Aliran Media Statement
Who is telling the truth? Please support our work by buying a copy of our print publication, Aliran Monthly, from your nearest news-stand. Better still take out a subscription now. If you prefer to read our web-based edition, please support our work and make a donation. For a US$10 donation (via credit card) 
For a US$25 donation
According to the chairperson of the Anwar Ibrahim home-coming committee, Kamarul Bahrin Abbas, an application for the permit for a gathering tomorrow at a public stadium, preferably Bukit Jalil Stadium, was submitted to the Home Ministry. There is evidence, by way of acknowledgement, that such an application was made. According to a senior Home Ministry official, "the issuance of permits is the jurisdiction of the police." (Malaysiakini, 26 October 2004). If that is the case, why did the Home Ministry accept the application and acknowledge it? Couldn't the applicant be simply told that "the Ministry does not deal with such matters"? Shouldn't the Ministry, as a matter of courtesy, have advised the applicant to submit the application to the Cheras district police headquarters, which is authorised to issue permits for gatherings at the Bukit Jalil Stadium? For it to now claim that "the Ministry does not deal with such matters" suggests that the Ministry had acted in bad faith by accepting - instead of rejecting - the application. Adding further to this confusion, it is revealed that the Ministry had referred the application to the police two days later. This only confirms that they could receive the application and - in line with what must presumably be the practice - had then channelled the application to the relevant approving authority. There is no reason to doubt this story, as it came from a Home Ministry senior official. But according to a police personnel at the Cheras District police headquarters, "the record showed no such application had been made to hold a gathering at the stadium on 31 Oct." Is the Cheras District police headquarters suppressing evidence by claiming that no such application was forwarded to them by the Home Ministry? If that is the position, does it not mean that the Home Ministry is lying? But there is no reason for the Home Ministry to lie. They are on public record as stating that the "permit was referred to the police." Which means someone is lying. The question is who? This is a very disturbing situation. The Home Ministry and the police are held in high esteem. But when we are faced with this troubling situation, how can the citizens of this country have any confidence in them? If the truth is suppressed in a small matter like this, is it any wonder that citizens are sceptical when any clarification is provided by the authorities. This is just an application for a peaceful gathering to avoid what can be potential chaos at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Why is there no democratic space for a peaceful gathering in our country? What is wrong if Anwar's friends and supporters are to meet at the stadium to greet someone who has been away from the public eye for six years. Forget about Anwar. This is a basic right of an individual. If Samy Vellu wants to hold a gathering to explain that it is not his fault that things are crumbling in the country, it is his right to do so. If Karpal wants to organise a gathering to explain that his suspension from Parliament is unjust, he should be allowed to do so. Similarly, if UMNO wants to address the curse of money politics at a gathering, they should be allowed this space. But is there a hidden motive for creating this obstacle to prevent Anwar from having this opportunity to meet his friends and supporters? It has been claimed that Anwar is irrelevant and that he does not command any support. Are the authorities afraid that this claim will not hold water when Anwar's friends and supporters turn up in their thousands. After all, it was reported that more than 10,000 people turned up on 4 Sept 2004 to see him off to Munich. Are they afraid that a 100,000-strong crowd may turn up and debunk the authorities' claim that Anwar has no following?
P Ramakrishnan
| |||||||||||||||||
