicates some malice political differences with you per­ declare confidently that I towards me. Instead of concen­ sonally. would never dare drag them to trating on the libellous book, they court for fear of exposing my al­ are now listening to stories As you are aware, all those lies leged secrets. churned out by the rumour mill, alleging immoral conduct on my

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 13 part are said to have originated death, and he swore that he from my home, which are re­ from information given by Um.mi would maintain that assertion. corded by the police, have be­ and Azizan. It IS also claimed that He has written a letter of denial come an issue. I am accused of the circulated poison-pen letter is and a sworn statement. (See Ap­ being a foreign agent. Before this, a true copy of a letter Ummi pendices 8 and 9.) lam certain I was called an Islamic and wrote to you. You will remember that the author of the book would Malay-language extremist. You handing over to me Ummi's not have made up such wild and are wiser in matters regarding original letter and instructing me fantastic accusations if he were labels; so Jam taking your advice to "read and destroy". not sponsored by influential per­ to ignore such accusations. sonalities willing to pay him It is obvious that the poison-pen huge sums of money. Many stories are weaved regard­ circular is not the letter Ummi ing the role of Datuk Nalla, in­ wrote t0 ~'OU. She has confirmed I have indicated above t11at there deed about all the friends I play this herself. (See Appendix 6.) In is a factory churning out these tennis with, including Datuk a letter toAzmin, she denies that lies. As if the calumnous tales af­ Ghazi Ramli, the late Datuk Wan she is the source of the calumny fecting Ummi and Azizan are not Adli and several of my officers. r alleging that I had an affair with enough, a new story is produced. play tennis once or twice a week Syamsida. (See Appendix 4.) She And there is no lie more hurtful at the Tropicana, Kiara or has made a similar denial in a let­ to me--and the others who are im­ Bangsar. There are stories that ter to me (see Appendix 5) and plicated-than the one that says have been concocted about activi­ again in a sworn statement (Ap­ I have fathered an illegitimate ties besides tennis during my ten­ pendix 7). I vehemently reject this child. It shocked me to hear the nis hours, complete with the evil slander. Now the calumnia­ police suggest that I undergo a name of a woman, a car registra­ tors have spun another tale-­ DNA test. This was precisely the tion number and an apart]nent that Ummi was forced to make challenge that I

Ali ron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 14 Act (OSA). What a baffling for advancement until I have I thank God the Almighty for giv­ thought! To charge under this act come to occupy my current posi­ ing me fortitude and patience in a person who holds the second tion. I am not one who would the face of this calumny. I know most important position in gov­ easily forget kindness. Every time that the slandering will continue ernment is nothing short of in­ your position has been threat­ and that my protection is in God sulting. If it was tru~ that govern­ ened, I was the first to come to alone. I am grateful that Azizah ment secrets had leaked, this your defence, no matter how se­ remains strong as do friends who would be the first time in history rious the situation. My loyalty is unceasingly pray for me. I will that the immediate suspect was intact. Please do not let the lies of never forget them. theDPM. the envious cause you to doubt it. They are but a political con­ Yours truly, Lately, some people have become spiracy. (See Appendix 11.) (Anwar Ibrahim) uncomfortable with me because it seems I was the one who di­ rected the Anti-Corruption Agency to investigate the Direc­ lra11Siatlo• of tor-General of the Economic Anwar ••rahl•'• Planning Unit. I deny issuing the letter to Dr. Mahathlr Moha••~ order. True, theACADirector had ...... 28, , ••• informed me about the impend­ ing investigation, but I asked if Dear Dato' Seri, telephoned a former the Prime Minister had been ad­ Universiti Kebangsaan Ma­ vised beforehand. He said the I would like to add to the let­ laysia lecturer to extort a Prime Minister had been in­ ter I wrote on 25 August statement from him to the formed. I have been similarly ac­ 1998. For more than a year, effect that he once had a ho­ cused of ordering an anti-corrup­ the police has known of a mosexual relationship with tion investigation against the IGP plot to drive a wedge be­ me. He was threatened with and theAG. tween the two of us by rais­ prosecution on charges re­ ing doubts in the public lated to his past activities. Thus my clarification. I know that mind regarding my charac­ even at this moment, more lies ter. (The report is hereby sub­ are being manulactured for con­ mitted by hand.) These are additional pieces sumption throughout the coun­ ofhttormationthatsupport try. I am unsettled by the tone of I attach here also Oato' my conviction that all those the current investigations and Nalla's affidavit and clip­ lies about me were concocted many of my friends have advised pings of press reports on as part of a political con­ that I should turn to the Prime them. It is clear that his de­ spiracy. Minister and seek his help in re­ tention and interrogation solving this problem in the best have nothing to do with na­ 1 submit this for your wise possible manner. r leave it all to tional security. Instead he has consideration. your wisdom and sense of justice. been promised his freedom We go back a long way in a com­ provided he signs a state­ And may God give you mon struggle and we trust each ment prepared by the police peace and blessings. other. We have together faced so to disgrace his friends. many political challenges. You (signed) were the one who brought me I would also like to inform Anwar Ibrahim into active work in Umno, nur­ you that a police officer has turing and guiding me, and opening up for me opportunities

Stlltl"l"t': lllfcrllcf- \ ·; .. ;t \1111'11r 011fi11c of tllm•or.t·iluu·t or 11tl'11tl't'rs. \Otlllt.< ontlt!lm•arW'

Aliran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 15 ISA is Not the Solution

People who spread unfounded rumours to cause panic and in­ cite sentiments to provoke distur­ bances must be dealt with sternly

Butresorting to the use of the ISA to combat this nefarious activity is not the proper course of action.

We have specific laws for various offences and these people should be charged under the appropri­ ate law. The ISA must not be viewed as the be-ali and end-all kind of solution to overcome our A rl'cord ot 4/rnw', ... tand on currl'nl.ltt.lir.... problems.

Democracy Further policy of non-interference in the Those who have been tracked Stalled In Burma internal affairs of member coun­ down, as claimed by the authori­ tries. ties, should be identified and Aliran views with deep concern charged in a court of law and the recent political stand-of£ be­ Fellow ASEAN member states duly convicted. The law must tween Burma's opposition leader must in no uncertain terms make take its course and the guilty Aung San Suu Kyi and the it known to the Burmese regime must be punished. country's military junta. that enough is enough and that Suu Kyi and her colleagues Rumours are in vogue because In the recent incident, Suu Kyi should be given their rightful information is not easily acces­ was prevented by the military democratic place in Burma. sible to the public; and secondly from travelling freely in her own because there is an absence of any country to exercise her demo­ ASEAN as a regional group can­ swift response to counter baseless cratic rights and to meet her po­ not afford to be seen as being se­ rumours whenever they are in litical supporters. This prompted lective when it comes to repri­ circulation. The authorities her to stay put in her Toyota Mark manding nations that have should track down a rumour as 11 sedan as a mark o£ protest. breached international norms of soon as it surfaces and come out justice and democracy. with a clarification to demolish it. The military regime's latest ac­ tion against her would have had Unless ASEAN corrects itself in When this is effectively under­ serious implications for the this respect, its international taken, rumours will not gain cur­ health of the already ailing oppo­ reputation will be jeopardised rency among the gullible. sition leader. It also reflects the and, worse, it will be perceived regime's increasingly arrogant as a group that doesn't practise Rllmakrishnan display of political barbarism. what it preaches to others, espe­ President cially those in the West; in short, 11August 1998 The political recalcitrance it is often seen as a group that flaunted by the Burmese military practises double standards. Appeal to :regime makes an ugly mockery the Honouraltle of the much hyped ASEAN no­ Dr Ml~stafa K. Anuar Chief Justice: tion of "constructive engage­ Asst. Secretary ment" and the zealously guarded 30 July 1998 Aliran has, on behalf of 40 NGOs,

