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Hindraf, Bar Council cowards: Nazri PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 10 December 2007 10:43pm

Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz ©The Sun (Used by permission)

• Eight charged with illegal assembly

PETALING JAYA (Dec 10, 2007): Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz today described the demonstrations organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and the Bar Council as acts of cowardice, and challenged them to bring their grievances to the polls instead of to the streets.

"They are scared because they know they will lose. I can guarantee that the majority of the Indian community support us, Barisan Nasional," he said.

He called for these groups to use the general election to ascertain the voice of the majority.

"Since when has democracy been a system in which the minority overrules the majority? These people are scared, they know that the people support us and they know we are right," said Nazri at the Disaster Awareness Day launch today.

Last week, the Bar Council called off the People's Freedom Walk to mark the International Human Rights Day but some 100 people, including lawyers and activists, proceeded with the walk yesterday morning. Eight people, including five lawyers, were subsequently arrested as the organisers had no police permit.

"They know they don't have a permit, why are they bothering other people?" said Nazri.

He said the government will act against the Bar Council if the way they uphold human rights disrupts the rights of the majority: "The government won't hesitate to disregard the human rights of a few for the sake of the human rights of the majority."

On the Bar Council's argument that it did not need a police permit to asemble peacefully, Nazri said it was not the Bar Council's responsibility to decide whether or not permits should be given.

"It is the police's mandate to decide whether an assembly is allowed," he said.

"She (Bar Council chairwoman Ambiga Sreenevasan) does not interpret the law, that responsibility belongs to the cops. Whether that is right or wrong is not for Ambiga to decide. If she is not happy, she should take this matter to court and let the court decide."

He said the government is and will be colour blind during law enforcement.

"It does not matter to us if you are pro- or anti-government. The rule of law must be maintained," said Nazri.

He said that was why the Attorney-General prosecuted those who participated in the Hindraf as well as Bersih rallies.


Eight charged with illegal assembly
S. Tamarai Chelvi, Opalyn Mok and Kimberley Lau

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 10, 2007):
Eight people, including four lawyers, were today charged with taking part in an illegal assembly themed the People's Freedom Walk held yesterday.

Another lawyer, Bar Council's human rights committee chairman Edmund Bon Tai Soon, 33, was charged with obstructing a Kuala Lumpur City Hall officer from bringing down a banner in front of the Bar Council premises on Jalan Lebuh Pasar at about 12.15pm the same day.

All claimed trial.

Sessions court judge S.M. Komathy fixed Jan 28 to 31 to hear the charges for the eight and March 3 to 5 to hear Bon's case.

The eight were released on RM2,000 bail while Bon was released on RM1,000 bail.

The four lawyers are Bar Council human rights committee deputy chairman Amer Hamzah Arshad, Latheefa Beebi Koya, K. Sivarasiah and N. Surendran. The other four are Eric Paulsen, Nooraza Othman, Johny Anbu @ Abu Bakar Adnan and Ashraf Sadakathullah.

The charges:

> Being a member of an illegal assembly intended to cause public nuisance in front of Bangunan Kamdar on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman between 8.10am and 8.50am on Dec 9, under Section 143 of the Penal Code

Optional charge: Participating in an illegal assembly under Section 27 (5)(a) of the Police Act 1967, punishable under Section 27 (8) at the same place and time.

> Participating in an illegal assembly with knowledge that the assembly was ordered to disperse, under Section 145 of the Penal Code.

Optional charge: Being a member of an illegal assembly, had disobeyed an order by Superintendent Che Hamzah Che Ismail to disperse under Section 27 (4) of the Police Act, punishable under Section 27 (8) of the same act.

When the case started at 12.15pm today, Bon's lawyer Sreekanth Pillai told the court Bon was injured during his arrest by City Hall officers and that he was not told of the grounds for his arrest since his arrest yesterday.

Bon showed the judge bruises on both arms, saying he sustained the injury during his arrest by police and City Hall officers.

In submissions for bail, Sreekanth said Bon is not a threat to national security or the public at large.

"There is no risk of flight. He is a lawyer with Messrs Chooi and Co. He has two cases pending before this court."

At this juncture, about 150 people who were sitting and standing in the packed courtroom broke into laughter.

"He has to come. He has to be here. He has no choice," said Sreekanth, adding that Bon was merely protecting the Bar's premises.

Another lawyer representing Bon, Richard Wee, said Bon, 33, is a religious person and that he is staying with his parents.

Wee said Bon has a scholarship to do his masters in Oxford University on international human rights law.

At this point, Komathy interjected to laughter from all present: "Can we have the list that he (Bon) is a habitual late-comer to the court?"

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, who prosecuted, objected to Bon's bail, saying this was a clear case of obstructing public officers from performing their duties. He also asked the court to consider the implications of the offence.

"If the public at large defy the authorities, this country will go into disorder."

He also objected to bail for the eight, saying they were clearly defying the law.

