Is martial rule A la BN-Umno coming true for Malaysia?
With the National Security Council (NSC) Act 2016, which came into force on Aug 1, 2016, the fears of seizing power from democracy is a real concern among Malaysians.
The NSC, touted as the most draconian of all laws ever to be enacted, gives the prime minister of the day sweeping powers to seize control of the administration of the country without having to go to the democratic national polls.
Even the abolished Internal Security Act (ISA) is a pale shadow of the NSC. And Malaysians have witnessed how the ISA was used to clamp down on politicians and not communists as the law was enacted for.
Malaysians may not have to wait long to see whether the NSC will be unleashed - the coming Bersih 5 public rally could be telling.
Online news portal malaysiakini quoted Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar as saying that all (public) rallies, including Bersih 5, will be handled under the provision of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012.
He said this when asked on concerns that the NSC would be invoked against the recently announced Bersih 5 rally.
“What has the NSC got to do with the rallies? Rallies are governed by the PAA.
“I don't see any relevancy between the NSC Act and the people who want to rally. I don't see that it is going to be used for that (purpose),” he told a media conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Now, that’s very assuring and comforting to hear from the IGP.
But an Umno minister has objected to the staging of Bersih 5.
themalaymail online has quoted Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob as saying public rallies organised by Bersih 2.0 are no longer about electoral reforms but whatever the group desires.
He questioned how the group’s demand for action in the case of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) was related to free and fair elections that is Bersih 2.0’s professed goal.
“If the police allow them to march, I hope it is not on the streets. It would cause problems for business owners and taxi drivers,” he said.
Khalid had reportedly said the police would allow Bersih 5 to proceed so long as the organisers abide by the Peaceful Assembly Act and did not demand the prime minister’s resignation.
He also gave approval for Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Yunos’s proposed counter-rally on the same condition.
Police permits are no longer needed under the PAA; public assembly organisers are merely required to notify the authorities 10 days in advance.
Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah has confirmed that Bersih 5 will be held this year, but said the coalition of civil society groups has yet to decide on a date and venue.
Bersih 2.0 is also seeking to hold a series of roadshows to raise awareness on the agenda of its rally, which is being called in light of the United States Department of Justicecivil suit to seize assets worth over US$1 billion (RM4.03 billion) that is alleged to have originated from 1MDB funds.
Maria added that that Bersih supported the #TangkapMalaysianOfficial1 rally planned for Aug 27, 2016.
“Bersih 2.0, together with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and concerned citizens have initiated various weekly actions to protest against the 1MDB scandal. This includes a planned #TangkapMalaysianOfficial1 protests by youths on Aug 27,” Maria said.
She added that not protesting was not an option. “As citizens, we must make a strong stand against grand corruption and betrayal of trust,” she stressed.
The immediate worry is the intention of the veiled threats issued by the infamous Red Shirts led by Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Yunos.
themalaymail online reported Jamal Yunos as reaffirming his vow to hold a counter rally to Bersih 5 if electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 proceeds with its gathering.
He also dared the group not to abandon its plan for the rally.
“We will wait, I challenge them to do it. Sometimes, they are all talk. If they do it, we will do it. At the same time, place and date,” he added.
Now, no one is saying that the Red Shirts cannot hold public rallies. They are free to do so as long as they adhere to the PAA.The pertinent question is this: Why must or should the Red Shirts be allowed to hold its rally at the same time, place and date as Bersih 5?
If the police allow this to happen, then the IGP should be held responsible for any violent clashes.
If/When that happens, will the NSC be invoked? Time will tell.
The NSC, touted as the most draconian of all laws ever to be enacted, gives the prime minister of the day sweeping powers to seize control of the administration of the country without having to go to the democratic national polls.
Even the abolished Internal Security Act (ISA) is a pale shadow of the NSC. And Malaysians have witnessed how the ISA was used to clamp down on politicians and not communists as the law was enacted for.
Malaysians may not have to wait long to see whether the NSC will be unleashed - the coming Bersih 5 public rally could be telling.
Online news portal malaysiakini quoted Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar as saying that all (public) rallies, including Bersih 5, will be handled under the provision of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012.
He said this when asked on concerns that the NSC would be invoked against the recently announced Bersih 5 rally.
“What has the NSC got to do with the rallies? Rallies are governed by the PAA.
“I don't see any relevancy between the NSC Act and the people who want to rally. I don't see that it is going to be used for that (purpose),” he told a media conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Now, that’s very assuring and comforting to hear from the IGP.
But an Umno minister has objected to the staging of Bersih 5.
themalaymail online has quoted Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob as saying public rallies organised by Bersih 2.0 are no longer about electoral reforms but whatever the group desires.
He questioned how the group’s demand for action in the case of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) was related to free and fair elections that is Bersih 2.0’s professed goal.
“If the police allow them to march, I hope it is not on the streets. It would cause problems for business owners and taxi drivers,” he said.
Khalid had reportedly said the police would allow Bersih 5 to proceed so long as the organisers abide by the Peaceful Assembly Act and did not demand the prime minister’s resignation.
He also gave approval for Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Yunos’s proposed counter-rally on the same condition.
Police permits are no longer needed under the PAA; public assembly organisers are merely required to notify the authorities 10 days in advance.
Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah has confirmed that Bersih 5 will be held this year, but said the coalition of civil society groups has yet to decide on a date and venue.Bersih 2.0 is also seeking to hold a series of roadshows to raise awareness on the agenda of its rally, which is being called in light of the United States Department of Justicecivil suit to seize assets worth over US$1 billion (RM4.03 billion) that is alleged to have originated from 1MDB funds.
Maria added that that Bersih supported the #TangkapMalaysianOfficial1 rally planned for Aug 27, 2016.
“Bersih 2.0, together with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and concerned citizens have initiated various weekly actions to protest against the 1MDB scandal. This includes a planned #TangkapMalaysianOfficial1 protests by youths on Aug 27,” Maria said.
She added that not protesting was not an option. “As citizens, we must make a strong stand against grand corruption and betrayal of trust,” she stressed.
The immediate worry is the intention of the veiled threats issued by the infamous Red Shirts led by Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Yunos.themalaymail online reported Jamal Yunos as reaffirming his vow to hold a counter rally to Bersih 5 if electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 proceeds with its gathering.
He also dared the group not to abandon its plan for the rally.
“We will wait, I challenge them to do it. Sometimes, they are all talk. If they do it, we will do it. At the same time, place and date,” he added.
Now, no one is saying that the Red Shirts cannot hold public rallies. They are free to do so as long as they adhere to the PAA.The pertinent question is this: Why must or should the Red Shirts be allowed to hold its rally at the same time, place and date as Bersih 5?
If the police allow this to happen, then the IGP should be held responsible for any violent clashes.
If/When that happens, will the NSC be invoked? Time will tell.
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