The changes that
Malaysians hope to see are not too much. Our demands are merely basic
conditions that any democratic country should be providing its citizen or rakyat. One of them is freedom, which is
among the three core values of development. Article 10 of the Constitution of Malaysia
granted the Rakyat their rights to freedom
of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of association.
Freedom from servitude associated with human
freedom and ability to choose. Therefore, development should aim to expand the range of
economics and social choices available to individuals and nations by freeing
them from servitude and dependence not only in relation to other people and
nation-states but also to the forces of ignorance and misery.
For more than 50 years independent in Malaysia, we “look like” having
it, “sound like” having it but indeed we do not have true freedom from servitude. The current
government claimed to give us everything, but in fact is controlling everything
through various Acts, politics of fear and economic cronyism.
Three laws most commonly misused to curb Malaysians’ freedom are
Internal Security Act (ISA), Universities and Universities Colleges Act (UUCA)
and Printing
Presses and Publications Act.
The forth would go to Sedition Act.
ISA allowed detention without trial that should be used on cases
where national security is under threat. Yet, this law is often misused to
detain opposing voices that cause UMNO/BN’s political dominance under threat.
Despite being repealed, two other similar acts were enacted to
replace the ISA, namely the Security
Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) and Peaceful Assembly Act. The former
is a more of a direct replacement like “same wine in new bottle” style whiles
the latter aimed to curb public protest following the successful of Bersih 2.0
rally.
UUCA barred students
from politics, including expressing support to any political party. After being
challenged in court by four Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia students, Court of
Appeal ruled that this acts is unconstitutional and violated freedom of
expression.
Besides that,
there are still many rules and regulations to control not only students’
freedom of expression in higher learning institutions but also administrative
and academic staffs. Do you think
Malaysian education – institutions, teachers and lecturers – who need licence and
permit to operate or teach dare to speak up?
Under the Printing Presses and
Publications Act, all printing presses require a license, to be
renewed every year, to operate. The Home Affairs Minister is given absolute
discretion in the granting and revocation of licenses as well as restricts or
ban outright publications. In addition, most of mass media are owned by the
government or pro-establishment entities.
Do we still remember Mahathir’s Operasi Lalang and infamous sacking of Lord President of Federal
Court, Salleh Abas? How about Lim Guan Eng being jailed under Sedition Act for defending
the honor of a Malay girl? Do you vote for police brutality during peaceful rallies
and death in police custody?
In Pakatan Rakyat’s election manifesto, they promise among others
(i) abolish UUCA and ensure academic freedom, (ii) abolish legislation that is “anti-rakyat”,
and (iii) reform judiciary, Attorney General’s Chambers, MACC and police force.
Do we want these
changes to restore our true freedom? If you answer “YES”, please GO TO VOTE on this
5th May 2013. Exercise your rights. Feel brave and free to choose for
change for a better Malaysia.
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