M. Puravelan, who represented the eight, said it was a human rights march and not a demonstration or a protest against the government.

He said they had conducted a similar programme last year.

Another lawyer, Tommy Thomas, asked the court: "How is the security of Malaysia threatened when 100 people assemble outside Sogo and walk 400 yards before getting arrested? If they are released on bail, how is Malaysian security threatened or worsened by their release?"

Gani also asked the court to impose a condition that the accused would not defy any public order in future.

Comments (16)Add Comment
Give up Padang Renggas - show us you are a brave m
written by Dipendra H Rai, Monday, December 10 2007 11:18 pm

Wah strong words Mr Minister! You must be so brave! I look up to real brave men!

But lets see how brave you are.

Lets have a test -only fair considering that you have called the Bar Council cowards and that you also claim to have the support of the whole country.

Give up Padang Renggas. Stand in PJ Selatan, a constituency featuring the a cosmopolitan mix of all races. What more as you live in Shah Alam, you can be closer to the voters of PJ Selatan.

If what you say is true, you surely will win and you can "sure heboh" your bravado.

Apa macam? Got the necessary scrotal gumption kah? Or will you continue to hide behind the skirt of gerrymandering?

Yours, in good faith.

Dipendra H Rai

Disaster personified
written by Edward Saw Keat Leong, Monday, December 10 2007 11:33 pm

Aiyo....since when do the cops interpret the law??? I thought that function belonged to the Courts. Anyway I thought it was befitting that the "Learned" Minister made this comment at a Disaster Awareness Day launch. After all he is "disaster" personified. Soldier on Mr. Minister!!!

Edward Saw Keat Leong

What did u say minister? Legally trained are you?
written by Kenny Lai Choe Ken, Tuesday, December 11 2007 12:01 am

Since when did the police intepret law? I am quite sure as Edward is that that function solely rests with the courts! Legally trained you say? Are you sure Mr. Minister? Too many years as a minister and you have forgotten your law?

We are cowards are we? We don't hide behind the ISA and OSA whenever we want to do anything you now Mr. Minister. We surely don't say stupid things in public. We usually think before we speak; which is something you ought to try once in a while unless its been too long since you have had a single original thought??

What an appropriate "disaster" to launch the Disaster awareness day! All he would have to do is say hey... to avoid disaster, don't be like me!

correct correct correct correct??

Kenny Lai Choe Ken

Might is not right.
written by Andrew Khoo, Tuesday, December 11 2007 12:02 am

Democracy is not simply about numbers. It is not simply about the weight of the majority overruling the minority. The fact that the Hon. Minister can say this, and people believe him because they don't know any better, that is the root of the problem. Might is not right. If a political party ran on a platform that "black is white, and white is black", and enough people were persuaded to vote for it and the party won, it would not mean that "black is white, and white is black". The truth would still be the truth, however much the majority is persuaded to ignore it. So too with human rights. It is precisely when the human rights of a few are trampled or threatened by the many that governments must step in to protect the few. The true test of a mature democracy is how the rights of the minority are protected by the government in the face of the majority. How the weak are protected in the face of the strong. If might is right, then all we will have done is legitimised bullying.

Andrew Khoo

Police interpreting the law?
written by Kelvin Ng Sin Huat, Tuesday, December 11 2007 12:04 am

Police interpreting the law?

How and in what manner did the celebration of human rights affected the rights of the majority?

Asking Bar Council to bring their grievances to the poll? The Bar and its council has been apolitical la!!!

Since when has democracy been a system where the minority overules the majority? Well Nazri, that is irrelevant. The issue of majority and minority is but a small part of democracy. Democracy is about allowing the voice of minority to be heard. Democracy is about the right to peaceful assembly!!

Nazri never fails to make me laugh when he opens his mouth! Oh dear, when I first write my comments, I will address Nazri as the Honorable Minister. I keep on forgetting to address him in such a manner when I write nowadays!

Kelvin Ng Sin Huat

WHY PICK ON AMBIGA? WHY?
written by Stephen Tan Ban Cheng, Tuesday, December 11 2007 12:12 am

As usual, this Minister is still politicking when he should be leading the country.

Calling those who walked on Sept 26 "crazy lawyers" and now calling the Bar Council cowards. Why does he need to indulge in such taunts? Is this conduct becoming and expected of a national leader? Why go for Ambiga? Why? Is it because the Prime Minister is going to meet Ambiga and her team without him? This was what the PM promised at the dinner on the first night of the Malaysian Law Conference.

We must keep up the good fight. Politicians like these do not last. We need leaders, not politicians who do not know when to stop politicking and start leading.

Stephen Tan Ban Cheng

Confused Soul!
written by Lim Yeeu Ren, Tuesday, December 11 2007 12:35 am

Dear All,

Poor man. U see, he has said so much without remembering what he has said, he is CONFUSED! CONFUSED with everything. He may even be confused as to his existence and his purpose in life. Why bother talking bout him. The moment he responded, I knew it wasn't gonna make sense.