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 16 appealed to the Chief Justice of concern about irresponsible native viewpoints to significantly Malaysia on 12 August 1998, to rumour-mongering on the establish their credibility for permit a full bench to hear the Internet. These rumours caused them to be taken more seriously. Lim Guan Eng case. unnecessary anxiety and panic in If they can do that, then no one certain parts of Kuala Lumpur re­ would pay much attention to We hope that thi~ appeal will cently. rumours and poison-pen letters. meet with a favourable response from the Chief Justice. We concur with the government We are also concerned that the that the Internet should not be government's arbitrary power to It is imperative that justice must abused to deliberately trigger so­ define what is a "rumour" will not only be done but it should be cial unrest. But we vigorously marginalise and criminalisenon­ seen to be done. oppose the use of the Internal establishment views that are Security Act to tackle the spread valid but do not concur with the Appointing a full bench will be of false news. The application of government's position. seen as justice being done with­ the ISA, a relic of colonial rule, is out fear or favour and whatever patently unjust and goes against Executive Committee the decision that this full bench the laws of natural justice. It cer­ 15 August 1998 hands down will go down well tainly is not in keeping with our with the Malaysian public. much heralded aspiration to cre­ American Strikes ate a civil society. against Suclan It is because we are concerned ancl Afghanistan that the integrity of the judiciary If the government has evidence must be preserved and that the of a deliberate attempt to incite Aliran condemns the American confidence in the judiciary must communal unrest then those re­ air strikes against Sudan and Af­ be restored, that we make this sponsible should be charged in a ghanistan just as we deplore the joint plea to the Honourable court of law under the relevant terrorist bombings of the United Chief Justice. laws of the country. It should not States' embassies in Kenya and be too difficult since Malaysia has Tanzania. Ramakris/man so many harsh laws to choose President from! The US' aerial attacks smack of 14 August 1998 military arrogance and deliberate The flurry of rumours and specu­ contempt for international laws NeHing the Rumours lations over the Internet shows and national sovereignty. More­ that many Malaysians are seek­ over, this "wild, wild West" ing alternative viewpoints using behaviour cannot be justified es­ new modes of communication. It pecially when the investigation suggests a total lack of space and into the embassy bombings has scope for dissenting and differing been inconclusive. views in the mainstream media, which has seen its credibility Just as we abhor the deliberate nose-dive. destruction of innocent lives by terrorist groups - be theyin Africa Had the media been more accom­ or Northern lreland - we also de­ modating in aU owing non-estab­ test the US' unnecessary flaunting lishment views to be published of its military muscles in foreign and been seen to be more inde­ lands. Two wrongs, as the old ad­ pendent, there would not have age goes, do not make a right. been a perceived credibility gap in what is reported and what is In addition, the timing of the US actually happening. military action also makes one wonder whether it is a desperate Aliran shares the government's The media need to publish alter- attempt by the Clinton adminis-

Aliran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 17 tration to improve the tarnished image of the US president follow­ I' YB Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ing the Lewinsky scandal. It cer­ tainly looks like Clinton is seek­ Menteri Luar Negeri ing a "foreign solution" to his do­ Wisma Putra mestic-and personal-prpblems. 50602 Kuala Lumpur 130gos 1998

Aliran is uneasy about the United Yang Berhonnat Nation's role in letting the US off lightly. We support Sudan's call Aliran diberitahu bahawa tiga orang warga Malaysia bersama for an urgent Security Council 15 orang aktivis hak asasi manusia asing yang lain telah meeting and an independent UN ditahan oleh pemerintahan Burma pada 9 Ogos 1998. Ketika inquiry into the US air-strike that itu mereka sedang berlepas dari Yangon selepas menghadiri destroyed a pharmaceutical plant satu perhimpunan "Solidarity" di bandar tersebut untuk near Khartoum. Such an inquiry memperingati pembunuhan penuntut-penuntut Bunna yang is all the more pressing especially berlaku pada tahun 1988. Warga-warga Malaysia ini adalah: after a British engineer who had I worked at the plant refuted a US Johnson Chong I

Aliran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 18 would have resigned. But, this is Malaysia, remember? Actually, around the time of the "virtua1 riots" in Chow Kit, there was an­ other wicked rumour circulating among political circles that Anwar had resigned. Fortu­ nately, not many politicians know how to use the computer, let alone the Internet, otherwise, they would have been among the rumour-mongers picked up by the police.

If those two incidents are not enough to do in his political ca­ reer, there is the fact that the im­ portant economic decision-mak­ Whither Anwar? visualise An war Ibrallim as Dr ing of the day has been placed in Mahathir's successor. the hands of an arch rival, Daim Poor, poor Anwar. Wasn't it only Zainuddin, who has rejoined the a year ago tl1at he seemed just a For a start, the economy went Cabinet as Special Functions breath away from the bust and with that went the foun­ Minister. premiership, not to mention, the dation on which so many politi­ toast of the foreign media (yes, cal dreams are spun. Then, along In fact, it is not known what ex­ the wicked foreign media), the came that terrible, terrible book actly Anwar's duties are as Fi­ shining hope of Malaysians called '50 Dalil mengapa Anwar nance Minister these days and he (okay, okay, maybe not all Malay­ fidak boleh menjadi himself seems to sians), the Renaissance Man? PM (50 Reasons be in the dark. For n1ere did not seem to be any­ why Anwar can­ instance, he was thing that he could not do or not become Prime said to have told hurdles he could not cross. Even Minister)', whose Daim to "pakailah gossip of a sex scandal did not ap­ author has been pejabat saya (use pear to affect his political stand­ charged with my office)" shortly ing. They peeled off like omelette falsely accusing after the latter's off a Teflan pan. Everybody Anwar of having Cabinet appoint­ wanted to know him, this future fathered an anak ment. It is not Prime Minister of Malaysia. haram (illegitimate known whether child) through an he was being gen­ Besides, he was so different from a Ueged liaison erous to his rival Dr Mallathir.l-Ie did not drone on with a married Anwar: What exactly are his duties? or sarcastic about about theMultimeclia Super Cor­ woman. On the his own situation. ridor or Langkawi or same day, S. Nallakaruppan, a globalisation. Instead, he had close friend of his and a Datuk no And one of the more direct of the time for lofty ideas like civil soci­ less, was charged with illegally messages being beamed to this ety and great Asian thinkers. But possessing bullets in his swank former student rebel is the sack- as they are fond of saying about Bukit Tunku home. ing of his cronies in the media. this fascinating game of politics, There is now, not a single news­ a week is a long time in politics, In a more honourable society, paper or TV station whose chief what more, a year. Yes, so much both incidents some would ar­ is aligned to him. Instead, has happened in the last one year gue, would have caused such a Mallathir has stacked the media, that it seems much harder to loss of face that the public figure particularly, the two key Malay

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 19 newspapers in the country with and saw the economic crisis as not seem forthcoming these days; men obedient to him alone. well as neighbouring changes in hence, the notion that Anwar leadership as an opportunity to may no longer be 'the chosen Thus, there is now no need to buy break down the last big door. one'. several newspapers to glean dif­ ferent political slants in reports. They completely underestimated It's amazing how this larger than One paper serves all - exactly the Mahathir's staying power and life image of Anwar has dimin­ sort of thing we need in a time of pliant nature of UMNO's general ished almost overnight. But then, kegawatan ekonomi. For others, it body. The former proved to be there have been many who won­ is a sad, sad day for Malaysian much harder to remove than dered, even when Anwar seemed journalism. thought whereas the latter to be living a charmed life, who proved to be too easily swayed. the real Anwar was, what lay be­ Now, how did things between Of course, there are others who neath this smooth-talking, suave "father and son" come to this prefer more global finger-point­ and politically-correct man who stage? Many blame UMNO ing and who are blaming, among elocuted Asian civilisations in the Youth's Zahid Hamidi for his bull others, George Soros, Suharto morning, commiserated about in a china shop approach to the and the foreign media! poverty in the afternoon, held nepotism-cronyism issue. He did captive political audiences in the not do his homework and he Nevertheless, it is amazing how evening and intellectualised with backed out at the last moment, the Anwar political wagon has the literati into the night. they said. crumbled like a house of cards. The special aura that had sur­ Yes, he came across as a truly ex­ Actually, those who know Zabid rounded him seems to have ceptional man, someone whose said he was very well prepared evaporated, the media has head, heart and soul seemed in and the list he had been gearing stopped discoing around him perfect harmony. Yet, there are up to release contained names and, it is said, those who used to also those who have met him and closely associated to mega enjoy being seen rubbing shoul­ found him strangely unreflective projects and to the PM and Daim. ders with a future PM have dis­ of all those philosophical books A few hints: highways, airplanes, tanced themselves from him. from which he loves to quote in skyscrapers. Even after the noto­ Power, can be fleeting for some - his speeches and not quite these­ rious "cronies list" was released perhaps, that's why those who rious thinker that he appears to at the UMNO assembly, Zahid have it often use it to the hilt be. was said to be preparing to dem­ while it lasts. onstrate that the combined worth Infact, those who knew him dur­ of the privatised projects going to Almost every other day, one ing his ABIM days would say that all those Malay businessmen was hears Anwar pledging support he was no longer the Anwar they much, much less than that of the for Mahathir - his guru, as he knew. Yes, people change, so why mega projects which had been claims. No contest, no nepotism not Anwar, particularly, given the dished outto the Mahathir-Daim and no cronyism, all 11 Penang sort of life he has chosen? But, the cronies. divisions will nominate Dr M for point is, there have been more UMNO president. How different than a few who have, over the Why did he then restrain him­ a tune he is singing these days! years, begun to wonder who the self? The answer, they say, lies real Anwar is. with Anwar who allegedly is­ The trouble (for poor, poor sued an eleventh hour retreat Anwar) is that Mahathir doesn't They wonder whether Anwar, command. Others say Zahid was seem to be singing the same kind the former stude11t rebel and Is­ merely a pawn and as such of tune. In the past, such pledges lamic activist, was perhaps a crea­ should not bear the blame. The ofloyalty from Anwar used to be ture of the media, half-real, half real blame, they say, lies with reciprocated by the so-called fictionalised, a product of meticu­ those known as the "Anwar guru with assurances that Anwar lous packaging by an elaborate boys". They had grown too im­ would take over from him- one team of political managers, image patient with waiting in the wings of these days. Such assurances do builders and clever speech-writ

