Stop hounding do-gooders

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mattaibWhat is happening is really disturbing. We get the impression that Umno and the police are colluding to rein in do-gooders who highlight corruption in high places. A case in point is the police report made against Malaysia Today webmaster Raja Petra Kamarudin.

The report was made on Monday and the police called up Raja Petra on Wednesday. The police must have gone on overdrive to be super efficient.

 

What is happening is really disturbing. We get the impression that Umno and the police are colluding to rein in do-gooders who highlight corruption in high places. A case in point is the police report made against Malaysia Today webmaster Raja Petra Kamarudin. The report was made on Monday and the police called up Raja Petra on Wednesday. The police must have gone on overdrive to be super efficient.

Compare this to police reports made by others on issues of grave concern that had not received this kind of attention. Were these reports allowed to drag on because they were directed at personalities belonging to the ruling party? Malaysians would recall the many police reports made against Umno leaders who uttered seditious remarks at the last Umno General Assembly that really threatened the peace of the nation and the harmony among the various communities. What has happened after all these many months?

Anwar, Guan Eng, Ezam and a host of others had lodged reports with the police. What has happened to all those reports? Will they see the light of the day or will they be stored away on some dusty shelf?

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Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib had claimed in his report that “the posting of articles on 11 July and subsequent responses contained elements that could cause racial tension”. But Raja Petra had stated in no uncertain terms that he had not posted any articles on 11 July. If that is the case, then the Umno chief must be grossly misinformed or he is concocting something to get at Raja Petra. He has not produced a shred of evidence to substantiate his claim that articles were posted on 11 July to justify his police report. We are reminded of the English proverb that states, “Give a dog a bad name and hang him.” That is what Muhammad Taib is trying to do. Tarnish Raja Petra and let the police charge him, so it seems.

But the Malaysian public is well informed and they know the real reason for Umno’s panic. With the next general election imminent, Umno is running scared. Malaysia Today has continued to expose abuse and corruption in high places involving Barisan Nasional leaders without any let up – and, what’s more, these exposes are supported by accompanying evidence. This is hurting the BN and that is the only reason why they are doing their best to put away Raja Petra.

The Malaysian public cannot be fooled by the flimsy excuses hatched by worried Umno leaders to save their skin. If they are really concerned about national unity and harmony and preserving the peace of the country, then they would be more careful about what they say and how they say it. The way they behave and push their weight around – the things they say, the challenges they throw and the warnings they give – have not convinced the Malaysian public that they are statesmen. They are only politicians apparently doing whatever is necessary to consolidate their power and position.

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Aliran calls upon the police to desist from hounding well-meaning Malaysians whose only concern is the welfare of the nation.

P Ramakrishnan

President

27 July 2007

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

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