Free Manoharan

Today's blog article is dedicated to Saudara Manoharan.

Manoharan, the DAP candidate for Kota Alam Shah state assemblyman convincingly won the last general election with a majority of 7,184. He obtained 12,699 votes. With such a margin, Kota Alam Shah have spoken very loud and clear that they are demanding that Manoharan be freed and that the ISA should be abolished.

DAP fielding him as a candidate is symbolic. It speaks of courage culminated with the idea of change. A good choice of candidate who is not only principled and courageous but at the same time embodied humanity and integrity.

Manoharan did no wrong as such detaining him under the ISA without giving him the right to be heard is not only unfair but evil. Why is the government so afraid? Continuing detaining Manoharan is affront to common sense, justice and fair play.

As such I appeal to Najib's administration in particularly the Homa Affiar Minister, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin to free him so that he can serve his constituent. More over, the Prime Minister in his addressed to the nation recently admitted the hiccups in the ISA and the need for an overhauling and reviewing of the archaic ISA. As such the Minister should take immediate steps to remedy the defect and release all detainees including Manoharan as the ISA has become more irrelevant.

RPK freed....YES

A welcomed decision of the High Court to release RPK.

©The Star (Used by permission)

SHAH ALAM: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin is to be freed Friday.

He succeeded Friday in his bid to obtain a release order from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) via his habeas corpus application.

The judge ruled that the Home Minister had acted outside his jurisdiction when he issued the two-year detention order under Section 8(1) of the ISA.

The High Court here also allowed Raja Petra to be brought to court to be released today.

He was detained for a second time under the ISA on Sept 12.

On April 11, 2001, Raja Petra along with 10 other activists were detained under the ISA for allegedly plotting to overthrow former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Raja Petra was released 52 days later.

Press Statement On Raja Petra

Tuesday, 23 September 2008 06:50pm

The Malaysian Bar is deeply disappointed that the Government has seen fit to issue a 2-year detention order under S8 of the ISA against Raja Petra. The issue of the order on the eve of the hearing of his habeas corpus application is troubling, as it undermines the application.

Raja Petra is being detained for writing articles, which have long been in the public domain. Police reports have been lodged against him by various parties. If offences have been committed, he can be charged in Court for them as he has been in the past.

Raja Petra’s continued detention is therefore puzzling. The ISA is being used against an individual where other avenues that afford him a chance to defend himself, exist. It confirms the impression that the ISA is being used for purposes other than national security. It is being used to stifle dissent.

Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan
President
Malaysian Bar

Solidarity With Teresa

DAP Melaka held a candlelight vigil for YB Teresa Kok Member of Parliament for Seputeh and State assemblywoman for Kinrara who was recently arrested under the notorious Internal Security Act. The arrest and detention under the Act was not only immoral and unjust but without valid legal grounds. As such DAP Melaka condemn such arbitrary and unilateral act against our Parliamentarian.

With the attendance of no less than 200 people by supporters and members, no doubt shows off a commitment and support by the people of Melaka saying NO TO ISA. We hope and pray that the authorities, especially the police and the Home Affair Minister will come to a realisation that their act was a mistake, uncalled for and went against the rule of natural justice and morality. As such we further hope that YB Teresa Kok will be freed without unnecessary delay.

Nah Bagi U, Utusan Setan

Bagi sama you, Setan... Almost a devil. This is Utusan Malaysia. A racist newspaper deserved to be ISAed. License must be revoked immediately. Write without facts, without understanding, only with full malice.

The writer in that piece deserved a knock out. He is never a human, just devilish. You are a bas***d. I just can't believe that you can sleep so soundly. People like you should not be called Malaysians. You are nothing BUT embarrassment to good journalism.

(I have never been SO UPSET before in my blog. I am so pissed off.)

Sassy MP, we are behind you....

*The letter of Demand to Utusan was faxed to the editor at 4.40pm today.

Your Ref: please advise

Our Ref: SNN/YBT/ Civil/08

Date: 15-9-2008
THE EDITOR

Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Berhad

46M, Jalan Lima Off Jalan Chan Sow Lin

55200 Kuala Lumpur

Sir,

RE: LIBELOUS ARTICLE

We act for YB Teresa Kok Suh Sim.

