I call on the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to fully accept the apologies tendered by the two 19-year-old teenagers Mohammad Ammar A Rahman and Ong Sing Yee as well as by their parents bearing in mind that “To err is human, To forgive divine” and to ask the Attorney-General to take their apologies into account.
Right from the beginning, I have made my position clear – I do not approve or condone Mohammad Ammar and Ong Sing Yee’s actions. What they have done is wrong and deplorable. Malaysians have a right to expect more civilised conduct in public life.
However Malaysians are rightly concerned at the Barisan Nasional government’s heavy-handedness and double standards in handling the matter.
For instance, why was it necessary to handcuff Ong as if she is a dangerous character when she had surrendered herself to the police, which itself is a clear acknowledgement on her part that what she had done was wrong and her preparedness to face the consequences. But is it right and proper for the police to treat her as if she is a hardened and dangerous criminal requiring her to be handcuffed, when Malaysians can see for themselves BN VIPs, including Ministers and former Ministers, treated with kid’s gloves although charged with grave crimes against the state and people?
Furthermore, there had been a long list of cases where Pakatan Rakyat and civil society leaders like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Bersih Co-Chair Datuk Ambiga Sreenivasan who had been publicly insulted and humiliated but met with no government interest or action – including instances of official sanction or condonation.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has called for harsh actions wanting the “books to be thrown” at the wrongdoers. He would have greater credibility and public respect if he had been consistent and advocated that strong actions be similarly taken against those who had violated public morality in publicly insulting or humiliating Anwar, Lim Guan Eng, Nik Aziz or Ambiga.
It is also harsh and unconscionable for Mohammad Ammar to be sacked from his college and he should be reinstated immediately.
I am also surprised to read reports that the police have detained two youths who displayed the Sang Saka Malaya flag on Merdeka Day eve, as they have denied that they wanted to replace the national flag Jalur Gemilang but were engaged in an exercise in history.
The Barisan Nasional is acting in a most irresponsible manner in trying to exploit both these two incidents to its political advantage, falsely accusing Pakatan Rakyat for masterminding them and spreading the lies that Pakatan Rakyat wanted to change the national flag and amend the Constitution to abolish the system of constitutional monarchy and set up a republic.
It is such lies and falsehoods which are doing the greatest disservice to Malaysian nation-building. In fact, those who are prepared to spread such lies and falsehoods which could undermine national harmony, solidarity and unity are guilty of the the most unpatriotic acts against the Malaysian nation and people. Who are these unpatriotic leaders in Barisan Nasional?
(Speech at DAP Kuching Dinner “Towards A New Malaysia” in Kuching on Friday 7th September 2012 at 9pm)
AhCHEATkor 2 LKS: Hey, U, ppl can lie abt U, stomp on your foto, moon over it, piss or siht on it, shred it 2 pieces, buat macam2, OK 1 lah; BUT, moi, CANNOT 1 lor, it’s SEDITIOUS n my mata2 will go after d offenders n HANDCUFF them; ppl must show repect 2 me n my stumpy char bor 1
‘…It is also harsh and unconscionable for Mohammad Ammar to be sacked from his college and he should be reinstated immediately…’
It is well known that Cybernetics International College of Technology is an UMNO-linked crony college. Every year, the government and its agencies send hundreds of sponsored students to the college and maybe Mohammad Ammar A Rahman is one of them.
The question is was the College looking after its own interests in protecting its survival and bread and butter? It was very quick to expel Ammar without due process, to protect its regular on-going government-sponsored supply of students without which it might not survive.
Ya lor, UmnoB/BN, Perkosa, ExArmy Veterans had performed acts worse than or similar 2 butt exercises, n NOTHING happened 2 them, NO HANDCUFF, no polis tangkap, NO NOTHING
They STARTED dis culture
So, young rakyat rightfully concluded that pointing buttocks n stomping over fotos OK 1
Are the alleged offences high index crime or low index crime? How will it be classified?
Were the two students charged? If they were merely sought for questioning why was it necessary to handcuff them like common criminals?
Were the two students subject to aggressive police interrogation to put these young people under stress and to confess / repent ? It is very easy to intimidate them.
There was another student who refused to sign a statement accusing him of committing acts he did not do and he therefore rightly refused to sign the statement.
Clearly the Police are trying to exert control and authority and to demonstrate their superior powers to regain their lost credibility after the recent hoo-ha about the alleged manipulation of crime statistics. Is it payback time?
