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Why is the Madani Unity Government so afraid of a hate-corruption rally?
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22, 2025: The police have warned the public against attending the Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah (Hate Corruption Rally) on Saturday (Jan 25).It is mind boggling why the so-called Madani Unity Government (UG) is so scared of anti-corruption.
Isn’t fighting corruption Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s top priority of the UG?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on thje warning against those out to protest against corruption:
Cops warn public against attending Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah
-21 Jan 2025, 07:46 PM
Dang Wangi police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman says the organisers must obtain permission from the owners of the places of assembly.
Dang Wangi police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said strict action would be taken against those who attend illegal gatherings. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: The Dang Wangi police chief has advised the public not to attend “any gathering that contravene legal provisions”, in reference to the Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah rally planned for Jan 25 from the Sogo department store to Dataran Merdeka.
In a statement this evening, Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman maintained that the notice from the organisers on the rally was incomplete as it lacked permission from the owners or tenants of the places of assembly.
“On Jan 17, a response was sent to the organisers telling them to fulfil the provisions under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
“Strict action will be taken according to the provisions of the laws in force,” he said.
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail previously rejected claims by the rally’s organisers that the condition set by the police had no legal basis.
“Public spaces do not have owners. But if it’s outside the Sogo department store, you must get approval from Sogo.
“For Dataran Merdeka, you must seek permission from Kuala Lumpur City Hall. That’s the law,” he said.
Corruption Perception Index: Malaysia Continues to Deteriorate
Press Releases
Tuesday 31 January, Kuala Lumpur – Transparency International (TI) the global anti-corruption coalition today released its 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) drawing on surveys and expert assessments measuring the perceived level of corruption of public sectors in 180 countries and territories around the world.
Scandinavian countries continue to dominate the ranking, with Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden among the top 10 “cleanest” countries, together with New Zealand and Singapore from the Asia Pacific region. At the bottom of the index, the worst performers were Venezuela, Syria, South Sudan and Somalia.
Malaysia’s 2022 CPI score deteriorated to 47 points, where 0 is perceived to be highly corrupted and 100 is perceived to be very clean. From a score of 53 in 2019, Malaysia’s score has fallen 6 points over the past 3 years. This drop is statistically significant, indicating that we are heading in the wrong direction with regards to fighting corruption, supporting human rights and democracy in the public sector.
Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) believes the following are possible reasons contributing to this continued deterioration:
1. Very limited action from previous governments to curb political corruption and strengthen our Human Rights record. As an example, the Political Financing Act which was scheduled to be tabled in Parliament by the last two governments has yet to be realised. Also, the draft IPCMC Bill was revised to an ineffective version renamed the IPCC Bill. Tragically custodial deaths still occur in police lock ups even after an RCI (Royal Commission of Inquiry) was conducted in 2015.
2. Lack of political will to reform the MACC into a more independent and effective anti-corruption institution and made directly accountable to Parliament. Civil society has been calling for this reform since 2015.
3. Unduly wide interpretation of the Official Secrets Act leading to a lack of transparency on matters of public interest such as directly negotiated contracts. The ongoing RM9 billion Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project by the Ministry of Defence is a typical example of poor governance in public procurement – lack of competitive bidding, limited information disclosure, weak financial oversight and a failure to act on red flags.
4. Various court decisions in which the court gave a DNAA (Discharge Not Amounting to Acquittal) for certain individuals charged in high profile corruption cases may have given rise to a negative perception about how the legal process works. Clearer clarification from the AG’s Chambers could have mitigated against such a perception.
5. Poor implementation with the accompanying lack of measurable results of the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) which was launched in 2019 as a 5-year plan with clear initiatives and targets to address corruption, notably in the public sector. Given that its success lies in its implementation, TI-M has repeatedly called for the civil service to be fully responsible and accountable for this. Unfortunately, with the NACP due to end this year, we have seen very limited results.
6. Continued adverse findings in the Auditor General’s Annual Report on wrongdoings and poor governance practice by government officials. What is troubling is that these findings appear to be repetitive and remain unpunished, which can create a culture of impunity within the civil service. It is crucial that our lawmakers support amendments to the MACC Act to include “Misconduct in Public Office”, which will hold public officials accountable for their actions and decisions.
The government of Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim came into office in November 2022 with clear priorities being expressed. He highlighted Malaysia’s precarious fiscal position which requires immediate attention. The Prime Minister also stated his commitment to practicing good governance, transparency, integrity, and accountability in his government. TI-Malaysia believes that both goals are inter-related.
