Day: June 16, 2017

Call to ban Evangelicalism simply wrong, says constitutional lawyer

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Source: The Malaysian Insight 

Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (Centhra) CEO Azril Mohd Amin proposes that the ‘dangerous movement that is evangelicalism’ be kept in check as it ‘threatens religious harmony in Malaysia’. – YouTube screenshot, June 16, 2017.

EVERY Malaysian has the right to profess and practise his or her religion according to the Federal Constitution, and this right may not be restricted or denied by the state, a constitutional lawyer said, on the call to ban Evangelical Christianity in Malaysia.

Lawyer Syahredzan Johan said to outlaw evangelicalism here would be unconstitutional especially when the church worships in private without propagating to Muslims.

“Outlawing Evangelical Christianity would be unconstitutional. These are Christian denominations we are talking about, and Article 11(1) is clear; all persons have the right to profess and practise their religion.

“This right cannot be restricted or denied by the state at all. So there is no grounds to outlaw it,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (Centhra), a coalition of Islamic groups, had said the banning of evangelicalism was in line with Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, towards preserving peace among religions. Read more →

STATEMENT: AG MUST ACT NOW!

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STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT AND DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF HAKAM DATED 16 June 2017

pdfWe are truly shocked that the AG has been so quick to dismiss the disclosures made by the latest DOJ findings that 1 MDB funds were used for private persons connected to Malaysian Official 1 (MO1) who has been identified as the Prime Minister by a Minister in the Prime Minister’s department.

The AG is the guardian of the public interest. Significantly, he was part of a special task force to investigate the 1MDB matter. He has also asserted in court proceedings that if there is fresh evidence then he could revive investigations against any wrongdoer.

The DOJ provides this further fresh evidence. Even before then there is ample evidence to initiate proceedings.

Additionally, there is clear evidence of assets within Malaysia emanating from, or related to, the 1 MDB fund. Other countries – such as the US, Switzerland and Singapore – have seized such assets. Some banks and officers have been prosecuted and convicted for allowing 1 MDB funds to be channelled by them. Read more →

Suhakam to conduct own probe on missing persons cases

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Source: The Star Online

Pastor Joshua Hilmy dan Ruth, Pastor Raymond Koh, dan Amri Che Mat.

PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) says that it will be conducting investigations into a number of missing persons cases.

Its chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said that it would be looking into the disappearances of Pastor Raymond Koh, Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth Sitepu, and Perlis welfare activist Amri Che Mat (pics).

“Suhakam calls for individuals with relevant and important information to come forward to have their statements recorded by Suhakam from now to July 7, 2017,” said Razali.

He added that statements could also be recorded on the phone via Suhakam’s complaints division at 019-333 8490. Read more →

New revelations by the US DOJ require answers and action — Bersih 2.0 Statement

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Dated 16 June 2017

BERSIH 2.0 is appalled by the new revelations from the United States Department of Justice (US DOJ) suit on the misappropriation of funds from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The US DOJ now alleges, with comprehensive records of emails, bank transfers and phone calls, that $4.5 billion (approximately RM17 billion) was misappropriated by high-level officials to finance their “lavish lifestyles…at the expense and detriment of the Malaysian people”.

The filings also show that the statement made by Attorney General Apandi Ali in January 2016, clearing Prime Minister Najib Razak of all charges, was false. It directly contradicts Apandi Ali by stating 1MDB was the only source of funds for the $681 million transferred to Najib. Read more →

Suhakam not happy with how Malaysians treat their maids

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Source: FMT News

The national rights commission’s chief says locals do not respect the rights of domestic maids. Pic from FMT News.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians do not treat their domestic maids with dignity, said the government’s human rights commission Suhakam.

“We trample on their rights and ignore their needs to be respected and protected,” said Suhakam chairman Razali Ismail in remarks on Consultation on Domestic Workers at the Malaysian Bar here.

He said incidents of abuses and in some extreme cases, deaths of workers, had given the country a bad name.

He said nine cases involving domestic workers were reported to Suhakam last year, with issues ranging from forced labour, arbitrary arrest, deportation, physical abuse to human trafficking.

There are some 130,000 documented foreign maids, 90% of who are Indonesians. However, the Bar Council says there are also an equal number of domestic helpers without work permit. Read more →