Our client refers you to the following article that was carried by your newspaper on 10 September 2008 under the captions “Azan, jawi, JAIS, UiTM dan ba-alif-ba-ya…” (hereinafter known as “the impugned article”)

The impugned article that you published, mean and were understood to mean that our client, inter alia:-

1. is a racist;
2. is a religious bigot;
3. is an untrustworthy person as well as an untrustworthy and a bad politician;
4. is intolerant and unprincipled; and
5. is a parochial politician who is anti Islam and anti Malay.

Our client contends the following:-

1. the impugned article as stated above of our client are and were grossly negligent, reckless, irresponsible, deliberate, malicious and aimed to lower our client’s esteem in the eye of the public and expose our client to public hatred, scorn, odium, contempt and ridicule;

2. the impugned article as stated above of our client are motivated or actuated by mala fides, distortion of facts suggesting moral and legal impropriety on the part of our client and are principally done in your pursuit of seeking cheap publicity, sensationalism;

3. the impugned article as stated above of our client are pre-mediated and calculated to tarnish, malign, defame and seriously injure the good name and character of our client;

We are further instructed that you have or caused to have republished the following impugned article.

The allegations and the comments in the impugned article against our client amount to a very serious libel on our client and have caused her considerable distress and embarrassment. These allegations made against her are false and your attack on her is wholly unjustified.

We are therefore instructed to demand, which we hereby do:

1. An immediate and unequivocal public retraction of the impugned article by your newspaper and the removal of all the offending and defamatory comments forthwith.

2. An apology in terms to be approved by us as solicitors to be published in newspapers of our client’s choice.

3. An undertaking by yourselves not to repeat the above words, allegations and comments contained in the impugned article.

Our client has also instructed us to demand damages from you for the injury caused to her reputation of RM30,000,000-00 (Ringgit Malaysia Thirty Million).

Our client has also requested us to demand payment of all legal costs that has been incurred with regard to this matter.

This letter is written in accordance with the pre-action protocol prior to the institution of a libel action. We look forward to hear from you without delay. If we do not receive a satisfactory reply within twenty four (24) hours of receipt of this letter, our instructions are to institute legal proceedings. In the meantime, our client reserves all her rights in this matter.

Kindly acknowledge receipt accordingly.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

S N NAIR & PARTNERS

c.c. client

Anwar a Hypocrite?

10 years political wilderness, a long lesson learnt to DSAI. As such he may have known the pain as a prisoner before. Well I am giving a benefit of the doubt to DSAI to prove his worth to Malaysian. Between the lesser of two evil, I'll choose DSAI to lead. Anyway we have already given 51 years to Barisan Nasional/Alliance. So I don't mind gambling it on DSAI this round. Time to change.

----- taken from the Star

Anwar branded a hypocrite on ISA

KOTA BARU: The sole Independent MP Datuk Paduka Ibrahim Ali has called on PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to stop being a hypocrite with regard to the Internal Security Act (ISA).

When Anwar was a federal minister in 1987, he defended the Government’s move to use ISA in “Ops Lalang,” Ibrahim said.

“But now, Anwar is asking for Selangor senior state exco member Teresa Kok to be released.

“How ironic. When I was among those detained under Ops Lalang, Anwar kept quiet,” he added,

On a new Federal Government being formed come Sept 16 or even later, Ibrahim said he fully supported it if PAS led the initiative to do so.

He added that PAS should nominate one of its leaders to become the new prime minister.

“I am neither supporting Barisan nor PKR but I would support PAS because they are a strategic ally,” said the outspoken MP, adding that he could not support a PKR initiative led by Anwar.

“I cannot accept Anwar because of the hypocrisy of his politics,” said Ibrahim.

ISA should not be used : Zaid Ibrahim

De facto law Minister, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim have spoken. The ISA should not be used against civilians. Compare that to the Home Affair Minister who is legally trained saying that the ISA was used to protect the reporter. Now, I have read from cover to cover on the Internal Security Act and found nothing to suggest what the Home Affair Minister suggested.

Nothing short of a blatant lie to cover a fault or mistake. I think, the reporter should just sue the government for false imprisonment or something to that extent. A complete fabrication.


---- Taken from the Star below

KOTA BARU: The Internal Security Act (ISA) should not be used against civilians, de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said.