Reducing corruption, leakages, wastage and non-viable projects will help improve our fiscal position. It will also make Malaysia a more attractive destination for foreign investment. Finally, a public sector that practices good governance will also translate into better CPI scores for Malaysia moving forward.
Decisive and affirmative action to accelerate institutional reforms will go a long way towards improving our governance environment. These include:
· Practice Transparency with Information Disclosure
· Improve Accountability in Public Administration
· Introduce New Legislation to Strengthen Governance
· Reform the MACC into an Independent Institution
· Encourage Investigative Journalism
· Reintroduce Local Council Elections
Further details on these reforms are described in our slide presentation.
TI-Malaysia calls on the government to take firm, clear steps necessary to address our declining CPI score without compromise. Any delay will have long lasting negative impact on our competitiveness as a nation and our goal to be a nation which values ethics and integrity.
-End-
Note to Editors: For clarification on any and all official statements from Transparency International – Malaysia (TI-M), kindly refer to its President, Dr Muhammad Mohan (mmohan@transparency.org.my). For more information on Corruption Perception Index, visit www.transparency.org/research/cpi .
31 January, 2023
Francis Siah (MoCS):
There must be very strong reasons why some people felt the need to organise an anti-corruption rally.
PMX and his acolytes should ask why before they start to come down hard on the organisers.
Let us remind those in power today that it was the people who took to the streets, including the Bersih protests, that brought down the BN government and eventually put Anwar and his now equally corrupt/useless/self-serving parasites and leeches in Putrajaya.
People’s power installed you; they can also bring you down to earth. Remember that. Put it under your pillow, so that you will dream every night of your impending Waterloo. “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.
As an anti-graft movement, MoCS supports the Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah. I will be in Dataran Merdeka on Jan 25 in solidarity with the organisers. – fs
Update1
'Sickening', says lawyer as government, police seek to prevent anti-graft rally in KL
Organisers call out PH for hypocrisy and say police demand for permission from venue owners defies logic.
January 22, 2025 10:03 AM
Lawyer Zaid Malek reminds Pakatan Harapan leaders not to be hypocritical and repeat what previous governments have done to suppress public protests.
A vocal human rights lawyer has slammed the Anwar Ibrahim government's attempts to prevent an anti-corruption rally planned for Jan 25 in Kuala Lumpur, saying not only the home minister and the police making absurd demands, but it also showed the hypocrisy of the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition.
"This tactic of imposing unlawful and unnecessary requirements is a tactic we have seen before under the old BN government, and it is sickening that it continues under the unity government led by PH," said Zaid Malek, the lawyer for Sekretariat Rakyat Benci Rasuah which is planning a rally that will commence from the Sogo shopping centre to Dataran Merdeka on Saturday afternoon.
"During Bersih 4, PH leaders had condemned this same demand by police to obtain permission to enter Dataran Merdeka. It is thus sheer hypocrisy for Saifuddin Nasution and the Madani government to insist we now get permission to march to Dataran," he said, referring to past anti-government protests backed by PH.
Saifuddin, the home minister, has reiterated the police's demand that organisers obtain permission from owners of the premises where the rally is to be held.
Zaid described the statement "most ignorant and reckless by a home minister in recent times".
"Following this absurd logic, no public gathering can take place in Malaysia so long as surrounding building owners object to it."
He said instead of obstructing the public and warning them to stay away from the rally, authorities should ensure that the gathering can take place as planned and without interference.
"Why is the government so afraid of anti-corruption rally when they have made a boast of fighting corruption?" asked Zaid.
Yesterday, police said the rally was in violation of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) as the organisers had not obtained permission from premise owners.
Zaid, however, said the police's demand lacked any legal basis as the rally would be held in public spaces, adding that PAA only required the organisers to notify the police.
"Even if there is non-compliance with regards to the notice, this does not affect the right of anyone who would want to peacefully assemble."
Zaid said organisers had fully complied with PAA.
"Permission from owner or occupier of premises does not arise as the rally will be held in public places. Dataran Merdeka and the road in front of Sogo would fall under the definition of 'public place' under Section 3 of PAA."
He also questioned police for not responding to organisers' request for a meeting to resolve the matter.
"It shows their intention to hinder the rally from taking place."
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