Media Statement
Aliran AGM passes resolution on worsening rights situation
Aliran held its 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 4 Nov 2001 in Penang. The following resolution was passed unanimously, noting with concern:
- the arrests of ten reformasi activists in April, five of whom are still in detention;
- the scape-goating, intimidation, victimisation and arrests of university students from the middle of this year;
- the arrests of several men for alleged involvement in militant activities between May and July, and the subsequent arrests from August of some 16 men for alleged involvement in a so-called Kumpulan Mujahideen Malaysia (KMM);
- the disturbing findings of abuse of power in Suhakam's well-documented inquiry report on the Kesas highway demonstration and further,
- the Prime Minister's response that Suhakam had been influenced by western thinking and the statement by its chairman, Musa Hitam, that human rights should "take a back seat" in the war against terrorism;
- Suhakam's delay in carrying out an inquiry into the Kampong Medan racial attacks which led to several deaths;
- the Prime Minister's statement that Malaysia is already an "Islamic state" (despite there being no such provision in the Federal Constitution and this being an extremely sensitive issue); and further,
- that this is tantamount to a misinterpretation, deliberate or otherwise, of the constitutional provisions contained in Articles 3 and 11, which provide for Islam as the official religion of the Federation and bestow on every person the right to profess and practise his or her religion;
and calling upon:
- the government to repeal the obnoxious ISA and to charge all the ISA detainees in an open court, failing which they should be released immediately and unconditionally:
- the government to provide evidence to back up its allegations of militant Islamic activities in the country;
- the government to respect Suhakam as an independent body answerable to Parliament and to implement Suhakam's recommendations without further delay;
- Suhakam to play a leading role in upholding human rights and to investigate all human rights abuses, including the Kampung Medan tragedy, and not to allow human rights to "take a back seat" under any circumstances;
- all Malaysians, especially the government, to respect the constitutional provisions pertaining to Islam and the other religions, thereby restoring public confidence and ensuring inter-religious harmony
P Ramakrishnan was re-elected as president. Also re-elected were Dr Francis Loh (secretary), Dr Mustafa K Anuar (asst secretary), and Dr S P Subramaniam (treasurer).
The new executive committee for the coming year comprises Anil Netto, Gan Kong Hwee, Dr Khoo Boo Teik, Dr Maznah Mohamad, Dr Prema Devaraj, Pajan Singh, A Sethupathy, Dr Molly Lee, Chew Sun Chooi, Andrew Wong and Dr Wong Soak Koon.
P Ramakrishnan
President
4 November 2001
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