Aliran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 20 ers. In short, an elaborate politi­ What Rubbish! ernment must have felt really ca I commodity. Is he? The weeks pleased with the media. to come may provide an answer. The lack of public response to the Mahathir, for instance, was Bersih dan Indah (Clean and Beau­ peeved about local media reports ***** tiful) campaign has b~:.-en identi­ on the KLIA fiasco but grew a Sedapnya, Semarak fied as the reason why the little more cheerful after Hong - campaign's objectives have not Kong's Chek Lap Kok also began Dr M's state-by-state tour- dur­ been met, the Housing and Local experiencing teething fiascos.

ingwhichhe will, without fail, hit Government Minister was re­ The local media1 in an effort to out at those wicked foreigners cently quoted as saying. Good further please the master, went to (fund managers, media, govern­ grief, what is it about politics that extensive lengths in reporting ments) - has been interpreted by it attracts people like this? The how, at Chek Lap Kok, cargo lay some as a signal for an early gen­ above takes the cake for the most rotting, baggage went missing, eral election. Not really, say oth­ lame and banal of excuses. Such flights were delayed or cancelled ers. It's just his OW11 version of a a campaign was launched pre­ and toilets did not work while road-show to explain to the cisely because the public was not passengers fumed or got lost be­ people his thoughts on subjects doing its part to keep the envi­ cause of poor sign-boards. ranging from the economy to ronment clean and beautiful. And politics and, of course, foreigners. now that the campaign has not If you were forced to use the worked out, the Ministry has KLIA in its first opening weeks, Some people think he would be blandly identified public apathy Chek Lap Kok's woes may sound doing Malaysians a Jot more for its failure. Little wonder the all too familiar. Everything that good by staying put in his office, environment is the way it is. could have gone wrong went tinkering with his computer or wrong on the KLIA' s first day thinkiJ1g deep thoughts abouthis ***** and continued for several days MSC. The less he opens his Railing after except that the media was mouth about the economy, the at each other so cowed by the displeasure of its better because his undisguised master, that it decided to take resentment of foreigners makes it It used to be that high drama at what it claims to be a "positive all too clear that he is angry as railway stations happened only approach" to the KLIA. And to hell that the fund managers are in the movies or fiction novels. prove that the KLIA fiasco is not hardly responding to the recov­ Not really, as proven by the high­ a Malaysia Tak Boleh syndrome, ery measures drawn up by the profile quarrel between Malaysia the media also took pains to high­ NEAC. and Singapore over Tanjung light screw-ups at other interna­ Pagar. For more than a week, they tional airports when they opened At the same time, he cannot bring argued, accused and counter-ac­ for business, including Changi himself to be more reconciliatory cused, traded insults, called each Airport- because Singapore was about the very people whose help other names and threatened one apparently jealous of us and its he needs to revive the Malaysian another and all through the me­ media had gone to town with re­ economy and, more important, to dia. This was definitely a media­ ports on the KUA. (Oh, oh! That enable him to win another gen­ conducted quarrel In fact, some means we must have been wildly eral election with a convincing thought that the media helped jealous of Chek Lap Kok!) majority. Perhaps his political fuel the dispute. The view is not crony Sanusi Junid, who has entirely without basis because But then, some contend, could we come up with another wacky both the Singaporean and Malay­ have expected anything less at idea - teaching husbands how to sian media are beholden to the our new international airport romance their wives - should powers-that-be and boy, did they with Dr Ling as Transport Minis­ conduct a lesson or two to help echo their masters' voices. ter. One would have thought that Dr M to woo back those foreign he would have been fired as investors. Presumably, this was one of the Transport Minister after not one few instances in the last few but two fires at Subang Airport ***** months that the Malaysian gov- and one, to date, at the KLIA.

Aliran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Poge 21 Thanks to his fiery leadership has an important role to play in viewed by some as anywhere in­ MAB (Malaysia Airports Bhd) is instilling political and economic tellectual nor an expert on the often thought to stand for confidence among citizens and economy. Mungkin Akan Bakar (may go up foreign investors. in flames). Even the obedient media did not The recent changes in the me­ pretend to project him as any­ * * * * *· dia are unlikely to bolster such thing more than a grassroots Pre se confidence and the most recent politician who likes to keep example was probably the way things simple. Nevertheless, the Actually, Mahathir was very rumours of riots in Chow Kit man is travelling the country tell­ unhappy over the way the me­ spread like flames on parched ing people to spend wisely (per­ dia had been reporting the eco­ grass despite news reports haps, he should, keep the advice nomic crisis. Negative, was his quoting the polke and other for his own family); grow their complaint about reports on the figures that Chow Kit was calm own vegetables; support the gov­ economy and this, after all and normal. A large part of the ernment; don't change leaders; those reports quoting him as public scepticism stemmed stay united and loyal. It's truly saying that the economy would from the media's lack of cred­ scary, the thought that this man recover in "three months", "six ibility - it had, after all, been was once second in line to the months", "soon''. He also be­ told to refrain from negative premiership. rated the media for its "exces­ reports - and a certain lack of sive interest" in politics instead confidence in public statements ***** of the country's economic re­ from the authorities. And this The n u ty Chik covery (he may not have no­ is a growing and highly danger­ ticed but, of late, there has been ous trend among a large num­ Well, one bad tum deserves an­ more happening on the politi­ ber of Malaysians - the ten­ other. So, Sabbaruddin Chik quite cal scene than the economy). dency to regard rumours and heroically avenged Lee Kuan Neither did he like media re­ gossip as the "truth" that the Yew's insensitive remarks about ports regarding the Indonesian mainstream media do not dare Johor Baru with an equally ill­ political upheaval and report. thought oul allegalion lhat Suharto's ouster (and we know Singaporeans were trying to play why, for the Indonesian event Thus, we have a situation where us out of the tourism route. Way struck too close to home). innocent members of the public to go, Sabbaruddin! Match blame the rurnour-mongers, the thoughtlessness with thought­ Yes, it was the season of discon­ rumour-mongers blame a less­ lessness. tent for Mahathir where the me­ than-honest media and, well, the dia were concerned. Even then, media does NOT dare blame But, unlike the Senior Minister, many were surprised by the me­ Mahathir. our Tourism Minister refused to dia shake-up. If not for anything apologise. And why should he? else, the swiftness and directness ***** Malaysia is bigger than with which it was done shows Yawn! Singapore, we control the water how determined Mahathir is to you need from us, we have more stay where he is. Who cares what We know its a venerated Asian people than you, our tallest the international community value that we should respect our building is taller than your tall­ thinks. After all, he has taken on elders but even values have their est building, our Prime Minister people from the monarchy to the limits. And that limit is being has been in power longer than judiciary. What are a few news­ tested to breaking point with yours, our roads have more cars papers and a TV station? A lot, Ghafar Baba's nation-wide tour and our politicians are richer and actually, as far as democratic ide­ to explain the economic crisis to carry more money than theirs als are concerned. The freedom UMNO members. In the first when abroad. There! So don't enjoyed by the press is a good place, Ghafar, though one of the push us around. We won't indicator of the degree of democ­ more likeable politicians during apologise! racy in a country. A free press also his time, was never at any time NNP

Aliran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 22 The Kampong Rawa incident: 1 Penang Chief Minister's CHIEF MINISTER'S OFFICE 10502 KOMTAR I Office responds PENANG, MALAYSIA

In the interest ofgreater transparency tn1er tire recent Ktn,ong Rmoa incident we welcome this clarifica­ tion from the Pnumg Chief Minister's office. -Editor

our detailed article in the State Government's deci­ g the May 1998 issue on sion to fence off the events leading to the unauthorised temple until it Kampong Rawa incident was could be relocated and to dis­ very timely. We agree that the allow any person into the incident shows the difficulties temple during that time. in dealing with sensitive infor­ been read by many as mean­ mation during a crisis of this It also mentioned that the ing that the State Government nature. However, whether or temple committee agreed to had agreed to the MIC lead­ not complete transparency this plan reluctantly but that ers' appeal for daily prayers to should be practised under the MIC leaders "assured be conducted, then acted in­ such circumstances remains a them that they would seek consistently by fencing up the question to be addressed. permission for aarti or prayers temple to make such prayers to be conducted once a day." impossible. This is contrary to However, an important point the facts. needs clarification. We hope This was followed by your that you will kindly print this description of how "less than In fact, actions by the MPPP clarification. Your account three hours after the discus­ workers were in strict accor­ implied that State authorities sion, the temple devotees dance with decisions made at went back on their words to were shocked when MPPP con­ the emergency State Security the Hindu community and tractors, escorted by police, Council meeting on the this led to their reaction to arrived and promptly sealed evening of 21 March 1998, "rash" government actions. off the temple. No doorway when the Chief Minister dis­ was constructed, denying ac­ cussed the situation thor­ Your article stated that Dr cess to the temple completely. oughly with the Deputy Chief Rajapathy and Dato The temple grounds were also Minister, the State Secretary Vijayanathanspoke to Hindus fenced up completely''. and the police. gathered in Kampong Rawa on 23 March 1998 to explain These two paragraphs have These decisions, including