The Act should only be used against terrorists or those trying to topple the Government by force, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said at a press conference at his home here on Sunday.

He was commenting on the arrests of three people -- Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kama­rudin and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng -- under the ISA.

Tan has since been released.

“I will seek a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to have a frank discussion about this issue to seek his views as soon as possible,” he told reporters.

“I know I am breaking rank here ... I am prepared to face the consequences. If I am told to resign, I will do so.

"I am not a trouble maker and I don't want to cause any trouble for the Prime Minister, but I have my principles and will always be a vocal critic of the use of the ISA.

"I joined his administration to make changes and everybody knows, I am also for a more open form of media reporting," he added.

Zaid said it was time for the Federal Government to revert to the original spirit of the ISA, which was enacted to curb Communism and today should be used only on armed terrorists or those out to topple the Government by force.

“I am not calling for a repeal of the ISA, but it should only be use when there is a real threat to national security, such as armed terrorists, and not on civilians,” he said.

He said by using the ISA randomly, the Government was sending out a message that it does not trust the capabilities of its own enforcement agencies, such as the police, in maintaining peace.

There are ample punitive legislations such as the Penal Code, Sedition Act and criminal defamation to take against those who break the law or are involved in activities which may destabilise the Government, without having to invoke the ISA, Zaid said.

He said the use of the ISA also gives the impression of “selective prosecution” as the Government cannot incarcerate everybody.

“In this latest episode, we (the Government) have generated an impression of selective prosecution since no action was taken against the person who allegedly uttered seditious remarks.

“We are saying that we are only acting against those who are disloyal to us.”

“The Government needs to change and Cabinet members need to realise this -- we have to be progressive.”

Asked whether the ISA was likely used because of strained “race relations” which may undermine national stability, Zaid said that while he placed paramount importance on national stability, the role of the Government was to find solutions, not to make matters worse.

“I agree we have many issues and sensitivities to address but for me, racial disharmony is a seasonal thing in Malaysia. We must engage in open dialogues and discussions to resolve these issues,” he said.

On whether the ISA was used because the court process may be too long, Zaid noted that the Government never even attempted to use the court system first -- instead, it simply went ahead with using the ISA first.

“If our court system is too slow, we must ... make it more efficient by hiring more prosecutors, while the police must conduct proper investigation to acquire credible evidence,” he said.

Press Statement by Jamaah Islah Malaysia on ISA

Taken from Tony Pua's blog

Free Teresa, Abolish ISA! Sign the petition here!

The following is a statement by Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) which is one of the country's leading Islamic movement.

Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia atau JIM, mengasaskan kewujudannya dengan menghayati pengertian al-islah yang membawa maksud pembaikan, pembaharuan serta mewujudkan perdamaian.

They have just released a statement which not only condemned the use of the Internal Security Act as unislamic, but also reaffirmed the position that Teresa Kok was never involved in the so-called "azan" issues in Kota Damansara and Kinrara mosques.

KENYATAAN MEDIA
Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia
14 September 2008

JIM KECAM PENAHANAN AHLI POLITIK, WARTAWAN DAN PENULIS BLOG DI BAWAH AKTA KESELAMATAN DALAM NEGERI (ISA)

Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) mengecam undang-undang tanpa bicara seperti Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) dan penggunaannya ke atas Ahli Parlimen Seputeh yang juga Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri Selangor, Teresa Kok, wartawan akhbar Sin Chew Daily Tan Hoon Cheng dan pengendali laman blog Raja Petra Kamaruddin.

JIM ingin menegaskan bahawa prinsip keadilan amatlah penting dalam perundangan. ISA menyalahi prinsip keadilan kerana mereka yang ditahan dinafikan hak untuk “tidak bersalah sehingga disabitkan kesalahannya”, dinafikan hak bela diri, dinafikan khidmat guaman dan boleh ditahan selama-lamanya tanpa dihadapkan ke mahkamah.

