Wong Chin Huat arrested under Sedition Act

Political scientist Wong Chin Huat has been arrested at his home in Taman Sri Sentosa in Kuala Lumpur for sedition and taken to Commercial Crimes Department headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Wong Chin Huat

According to his lawyer Edmund Bon, the activist was arrested at 8pm after a police report was lodged today.

Ironically, it is believed that the authority is doing everything in order to overcome the destabilizing factors and maintain the political stability in the country as the country needs political stability to exploit the opportunity.

On the other hand, it is not clear whether Wong's arrest is linked to a press conference he called earlier today.

It was reported that Wong urged the public to wear black on May 7, to protest the Perak state government takeover by BN which has been claimed as undemocratic and unconstitutional.

The Bersih’s campaign slogan "1BlackMalaysia: Democracy first, elections now". Wong said that the 1BlackMalaysia campaign is a peaceful, yet powerful message of "civil disobedience".

"Let us be united in one black color and let’s show the world that the 1Malaysia under Najib is 1BlackMalaysia living in darkness."

He urged the public to “paint every state, territory, town and village black” with clothes, headbands, hats, turbans, veils, armbands, ribbons and stickers.

Annuar Musa: UMNO leaders’ moderation should not be taken advantage of

Kelantan UMNO today asked Gerakan stops demanding UMNO and the BN penalize Ahmad over his alleged racially sensitive remarks about the Chinese community.

Its chairman, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, said the remarks by Bukit Bendera UMNO Division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail were made in a personal capacity, similar to the statements by several Gerakan leaders who wanted Gerakan to leave BN.

“Gerakan has of late issued statements which threatened harmony in BN but UMNO leaders have been patient. But the moderation of UMNO leaders, particularly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, should not be taken advantage of.”

Annuar said this was not the appropriate time for any party in BN to make such demands as it could aggravate the situation, adding that it was preferable for component party leaders to reflect and improve themselves.

Abdullah says, Ahmad Ismail didn’t mean it

Malaysia Prime minister and UMNO President Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will personally see to it that Bukit Bendera UMNO chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail does not repeat his remarks about the Chinese were mere squatters or temporary residents of the nation and therefore, it was impossible to achieve equal rights amongst races in the country.

“I will tell him not to do it again. You know in a campaign all sorts of things can come up. I don’t think he meant it. I’ll make sure to tell him not to use it again,” the Prime Minister said after chairing the Bertam UMNO division meeting yesterday.

Ahmad had allegedly called the Chinese pendatang (immigrants) and was also reported to have said that “the Chinese were mere squatters or temporary residents of the nation and therefore, it was impossible to achieve equal rights amongst races in the country." during a ceramah in Permatang Pauh in Aug 25.

He had allegedly uttered the remarks in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Gerakan, a component of the Barisan Nasional (BN), has called for stern action against Bukit Bendera UMNO division head Datuk Ahmad Ismail over his recent “seditious” remarks on the Chinese community.

Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye in a statement said, “Many Malaysians are disappointed with the mild statement by Prime Minister and UMNO resident Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when commenting on the seditious statement by Datuk Ahmad Ismail.

“They (Malaysians) had expected a strong rebuke, especially on Aug 31, a day all Malaysians celebrated the country’s independence. After 51 years of independence, any further doubt of loyalty of any Malaysian of any ethnic origin and the questioning of citizenship is beyond the understanding of all Malaysians.”

“Ahmad’s statement was outdated and racially provocative, adding that any sign of the Barisan Nasional tolerating any out rightly racist and provocative views would give the wrong signal to the people.”

“Ahmad Ismail should not only retract what he uttered and also apologize to all Malaysians but also be disciplined so as to prevent such divisive statement or action from being repeated. Such archaic views can further divide a multi-ethnic country like Malaysia,” he added.

Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, in another statement, urged the UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership to review its stance against Ahmad. He called on the police to investigate the matter as the MCA and Gerakan Youth had lodged a police report against Ahmad.

Penang Gerakan Youth committee member Dr Thor Teong Gee lambasted Ahmad and charged that UMNO was still using racial ideology to achieve its own personal political agenda.

Bukit Mertajam MCA division chairman Lau Chiek Tuan called for disciplinary action against Ahmad.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s political secretary Ng Wei Aik also called on Ahmad to immediately retract his statement and apologize to the community.
Meanwhile, Tanjung Gerakan Youth division chief H’ng Khoon Leng lodged a police report at the district police headquarters in Patani Road over Ahmad’s alleged remarks.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said there was no reason for Ahmad to stir racial feelings with his remarks.

“This is the Merdeka month and such a racist remark should not have been made,” he added.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said UMNO leaders should stop using racial sentiment to seek support from the people.

RAJA PETRA CHARGED UNDER SEDITION ACT

It is reported that Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said, "Laws must be used" against those who break the law.”

He said, “I believe they have considered what should or should not be put out. Those who break the law like indulging in sedition or libel, I believe the laws must be used against them.”

The question remains: Is Raja Petra’s case a test case for other bloggers in Malaysia?

Blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin, 58, was charged and pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to publishing a seditious article in his blog. He was charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 and carries a maximum fine of RM5, 000 or up to three years’ jail or both upon conviction.

The nine paragraphs in his article titled "Let’s send the Altantuya murderers to hell" were published in www.malaysia-today.net on April 25 and were found to be seditious. Raja Petra did not post bail.

His wife Marina Lee Abdullah said he is hoping to raise the money through his news portal.