Aliran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 23 that to fence up the temple, result, it is understandable were communicated to top that they felt shocked by the MIC leaders, including Dato way the temple was fenced up THE STARFISH Seri Samy Vellu, that very later that afternoon. night. At this point in time, An old man was picking there was no mention·of aarti. It is important to record this up objects off the beach sequence of events accurately and tossing them out Only in the afternoon of 23 because the way your article into the sea. March, after discussions with was written about this aspect the temple committee, did Dr raised some confusion regard­ A young man ap­ Rajapathy call the Chief Min­ ing: proached him and saw ister to appeal to him and the that the objects were police to allow for daily What was decided by the State starfish. prayers to be conducted. A Government and communi­ meeting amongst the Chief cated to the Hindu leaders on "Why in the world are Minister, the police and Hindu 22 and 23 March 1998; and you throwing starfish leaders (including temple What was understood by the into the water?" chairman Mr Gunasegaran, temple devotees when they Dato K Vijayanthan, Mr witnessed the MPPP fencing "If the starfish are still Letchumanasamy and Mr off the temple in the late after­ on the beach when the Shanmugam) was convened noon of 23 March 1998. tide goes out and the to discuss the appeal and sun rises high in the sky. other rna tters related to the is­ As a result, quite a number of they will die/' replied sue. the Hindu readers of your ar­ the oldman. ticle had the impression that After much discussion, the the government had broken a "That is ridiculous. police did not agree to the ap­ promise made to the devotees There are thousands of peal for daily prayers to be after presumably having miles of beach and mil­ held because of the tense and granted them permission to lions of starfish. uncertain security scenario. perform aarti at the temple. You cant really believe Following this outcome, the This was not the case. The that what you're doing Hindu leaders present then State Government never made could possibly make a said that they would, by them­ such a "promise." The police difference." selves, meet and work out a disallowed prayers to be held solution with the mosque in the interest of public secu­ The wise old man committee over the issue of rity in the face of a tense sce­ picked up another star­ daily prayers at the How­ nario. It is only fair to set the !cui/. fish, paused thought­ ever, such a meeting was record straight now that the fully, and remarked as never held due to escalating crisis is resolved. he tossed it out into the tension. waves: Apparently, the temple devo­ "It makes a difference to tees had not been informed this one". clearly and adequately, if at CHEANG CHEE GOO! all, of the outcome of the ap- Special Assistant To peal by Hindu leaders. As a The Chief Minister of Penang

Ali ron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 2.4 No Thanks to Baclawi

liran is relieved that the Philippines President Estrada, for In contrast to the concern and 18 pro-democracy activ- instance, when informed of the urgency shovvn by other gov­ llists who were arrested arrests, reportedly said, "Get the ernments towards the plight of and detained on 9 Au- Filipinos out of jail." The Philip­ their respective nationals de­ gust 1998 have been released to pines ambassador to Burma tained in Burma, Malaysian of­ be depmted out of Burma. ficials on the other hand Their release was made pos­ were conspicuously sub­ sible through the intense ef­ dued. They seemed to go forts of their families and along with statements friends, various NGOs, and made by the Bunnese mili­ the governments and embas­ tary regime. They seemed sies of Thailand, the Philip­ not to care about the pines, Australia, the United trauma suffered by fami­ States, and Indonesia. lies and friends of the Ma­ laysians detained. They It is very significant that the were not seen to be press­ Malaysian government and ing for the release of the its embassy in Burma, in Malaysian nationals. contrast to their counter­ parts, hardly played a role in Malaysians must be terri­ obtaining the release of the bly disappointed with Malaysians must be terribly disappointed with him. three Malaysian nationals. Badawi. His Ministry's in­ In fact, Foreign Minister made this her priority. action in this sordid affair must Abdullah Ahmad Badawi have left Malaysians aghast and claimed that he found it "diffi­ Thai Foreign Minister Surin pub­ dumbfounded. Clearly, our cult to sympathise with Malay­ licly adopted the position that the Malaysians were abandoned to sians who go to other countries 18 had not done anything wrong their fate in what would appear and consciously create trouble by handing out goodwill mes­ to be a shameful expression of or break the laws there." sages and therefore should be re­ solidarity with the Burmese leased. The Australian and military junta. For the Minister, Wis:ma Putra, American governments have and the Malaysian Embassy in openly supported the actions of The sad fact in this episode seems Burma, the three Malaysians ap­ the 18 and called for their release. to suggest that while the other parently went there to create nationals could depend solidly trouble and broke Burmese laws TI1e Indonesian ambassador sent on their respective governments - echoing the allegations of cer­ two requests, one personal and for their protection and security, tain Burmese generals. one formal, requesting the release our nationals, on the other hand, of the detainees. Various arrange­ were sadly deprived ofthis privi­ In contrast, the other govern­ ments were also undertaken in­ lege as citizens. ments whose nationals had also cluding the use of his handphone been detained strived from the to facilitate contact between the P Ramakrislman start to secure the immediate re­ detainees and their families in President lease of the detainees. Indonesia. 15 August 1998

Ali ron Monthly September 1998: 18{8) Page 25 Trampling on human rights

Malaysian activists share their experience of detention in Burma and their dissapointment over the lack of support from the Malaysian embassy in Rangoon.

e went to Rangoon, word in public. In another in­ distributed cards, we were Burma, together with stance, when we asked a taxi merely exercising our right to 15 others from five driver to take us to a destination freedom of opinion and expres­ other nations, with the near Aung San Suu Kyi's resi­ sion. That, however, was con­ intention of showing our soli­ dence, he purposely avoided strued as a crime. Further, one darity with the people of of the reasons given by Burma and expressing the military regime for ac­ our support for their cusing us of committing hopes for human rights a crime was that the cards and democracy. We did were supportive of the this by distributing cards opposition, the National with a goodwill message League for Democracy in Rangoon. Unfortu­ (NLD)- which shows that nately, the Burmese mm­ the right to freedom of as­ tary regime construed sociation is also not our gesture of goodwill recognised in Burma. An­ as an attempt to incite so­ other glaring abuse of hu­ cial unrest. man rights was the fact that we were not ac­ The junta's overreaction corded a fair trial to our action reflects the desperate social and po­ First, we were not given litical situation in Burma. the benefit of legal coun­ The lack of activity on 8 sel at the trial. Second, we August 1998, the lOth an­ were only informed of the niversary of the military trial on the day itself and crackdown on the pro-democ­ passing her house and gestured we were only formally charged racy movement, is not a testa­ to indicate that we might be shot at the beginning of the trial. ment of peace and stability in if we passed through that way. Thus, we were not given the op­ Burma. On the contrary, the And not only was her house portunity to prepare our de­ Burmese people are living in heavily guarded, there was also fence. Third, the whole trial was fear of the military regime and a military and/ or police pres­ conducted in Burmese and only are forced to suffer in silence. ence on almost every street in brief translations of the proceed­ For example, when one of us Rangoon. ings were given to us. There mentioned the word "democ­ were instances where certain racy", a terrified Burmese tour Our experience confirms that witnesses testified for more than guide was quick to indicate that the junta tramples on human an hour but the translation to us we were not to mention that rights with impunity. When we took no more than two minutes.

