The Thirty-five people including 12 PSM leaders as well as front leaders were charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Monday for taking part in an “illegal assembly” on Saturday-26th. January 2008.
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) condemns the arrest and the charge brought against 35 people for participating in a protest against the Government’s imminent move to increase the price of fuel after elections.
The suppressing of the peaceful gathering is further prove of the vulnerability of the Barisan Government in facing the coming elections. Its action speaks volumes on how the ruling party will try to win and clinch to power.
PSM is also baffled by the Bail conditions set by the Session’s Court judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat who imposed an additional bail condition that the defendants must not participate in any future ’illegal assembly’. The condition was proposed by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Yusof Zainal Abidin. With this bizarre ruling, it tantamount that all the accused have already been found guilty even before the trial.
This further confirms the general opinion that the state of the Judiciary is in total shambles and will not be able to give any judgment fairly and impartially.
With this in view, the PSM has decided that the party would defy the court ruling and continue to assemble as the right to assemble is a fundamental human rights which cannot be curtailed by any anyone including any court.
We would continue to challenge this obtuse ruling and continue to defy any ruling or court order which goes against the fundamental liberties of the people. We cannot remain silent and allow kangaroo courts to interpret, deliver justice and curtail our freedom.
S.Arutchelvan
Secretary General.
Need to continue pressure Malaysian Government to drop charges against anti-price hike protestors
January 26, 2008
Dear comrades,
We have been receive tremendous solidarity messages and protests against the mass arrest during anti-inflation protest on last Saturday, 27 Jan.
35 people including Arulchelvan (Secretary-General, PSM), Dr Nasir Hashim (Chairperson, PSM), Saraswathy (Vice Chairperson), V. Selvam (Central Committee Member, PSM) and a dozen more PSM members as well as people from Islamic Party PAS and People Justice Party (PKR). ALL of them have been released yesterday (28 Jan) on RM 1,000 bail.
Session’s Court Judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat even imposed a ridiculous bail condition - that the defendants must not participate in any ’illegal assembly’.
This is part of the recent systemic crackdown of National Front Government against fundamental freedom and gearing the country towards “Police State”.
We thanks to all comrades who have send protests for the last two days. We call upon comrades to continue pressure Malaysian government to drop charges against those partiicpate in anti-price hike protest and other previous protests, and urge Malaysian Government to seize the crackdown on freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.
1) Prime Minister’s Office Malaysia
Perdana Putra Building
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62505 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan,
Malaysia.
Tel: 03 8888 8000
Fax: 03 8888 3444
2) Tan Sri Musa Hassan
Ketua Polis Malaysia (Inspector-General of Police)
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia,
50560 Bukit Aman,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-22626015
Fax: 03-22725613
3) Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police (HQ)
Polis Diraja Malaysia
Jalan Hang Tuah
51100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-21460522, 03-2485522
Fax: 03-20726786
Cc:
1) Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM)
Tingkat 29, Menara Tun Razak
Jalan Raja Laut 50350
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-26125600
Fax: 03-26125620
Chaiman: Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman
Regards,
Choo Chon Kai
International Bureau
Socialist Party of Malaysa / Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
International Bureau
Socialist Party of Malaysia / Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
Address:
No.22A, Lorong Vivekananda, 50470 Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.
Tel: +60-3-22747791, (mobile) +60-19-5669518
Fax: +60-3-87374772
email: (headquarters) psmhq tm.net.my
(international bureau) int.psm gmail.com
visit our website at:
http://parti-sosialis.org/