Now that the students and their poor concerned parents have apologised, the police can now ‘show’ their magnanimity by dropping all charges in the ‘spirit of 1Malaysia’ or something like that and be seen as ‘good cops’.
All in I think the public’s perception of the police’s actions is a very negative one. The police should review its SOP and also be seen to act responsibly and fairly and not to over react. They have much better things to do and worry about. Don’t waste the public’s money. The police should use their time and resources more effectively and efficiently.
The Minister concerned should show greater leadership and responsibility and not act and behave like some common ruffian with his brash and unpolished statements. No class.
‘….amend the Constitution to abolish the system of constitutional monarchy and set up a republic….’.
Note that even in republics, even Islamic republics, the system of Royalty can continue.
Indonesia is a Republic but it has Royalties too especially in Java where the Sultan of Jogjakarta play a very prominent and significant role.
The Philippines Republic recognises the many Sultans in its south, the Sultan of Sulu is a good example.
In Nigeria, there are many Sultans and its equivalent in the country especially in the Islamic north.
Other examples include Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and other African countries (e.g. Tanzania etc) in various forms.
Therefore, don’t equate a Republic with the whole-scale removal and absence of Royalty. They can continue to exist and thrive.
‘…… the police have detained two youths who displayed the Sang Saka Malaya flag on Merdeka Day eve…’ .
What about those who openly display Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool flags and crests, wear their clothings and openly cheer these teams (and other foreign teams) …. over our national team? Are they all then disloyal to 1Malaysia?
///It is also harsh and unconscionable for Mohammad Ammar to be sacked from his college and he should be reinstated immediately.///
Education should be separated from politics. It is a nightmare for youngsters to study in a politically partisan college.
I am very interested in the ‘expose’ in many blogs about a supposedly doctored photo purportedly taken at Najib’s Hari Raya Open House, distributed by BERNAMA and published widely in the media which showed a ma.sive crowd at the function.
If this photo is indeed a fake, then BERNAMA’s credibility will be at stake, it being the national news agency with many local and international subscribers. More importantly, will BERNAMA be seen as a fair, reliable, credible and independent news agency with the general elections just around the corner, or will it be used by the government against its opponents ? There are big stakes involved here so this issue needs to be resolved. The opposition must not be caught flat-footed.
I was at the big tent with my friends and family members during the PM’s cake cutting ceremony. The tent was large but not as big as that shown in the photo. The crowd was also not as big as shown in the photo. The tent was used throughout the day for guests to sit down and drink and enjoy the entertainment. There were many round tables (30? 40?) with chairs under the tent plus the many food tables and food stalls all around. But nowhere in this photo was these shown at all. All we see is a ma.sive crowd of people as far as the eye can see, all standing jam-packed like sardines in a tin.
It is a simple law of physics that no two physical objects (a human being and a table) can occupy the same space at the same time. People were standing AROUND the tables yes, but the photo shows no openings or spaces, just a jam-packed crowd standing shoulder to shoulder. We don’t even see the many food stalls and tables.
Further, looking at the photo, the lighting and shades just do not jive even giving allowance for flash, aperture or shutter speed. In short, the photo just do not look natural. It is our opinions that this photo was ‘massaged’, ‘manipulated’, ‘photo-shopped’ or whatever we may want to call it.
This incident is significant because it affects the reliability and credibility of our national news agency and its reporters, photographers and its staff generally. There are ethical issues involved here.
If the photo is indeed genuine, BERNAMA and its photographer should show us the other spare shots (and the digital ‘negative’ files) that were taken at the same time and venue that were NOT used, to support this purportedly ‘genuine’ photo that was distributed for use. Only then can the public know whether they have been deceived. Perhaps the other photographer from NST who was with him at the same time can show the public his shots too to corroborate that the photo used is indeed genuine.
As it stands now, BERNAMA is in a situation where it is seen to be guilty and it needs to prove its innocence a la Section 114A.
If the photo is indeed a fake, then there will be huge implications for the news agency and its staff and for the government as well. Let this matter be investigated thoroughly and the truth be told.
From a small matter….blown out to be into a huge issue.
I say..ONLY the King and Rulers photos must be respected.
Others are politicians…elected by the people…and the people has the rights to express their angers and frustrations …in which and every way they feel fit to do…except carrying weapons to hurt anyone.
Those are students and teenagers…need to continue studying…no choice.
Their actions and behaviors are limited.
This country is ruled by dictators.
They should show their angers through the ballot box…on 13th GE.
Old fellas will not care….will not apologize.
The government is happy that it can divert attention from the issue of its governance with the childish act of teenagers becomes headline news. How would they let go of this opportunity?