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Poge 26 Last, but not least, when we were asked whether we pleaded guilty or not, the judge did not even allow us to respond. He simply presumed we would plead guilty and walked out of the court. WHAT OTHERS SAID He came back minutes later with a judgement that appeared to haye been prepared before the trial itself. These are only some of the irregulari­ "I wish to express my deep concern ties that we observed during the course of the over this matter. I request the gov­ trial. ernment of Myanmar to respect the rights of the two Filipinos and ensure We were glad to see that most of the nations in­ their safety and humane treatment." volved were very supportive of their nationals. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for our " ... get the Filipinos out of jail." government. Out of the six nations involved, our embassy was the only one that did not bring any - Philippines' President Joseph Estrtlda provisions for us when its officials visited. And when we met the delegates from the Malaysian embassy in Rangoon on Tuesday evening, one of us asked whether any of our family or friends ''We very much hope she {an Austra­ had contacted them. Instead of giving us a posi­ lian citizen) will be released before tive answer, we were given an evasive answer too long, it is important to us that she and we were asked who our friends were. is released and that she is able to re­ turn unhindered to Australia should After the Home Ministry of Burma ordered the she wish to." suspension of the sentence( a Burmese foreign ministry spokesperson asked the embassies of the - Australian Foreign Affairs Minister six nations to arrange for our flights back to our Dot.oner respective nations. Disappointingly, a Malaysian official asked us to make our own arrangements. They only agreed to try to make arrangements " ... we are concerned that this will for us after we requested them to do so. make a bad image for Myanmar and lead to more international criticism." In addition, the embassy did not give to us all the messages from our families and friends. - Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman When the embassy staff saw us off at the airport, Kobsak Chutikul they gave us the lame excuse that they had for­ gotten to bring the faxes with them. We are very disappointed with the Malaysian government and the embassy in Rangoon. 'We're really concerned about gef­ Anyway, we thank everyone who supported us ting them out. And we've made that and worked hard to fight for our freedom. We very clear to the Burmese authori­ also remind everyone that the fight for human ties." rights and democracy in Burma is far from over; therefore, the international community should - US Diplomllt fames Foley help and support the people of Burma in their fight for human rights and democracy.

17 August 1998

Ali ran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 27 in Malaysia and at the same time providing local companies with work for their employees, who are now facing the possibility of retrenchment.

Buy Malaysian Joltor Bartt

Follow Fan's foot-steps

It is heartening to hear that prominent social activist and former DAP acting secretary­ general Fan Yew Teng has been .invited to join the party "to fight for the rights of the people and Letters should preferably be no more than 250 words and must in­ justice." clude the writer's name and address. Shorter letters will be preferred and pseudonyms may be used. Letters should be addressed to The I hope he will accept the invita­ Editor, ALIRAN MONTHLY, P.O. Box 1049, 10830 Penang, Malaysia. tion extended to him and work Views expressed need not necessarily reflect those of Aliran. for a stronger opposition. The country now needs it!

PETRONAS manufacturers in Malaysia who Yes, he had differences with the should have bought are capable of manufacturing DAP leadership 20 years ago. But local "' not Imported them to international certifica­ times have changed. People are • boilers tions? more enlightened. During the present economic cri­ Probably, some of the compo­ The people have seen taxpayers' sis, a logical step to be taken by nents for the boilers and certain money squandered on graniose any loyal Malaysian firm, espe­ raw materials need to be im­ projects, which have been cially large public corporations, ported. However, the complete shelved. This lack of foresight is to buy local products and not boilers need not be imported at has contributed, in large mea­ to import capital goods if they are all. sure, to our present economic available locally. downturn. Yes, some may argue Malaysian made boilers have that our present economic tur­ However, this message seems to been exported to the UK by moil is regional or even global, be ignored by Petronas, a cash­ Malaysia's leading boiler manu­ but that's not the point. If tax­ rich Malaysian firm that can help facturing company as reported in payers' money had not been reck­ a great deal in the revival of the the local newspapers earlier this lessly squandered, our present economy. year. When Malaysian-made economic situation would not be boilers are accepted in the UK, that bad! So much money went Petronas is believed to have re­ there is no reason for Petronas not down the river of no return. cently purchased three 20MT I to use them in Malaysia. HR packaged fire tube steam The only legitimate way to curb boilers for its Central Utilities By placing orders with local further extravagant expenditure Facilities in Kertih from a UK­ boiler manufacturing companies, is by voting for a stronger oppo­ based company. If true, why Petronas would have done a sition in parliament. should Petronas import such great service to Malaysia by re­ boilers when there are boiler taining a large portion of its funds Those who have left a party that

Ali ran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Poge 28 can fight for the rights of the Based on the same principle, we Mercedes cars that they have people for whatever reasons and should just allow Singapore to been using in carrying out their those who are putting obstacles take back what is in their place. public duties. to such a party, should think Since the properties in question twice and follow in Fan's foot­ are rightfully ours, Singapore In a recent example, Tsaw a State steps. should pay for them. We don't Assembly Member coming in his have to wait 999 years to do what Mercedes to an MIC Youth blood Ee Kim Chye is right Since Singapore is not donation programme in Johor Petzang willing to wait that long, we have Baru. You can also see many MIC the upperhand and the ball is in state leaders, not to mention their Malaysia-Singapore our court. big Boss, with their 320 series Spat : Don •t resurrect Mercedes cars. Before asking the 11 This is pure business and there is public to use local products Water Ghost" no place for sentiment. Even our please check your own homes; Prime Minister voiced that before look at your expensive imported I feel some goodwill and com­ when some quarters were not products like electronic equip­ mon sense should prevail among happy that one of our national ment, clothing and furniture. All our leaders when they comment treasures, the Stadium Merdeka, the ministers should set an ex­ on the Tanjong Pagar Customs, was to be torn down. ample to the people; no point Immigration and Quarantine is­ preaching what you don't prac­ sue. They shouldn't go over­ Therefore, let us be progressive tise. board or be too emotional as and not practise double stan­ words that are spoken can never dards. I hope that we will also Socialist be retracted. not be childish by resurrecting Johor Baro the 'Water Ghost" each time we f realise that we Malaysians still have differences of opinion with Unclerstanding have some sort of attachment and Singapore. nepotism feeling towards Singapore, al­ and cronyism though both countries have Hodu In a wider context parted ways more than three de­ Sungai Buloh, Selangor cades ago. Nepotism and cronyism are com­ plex issues. They cannot be Let us assume that Singapore Buy Malaysian : viewed in isolation from the type wants back its properties. Now, Politicians should of political authority and from is that really bad and arrogant of dump their the administrative and legislative it? Let us put ourselves in their Mercedes systems. The foJlowing need to shoes. Would it be agreeable on be analysed toowhen discussing our part if Thailand owns and We, taxpayers, are being fooled cronyism and nepotism: runs a railway line right to the about the actual cause of the southern-most part of our moth­ econonic crisis. Our ministers • The peoples perception of the erland? always blame the West for trying Prime Minister's influence on to sabotage Asians. public and business institu­ Will we keep quiet and accept tions, in which professional­ things as they are? I do not think Colonialism is over but hypoc­ ism and veneration of author­ so. As I recall, some time ago we risy, nepotism and cronyism have ity are in possible collision; insisted that the British govern­ succeeded. The same ministers ment return Carcosa, which we are calling all Malaysians to use • The line of authority within had earlier given to them as a gift. local products. These leaders the structures of government Probably we did that because of must set an example to the agencies, where there couldbe the principle that what is in our people. Ask all the ministers, a concentration of power; country is ours only. I am not MPs and high-ranking civil ser­ saying that it is bad. vants to get rid of all their • The ambiguous relationship

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 29 between politics and business; public sectors." math of the disturbances at ille­ gal immigrants detention centres, • Existing laws that strcnghten This is an excellent move and will the authorities main concern was the power of the elite in decid­ be welcomed by everyone. But not to ascertain the cause of the ing the flow of vital informa­ the question is will this grandoise disturbances but to find out how tion -laws such as the Official announcement be implemented? the foreign media got hold of the Secrets Act and the1'rinting Is this mere Up-service? Can photographs of the disturbances. Presses and Publications Act there be real transparency with so that retard the growth of in­ many restrictive laws in place? Lim Guan Eng's case was of vestigative journalism. Some of these laws are the Inter­ course the cause celebre where the nal Security Act (ISA), the Offi­ alleged wrongdoer got away The demand for transparency is cial Secrets Act (OSA), the Sedi­ scot-free (the Attorney General meaningless unless the current tion Act (SA) and the Printing even withdrew a charge against weaknesses in the political, ad­ Presses and Publications Act the alleged wrongdoer) while the ministrative and legislative sys­ (PPPA). person who exposed the alleged tems are properly scrutinised. wrongdoer is being severely pun­ These laws have been used to ished. These issues should be curtail transparency. They are a analysed by Malaysians within tremendous drawback to anyone Unfortunately, Dr. Mahathir the democratic and constitu­ who wants to promote transpar­ Mohamad got it all wrong when tional framework of our coun­ ency. It is only illiberal regimes he said that when ministers and try. It is unfair to say that those that seek to control and filter Mentri Besars were convicted, who have brought up the alle­ what the public should see, hear they were given stiff sentences gations of nepotism and or read. whereas when a member of the cronyism should come up with opposition party was found evidence when there is a restric­ It is because of self-censorship guilty he was given a light sen­ tion on the flow of vital infor­ that Malaysians prefer to rely on tence (New Straits Times, 7 April mation and an absence of legal the foreign media for credible in­ 1998). safeguards to protect the press formation about their own coun­ and individuals from prosecu­ try. And it is also because of self­ With due respect, Mr. Prime Min­ tion if they do come up with censorship that rurnour mongers ister, these ministers and Mentri evidence. have such a field day. Besars were convicted for corrupt activities, abuse of power, and Ronald Benjamin Transparency is synonymous other wrongdoings. They be­ Ipoh with free speech and the free flow trayed the trust of the people who of information. It also means that elected them. Lim was convicted Restrictive laws those who are involved in wrong­ for exposing an alleged wrong­ will only doings risk being exposed re­ doer. There is no comparison stifle transparency gardless of their status. between the two situations.

