Showing posts with label Maria Chin Abdullah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maria Chin Abdullah. Show all posts

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

Maria: No idea where I was held

KUALA LUMPUR: Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah was kept in solitary confinement with no contact with the outside world.


Tuesday, 29 November 2016

Maria: No idea where I was held

KUALA LUMPUR: Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah was kept in solitary confinement with no contact with the outside world.

Each time she left her cell, she was blindfolded with large, blackened goggles. She also did not know where she was held in the first place.
Those were some of the conditions faced by Maria during her 10-day detention at an undisclosed location under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.
Maria was released late yesterday after she was brought to Bukit Aman.
“I didn’t really know where I was. This was meant to scare me because it is in an undisclosed place. The interrogations happened every day for long hours.
“But I think the saving grace was when Suhakam came and I want to thank them,” she told reporters at Dataran Merdeka.
Maria said the human rights watchdog helped reduce the type of tough interrogations that she had to go through.
She said she would continue with her work with Bersih.
“There is a possibility of another detention as they have started a second investigation on me.
“If they do it, they are really silly to continue harassing us. The rally went peacefully,” she said, adding that the whole money story did not hold water.
She said the police knew it and they had her organisation’s bank account statements.
“They have everything. We have even published them on our website,” Maria said.
Meanwhile, during her address at Dataran Merdeka, she denied receiving funds from the Soros Foundation.
“Bersih doesn’t take money from the Soros Foundation.
“They don’t believe me. They think we have an account with RM3.2bil,” she said, adding that her detention was meant to frighten them so that they would not go ahead with the rally but the people had become brave.
“They went ahead. I hope all of you continue to support Bersih and our demands,” she added.
“We want clean elections and to reform the institutions in our country.”
Her children – Azumin, Aziman and Azemi – said they were extremely happy now that their mother had been released.
“We really did not have any idea that she would be released today.
“When mum’s lawyer Datuk S. Ambiga called us and we heard her voice, we couldn’t contain our happiness.
“The whole family is overjoyed,” said Azumin Mohamad Yunus.
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Wednesday, 23 November 2016

Maria has links with CIA, claims Umno info chief

PETALING JAYA: Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pix) has claimed that Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah has links with the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Posted on 23 November 2016 - 01:22pm
Last updated on 23 November 2016 - 07:26pm
— Sunpix by Norman Hiu
PETALING JAYA: Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pix) has claimed that Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah has links with the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
In his latest Facebook posting today, Annuar said Maria was linked to the CIA due to the works she had conducted with several US NGOs prior to her returning to Malaysia with her late husband, Yunus Lebai Ali, in the 1980s.
“Maria and Yunus returned to Malaysia around the 1980s and prior to that they were involved with several NGOs such as the National Institute for Electoral Integrity (NIEI), which is under the sponsorship of Asia Foundation.
“And Asia Foundation is a network under The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and Asian Network for Free and Fair Elections (Anfrel) to which former CIA agent Philip Agee had previously disclosed that both Namfrel and Anfrel were ‘CIA tools’ that masked behind the slogan of ‘people power’,” he said.
Annuar claimed that Maria was also involved in other human rights and feminist NGOs that were pro-LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender).
He added that clearly, Maria was not an ordinary person but someone whose background should be further examined.
Maria was arrested by the police last Friday, the eve of Bersih 5 rally, and is currently detained for 28 days under Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).
She is being investigated under Section 1124C of the Penal Code for activities deemed detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2070672
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Tuesday, 22 November 2016

'Misuse of Sosma law' over detention of Bersih chairman

PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) strongly objects the use of Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) on Bersih 2.0's chairman Maria Chin Abdullah.
22 November 2016 - 12:03am

Ashwin Kumar

Its chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said the usage of Sosma on Maria who has been detained by police without trial cannot be accepted by a "society that has a national conscience".
"The broad characterisation of "security offences" under Sosma now suggests that its scope extends beyond terrorism offences," he said in a statement today.
He pointed out that in 2011, the government had assured that no individual will be arrested merely on the point of political ideology.
"In this regard, Suhakam views the preventive detention of Maria is a misuse of law, an abuse of the legal system and of law enforcement," Razali said.
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) also demanded the immediate release of Maria.
"We reiterate the call for all laws that permit detention without trial to be abolished or amended immediately as there can be no justification for laws that undermine the right to fair trial," Suaram read in a statement today.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail expressed surprise that Maria had been detained under Sosma.
"The arrest of the electoral reform group chairman under the terrorism preventive law is a breach of trust on what the government had promised when it enacted Sosma," she said in a statement today.
The PKR president urged police to release Maria immediately.
Under Sosma 2012, a person can be arrested without a warrant and be held for 24 hours for investigation.
The police may, however, extend the detention for up to 28 days for the purpose of investigations, and if the detained person is released before the end of the 28 days, the police may propose attaching an electronic monitoring device, through a court order, for the remainder of the 28-day period.
Maria was detained on Friday under Section 124C of the Penal Code that criminalises the attempt to commit activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
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Tun M attends candlelight vigil for Maria Chin

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged the public to continue with the #BebasMaria #MansuhSOSMA protest until the release of Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah.

