Day: December 17, 2016

Police nab Zunar for sedition, fans at event

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Source: The Malay Mail Online

Cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque has pledged to continue drawing despite the government banning some of his books, saying it was impossible for the authorities to ban his ideas. — Picture by Choo Choy May

Cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque had in May 2016 pledged to continue drawing despite the government banning some of his books, saying it was impossible for the authorities to ban his ideas. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 ― The police raided an event by cartoonist Zunar here today, arresting him for sedition and five others, and confiscating his books and merchandise.

The artist, whose full name is Zulkiflee Anwar Haque, told Malay Mail Online that two of his assistants and three fans were arrested, ostensibly for obstructing the police during their operation at the “Tea With Zunar” event at the Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) here.

“They are arresting me, but for now they are still counting my books. Five people have been arrested. Two are my assistants and three people are my fans,” he told Malay Mail Online before cutting the call.

All those detained will be brought to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters for investigation.

Dang Wangi district police chief Assistant Commisioner Mohd Sukri Kaman told Malay Mail Online that the cartoonist was detained under the Sedition Act 1948 as his books were found to have seditious contents. Read more →

Home Ministry told to review outdated laws, DPM says

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Source: The Malay Mail Online

TELUK INTAN, Dec 17 ― The Home Ministry has been asked to review outdated laws to allow heavier penalties to be imposed on offenders as a deterrent sentence.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the law review process in collaboration with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) was needed to provide legislation and punishments that were deemed “futuristic” and rational to be applied in the future.

“I have instructed the ministry’s legal advisers and the Drafting Unit of the AGC to look at all existing laws, not only involving the PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police) but also to review the legislations under the ministry’s jurisdictions.     Read more →

DPM expects full report from IGP on NGOs under investigation for receiving foreign funds

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Source: The Malay Mail Online

TELUK INTAN, Dec 17 — Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar will be asked to give details on 20 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which are suspected of receiving foreign funds.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that currently he did not have information on the matter.

“I will ask the IGP for the details on which are the 20 NGOs that have been investigated,” he told reporters after officiating the PDRM Health Examination Subsidy and Aid Scheme at the Hilir Perak District Police Contingent Headquarters, here today. Read more →

Rights up our street — Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin

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Source: The Malay Mail Online

By Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin

opinion-clipart-k12118272DECEMBER 17 — Most national constitutions refer to the rights that the state must respect and promote for its citizens.

Part Two of our Federal Constitution is headed “Fundamental Liberties”: here are articles about protecting the liberty of the person; prohibiting slavery and forced labour; protection against retrospective criminal laws and repeated trials; equality before the law; prohibition of banishment and freedom of movement; freedom of speech, assembly and association; freedom of religion; educational rights; and rights to property. Related matters concerning citizenship, elections and preventive detention are addressed elsewhere in the document.

Our early leaders spoke often about these rights. Our first Yang di-Pertuan Agong referred to the Federal Constitution as “a charter of our common belief that certain fundamental principles are essential to the dignity and self-respect of man”, while our first Prime Minister, who proclaimed Malaysia as a democracy founded upon liberty and justice, led the call for the formation of the National Human Rights Society (Hakam) on Human Rights Day (Dec 10, 1988).

Today there are many organisations working explicitly towards human rights objectives, while others combine on-the-ground services to the marginalised with an advocacy role. In addition there are the corporate responsibility arms of companies that indirectly promote similar causes, boosting the volunteer efforts that run shelters, orphanages, soup kitchens and homeschooling programmes. Read more →