Malaysians were delighted to Instead of investigating a com­ Lim made a classic statement read of the government's an­ plaint, the trend now is for the about transparency when he said nouncement that transparency authorities to lodge a police re­ "self-<:ensorship has been refined requirements would be port against the complainant and to such an art that censors tigthened both in the private to investigate him or her. The couldn't do a better job". and public sectors. Deputy Tenaganita case and inadequate Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attention in cases of domestic vio­ Transparency can help wipe out said in Parliament on24 March lence are just a couple of ex­ corruption and abuse of power. 1998 that "the government re­ amples of such a tendency. If the authorities are sincere in mains fully committed to en­ creating a transparent society, suring transparency in the op­ The New Straits Times was also a then they should encourage the erations of both the private and victim of this trend. In the after- media and others to freely pub-

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 30 lish accurate and truthful infor­ tributed to Ma hathir, the value of media for more objective r~ports. mation. The Parliamentary Op­ the ringgit against the dollar These sources of information, position and other concerned dropped sharply and a group of however, are only available to the organisations should also be al­ Congress members from the minority who can afford them. lowed access to the electronic United States formally petitioned media to express th:D' views. the premier for an apology. To It seems Mahathir is taking ad­ me, therefore, it is as plain as day­ vantage of the situation to score Those whose job it is to expose light that the publishers and edi­ political points. From the way he wrongdoings should be allowed tors of the dailies have a far more rallied the crowds in Johor Baru, to carry out their functions with­ serious case to answer than the one could be forgiven for think­ out fear or favour. A freedom of hapless author. ing that Malaysia was in the Information Act should be en­ midst of a general election. He acted to encourage this process. Fairplay is, obviously, using the issue to Clteras, Selattgor divert attention away from Vijayaram Krishnan Malaysia's economic and social Kuala Lumpttr The Malaysia· problems. What better way to Singapore Spat ancl garner support than to unite the Meclia 111allgnecl local politics people against a common en­ Mahathlr emy? It is distressing to note that dis­ I note that the authorities are putes between Malaysia and Instead of taking advantage of prosecuting author Khalid Jaffri Singapore seem to be on the rise. the situaiton, he should be urg­ "for spreading false news" and Instead of squabbling, the two ing Malaysians to remain calm for allegedly libelling Deputy neighbours should be developing and not to bear any ill feelings Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a better relationship. towards their neighbours as that the book he has written. will not benefit either country. Regardless of whether we are But of course, it benefits the rul­ Their action, however, raises a Malaysians or Singaporeans, we ing elite tremendously. curious anomaly. About two must be objective about the issues years ago, all the major dailies in involved. That would, of course, If one decides to take a stand on both East and West Malaysia car­ be easier if the media of both the issue, then one should study ried a statement purportedly countries report the situation ac­ the situation thoroughly- from a from Dr. Mahathir to the effect curately and fairly- without fear historical and contemporary per­ that there was an international or favour. spective. More importantly, one conspiracy among the Jews to should objectively consider the ruin Muslim countries like Ma­ The governments of both coun­ arguments put forward by both laysia. This piece of anti­ tries, however, have strong hands sides and separate the wheat Semitism was vigorously repudi­ on their respective local media. from the chaff. ated by the Prime Minister. Their control of the media is two­ fold; through repressive laws and It would be very unfortunate if Since Dr. Mahathir's scrupulous through ownership (direct and relations among our regard for the truth is well­ indirect). Hence, it is doubtful neighbouring countries are known, it is obvious that the that the reports in each country soured simply because govern­ newspapers have grossly ma­ are objective. ments take advantage of the situ­ ligned him. What's more, they ation to score political points. have portrayed him to the world The situation is further exacer­ The people should not let their as a third-rate racist. bated by the fact that the ordinary so-called leaders manipulate the Malaysian or Singaporean has situation and, thus, sour bilateral The Attorney-General cannot limited access to the other relations. pretend to be ignorant of the fact country's media, which presents that immediately following the an alternative view. They often Jonson Chong publication of the statement at- have to resort to the international Petaling Jaya

Aliran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 31 But there could be a redeeming feature in this saga. I tis not uncommon for some countries to mark their Independence or National Day by announcing an amnesty for their prisoners. This is a very noble and caring custom that Malaysia should consider practising.

ln this connection, Aliran, in all humility, would like to appeal to His Gracious Majesty, the Yang Dipertuan Agong, in all compassion, to grant a fu 11 pardon to Lim on 31 August 1998 in the :inter­ Aliran is appalled that Lim Guan Eng's appeal has est of justice. This would be someth:ing that many been rejected by the Federal Court, which upheld Malaysians would welcome on this auspicious day. the Court of Appeal's controversial sentence of two concurrent 18-month prison terms for 'sedition' and P Ramakrishnan 'publishing false news'. Many Malaysians will be President terribly disappointed and stunned by the verdict. Aliran 25August 1998 Thinking, feeling, caring Malaysians find it diffi­ cult to understand why a fair and reasonable r-e­ quest to have his appeal heard by a seven-man or five-man bench was turned down. Allowing a larger bench to consider Lim's case would have effectively demolished the perception amongmany that Lim's prosecution was politically motivated. This perception will now persist.

The verdict is a terrible blow to the freedom of ex­ pression -a fundamental human right :in a civil so- Today is a black day for justice in Malaysia. ciety. People will now be reluctant to speak up - because of oppressive laws -against instances of Today the Federal Court has virtually removed injustice affecting the poor and the downtrodden, every Malaysian's right to freedom of expression. who will end up as unrepresented, voiceless citi- zens. From this evening, Lim Guan Eng, the DAP Mem- ber of Parliament for Kota Me]aka, will be spend­ Many Malaysians feel that Lim, a Member of Par- ing the next one and a half years in prison, after liament, was articulating their aspirations and ex- the Federal Court reaffirmed the sentence of 18 pressing outrage on their behalf over the statutory months on him. rape of a minor. The victim had, :in open court, named the culprit but Malaysians are baffled as to His 'crime'? Exercis:ing his right to freedom of ex­ why this lead was not followed through by the pression and acting on his responsibilities as an authorities but they went all the way to punish Lim. elected representative of the people, when he pointed out the selective prosecution of the case in .fu the end, the victim is not only Lim Guan Eng question: why former Chief Minister of Melaka, but also Justice itself. Today, 25 August, will go Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik was not prosecuted and down in Malaysian history as a day of infamy when why the statutory rape of a young girl warranted an outspoken crusader for justice had to pay an her detention. enormous price for acting according to his con- science. The message sent out to aU Malaysians today is sim-

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 32 ply this: You cannot question the crimes of 18 months imprisonment on 2 charges. UMNO's golden boys; and oppressive laws such as the Sedition Act 1948 and the Printing Presses The Judgment of the Federal Court, which has to and Publications Act 1984 will be enforced by the be taken as a statement of the present law on the judiciary. scope and limits on the right to comment on mat­ ters of public interest, will have a restrictive and SUARAM had hopoo that the Federal Court would dampening effect generally on freedom of speech. uphold the freedom of expression by dismissing all charges against Lim. It was a hope in vain, after Therefore, there is an urgent need to liberalise our the Federal Court dismissed Lim's application for sedition law and other laws that fetter freedom of a full bench to hear his appeal. speech, especially speech by a Member of Parlia­ ment or other elected officials on matters of public SUARAM holds fum to the view that Lim's case is importance. It is part of the democratic process politically motivated and he is a victim of selective that elected representatives should enjoy freedom prosecution. Furthermore, we hold fum to the be­ to express and comment on matters of public con­ lief that it is the right of every Malaysian, from a cern in the discharge of their duties. The Bar Coun­ Member of Parliament to the lay person on the cil considers the time has now come for Parliament streets, to protest and express anger when fellow to revisit and review these laws that hinder this Malaysians have been victimised by the state. process.

What Lim did for the girl and her family was what This reform is needed if we as a developing coun­ we would expect any elected Member of Parlia­ try are to fulfill our stated goal to achieve greater ment to do. What the Federal Court judges did transparency and greater accountability in public today goes against the basic sense of justice in ev­ affairs. ery justice-loving Malaysian. Dr. Cyrus V Das We know that today's verdict will spur all Malay­ President sians to work towards greater justice for all. Malaysian Bar 26 A~tgust 1998 Lim Guan Eng will be behind bars but he leaves us with a renewed inspiration to fight against all in­ justices in the country.