Walaupun wartawan Tan Hoon Cheng kemudiannya telah dibebaskan selepas 16 jam ditahan, namun JIM mempersoalkan penahanan tersebut atas kononnya untuk melindungi beliau daripada ancaman ke atas keselamatan beliau. Ini menurut Menteri Dalam Negeri, Syed Hamid Albar dalam sidang akhbar di Ibupejabat Polis Bukit Aman pada 13 September 2008. Bukankah suatu yang amat pelik apabila seseorang ditahan di bawah ISA untuk menyelamatkan beliau daripada ancaman keselamatan sedangkan lazimnya seseorang ditahan kerana beliau dituduh memudaratkan keselamatan negara?

Apakah dengan ini wartawan tersebut perlu berterima kasih kepada Kerajaan atau sepatutnya menyaman Kerajaan kerana merampas hak kebebasan beliau sebagai warganegara dengan alasan yang tidak munasabah langsung?

Perbuatan menuduh tanpa sebarang bukti adalah perbuatan yang haram dari sudut Syariah, kerana ianya sendiri merupakan sebab utama kepada keadaan huru-hara di kalangan masayarakat yang hilangnya kepercayaan antara satu sama lain.

Firman Allah s.w.t. dalam surah Al-Hujurat ayat 6, penyebaran perkhabaran dan maklumat yang tidak sahih lagi meragukan menyebabkan berlakunya pertimbangan yang tidak adil, lantaran mengundang kepada musibah fitnah yang melanda masyarakat.

Riwayat hadith Ibnu Majah dan Abu Dawud menyebutkan bahawa kadi yang menetapkan hukuman kepada seseorang bedasarkan sumber-sumber bukti yang tidak benar akan dicampakkan ke dalam api neraka sewajarnya cukup menjadi pengajaran bagi kerajaan untuk mengutamakan prinsip keadilan Islam yang rasional berbanding dengan sentimen-sentimen perkauman yang rapuh dalam menjaga kemaslahatan masyarakat.

JIM mengesyorkan mana-mana pihak yang terkesan dengan sebaran awam yang dianggap menghina Islam supaya tampil proaktif dalam memberikan penjelasan yang bernas terhadap isu-isu yang dibahaskan. Islam tertegak di atas nas dan dalil Al-Quran dan Sunnah yang jelas. Tuntutan untuk mengemukakan hujah-hujah Islam secara berhikmah dan beradab sudah termaktub di dalam riwayat hadith-hadith yang sahih.

JIM memandang penahanan wartawan Tan Hoon Cheng seolah-olah beliau bertanggungjawab ke atas kontroversi kenyataan perkauman Ahmad Ismail sebagai tidak wajar kerana Ahmad Ismail dan pengikut beliau sendiri yang sengaja memberikan provokasi perkauman tanpa sebarang kawalan emosi di hadapan wartawan-wartawan.

Penahanan Ahli Parlimen Seputeh, Teresa Kok pula merupakan satu ketidakadilan kerana dakwaan bekas Menteri Besar Selangor keatasnya telah dinafikan sekeras-kerasnya. Malah, masjid di Damansara yang dikatakan disuruh perlahankan bunyi azannya telah memberi penjelasan bahawa azan tidak berbunyi dengan kuat kerana alat pembesar suara azannya mengalami kesulitan teknikal, bukannya kerana ditentang penduduk bukan Islam.

Penduduk bukan Islam di kawasan perumahan sekitar sebuah masjid di Puchong pula dilaporkan hanya memohon supaya diperlahankan penggunaan pembesar suara untuk majlis kuliah bacaan ayat al-Quran, bukannya azan itu sendiri.

JIM berpendirian jelas bahawa apa juga alasan yang dinyatakan kerajaan atas episod penahanan terbaru ini samada sebagai “pencetus polemik ketakutan” atau “pencetus kegawatan”, ianya seharusnya boleh ditangani dengan pelbagai akta lain yang sedia ada.

Tindakan menggertak dan menangkap blogger, wartawan, para pengkritik dasar kerajaan khususnya dari kalangan parti pembangkang tanpa hujah yang konkrit hanya akan mengundang kemusykilan rakyat terhadap motif dan keikhlasan kerajaan dalam melaksanakan perubahan pasca Pilihan raya Umum ke-12 terutamanya dalam konteks lanskap politik negara kini. Tindakan ini hanyalah mengesahkan lagi bahwa ISA digunakan untuk tujuan politik parti pemerintah.