Posted on 22 November 2016 - 12:12am
Last updated on 22 November 2016 - 12:51pm

Song Boon Mun
Mahathir said this after he made a special appearance together with his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali at Dataran Merdeka at about 8.55pm today.
During his speech, he described Maria's solitary confinement as torture.
"We were told that Maria has been put into solitary confinement where she is kept in a small uncomfortable room.
"It is torture and against the law to put her in detention. I'm sad that she was put into that cell," Mahathir said.
"So continue with this protest until Maria is released," he added.
Maria's three sons, Azumin, Aziman and Azemi Yunus, were also present at the protest.
Aziman described his mother as a strong individual.
"My mother is a very strong person. If you're trying to break her will, no you won't," he said.
He also thanked lawyers who have given them advice during trying times like this.
Some 500 people, non-governmental organisations and politicians attended the daily candlelight vigil in solidarity at Dataran Merdeka.
The protest will continue every night at 8pm until Maria is released.
Earlier in a statement, Bersih 2.0 condemned Maria's detention under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) where she can be held up to 28 days without trial.
Bersih said it was shocked and outraged that the authorities have gone to such extreme lengths to silence their critics.
"The use of Sosma, which is intended as a terrorism counter-measure, against a civil society leader who peacefully champions institutional reforms and the crackdown on 16 activists and politicians are a horrific abuse of power," Bersih said.
Bersih demanded for the immediate release of Maria and also called for the repeal of such an oppressive law that is so easily open to abuse.
Maria was detained on Friday under Section 124C of the Penal Code that criminalises the attempt to commit activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2068622
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Ku Li and Musa see nothing wrong with Bersih rally

KUALA LUMPUR: Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has spoken out against the detention of Maria Chin Abdullah under a security law, while Tun Musa Hitam says the Bersih rally was the best thing to have happened.

 Tuesday, 22 November 2016



Tengku Razaleigh, the veteran Gua Musang MP, said he could not understand why the Bersih 2.0 chairman should be subjected to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
“I’m puzzled. Seems as though the wrong law has been used for the purpose,’’ he told reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
Based on what he knew, Tengku Razaleigh who is fondly known as Ku Li, said Maria did adhere to notifying the authorities of the rally.
“They informed the authorities that they were having the Bersih rally and the Constitution allows for a peaceful demo. I don’t see why she should be detained,” he added.
Asked if he sympathised with Maria, the 79-year-old Kelantan prince said “yes”.
Maria was detained on Friday in a pre-Bersih swoop by police. She is being held under Sosma which allows for detention up to 28 days.
Musa, a former deputy prime minister who also headed Suhakam at one time, said he was pleased that the Bersih rally took place peacefully.
“By demonstrating peacefully, we have proven the naysayers wrong. As an Umno member, I’ve always been for peaceful assembly and still hold on to that view even if other party members don’t,” he told reporters after delivering a keynote address at the Women’s Institute of Management yesterday.
“I hope this culture of peaceful demonstration may soon be accepted by both the people and the Government.
“I think it’s part of a democratic process where people can let out steam and voice out their views in between the general elections.
“If people are allowed to demonstrate without fear or favour, it will be more than a huge plus for the Government,” he added.
Musa said the fact that the rally went ahead without any major incident also spoke a lot about the authorities’ capability and the psychology of the people.
In Petaling Jaya, Maria’s eldest son lodged a police report yesterday over the alleged inhumane conditions in which she is currently being detained.
Azumin Mohamad Yunus, 23, claimed that his mother was being kept in solitary confinement at an unknown location while suffering from hypertension and osteo­arthritis.
“She needs to take her medication to keep her condition under control,” he said.
“She had a check-up scheduled at University Malaya Medical Centre on Sunday for her osteoarthritis,” Azumin said.
“She was not able to make it to the appointment because she was arrested.”
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Will Khairy Jamaluddin demand for Maria Chin’s release, asks DAP’s Pua

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 22): The DAP’s Tony Pua questioned if Minister for Youth and Sports Khairy Jamaluddin would demand for Maria Chin’s release since he had mocked the opposition’s fear that Securities Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) will be abused against peaceful assemblies such as “Bersih” when the Act was passed in April 2012.

SOSMA was passed in Dewan Rakyat on April 17, 2012.






  

The controversial new law intended to fight and counter terrorism was hotly debated by both sides of the House.

In a statement today, Pua who is DAP national publicity secretary and MP for Petalinbg Jaya Utara said among the issue which was most fiercely discussed was the fact that provisions of SOSMA could be used against individuals deemed to be “carrying out activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy”.

He said that the members of the opposition led by the then Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had argued furiously that such a clause of involving “activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy” was too broad and will be subject to abuse by the authorities.

