12 September 2008, in a single day, the police, with the use of ISA, arrested 3 individuals on what is perceived as national security and a threat to the well being of the country. Expectedly, prominent blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin of Malaysia Today website was as he described in his own posting, forecasted his arrest on the many articles he wrote criticizing the government. The other two, MP Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng, may have been the result of some circus shows. I offered my own views and opinions on what the whole arrest is perceived to be yet I will not conclude if ever they are rightfully executed or performed.
1. Tan Hoon Cheng – A branding exercise
Released 18 hours later because the police have no further grounds to detain her, and with the contradicting statements made between Home Minister Syed Hamid and the police, the government realized that a blunder is in the offing.
The only recourse is to release her unconditionally. The police acted in view of her braveness in publishing the article which caused a furore among the coalition ruling parties and even from the opposition. That article alone had somehow contributed to BN failure to win the Permatang Pauh by-election which PKR won with a huge majority.
This detention is seen as a message to the press and also to ensure that certain sensitive issues are to be buffered accordingly not to create disharmony. There was never any real reason to detain her in the first place. What she went thru was merely a ride in the park in the presence of watchful authority, and please forgive me if it sounded like a picnic. I’m sure it’s not, for Tan Hoon Cheng.
I see it as nothing more than a “branding” exercise for the ruling government.
Until today, the police have yet justified their action on this arrest. But it’s very obvious that the media, both controlled and otherwise, had came out more vocal and opinionated than before.
2. Teresa Kok – A publicity stun
Accused of spearheading the petition for the call of azan to be toned down at mosque, which she relentlessly denied ever having any part in it. Her arrest was deemed by many organizations including ministers in the ruling party as politically motivated.
Probably the real agenda is the sentiments of the muslims which could caused some uneasiness and to curb this, investigation of a publicity nature is carried out to clear the air of any misunderstanding which could be crucial. Before her ISA arrest, the issue was only a flicker in the news print.
By applying the ISA onto her, the police not only made themselves more popular with the general population, it also reinforces BN policy on their supremacist rule. This is evident by the lack of proof on all three accusation made on Teresa by the police during questioning as highlighted during her media statement after her released 7 days later. And the mosque incidents now have indirectly became a national issue in no small part by this action.
However, no further probe on the accusation as to who initiated it in the first place. Though the bloggers world all had their definite conclusion and the police did not probe further.
3. Raja Petra Kamarudin – A staunch critic to be cleansed
Many times over, his controversy articles have raised awareness among Malaysians with his unique style of expression and writing. He put forward facts which was never, or hardly, disputed or challenged with a lawsuit. It was simply denied in press conferences by the unfortunate entities.
This is not someone who can break easily under pressure by the authority to comply. In the event any or all of his articles were contested in court, there is a possibility all the sources of his information will be revealed and the authenticity of it’s articles will be put to the test. Can someone of high ranking whom are the issue of his writings dare risk that?
His arrest was long anticipated, under ISA. While he is fully aware of the consequences, his continuance to subscribe to a free flow of information to the Malaysian public in it’s rawness with cold hard facts that have yet been condemned by it's own recepients.
As the judiciary process itself is a long period which could span into months or years, he still have the opportunity to further expand his activities, the ISA is invoke to severe such prospect of continuing the alternate media stream. It is also a distraction in itself from the general public of turmoil facing the ruling party. This has clearly proved to be true in the last few weeks after his arrest.
1. Tan Hoon Cheng – A branding exercise
Released 18 hours later because the police have no further grounds to detain her, and with the contradicting statements made between Home Minister Syed Hamid and the police, the government realized that a blunder is in the offing.
The only recourse is to release her unconditionally. The police acted in view of her braveness in publishing the article which caused a furore among the coalition ruling parties and even from the opposition. That article alone had somehow contributed to BN failure to win the Permatang Pauh by-election which PKR won with a huge majority.
This detention is seen as a message to the press and also to ensure that certain sensitive issues are to be buffered accordingly not to create disharmony. There was never any real reason to detain her in the first place. What she went thru was merely a ride in the park in the presence of watchful authority, and please forgive me if it sounded like a picnic. I’m sure it’s not, for Tan Hoon Cheng.
I see it as nothing more than a “branding” exercise for the ruling government.
Until today, the police have yet justified their action on this arrest. But it’s very obvious that the media, both controlled and otherwise, had came out more vocal and opinionated than before.
2. Teresa Kok – A publicity stun
Accused of spearheading the petition for the call of azan to be toned down at mosque, which she relentlessly denied ever having any part in it. Her arrest was deemed by many organizations including ministers in the ruling party as politically motivated.
Probably the real agenda is the sentiments of the muslims which could caused some uneasiness and to curb this, investigation of a publicity nature is carried out to clear the air of any misunderstanding which could be crucial. Before her ISA arrest, the issue was only a flicker in the news print.
By applying the ISA onto her, the police not only made themselves more popular with the general population, it also reinforces BN policy on their supremacist rule. This is evident by the lack of proof on all three accusation made on Teresa by the police during questioning as highlighted during her media statement after her released 7 days later. And the mosque incidents now have indirectly became a national issue in no small part by this action.
However, no further probe on the accusation as to who initiated it in the first place. Though the bloggers world all had their definite conclusion and the police did not probe further.
3. Raja Petra Kamarudin – A staunch critic to be cleansed
Many times over, his controversy articles have raised awareness among Malaysians with his unique style of expression and writing. He put forward facts which was never, or hardly, disputed or challenged with a lawsuit. It was simply denied in press conferences by the unfortunate entities.
This is not someone who can break easily under pressure by the authority to comply. In the event any or all of his articles were contested in court, there is a possibility all the sources of his information will be revealed and the authenticity of it’s articles will be put to the test. Can someone of high ranking whom are the issue of his writings dare risk that?
His arrest was long anticipated, under ISA. While he is fully aware of the consequences, his continuance to subscribe to a free flow of information to the Malaysian public in it’s rawness with cold hard facts that have yet been condemned by it's own recepients.
As the judiciary process itself is a long period which could span into months or years, he still have the opportunity to further expand his activities, the ISA is invoke to severe such prospect of continuing the alternate media stream. It is also a distraction in itself from the general public of turmoil facing the ruling party. This has clearly proved to be true in the last few weeks after his arrest.
Till to date, no explanation on the released of Ms Tan or Teresa Kok or to the progress of the said crimes or acts which caused national security and stability. Neither did the police offer any justification as to their arrest except the media statement which was read out in monotonous dialogue.
With all the news upfront now on the abolishment of ISA, there’s a signal going round that all is not well at the national front. The above 3 acts alone and it’s aftermath have created a media frenzy occupying so much space in our dailies that our own economy is at a perilous stage.
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