Aliran Media Statement

Violence is not the solution

Aliran abhors violence and supports the principle that the means must justify the ends. As such, we are shocked to read the Prime Minister claiming, "There are tapes being circulated asking the Muslims to assassinate leaders, including me." (The Star, 18 March 1999)

Nobody should advocate violence as a means to seek a political solution. That would be disastrous.

Aliran remains steadfast and opposes unequivocally any violent means attempted to remove Dr Mahathir Mohamad - just as we have been opposed to the violence perpetrated on Anwar Ibrahim to solve a political problem.

If there is any evidence that there are people conspiring to assassinate the Prime Minister or others, then it should be used to charge them in court immediately.

It is important for the Prime Minister to remember that in a democracy, there is no place for iron-fisted rule. People need space and scope to articulate their views democratically. Undemocratic and unjust laws must not frustrate the freedom of expression and of association.

It is important for the Prime Minister to realise that it is in the interest of the country to allow people to operate openly and democratically. If this avenue is blocked, then he cannot escape responsibility if people feel compelled to operate surreptitiously.

In the interest of the nation, Aliran calls on the authorities to provide such an avenue by making it easier to register political parties and societies so that groups who wish to play a more active role in creating a civil society may be able to operate legitimately.

P Ramakrishnan
President
18 March 1999