PRESS RELEASE: Threat to the promise of an open society
Contributed by Ambiga Sreenevasan
Tuesday, 17 July 2007 12:37am
The Malaysia of today promised to be a society that cherishes the fundamental
freedom of thought and expression. Malaysians welcomed the government’s recent
stand that we are an open society where freedom of speech and expression is
allowed, where accountability is the order of the day and where the government
promised to be less repressive. An example of the effort to promote openness can
be seen by the decision of the government not to ban the book May 13. The arrest
of Nathaniel Tan for publishing information and documents on his website on the
other hand, runs counter to this avowed stand.
The Bar Council strongly condemns the manner in which Nathaniel Tan was taken
from his home, apparently in handcuffs and with very little or delayed
information given to his family as to his whereabouts and why he was arrested.
It is a matter of great concern that it was only after a police report was
lodged that the police confirmed that Nathaniel was in their custody. We are
also concerned that the authorities saw fit to apply for a 14-day remand order
against Nathaniel and that a 4-day remand order was granted. Given that the
authorities are already in possession of all the hardware (computer and hand
phone) related to the alleged offence, such an application for remand by them
appears more punitive than anything else.
That the police have a right to question Nathaniel Tan is not denied. But such
questioning can take place without the necessity of a remand order nor handcuffs
whilst simultaneously affording him all of his rights including the crucial
right of full and unhindered access to legal counsel.
Such repressive steps only fuel unnecessary speculation as to the intentions of
the authorities in treating Nathaniel this way. The authorities must conduct all
investigations in an even handed manner regardless of the political affiliation
of an individual which is, and must be, an irrelevant factor.
The Bar Council calls for the immediate release of Nathaniel Tan. Anything short
of this is unacceptable and is a regressive step for the Malaysia that has
portrayed itself to the world to be a progressive, liberal and open society.
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News/Notices 
The Malaysia of today promised to be a society that cherishes the fundamental
freedom of thought and expression. Malaysians welcomed the government’s recent
stand that we are an open society where freedom of speech and expression is
allowed, where accountability is the order of the day and where the government
promised to be less repressive. An example of the effort to promote openness can
be seen by the decision of the government not to ban the book May 13. The arrest
of Nathaniel Tan for publishing information and documents on his website on the
other hand, runs counter to this avowed stand.
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