JIM amat kesal dengan tindakan parti politik pemerintah yang sanggup memainkan isu sensitif seperti perkauman dan agama demi untuk menutup pelbagai kelemahan kepimpinan sedia ada. Sebaliknya, adalah lebih baik pihak kerajaan berusaha menyelesaikan pelbagai kemelut yang terjadi di dalam negara sekarang ini tanpa menggadaikan suasana keamanan yang sedia ada. Hentikan politik perkauman, fitnah dan tuduh menuduh tanpa bukti lagi tanpa bicara dan kembalilah kepada Syariat Islam.

JIM menggesa Kerajaan untuk membebaskan Teresa Kok, Raja Petra dan tahanan-tahanan ISA yang lain dengan serta merta atau dakwa mereka di mahkamah. Nasib tahanan yang ditahan dalam tempoh yang lama sehingga 7 tahun juga perlu dibela.

Sebagai anggota aktif gabungan Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI), JIM menyeru rakyat yang prihatin untuk turut tampil membantah ISA dan penahanan berhubungnya melalui program-program yang dianjurkan oleh GMI. Dalam tuntutan keadilan dan kebenaran, tidak ada batasan agama, kaum atau budaya.

Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh
Timbalan Presiden

Press Statement by Muslim Professional Forum - ISA Arrest

Press Statement by Muslim Professionals Forum

Saturday 13/9/2008

MPF PRESS RELEASE - ISA ARRESTS
13th September 2008

The arrests of MP Theresa Kok and journalist Tan Hoon Cheng under the ISA following that of blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin raise grave concern for Malaysians.

An endearing legacy of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s leadership that we have come to appreciate is the openness albeit limited, that has come as a breath of fresh air after 2 decades of punitive control of the public sphere.

The arrests of the three individuals under the draconian law at a time when Malaysians have become more mature politically and less inclined to be baited by racial politics will no doubt further erode the legitimacy of and support for the ruling party, perhaps irrevocably.

Of no less import will be the repercussions to Malaysia’s reputation internationally, that time and again the ruling party resorts to an unjust and antiquated piece of legislation to silence dissent in order to sustain her cling to power.

It is clear to all that the arrests of MP Theresa Kok and journalist Tan Hoon Cheng are completely without justification. Tan was merely doing her job as a journalist and UMNO has undertaken the appropriate measures, including an apology from its deputy president. In the “Puchong Azan Issue”, MP Theresa Kok was arrested over what is clearly a false allegation. We urge the authorities to immediately release the two and bring to book those responsible for fomenting racial and religious hatred.

It cannot be completely denied that Raja Petra Kamarudin in his writings and those who contribute to his blog have expressed views that many Muslims consider as denigrating the prophet and the religion of Islam. However we believe this can be countered by sound arguments based on well accepted teachings and sources of Islam. In the extreme, the authorities may take him to the Syariah court. The use of the ISA is excessive, inhumane and runs counter to Islam’s principles of justice.

In this blessed month of Ramadhan, we urge the authorities to act justly in carrying out their responsibility of maintaining the peace and security of the country. We also urge everyone in the public sphere to exercise restraint and wisdom in discussing issues of race and religion.

Board of Directors
Muslim Professionals Forum

Dr. Mazeni Alwi
Dr. Shaikh Johari Bux
Haji Mohamed Ali Ghazali
Dato’ Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin

Release OR Charged

The police have arrested Blogger, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, journalist from Sin Chew Jit Poh, Ms. Tan Hoon Cheng (who was since released in the Saturday afternoon) and MP for Seputeh cum Selangor Exco Member, YB Teresa Kok on 12.9.2008, Friday under the draconian Internal Security Act (“ISA”).

We were annoyed by this drastic and high-handed action taken by the federal government in arresting the above-said persons with the excuse that they have threatened the national security. We believe all the right-thinking and caring Malaysians also share the same sentiment with us. This is because of the fact that we do not see any conduct of the above-said persons which has threatened the national security. The Minister of Internal Security owes Malaysians a decent, reasonable and detailed explanation as to the reasons of their arrest as the matter has involved public interests and international attention. Should they be suspected of breaking any law, they should be produced and charged in court instead of being detained without trial and jeopardising their right to defend themselves.

