The recent furor due the arrest of the Raja Petra Kamaruddin (author of Malaysia-Today), Teresa Kok (Seputeh MP) and Tan Hoon Cheng (Reporter for Sin Jew Daily) made a mockery out of the word Democracy.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid said that the order for arrest did not come from him but at the same time he also explained why these arrest were made. He said “I am a minister. I am a politician. If I start to interfere (with enforcement), then people will say I have a political motive. It will send the wrong signals. I cannot interfere. This has to be done in accordance with the police exercise of their powers”. However, if these arrests were not ordered by him and that he cannot and will not interfere, why is he explaining on behalf of the police?
Later, he also said that there will be no more arrest under Internal Security Act, depending on the situation of the public order.
For those who don’t already know, the Internal Security Act under Article 149 of the Malaysian Constitution comes directly under the discretion of the Home Minister.
4 reasons why Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid should be sacked:
1. He does not understand his appointed role.
Section 8
(I) ISA says: “If the Home Minister is satisfied that the detention of any person is necessary with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to the maintenance of essential services therein or the economic life thereof, he may make an order (hereinafter referred to as a detention order) directing that that person be detained for any period not exceeding two years”.The Home Minister has the right to order for an arrest of someone if he/she deem that the detention is necessary and if it isn't then naturally he should have the rights to stop the order.
His irresponsible statement that he is just a ‘politician’ and he cannot interfere shows that he does not understand his appointed role as the Home Minister.
2. He has not performed to his appointed role.
The Home Minister said that the arrest of Tan Hoon Cheng was under Section 73(I) that says “Any police officer may without warrant arrest and detain pending enquiries any person in respect of whom he has reason to believe that there are grounds which would justify his detention under section 8; and that he has acted or is about to act or is likely to act in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to maintenance of essential services therein or to the economic life thereof”.
However, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid said that the reporter was detained to ‘ensure her safety’ which has absolutely no relations at all to Section 73(I) of ISA. This indicates that he hasn’t taken the time to read and understand the laws he is executing and wrongfully detaining innocent civilians clearly shows that he is not it for his said role.
3. Disrespect to the Parliament and the Laws and Constitutions
of Malaysia
Teresa Kok, a member of parliament elected by the people of Malaysia is now being detained under the same section as Tan Hoon Cheng for something she did not do. Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd. Khir Toyo was quoted in PembelaMelayu.com, which has since been down at the point of writing this article, that Teresa Kok supported a petition against the use of loud speaker for its Azan (morning call to prayer) in the Kinrara area. This was also published by Utusan and various other blog under the title: Azan, jawi, JAIS, UiTM dan ba-alif-ba-ya.
Teresa Kok has since denied being part of the said petition and has even denied receiving any complaints from residents about the prayers calls. Her lawyers have since requested that the said article be retracted. This matter is still under police investigation and while no conclusion have been made yet, she is now being detained under the unlawful law of ISA.
The arrest of a Member of Parliament caused by a ‘rumour’ is ridiculous to say the least and is akin to disrespecting the Parliament and the Laws and Constitution of the country.
4. Public display of Racisms.
When Ahmad Ismail said that the Malaysians of Chinese Ethnic are ’immigrant’ and ‘does not deserve equal right’ and likened them to Jews, he was strip of his UMNO membership and even that, it is only for 3 years after which he will return to this true form after. In the case of Ahmad Ismail, he was found guilty, if not by the police, which have gone completely off radar, at least by UMNO.In the case of Theresa Kok, where police investigation have not even been concluded, where she is accused if ‘pressuring the authorities to tone down the call to prayer’ is now arrested without trial and could possibly be detained for unlimited number of years at the discretion of the Home Minister.
As a Home Minister to a multi racial country, you should be the exemplary in anti-racisms. However, the detention of Teresa Kok while letter Datuk Ahmad Ismail completely off the hook, has shown that you, the Home Minister, are indeed a racist.
As if the country is not in a state of despair already, comes a funny little guy who thinks he can rule with an iron fist. The arrest of these 3 people is indeed turning Malaysia into a laughing stock. To me, the message is clear; Oppose us and face the consequences and also certainly not less than a desperate attempt to salvage what is left before September 16th. I hope and I pray that when the day arrives when you son of b****es no longer rule, you will be punish by the same law you punishing us with. Allah Hu Akbar!
