A Right Damn Slap In The Face.

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This has become completely ridiculous, absurd and foolish.

After the cancellation of a completely innocent walk on Human Rights, an official statement was issued from President of the Malaysian Bar, Ambiga Sreenevasan to explain why the walk was canceled:

The controversy surrounding the Bar Council Human Rights Day Walk scheduled for 9 December 2007 is indeed unfortunate and wholly unwarranted. This is an event that we have held for the past two years in recognition of International Human Rights Day, which falls on the 10th of December every year. It is a celebration of Human Rights, and the Malaysian Bar supports the International Human Rights Day as symbolic of the universality of human rights.

Apart from the Walk, the Bar Council is organising festivities in Central Market, which includes a lip-reading session of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, stage performances by the Orang Asli and others, and a colouring competition for children.

Accordingly, this event ought not to be embroiled in controversy.

Most significantly, it should not be vilified as affecting race relations or be regarded as an anti-Government rally.

In fact, it is an event that would have demonstrated complete racial harmony and would have demonstrated (as we have before) that we can walk peaceably in unity for human rights the world over. It would have been an opportunity for the authorities to show to the world that we subscribe to these values. It is a missed opportunity.

The Bar Council has given anxious consideration to the present circumstances that surround this event, particularly the interests of the public and the Malaysian Bar. In consequence, the Bar Council has decided to cancel the walk from Sogo to Central Market. HOWEVER THE FESTIVITIES AT CENTRAL MARKET WILL PROCEED. We believe it is important that this event from 9am to 2.30pm be held, and the public are invited to attend it.

The Bar Council takes the position that the requirement for an application for a permit under the Police Act to hold this event, violates our constitutional right to peaceful assembly. In fact, the Royal Commission on the Police Force and SUHAKAM have said as much, and have called for a repeal of this law, as has the Bar Council. The police had asked for the Bar Council to apply for a permit for their consideration for the Walk. Apart from the circumstances that we have taken into account, we believe this is an unlawful fetter on our constitutional right to assemble peacefully.

We are mindful that many will be disappointed at the cancellation of the walk, but other more significant considerations have prevailed on this occasion.

Ambiga Sreenevasan
President
Malaysian Bar

4 December 2007

And now, I was just emailed by Edmund Bon, with a personal note saying this:

Dear all,
kindly take note that venue for the Festival is no longer Central Market but is now instead the auditorium at the Bar Council Building (a skip and a hop from Central Market). The address is:

No. 13, 15 & 17, Leboh Pasar Besar,
50050 Kuala Lumpur,
Wilayah Persekutuan,
Malaysia.

The following is a personal note by the Chairman of the Bar Council’s Human Rights Committee:-

The theme of the Festival of Rights this year is “As I Believe: Freedom of Expression through Art, Music, Culture and Conscience”. We intended to showcase the indivisibility of rights, and how various forms of expression are manifested in the facets of our humanity.

We have notified the police of our programme for the Festival of Rights. We have been asked to apply for a permit.

It would be ironic and outrageous for us to make such an application.

We are therefore moving our festivities (which starts at 9am) to the Bar Council Building.

On a day where everyone ought to celebrate human rights, it is also an important time to take stock of the repression of rights in this country, particularly the regulation of free speech and expression by way of licensing requirements.

The right to freedom of expression in Malaysia is in practical terms illusory. Licensed expression is not expression. We need to change this.

On International Human Rights Day where there is much to celebrate around the world, this year in our country, we protest. We protest in a place where human rights, free speech and expression is vigorously respected and defended.

Join us on the 9th!

Warm regards
Edmund Bon

*

After the initial anger and disappointment, I’ll tell you, I’m glad the Bar is not compromising and not even bothering to apply for a permit. Freedom of assembly and expression is allowed in a democracy, it’s allowed in OUR democracy. Don’t try to make it appear different. And it is so completely ironic that the organizers were asked to apply for a permit, for a walk on human rights, organized by the Malaysian Bar! I echo Ambiga’s thoughts that this is a “missed opportunity” for the government to show they are dedicated to the cause of human rights.

But then again, when have our so-called benefactors have had any clear presence of mind to make themselves look good, and do some good anyway? They think Malaysian society is made up of fools that cannot see through their deception, but I guarantee you, the Malaysian public is not stupid. Lulled by apathy and complacency perhaps, but we know what is going on. In each of our little Malaysian heart of hearts we know we’re being royally jipped. It may take awhile for some to get out of denial, but with the drivel coming out of the government’s mouths daily, it shouldn’t be far too long when the light bulb finally goes on.

To the anonymous commenters out there on the blogs, who are vilifying the Bar, and blaming Ambiga for the cancellation, and calling them all sorts of names, when have any of you ever stood up? You hide on the Internet under a veil of anonymity, and you’re calling other people names? You try coming out here, and doing this sort of work, and putting out fires and working on causes and fighting for the rights of others on a daily basis, in a calm, systematic, LAWFUL manner while dealing with irrational fools that have power- and you tell me how you do it. If any of you know how to do better, please speak up, I would like to hear some suggestions. Can you even say constructive criticism?

Marah tu, jangan nak membuta tuli.

Chemically laced water, tear gas, and constant vilification and the eventual turning of this place into a police state is a clear example that they have lost the plot when it comes to human rights. I will not even go into the displacement suffered by other Malaysians in the name of ‘development.’ As someone who has written on the displacement of the Orang Asli, the fate of the squatters in Kampung Berembang and the demolitions of Hindu temples, and the downright disgraceful treatment of Burmese, Sri Lankan, and Iranian refugees in this country, I will have to say human rights is hardly a consideration here, for whatever excuse ‘they’ may have.

The Bar, came up with the idea to organize these celebration on a yearly basis, in conjunction with the International Human Rights day (Dec 10), two years ago, and I applaud them for taking a step forward in creating awareness on issues that affect us and the world – by walking and arranging specific activities to engage the citizens in proper, analytical thought and through the power of expression. It was a festival to celebrate us, the power of humanity and to affirm our stand as a country that should be concerned about issues such as these. A country that was determined to make a difference, for the betterment of its people, by way of a fair, kind and just administration.

Clearly, this isn’t important to government of the day, and they aren’t the sort described by the adjectives above. Clearly.

And so be it. They do not represent my views, and I never put them there. You think that one silly survey where a sample size of 1,250 is enough to determine 74 percent of Malaysians are happy with our ‘free and fair elections?‘

Why didn’t you ask the 40,000 that marched on 10-Eleven? We’d have given you a different answer. Our yellow clothes spilling over the streets and sidewalks may have been an obvious hint. But that’s okay. You may keep this up ladies and gents of the administration – the systemic abuse of rights and constant proliferation of propaganda through government controlled media, and the effective shutting down of expression and freedoms – it will get you nowhere.

What’s that you said? “Bring it to the ballot box?”

Well, Malaysia is watching and we lie and wait. And I have more faith in my people, than I have in you – because to me, you are not Malaysia.

Anyways. I’m really tense, what with work and not being able to go to the gym, and just feeling downright unhealthy! So this weekend, I think I might go for a leisurely walk with some friends. Ahem.

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