Elizabeth Wong SUARAM 25 August 1998

Parti Rakyat Malaysia (Malaysian People's Party­ PRM) is greatly concerned over the sentence passed on Lim Guan Eng, Member of Parliament and Deputy Secretary-General of DAP. We consider it unfair and unjust. We cannot stop people from viewing the sentence as being politically motivated.

The Bar Council notes that the Federal Court has It is clear that freedom of expression is fast disap­ affirrned the conviction and sentence of YB En. Lim pearing in this country. Not only the mass media Guan Eng which includes a concurrent sentence of are strangled and controlled by the government;

Ali ron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 33 in fact, it is difficult even for a Member of Parlia­ Lim Guan Eng today becomes a prisoner of con­ ment, in the course of his duty, to take up the cause science, solely for expressing his opinion and ful­ of those who feel discriminated or persecuted and filling his duties as a parliamentarian. We believe to speak out against any form of corruption or mis­ the charges laid against him and the authorities' demeanor. demands for a custodial sentence were politically motivated and aimed to remove a prominent po­ It is true that every person, including a Member of litical critic from further participation in public life. Parliament, should respect the law. But what if the law is unjust and repressive? We are of the opin­ Amnesty International members and supporters ill ion that the Printing and Publications Act, which more than 100 countries around the world now has been used to prosecute and punish Urn Guan begill a campaign to demand hjs immediate and Eng, is unjust and one-sided. It must be abrogated. unconditional release.

We feel that the heavy sentence imposed on Lim is The arbitrary and selective application of the Sedi­ to make the people fearful of criticising any gov­ tion Act and the Printing Presses and Publication ernment or government party leader. Next to the Act agaillst Lim Guan Eng reflects the Govenrment Internal Security Act (ISA), the Printing and Publi­ of Malaysia's continuillg use of restrictive legisla­ cation Act is the most cruel and oppressive law il1 tion to illtimidate those who express dissenting this country. Both are capable of creating a psy­ opinions and to engender a public reluctance to chology of fear. Once the psychology of fear is criticise those in power. widespread, as it is now, then the government lead­ ers are free to do whatever they like. This will kill We are gravely concerned that the Federal Court's democracy in the country. decision to jail Lim Guan Eng will have the wider effect of curbing free speech ill Malaysia, and will justice must be redeemed. We respectfully call encroach on the fundamental right of every Ma­ upon the Yang Di Pertuan Agong to pardon Lim laysian to peacefully express their opiluons. GuanEng. Amnesty lntematinnnl Dr Syed Husin Ali International Secretariat President,PRM London 26 August 1998 25 Altgust 1998

The imprisonment of Member of Parliament Lim Guan Eng is a damnillg illdictment of our legal and Amnesty International (AI) is deeply shocked at judicial system. It is a sentence that shames Ma­ today's decision by the Federal Court, Malaysia's laysian democracy. highest court, to uphold a three-year sentence of imprisonment against opposition parliamentarian Even if Urn was guilty of making some baseless Lim Guan Eng for sedition and publishing 'false alle_gations in his attempt to ensure that justice was news'. done to an underaged girl and her poor family, he

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Poge 3.4 should not have been handed such a severe seJttence. The Fed­ eral Court should have taken into No Regrets account the more fundamental principles involved in his case: Lim's concern for justice; his role The pain and sorrow ol our forced ..,aration as a Member of Parliament; his is tempered by the knowledge that Trutlt and right as a citizen to express a po­ Justice will finally prevail. sition on a matter of major pub­ lic concern. by Betty Chew

This is why Lim's 18-month im­ prisonment is not only a severe setback to each and everyone of the basic tenets on which the in­ stitution of parliamentary de­ mocracy is built but it is also a mortal blow for the ordinary Ma­ laysian who in spite of every­ thing knows the value of the free­ dom of expression.

Of all the tenets of parliamen­ tary democracy, it is the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary which have been trampled upon by the Guan first closely followed yet charming side of him which Eng episode. What is the mean­ Lim Guan Eng's politi­ he seldom revealed to strangers. ing of the rule of law when it is g ca I career when he was And the strength of purpose in not informed by a sense of jus­ elected Member of Par­ him, that when raised, he would tice and fairness? How much liament for Kota Melaka for the never back down, appealed integrity and independence can first time in 1986. 1 remember the strongly to me. I also thought that a judiciary claim to possess first time I met him when I was I understood his political struggle when it appears to be so sub­ still in university. I was struck not md commitment. servient to the dontinant power only by his intelligence and cour­ of the Executive? age but also by his sincerity in Only after we married, did I wanting to help the people and realise how voluminous his work Guan Eng may be in prison. But Sf>TVf' his country. was, how committed he was to in the ultimate analysis it is Ma­ helping those in need, and how laysian democracy that lan­ We never expected to fall in love deeply passionate he was about guishes in jail. There are people but when we did, he did warn me his ideals and principles. He was who may want to break Guan of the perils of being his wife. He such a stubborn fighter for the Eng's spirit but they will not suc­ was already married to the DAP weak and poor that he always ceed. They have only succeeded cause and it was likely that I brought his work home. in shaming the nation and smear­ would be seeing less of him than ing its name. his constituents or members. And So even though he was physically his dire prediction that I would at home, his mind and heart were Dr Chandra Muzaffar be marrying a jailbird- artd are­ elsewhere. At times, I remon­ President peated one at that-was ominous. strated with him that he should Jntematio1lal Movement for a just be giving more time to himself World But I was so romantically in love and family. He agreed with me 26 August 1998 with him. There was a sensitive but said that he found it difficult

Aliran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 35 to tum down people in need who because of Rahim's stature as one The final recourse left is for my had come as far north as of the most powerful politicians husband to seek a full pardon Langkawi or as far south as around, being both Malacca from the Malacca Governor. That Singapore or even as far east as Chief Minister and UMNO Youth does not sound promising as the Sabah. President. Naturally, 1 was wor­ Pardons Board comprises the ried and asked him to exercise Governor, the Malacca Chief It is no wonder that the first word caution as Rahim was seen as the Minister and the Attorney-Gen­ my children learnt was the word protege of the Prime Minister. eral as well as three otlter mem­ 'work' because that is where bers appointed by the Malacca Daddy was when he was notal­ He told me that he considered it Chief Minister. ways around Even my two elder his duty as a parliamentarian to children used to complain to their expose any wrongdoing and if, With such a composition com­ daddy, "Why day work, night in the process, he had to pay the prising both the prosecutor (the also work?" political price, he was prepared Attorney-General has to person­ to do so. I had expected the Gov­ ally initiate prosecution for cases He felt guilty for being so wholly ernment to detain him under the under the Sedition Act) and po­ consumed in the DAP's struggle Internal Security Act for, in his litical opponents of my husband, for justice, democracy and ac­ role as a watchdog of the Govern­ the question arises: can the Par­ countability. He tried to make ment, he had offended many dons Board make a decision that time for the family, spending one powerful leaders, especially the is impartial, independent and not day a week with us, but even that Prime Minister. politically-motivated? After all limited time was sometimes allo­ justice must not only be done, it cated for other political activities. But [ never expected the Attor­ must be seen to be done. ney-General to prosecute my I could not complain as I had husband under the Sedition Act Whatever the outcome, the whole been forewarned earlier, but he and the Printing Presses and Pub­ case - from its inception three tried to make me understand lications Act just for trying to help years ago when my husband was what he was fighting for. Ire­ a poor Malay lady defend the first charged in 1995 to its unfor­ member him saying, "Man is rights of her grand-daughter. The tunate conclusion recently - has born free. Erom the time he is a charges were so flimsy that I been a painful journey for me. It child, he is free to run, play, swim thought that it would be thrown has been a journey about ideals, and study. When that child be­ out by the courts. 1 was shocked right and wrong, and most of all, comes an adult, the adult should that the courts not only convicted a painful journey of discovery of be free to enjoy equal opportu­ my husband but sentenced him the price one has to pay for stand­ nity, equal treatment before the to three years' jail. ing up for one's principles. law and the right to truth. As an MP, I may enjoy these freedoms, Tmay be forced to accept the ver­ Like my husband, I have no re­ but how can I feel totally free dict of the Malaysian courts butl grets. I have no regrets because I unless other Malaysians enjoy appreciated the support and the know what he did was right. And these freedoms of equal justice sense of outrage by a vast major­ no power in the world can and truthful accountability." ity of Malaysians - from Aliran change right to wrong. This President P. Ramakrishnan call­ knowledge of truth and righ­ He believed it passionately and ing the sentence politically-moti­ teousness is the source of heav­ that is why he took up controver­ vated and "A Day Oflnfamy For enly light that shines around the sial cases where "even angels fear Justice" to foreign organisations darkness I feel enveloping me. to tread", such as sex and corrup­ such as Amnesty International tion scandals involving govern­ immediately adopting my hus­ Perhaps my husband put it best ment officials in high places. band as a prisoner of conscience. when he made his final farewell Perhaps JUST President Dr. remarks before going to Kajang When the matter involving 01andra Muzaffar summed it up Prison: "I do notregret losing my Rahim Tamby Chik came up, no best with just one word to de­ liberty, my position as an MP, my one dared to pursue it at that time scribe the sentence, "Shame!". professional accreditation as an

