Anwar-The Police Should Combat Crime, Not Oppress the People
Media Statement: The Police Should Combat Crime, Not Oppress the People
On 3 February 2007 I was scheduled to speak at a ceramah organised by the Petaling Jaya Selatan Division of Parti Keadilan Rakyat along with other Keadilan leaders at Taman Medan.
The division had applied for a police permit for the event. Yet, this was refused. On the day of the ceramah, the police and the Federal Reserve Unit decided to install road blocks in roads leading to the venue. Hundreds of policemen and MBPJ officers barricaded the venue.
Nevertheless, over 3,000 members of the public defied the police intimidation and attended the ceramah. When I arrived at the scene, the police did not want to allow anyone to speak all. After pressuring the police, they relented and I spoke for twenty minutes to the crowd.
I have raised questions pertaining to the murder of Altantuya, the payment of onerous commissions amounting to more than RM1 billion ringgit in weapons procurement, the purchase of a luxury yacht as well as other issues that have not been answered by the government. Is this why the government is scared and decide to misuse the police instead?
On the next day, 4 February, members of the public unhappy over the recent toll hikes organised a peaceful gathering in front of IOI Mall, Puchong. Again, the police decided to arrests 15 Opposition leaders and activists despite the peaceful nature of the assembly.
It is unfortunate that the police continue to resort to use fear and intimidation as they become nothing but a tool to the ruling government. The police state may have started by Tun Dr. Mahathir, yet for all his lip service towards transparency, accountability and openness, the Prime Minister has not dismantled the oppressive apparatuses of the state at all and continue to use it to mask his own weaknesses.
A few kilometers from the site of the Taman Medan ceramah, a massive robbery took place in Subang Parade that left two security guards as well as a robber dead; while another security guard critically injured. Many ordinary Malaysians patronising the shopping mall with their family on a Saturday night were left running in panic or hiding in fear due to the exchange of gunfire. 50 bullets were found at the scene.
While the police is more interested to become servants to the government in an effort to oppress the Opposition, Malaysia’s crime rate has risen dramatically. Frequently we hear complaints that the police is facing limited manpower and time to carry out their duties effectively; surely this limitation becomes more acute when their resources are used to prevent the activities of legitimate political parties. The police should focus on their main responsibility of preventing crime and guaranteeing the safety of ordinary Malaysians.
ANWAR IBRAHIM
February 5th 2007
Married men, take note. Your wife is your “Prosperity God” and the more you hug her, the more prosperous you will get, find out here.
Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim
On 3 February 2007 I was scheduled to speak at a ceramah organised by the Petaling Jaya Selatan Division of Parti Keadilan Rakyat along with other Keadilan leaders at Taman Medan.
The division had applied for a police permit for the event. Yet, this was refused. On the day of the ceramah, the police and the Federal Reserve Unit decided to install road blocks in roads leading to the venue. Hundreds of policemen and MBPJ officers barricaded the venue.
Nevertheless, over 3,000 members of the public defied the police intimidation and attended the ceramah. When I arrived at the scene, the police did not want to allow anyone to speak all. After pressuring the police, they relented and I spoke for twenty minutes to the crowd.
I have raised questions pertaining to the murder of Altantuya, the payment of onerous commissions amounting to more than RM1 billion ringgit in weapons procurement, the purchase of a luxury yacht as well as other issues that have not been answered by the government. Is this why the government is scared and decide to misuse the police instead?
On the next day, 4 February, members of the public unhappy over the recent toll hikes organised a peaceful gathering in front of IOI Mall, Puchong. Again, the police decided to arrests 15 Opposition leaders and activists despite the peaceful nature of the assembly.
It is unfortunate that the police continue to resort to use fear and intimidation as they become nothing but a tool to the ruling government. The police state may have started by Tun Dr. Mahathir, yet for all his lip service towards transparency, accountability and openness, the Prime Minister has not dismantled the oppressive apparatuses of the state at all and continue to use it to mask his own weaknesses.
A few kilometers from the site of the Taman Medan ceramah, a massive robbery took place in Subang Parade that left two security guards as well as a robber dead; while another security guard critically injured. Many ordinary Malaysians patronising the shopping mall with their family on a Saturday night were left running in panic or hiding in fear due to the exchange of gunfire. 50 bullets were found at the scene.
While the police is more interested to become servants to the government in an effort to oppress the Opposition, Malaysia’s crime rate has risen dramatically. Frequently we hear complaints that the police is facing limited manpower and time to carry out their duties effectively; surely this limitation becomes more acute when their resources are used to prevent the activities of legitimate political parties. The police should focus on their main responsibility of preventing crime and guaranteeing the safety of ordinary Malaysians.
ANWAR IBRAHIM
February 5th 2007
Married men, take note. Your wife is your “Prosperity God” and the more you hug her, the more prosperous you will get, find out here.
Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim
Labels: Malaysia news
posted by Ah Yun Wong at
10:39 AM
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