That's his way of making up for his screw ups. He says things that doesn't make sense. I sincerely hope that the coming elections will see fresh new faces being nominated. Individuals who are capable of being good and responsible elected MPs and ministers. What a shame that the de-facto minister cant remember basics. Actually, maybe its not that he doesn't remember but probably don't know his basics. Ah, waste of time talking bout him.

Lim Yeeu Ren

A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words
written by Edmund Richard Keat Soon Saw, Tuesday, December 11 2007 12:36 am

It doesn't take him opening his mouth to make me laugh. Please MBW, do us a favour and remove his picture. There was enough comedy in court this afternoon already.

Edmund Richard Keat Soon Saw

What is Democracy?
written by Ding Chu Teck, Tuesday, December 11 2007 11:31 am

Dear Minister,

DEMOCRACY is of course not about 'the minority overruling the majority'.

BUT, democracy is definitely also NOT about the person(s)-in-power humiliating, intimidating, threatening and bullying dissenting voices.

DEMOCRACY is also NOT about Ministers talking nonsense about public issues.

DEMOCRACY is about the Majority respecting the views of the minority!

Ding Chu Teck

Cowards we are?
written by Kerry Sin Yoong Ming, Tuesday, December 11 2007 11:53 am

Today, it took us motorist almost 2 hours to get from the tip of the Damansara Toll booth to our offices in Mont'Kiara. Why? There was a road-block - unmanned by police. Unmanned?? Why??

Why does the police have to block the road so that they can look pretty standing by the road side?

Could it be that they are protecting those who are cowards? And yet, some of us who have the courage to stand up be labelled cowards?

Unless the Administration can take more constructive leadership role in being a leader to ALL Malaysians, sadly our country is now showing the world that we are indeed a Police-state living under the shroud of what we simply call "democracy".

And Ali Rustam - perhaps just revoke the citizenship of everyone who votes against BN. Simple as that. Why target a few. Might as well do it in style. Unless you too a coward and pick only on those whom you can bully?

Kerry Sin Yoong Ming

Dear minister
written by Sithananda Prasad, Tuesday, December 11 2007 12:10 pm

Hindraf, and now on the BAR council? why? isn't there other important things for you to concentrate on? anyway whats your point on picking on the council members? never did u lend any support to the causes of the Bar council have you? but when it comes to passing remarks on the Bar Council, you stand to be the first to do so? what next? label Bar council as how the Hindraf movement has been labelled?

At the rate things are going guess there cannot be a peaceful demonstration held in any part of Malaysia !!! How about the demonstration which was held when the secretary of The united states made a visit some time ago? OOps i forgot, that was clearly peaceful demo i guess, RIGHT?!! What you should be worried more is the backlash of this statements which you are making..

Sithananda Prasad

Comic Relief
written by Isa Aziz Ibrahim, Tuesday, December 11 2007 12:31 pm

That's all Nazri is good for...but even comic relief becomes jaded and stale if the same jokes are being told over and over again. Is that all that you have, Saudara Nazri..that we should register ourselves as a political party and contest in the elections? And stoop to be as low as you? Enough humour..try doing something worthy of your salary which comes from the taxpayers' pockets

Isa Aziz Ibrahim

Master Prediction
written by Tan Pean Khhon, Tuesday, December 11 2007 07:07 pm

This Minister is better than my Fung Shui Master. He can even guarantee that BN have the support of ALL voters before the election.

Next thing I want to ask him is what is the number that will come up tomorrow. It is better than arguing who has the majority.

Pleaselah I think we all except him know what is democracy. Its better to ignore him now and vote him out in the next election if the PM does not do something about him.

Tan Pean Khhon

Arogant!
written by Zulkepli Omar, Tuesday, December 11 2007 09:22 pm

What more can be said of the Minister being so arrogant. Or is he being so confident? Out of 26 million population, how many are registered voters, 6 or 7 million? How many are under 21 years old? Say 10 million? Another 10 million more are non-registered voters. Every erection. oops sorry, election only 70% or 75% voted. Does the government really have the majority?

With the control of OSA, ISA, SA and whatever A by the government, the minister can rest asure to win his constituency again and of course the other constituencies as well even if the candidate is a m*&@%$. As I see it is a coward act of the government to curb the media and short campaign period with no access to the media particularly the tv. I wonder who is actually a coward?

Zulkepli Omar

Terrorists
written by Kalyansundaram a/l Rajagopal, Wednesday, December 12 2007 02:44 am

Hey, hey, hey, all of you. If all of you criticized him too much the Bar Council might be accused of collaborating with terrorists????

Kalyansundaram a/l Rajagopal

Can we teach him to shut up
written by Srimurugan a/l Alagan, Wednesday, December 12 2007 01:35 pm

Minister please don't pollute the environment any further with your dirty words....

Srimurugan a/l Alagan


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