Public must not allow themselves to be spooked by Perkasa

Newsflash:

Public must not allow themselves to be spooked by Perkasa

Written by Dr. Lim Teck Ghee, Director, Centre for Policy Initiatives Friday, 13 August 2010 12:37

CPI Writings

On Aug 10, Perkasa made a police report against CPI columnist Ms Helen Ang, calling for her to be investigated under the Sedition Act or ISA.

They alleged: “Helen juga dengan angkuhnya memburuk-burukkan Yang Di-Pertuan Agung Tuanku Mizan dengan mempertikaikan kuasa baginda??? [Helen also arrogantly denigrated the Agong by questioning his authority].

If anyone would care to peruse her article – which was published on Aug 4 in the CPI website – he would find that there is no mention or faintest allusion to the Agong or the rulers. How Perkasa came to its baffling conclusion on this purported instance of ‘arrogance’ directed at the Malaysian head of state is a mystery.

Perkasa Youth chief Arman Azha Abu Hanifah who made the report exercised another stretch of the imagination by claiming the content of the article was “clearly written with bad intentions??? and “capable of creating tensions??? and “a threat to national security???. Arman has also made a similar police report on the article in his capacity as an Umno Youth divisional office bearer.

Utusan Malaysia and other Malay papers carried Arman’s wild allegations against Ms Ang under such headlines as ‘Perkasa minta polis siasat Helen Ang pertikai hak Melayu, Islam’ and ‘Perkasa lapor portal pertikai Islam’ among others. Evidently, Perkasa and their backers in the Umno-controlled media see everywhere threats to Islam and challenges to Malay rights.

This is not the first time that columnists writing for the CPI and other internet websites on issues of public concern such as religion, the Malay special position, the New Economic Policy, education, etc. have been harassed by the right wingers and those elements of our society inclined to fascism. It will be far from the last time.

Instead of engaging with writers in a rational fashion through reasoned arguments, Perkasa as well as the pro-Umno ‘ultra’ bloggers have seen fit to fan crude racial and religious sentiments. Their knee-jerk resort to incitement and instigation is sheer laziness and does them no credit. On the other hand, it only reveals the shallowness of their intellect and poverty of mindset on the important public issues facing our country.

Furthermore, the action to initiate the police reports is aimed at intimidating Ms Ang and other writers from exercising their right to freedom of expression in the national interest. The preference of Perkasa and their ilk is obviously to use the instruments of the state to censor differing views on contentious national issues.

The CPI would like to reiterate that the centre fully stands by the rights of its columnists and contributors to write critically and without fear on areas of key concern.

We call on the authorities to curb the extremist factions of our society who want to silence our independent intelligentsia. We also call on the public not to be spooked by these efforts to induce a ‘chill factor’ which will ultimately affect our public space and suppress our personal liberties.

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Comments (10)

21-08-2010 | RAMAKRISHNAN

these racist know how to fix you up. our kangaroo court will listen closer to them then the truth. we need to save this country from racism, extremism and nepotism

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17-08-2010 | Malaysian

I believe everyone has the civil equality rights. What we going through now in Malaysia as a minority race is like what
Martin Luther King was doing to fight his brother and sister rights as an equal partner in the US Constitution.

Those days KKK terrorizing african american whom they are not same color with them, people who help african americans to get a job, to get place to seat on the bus and so on. My 2 cent is Perkasa is leaning more to KKK than actually doing constructive development for the Malays.

Constructive development means like
1) Improve education
2) Reduce hardcore poverty
3) Reduce corruption
4) Improve religion tolerance view btw Malay and the rest of the minorities
5) Stride the country to move away from Al-Qaeda or any form of extremist activities that can jeopardize or cause a World War.

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16-08-2010 | Jong

Keep writing Helen, you have my support and many more!

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14-08-2010 | ramli - salute to true patriots

I dare the AG and police to take up this case. i believe Dr Lim is waiting for his moment in court so he can expose to the world the system that is found in Malaysia.

I dare Perkasa leaders to put more pressure on Utusan and UMNO to shut down CPI's website. Don't go half way lah - go the full way and you will see how Malaysians and the international media will react.

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14-08-2010 | malazy

typical nAZI TACTICS.....it'll be street demos next, stone-throwing, petrol bombs, cow heads?

these guys do read Mein Kempf, don't they and we call them stupid pigs?

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14-08-2010 | Vincent Ibrahim - Lazy Bunch

Perkosa mondus operandi is pretending to defend all the no-need to be defended issues which are already enshrined in the constitution - malay rights,islam position, the royalty, the malay language etc....if these regressive very free politicians got nothing else to do HOW ABOUT HELPING THE POOR PENANS,DAYAKS,ORANG ASLI,FELDA SETTLERS,VERY POOR KG.MALAYS?? Perkosa is but a social club for shameful lazy men who demand this that without hardwork like rest of people, so they can have easy life.

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14-08-2010 | Steve Oh - Keep challenging us to think....

I admire your proposition Mr Koon, you are a true patriot and kind-hearted person, or as Confucius would describe as " the upright man" but I doubt the best lawyers will be much good in a kangaroo court.

We have seen Anwar Ibrahim's court ordeal and the fate of others who are a thorn in the side of the political mafia.

The political metamorphosis in the country is in its final stage of change and like the ugly caterpillar that turns into a pretty butterfly we will live to see a similar transformation.

Keep believing that Malaysia is a colourful butterfly and never meant to be a drab and ugly moth.

The pen is still mightier than the sword and those who can't reason resort to the police state.

Keep up the good work TG and Helen and challenge our minds because soon it will be a crime to think!

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14-08-2010 | James - UMNO .... Malaysia's Finest

"it only reveals the shallowness of their intellect and poverty of mindset on the important public issues facing our country."

Shallow intellect, poverty of mindset..... words so fittingly descriptive of UMNO...... our Maruah Negara Pahlawan(s)......... tin can despots

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13-08-2010 | ZhangHo - Steadfast Flag Bearer & The Mighty PEN!

Dr Lim, it is very gratifying and admirable to see you protect & defend the beautiful article(Aug. 4th) of Helen Ang, and the rights to freedom of expression for so many wonderful, dedicated people in CPI & other Independant Alternative Media!

Please continue your invaluable and selfless mission of sharing your insights & objective researches. Thank you for the CPI platform!

The Power of the PEN is MIGHTIER than the SWORD!

It is good people like you(behind the PEN), who keeps the Flame of Hope & Faith burning!, ..lighting the PATH and guiding us from the Darkness of Ignorance to the Brightness of Courage to Change & Transform this chaotic country to the Multi-Ethnic(Racial) Malaysia as "ENVISIONED" by our beloved Bapa Tunku!

It is good people like you & associates who are our Trustees, Custodians and Guardians of our Personal Freedom & Liberty Rights!

Dr Lim, you have always been steadfast in your Beliefs, Convictions, Ethics and Principles. You have endured much personal sacrifices & pains over the years!.. and you are still strong & persevering!

You will always have my loyal & unwavering support, admiration & that of so many Malaysians!

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13-08-2010 | Koon Yew Yin - You have my support

DR Lim and Helen Ang, I give you my full support. If you are arrested, I am prepared to pay for the best lawyers to defend you.

I have read all your writings with keen interest. I admire your work. I hope this will not discourage you from writing any more. Don't worry, you have a lot of supporters.

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