Ali ron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 36 accountant or even possible fi­ not neglected his family. Perhaps He always exhorted me to better nancial bankruptcy because I Nelson Mandcla put it best when myself and if possible to be more firmly believe what I did was he was faced with the difficult successful than him. He moti­ right in: choice between public and pri­ vated me to become a lawyer and vate welfare: to pursue an active legal career Highlighting women's rights in in my name. He did not feel Malaysia and the gross injustice In life roery man has twin obliga­ threatened by my success; in­ of a rape victim being detained tions-obligations to his family, to stead he always shared in it and instead of being protected by the his parents, to !tis wife and children; took great pride in it. I always re­ police. My sacrifice is a small and he has an obligation to his people, member him saying that "if be­ price to pay if we can ensure that his community and country. In a hind every successful man, there in future only rapists are de­ civil and humane society, each man is always a woman," why tained, not rape victims. is able to fulfil these obligations ac­ shouldn't the reverse hold true. cording to lzis own inclinations and That if I have to go down, 1 go abilities ... I did not in the beginning I will indeed miss my husband down in celebration of the Malay­ choose to place my people above my who is both my friend and moti­ sian way of life where I am im­ family but in attempting to serve my vator. So will our children. De­ prisoned not because of helping people, I found that Twas prevented spite their being used to his fre­ a Chinese or an Indian but help­ from fulfilling my obligations as a quent absence from home, I ing a Malay- because we are all son, a brother, a father and a hus­ would like him to know that the Malaysians. This directly repudi­ band. In that way my commitment children miss him terribly. ates the BN political structures to my people I would never know or where only Malays help Malays meet was at the expense of the people Our eldest daughter, seven-year (as in UMNO), Chinese only Chi­ I know best and loved most. old Rachel, goes up to her bed to nese (as in MCA) and Indians cry, and she even cries whilst only Indians (MIC). Despite that, it cannot be denied hugging the bonnet of his car. She that Nelson Mandela still re­ clings to his things. That helping people is right; not tained the love, affection and re­ helping people is wrong. If l have spect of his family. My six-year-old son forgets that to go to jail for trying to help an his father is in jail. When here­ old Malay lady without any ben­ To my husband, justice is indivis­ turns home from school, on see­ efit to myself, then I have noth­ ible; the chains of injustice on any ing his father's car parked in the ing more to say!" single Malaysian were I ike chains car porch, he exclaims excitedly, on all of us. He felt that one must ''Father has come back from work I am proud of him. When he was speak the truth and fight the in­ already." How sad he looks when asked whether he thought the justice of a rape victim being de­ he suddenly remembers that his price was too high personally, he tained instead of the rapist. father is in jail. always replied that he could not face his conscience if he had acted That is why the pain and sorrow And my youngest two-year-old otherwise. of our forced separation is tem­ son keeps asking me where his pered by the knowledge that Truth daddy is. His only regret had always been and Justice will finally prevail. that his family would have to pay Like me, the children want their the price together with him. He I wish to stress that my husband's father back. I can only hope and said he could not even say passion for women's rights is not pray that he returns home to us goodbye to his children. He felt something politically expedient. soon.O he was being unfair to them to He believed in it. He believednot place such a burden on their only in fighting for the abolition Betty Chew is the wife of young shoulders for something of all discriminatory laws against imprisoned opposition they had no part of. women in Parliament but also Member of Parliament that women must realise their full Lim Guan Eng I want to assure him that he has potential.

Aliran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 37 ALIRAN MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION FORM You'll receive Mr./Ms.------­ a free copy of Adru~s-~------Songs Subscription for I I 1 year L_ ] AIR RM ___ _ Of C__l2years I I SEA Humanity Donation to Aliran ...... RM _ _ _ _ if you subscribe to TOTAL Enclosed :Money Order I Postal Order I Cheque (No. ) payable to Aliran RM = === AM 1998: 11!(8) Aliran . SUBSCRIPTION RATES Monthly COUNTRY ONE YEAR TWO YEARS MALAYSIA RM25.00 RMSO.OO SINGAPORE & BRUNEI 528 S50 NOW AIR SEA AIR. SEA ASIA & THE PACIFIC US25 US21 US44 US38 AM 1998: 18(11) EUROPE & EGYPT US28 US21 usso US38 AFRICA, NORTH AMERICA, US30 US21 US54 US..18 SOUTH AMERICA, HAWAII GIFT SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Please send this gift subscription to : AM 1998: 18(8) Mr./Ms.------Address----~------

Subscription for I lyear L J AIR :=1~ 2 years I I SEA

I enclose money order I postal order I cheque for the above order amounting to RM payable to Aliran. Send this form and paymentlo

This gift subscription is paid for and presented by: Mr./Ms. ------:----.._.,...-----...,....---,

Adru~s ______AU11AN DISTIUIUTION BUREAU P.O. lOX 1049 10830 PINANG, MAlAYSIA

AM 199!1: 18(1!} Date Signature

Ali ron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 38 A Message to our Readers: qj)emi :!fka/k~

hank you for taking renew your subscription g the time to read A/iran when it expires. Although we Monthly. The fact that have been encouraged by the you are reacting Aliran rising number of new sub­ tells us that you are concerned scribers, our records show about what is happening in the that about 25 per cent of our country. current subscribers fail tore­ new their subscriptions It tells us that you are a think­ when they expire. We appeal ing person who loves Malay­ to all subscribers to stay with sia. You are obviously con­ us in these difficult times. cemed about the challenges we face as a nation. We urge you to also introduce the magazine to others. En­ As a social reform group, we courage your friends to sub­ Vo/.13: see our role as lobbying for scribe or give a gift subscrip­ No.11 change. But before reforms can tion to those who haven't come about, the seeds of heard of the magazine. awareness have to be planted in as many people as possible. You are one of thousands of We need your help in raising Aliran Monthly readers. If awareness among the public each one of us can help to pro­ about important issues that af­ mote the magazine among fect us all. your circle of friends, col­ leagues and relatives, we Sales of Aliran Monthly also would have thousands of vol­ provide us with our main untary marketing officers! source of income. Indeed, the Thh1k of the impact we can magazine is entirely a Malay­ have on society then! sian effort: produced forMa­ laysians by Malaysians. If you Jove your country, do your bit to boost the circula­ We value your support and tion of the Monthly. It may hope you will become a sub­ seem like a tiny gesture, a drop scriber, if you are not already in the ocean, but it all adds up one. in the end.

Vo/.15 : If you are already a sub- Withbestwishes No.9 scriber, please remember to From your friends in Aliran

Aliron Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page 39 ASha eful Ep •socle An indelible blight on our nation's history

im Guan Eng, member of parliament for Kota Melaka (Malacca) and Deputy Secretary-General of the oppo­ g sition Democratic Action Party (DAP), went on trial in January 1996. He was charged under the Sedition Act with "prompti11g disaffection with the ndministrntion of justice" af­ ter he publicly criticised the Malaysian Government's handling of allegations of statutory rape made against the former Chief Minister of Malacca, Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik, in 1994. He was also charged under the Printing Presses and Publications Act with "maliciously printi11g'' a pamphlet allegedly containing "false infonnation" about the case.

In 1994 Malaysian newspapers carried stories that Rahim was alleged to have had sex with a 15-year-old schoolgirl, which under Malayc;ian law constitutes statutory rape. Public contro­ versy over the case grew when the girl was taken into "protec­ tive custody" for questioning by the police. She was later trans­ ferred by the courts to a rehabilitation centre for "wayward girls'' for three years, despite continued efforts by her grandmother to secure her release. She gave birth to a baby while at the centre.

The girl admitted that she had a sexual relationship with Rahim and with a number of other men. The police asked her to lodge a complaint against the other men, but not against the Chief Minister. Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah announced there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Rahim and, at the same time, publicly revealed details of the girl's sexual history. The other men alleged to have raped her were prosecuted in court.

The High Court originally convicted Lim in 1997, imposing a fine of RM15,000 which, by law, would have been sufficient to disqualify him from Parliament. However, the Malaysian au­ thorities then appealed the High Court's judgement asking for the fines to be replaced by two concurrent custodial sentence, amounting to three years in prison, and also calling on the Court of Appeal not to grant bail. The Court of Appeal imposed the custodial sentence, which was then upheld by the Federal Court on 25 August 1998.0

Continued on page 32

Ali ran Monthly September 1998: 18(8) Page .40