We also condemn the action of any party by using ISA and the arrests to raise the sentiment of fear among Malaysians and to further achieve their self-serving political conspiracy at this crucial hour, when Malaysians are hunger for a change in the country. Such abuse of power should be rejected by Malaysians totally.

We further opine that the ruling party is trying to be directors and actors on their own in the recent political events in their effort in maintaining powers. We request them to be receptive of people’s view and to have a genuine heart for a better future of Malaysia.

The arrests of Raja Petra, Ms. Tan and YB Kok do not just present no benefit to Malaysians generally, they also lower the confidence of foreigners on Malaysia and further affect foreign investments in Malaysia.

Therefore, we urge the federal government to release Raja Petra, Ms. Tan and YB Kok immediately or produce them and charge them in court of law.

We also plead to Malaysians to remain calm and united at this testing time.

警方在九月十二日, 星期五在恶名招彰的内安法令之下逮捕了部落客拉惹柏特拉, 星洲日报女记者, 陈云清及士布爹国会议员兼雪州行政议员, 郭素沁.

我们对中央政府认为他们威胁国家安全而逮捕他们的理由感到难以理解.我们相信所有正确思想的马来西亚人也和我们有同样的想法.这是因为我们不认为他们的任何举动有威胁国家安全之嫌.因此,内安部长歉人民一个满意的,合理的及详细的解释因为这事件牵涉了公众利益和国际上的注视.若他们有触犯任何法律之嫌,他们应该被带上法庭面控,以让他们能有自辩的权利.这是不可被疱夺的.

我们也评击任何想利用内安法令和逮捕来制造恐慌从而达至某方自私的政治目的的手法.特别是在这人人渴求改变的关键时刻.这样的滥权行为应被大马人拒绝.

我们也认为执政集团企图在最近的政治发展中自导自演,来保住权利.我们恳请个方接收人民求变的心愿,以诚心来让国家有更美好的前途.

对拉惹柏特拉, 陈云清及郭素沁的逮捕行动不止没给人民任何好处,还降低了外国人士对我国的信心,进而影响了外资的进入.

应此,我们呼吁中央政府即刻释放对拉惹柏特拉, 陈云清及郭素沁或把他们提控上庭.

我们也恳求全体马来西亚人在这关键时刻保持冷静及团结一致.

What's Next of Hindraf...

Now Sami Value have asked for an unconditional release of Hindraf 5. He now sings the tune of ordinary Malaysian. Unfortunately for him, his political days are numbered and I guess it is still not too late for him to apologise to the Indian Community for failing to safeguard the interest of the Community as a whole. AND I believe the Community would want Mr. Vellu to apologise and made amends to the Community. It's never too LATE.

------- from the Star

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has urged the government to release the five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders who are being detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

He said two of the leaders -- R. Kenghadaran, 40, who is very sick and M. Manoharan, 46, who had won the Kota Alam Shah state seat in Selangor on a DAP ticket on March 8 -- should be freed sooner.

He said another two, V. Ganabatirau, 34, and K. Vasantha Kumar, 34, had not been very much involved in the rally organised by Hindraf in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 last year.

The fifth leader being detained under the ISA is P. Uthayakumar.

Speaking to reporters after opening a workshop on "Rebranding the MIC" here Sunday, Samy Vellu said the wives of Kenghadaran and Manoharan had approached him for his assistance.

"I have decided to raise it with the government. I will raise it (the issue of their release) with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after he returns from Sabah.

"I will also meet Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan. I have already made some moves on this earlier but I did not tell anyone. I will now make a firm move to see what can be done by the government with regard to their plight," Samy Vellu claimed.

He said Ganabatirau, and Vasantha Kumar were "not very much involved (in the rally), so the government has to make a decision."

Samy Vellu claimed that this was not a publicity stunt or a move to win back Indian support for the party.

"This is done in fairness, sympathy and, also, we feel that we as Indians have to do something about it. It is not a publicity stunt," he said.

Samy Vellu said that he was harshly criticised by certain people when he spoke to Abdullah and the Attorney General about reducing the attempted murder charges against the 31 people detained during the Hindraf rally, but he had continued to assist them.

Can We Get TOGETHER

So we expect to be bullied by all those in power and the rich. What is happening to Malaysia? Can't we voice our dissatisfaction and unhappiness over what had happened to us? It is certainly outrageous to note that we can't go out to show our dissatisfaction and express it since the constitution allow us to do so....

