bangkit.net

The Centre for Public Policy Studies regrets the police prohibition of
and use of violence on a number of recent gatherings in Kuala Lumpur.

Two weeks ago on the 10 th November 2007, BERSIH, a coalition of
non-Governmental organisations and political parties, organised a
march to submit a memorandum calling for measures to ensure free and
fair elections in the country.

More recently, on Sunday the 25 th November 2007, Hindu Rights Action
Force (HINDRAF) organised a rally to submit a memorandum calling for
equal treatment of Indians, highlighting their socio-economic
marginalisation in the country.

The Government has responded by saying that demonstrations are
unnecessary, that memorandums should be handed in personally, and that
any concerns can be brought up in forums through a consultative
approach.

However, such forums, panels and meetings have been conducted on
numerous occasions to little avail. These articulations are compiled
into reports and submitted to various committees, but it is precisely
inaction and non-response from the Government that has fuelled
frustrations amongst those groups who have not received equal
treatment.

Article 10 of the Federal Constitution guarantees that every citizen
has the right to assemble peaceably. This is affirmed in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. The BERSIH and HINDRAF rallies were
peaceful gatherings and should not be misconstrued as otherwise.

1. The CPPS calls on the Government to recognise the rights of
civil society to freedom of assembly. The right to freely assemble
peacefully is one of the hallmarks of a democratic society. If we want
to consider ourselves a true democracy, then the police should stop
immediately its highhanded excessive use of force at dispersing
peaceful crowds, including the use of tear gas and unrelenting water
cannons at peaceful demonstrations and rallies.

We need to urgently review the policy and processes regarding the
provision of permits for peaceful assembly as guaranteed in our
Federal Constitution. If the police had given permits to assemble and
march peacefully, subject, of course, to reasonable and agreed-upon
terms, the unnecessary disruption and subsequent chaos would have been
avoided.

2. The CPPS also urges the Government to examine the root causes
of the deep sense of grievance and frustration that underlie these
rallies and demonstrations . The issues being raised by civil society
organisations recently are valid and should be urgently considered.
The views and opinions of this large cross-section of society cannot
be swept under the carpet. These expressions of frustration and anger
arise from a significant proportion of the Malaysian public. These
must be factored into policy-making processes, and not ignored.

3. At the same time, it would be useful for the Government to
meet the leaders of these rallies and find out more about their
grievances , taking action to resolve outstanding problems that have
adversely affected sections of the Malaysian society. New approaches
are urgently needed to ensure greater national unity, peace, stability
and progress.

Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr.) Ramon V. Navaratnam

Chairman,

Centre for Public Policy Studies

26th November 2007

Kuala Lumpur
For more information, please contact Ms. Tricia Yeoh at
tricia_yeoh@cpps.org.my, tricia.yeoh@gmail.com or 03-20932820/
012-6122100.
–
Tricia Yeoh