Of all the stupid things that have happened in this country, I think this one has affected me the deepest. A child has done a stupid thing. She’s a teenager, passionate, hot-tempered and free-spirited as are many teens, including my own. They do things on the spur of the moment controlled more by heart than head. We can all remember doing stupid things when we were teenagers. But here we have a spoiled, pampered government treating this child as though she were a criminal. Rapist are let loose these days, because they “have a bright future”. Doesn’t this child have a bright future? Why does this immature government (and PM) need to rape her of her dignity despite her confession of guilt. This incident has shown to all Malaysians, the depth of perverse immaturity, arrogance and stupidity of our “leaders”. I have made the decision to stop talking and to start fighting to see our country rid of this vile, evil pestilence called UMNO/BN.
As far as Najib is concerned, to “err…err…err…” is human…to “receive” is divine…
FREEDOM of EXPRESSION is guaranteed in a truly democratic country
If rakyat perceive dat d an ELECTED politician (a PUBLIC SERVANT) is CORRUPT n INCOMPETENT, rakyat hv every right 2 express their dissatisfaction n disillusion with d politician
Y bully/intimidate rakyat with d Sedition Act n use handcuff?
Useless NR n UmnoB/BN
No wonder rakyat moving away fr M’sia
An Indian M’sian, who is a nurse 4 just 1 year in d little red dot down south, was recently praised by d PM there in his National Day Rally speech 4 helping an MRT p@ssenger
I would chasten my children if they acted the way Mohd Ammar and Ong Sing Yee did because its rude and poor self-control. However, what I really want to know is why does Najib keep acting like he DESERVED IT?
What the kids did was a private matter but the abuse of power and the lack of actions on part of Najib & Rosmah, makes it harder for me to justify to the kids they should not have done it.
WE the rakyat are trying to do our parts, why is it UMNO/BN keep failing to do THEIRS?
Read LHL’s National Day Rally 2012 speech @
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/annex/ND2012_PMLEE_ENGTEXT.pdf
He spoke abt d past, present n future
Read it n compare his speech n vision with those of our so-called leaders here
Fr d comparison, make your own conclusion abt d state of affairs here n what’s our future
Dis is 2012 n we still hv dis narrow-minded racist minister thumping his chest n yelling: “The Malays need to be grateful for the progress brought by the government and leaders of yesteryears, and stay united to maintain their political power”!
Power against what n WHO? Against fellow NON-Malay rakyat?
Y can’t he urge ALL rakyat 2 stay united 2 work 4 d betterment of M’sia n 2 compete against rakyat of other nations? 1 4 all n all 4 1
Looks like he shamelessly considers himself a minister 4 d Malays, NOT 4 all Malaysians
Dis LICE is truly a LOUSE, downright racist, dumb, annoying n ANTI-national
Time 2 terminate his service as our SERVANT, sack him, n VOTE 4 PR – ABU
That Taib is not leaving should come as no surprise. The issue really is when you look at those around him, they should worry more about the person who would succeed him. If you look around, the person around either has to be mediocre OR it would be someone like Taib or Musa Aman, the corruption and power abuse would have to be criminal.
Its no solution to replace Taib, the solution needed by Sarawak is to replace BN…
The Youngsters were victims of politics. They were part of janji demokrasi perceived rightly or wrongly to counter BN’s Janji Ditepati using Merdeka to secure GE13 votes. Their photos were taken by Utusan; pro BN groups lodged reports; police ‘tangkap’. The young model was arrested and handcuffed. Mooning by adults (actually baring their posteriors) at Ambiga and cries of “Biadap” did not elicit similar police action of “Tangkap! Prison!”.Or stepping on posters of LGE. Whats’ the differentiating factor to justify the different action? There’s only one – they were not BN’s leaders! Youngsters must be punished for disrespecting BN’s leader; their parents for not teaching them manners, but more important the survival lesion that society is cruel that there are many opportunists within who would exploit their youthful indiscretion fo the advancement of their adult political agenda. If you look at the Penal Code what category of crime does this “mooning” fall under? Can’t even find it unless one strains and stretch language to fit action with crime for the sake of doing it. But here is not Idi Amin’s Uganda where it’s a capital crime to moon on supreme leader Idi Amin. Of course what the teenagers did was wrong but their spontaneous pranks are nothing compared to the devious designs of adults who seek to punish them for their political purposes! The latter is a bigger crime by people who should know better!
BN government led by UMNO does not even bother to show that it practices double standards. The people should punish them for their arrogance.