“However, the Member of Parliament for Rembau, Khairy Jamaluddin, and a Minister in Najib’s Cabinet today, had mocked the opposition’s fear, claiming that they were not only unfounded, the letter of the proposed law was extremely clear and had no room for the purported abuse.

“Instead, in his speech on April 16, 2012, he praised the SOSMA Bill which was tabled by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself, was “on the side of civil liberties”.

“He criticised the Opposition Leader for not understanding that activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy means, “an activity carried out by a person or group of persons designed to overthrow or undermine Parliamentary Democracy by violence or unconstitutional means”,” said Pua.

The DAP lawmaker said that subsequently, during his speech on the Amendments to the Penal Code (2012) the next day, Khairy further criticised the opposition’s position as “misleading” and reiterated that legitimate political dissent including peaceful assemblies or even, Bersih “is not detrimental to Parliamentary Democracy”.

Pua quoted Khairy as having said:

“Saya dapati bahawa perbahasan daripada pihak pembangkang bukan mengelirukan tetapi amat lemah sekali sebab tidak mengkaji ataupun sengaja tidak mengakui bahawa sebenarnya apa yang dipinda ini tidaklah terlalu umum, tidaklah terlalu general, tidaklah terlalu longgar dan tidaklah satu peruntukan yang boleh ditafsirkan mengikut sesuka hati siapa-siapa pun.”

 “…Kalau nak buat perhimpunan aman atau bersih pun, itu tidak detrimental to Parliamentary Democracy. Itu yang mereka [pembangkang] tak faham. Sudah cukup khusus daripada segi definisi yang diberi.”

Pua however said Bersih chairperson, Maria Chin’s arrest under SOSMA three days ago had materialised all the fears expressed by the opposition MPs when the law was passed 4 years ago.

“Despite only organising a peaceful assembly to seek free and fair elections to ensure a clean government, the Police are investigating her for “activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy” and detained her under SOSMA.

“The question now for the Youth and Sports Minister is, will he now accept that he was over-zealous in his defence of the SOSMA and Penal Code Amendment Bills and his confidence with the authorities’ interpretation of the Acts in the spirit that they were intended was badly misplaced?

“More importantly, will Khairy Jamaluddin do the honourable thing now to demand that Maria Chin be immediately released because she has been wrongfully arrested?,” he asked.

http://www.theedgemarkets.com/my/article/will-khairy-jamaluddin-demand-maria-chin%E2%80%99s-release-asks-dap%E2%80%99s-pua

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Friday, 18 November 2016

Cops detain Bersih 2.0 chairman, committee member ahead of rally

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — The police have picked up Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah and a fellow committee member Mandeep Singh for questioning just hours to the start of their Bersih 5 rally at 10am tomorrow.
BY KAMLES KUMAR
Published: November 18, 2016 05:55 PM GMT+8
Latest Update: November 18, 2016 06:07 pm GMT+8
The police picked up Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah and a fellow committee member Mandeep Singh for questioning today. — Picture by Choo Choy MayThe police picked up Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah and a fellow committee member Mandeep Singh for questioning today. — Picture by Choo Choy May


















Another member of the Bersih 2.0 steering committee, Jay Jay Denis said both Maria and Mandeep were taken away after the police raided the electoral reform watchdog’s office in Petaling Jaya, Selangor earlier today.
“Maria and Mandeep have been taken to PJ IPD. The police want them to give a list of things that has been confiscated from the office,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted.
The duo are believed to be under investigation under Section 124C of the Penal Code, which concerns attempts to carry out an activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
According to a tweet from Bersih 2.0, the police also confiscated several items from the office including 10 laptops, the payroll and bank statements.
The Bersih 2.0 group is the organiser of the Bersih 5 rally scheduled to take place in the city centre tomorrow and is intended to pressure the government into carrying out a raft of reforms ahead of the 14th general elections due by 2018. This time, the rally also calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Past rallies organised by the group have seen tens of thousands flood the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/cops-detain-bersih-2.0-chairman-committee-member-ahead-of-rally
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Thursday, 17 November 2016

Bersih 5 rally to be also held around the world

PETALING JAYA: Bersih 5 rally will also be held in 57 other cities worldwide by Malaysians living abroad, albeit on a smaller scale.
Thursday, 17 November 2016
Coordinated by Global Bersih, an international network and advocacy arm of Bersih 2.0 based in Geneva, they include cities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Australia, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.
Closer to home, similar rallies were also planned in Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan.
Bersih 2.0 in its Facebook page urged participants marching to Dataran Merdeka to be responsible demonstrators.
They are also advised to comply with the safety measures listed by Bersih 2.0 such as moving in groups, staying calm, avoiding provocation, not to say anything racist or sexist and not to criticise other races.
On Tuesday, Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah said the rally will proceed as scheduled despite a possible counter rally by the Red Shirts.
She vowed that Bersih demonstrators would remain peaceful and non-resistant even if provoked by the Red Shirts.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/11/17/bersih-5-rally-to-be-also-held-around-the-world/
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