The Malaysian authorities must have something against human rights. Earlier this year, our very own Malaysian Human Rights Day was marred by a police shooting of people gathering in peace (see an earlier posting). Then, two days ago, on the eve of International Human Rights Day, the authorities decided to crackdown on lawyers and people who exercised their right to peaceful assembly and also others who have earlier pushed for clean and fair elections. The crackdown was followed by a shameful day in court, on Human Rights Day itself.

Just as history is written by the victors, stories are told by those in power (especially those who control the media). In court yesterday, the Attorney General, who was personally prosecuting the case against the lawyers and activists, repeatedly used the phrase “larger interest of the public”. He was attempting to persuade the court to deny bail on the basis that these people’s freedom would undermine the so-called larger interest of the public.
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I feel that the Bar Council’s decision to call off the walk to commemorate Human Rights Day is wrong and disappointing. There does not seem to be any clear indication as to why the walk has been called off, apart from some vague reference to the need to apply for a police permit.

It is disappointing and ironic indeed that the Bar Council have to kowtow to undemocratic and unjust laws on the occasion that is supposed to celebrate and advance human rights in our country. In light of recent events, I believe that there is all the more reason that the Bar Council and Malaysian Bar should be taking the lead to fight for rights and freedoms that every Malaysian is entitled to.
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It’s regrettable that Tony Pua lodged a police report against Kelab Penyokong Maya Umno (KPMU), which allegedly insulted Christians and Christianity. Indeed, it’s unfortunate that he even instigated the police to “arrest the writer, editor, publisher and the owner of the website and investigate them under the Sedition Act”. (Check out the Malaysiakini report.)

Just to clarify, I don’t condone anyone insulting Christians and Christianity, or any other religion for that matter. However, I do have a problem with condoning the use of sedition legislation.
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I’ve been meaning to write about the Information Minister’s recent comments about the so-called “social contract” in Malaysia. I’ve heard some politicians misuse this term before, and I believe they have been using it deliberately to mislead the Rakyat. Then again, maybe they think they sound clever when they use a philosophical term although they don’t really understand the meaning of it.

Well, I was prompted to write this by an email from a friend that contained a news article on Zam’s comments on another but somewhat related issue. Anyway, I think it’s time he and other like-minded Umno-BN politicians stopped misleading the people about how independence came about in 1957 and the current social realities.
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