I am more perplexed and surprise that since when gathering together to show our dissatisfaction whether to claim for more wages or to to demand for a clean election is a threat to national security that warrant the ISA.

I think in Malaysia anything and everything is a threat to National Security including picketing.

------ below from the Star

Cancel illegal gathering, say city police

KUALA LUMPUR: Those taking part in today's illegal gathering to protest the Internal Security Act (ISA) should follow the example of the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) and call it off, say police.

The gathering organised by several NGOs is expected to begin at 8pm at Dataran Merdeka.

City deputy police chief SAC I Patrick Jiges Sijore said NUBE had called off its second nationwide picket last week after being advised by the police.

“They held a national picket in front of Menara Maybank in Jalan Pudu early last month but cancelled their plans to hold a second national picket after we spoke to them.

“They agreed to co-operate in the interest of national security. This is an excellent example that others should follow,” SAC I Patrick said.

More than 10,000 NUBE members gathered in front of Menara Maybank early last month to show their disappointment over the deadlock in their collective agreement dispute.

SAC I Patrick said that even though police have not obtained a court order, the gathering was illegal and police would make arrests if necessary.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said the demonstrators should already know that the gathering was illegal and that they should not go against the law.

“It is the police’s job to ensure peace and order in the country at any time,” he said.

Police are expected to close a few roads tomorrow, including Jalan Raja, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Kinabalu, Lebuh Pasar Besar, Jalan Medan Pasar, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Sultan Ismail, and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Way to go Karpal

... may the force be with you, Karpal. Lead the rebellion to show our disgust to the Empire. May you have the strength to take on Darth Lah and policetroopers...

NO TO ISA

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Writ of habeas corpus filed for Manoharan

IPOH: A writ of habeas corpus for the release of lawyer M. Manoharan from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) has been filed.

DAP national chairman Karpal Singh, who is acting as lawyer for the detainee, said the application was filed at 4.30pm at the High Court here Friday.

The High Court here fixed next Wednesday to mention the case, in which the Internal Security Minister and head of the Kamunting detention camp have been named as respondents.

Karpal Singh said the two-year detention order issued by the Internal Security Ministry was unconstitutional and invalid.

He said the detention order was not done in accordance with Section 73 of the ISA, which requires police investigations and recommendations to be given to the Internal Security Minister within a period of 60 days before a detention order is issued.

During the 60-day period, he said, a detainee would be allowed to put up his defence before the Minister made a decision on the detention order.

Manoharan, who was detained at 2pm on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, is already put under a two-year detention order, which was handed to his wife V.N.S Pushpaneela when she visited Manoharan at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping Friday morning.

“For the first time in the legal history of the ISA in Malaysia, a two-year detention order has been issued against a detainee without the initial 60-day period,” said Karpal Singh.

“The order made by the Minister is defective,” he added.

Manoharan and V. Ganabatirau, who are DAP members, are among five who were detained under the ISA on Thursday.

The other three are lawyers P. Uthayakumar and R. Kenghadharan, and Hindraf coordinator T. Vasanthakumar.

Earlier at 10.30am yesterday outside the gates of the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Karpal Singh was denied entry to visit the detainees as their lawyer.

Ikut Suka Abdullah (Badawi)

YES, the draconian ISA is now used to curb what the government see as a threat to national security. The way I see it, is none other than the threat to the government and not it's people or the country. The PM should be ashamed. Let us rally each other and say NO TO BN in the coming general election.

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Five Hindraf leaders detained under ISA (updated)

PETALING JAYA: Police said they have detained all five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) under Section 8 (1) of the Internal Security Act.

The five are P. Uthayakumar, M. Manoharan, R. Kenghadharan, V. Ganabatirau and T. Vasanthakumar. They were picked up at various locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Seremban.

They will be detained for two years, Inspector-General Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said in a statement.

On Wedensday Uthayakumar was released on police bail after having been arrested on Tuesday for a second sedition charge.

He was among three Hindraf leaders who were charged at the Klang Sessions Court on Nov 23 for allegedly making speeches to incite hatred at a gathering in Batang Berjuntai, Selangor, on Nov 16.