bangkit.net

The Coalition for Good Governance is gravely concerned with recent political developments in our country.

The death threats and sodomy allegation against Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the threatened curtailment of legitimate discourse on the Malaysian social contract only serves to distract the Rakyat from the duties of the federal and state governments.

Fundamental issues facing our communities need to be addressed urgently, for example, petrol price hike, the rising prices of essential items and the lack of good governance of the federal government. The continued political turmoil is creating anxiety amongst ordinary folks and makes it difficult for long-term planning and decision-making.

CGG affirms that everyone is entitled to equal protection under the law, and to avail themselves of the due process of law. Both En. Saiful Bukhari, the complainant, and Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the accused are entitled to the benefit of an independent and impartial investigation of the allegation.

Unfortunately, many questions surround the integrity of the law protection and enforcement processes in this country. The failure of the Federal Government to establish an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) and its inability to fully implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the police force merely
perpetuates this lack of confidence.

The legal and judicial institutions are also perceived to be lacking in integrity and independence The revelations arising from the recent Royal Commission of Inquiry into the “Lingam tapes” and the inability of the Cabinet to approve the formation of the Judicial Appointments Commission represent a failure to enhance trust and confidence in our
judicial system.

Given the above, valid questions arise as to whether the police report made by En. Saiful Bukhari was politically-motivated, and whether any investigation will be truly independent and impartial.

On March 8, the Rakyat made its democratic choice at both the federal and state levels, and that choice must be upheld and respected. The clear message sent to the Federal Government is that change is overdue. There should not be any forms of political harassment or persecution against political opposition and dissent. The post-8 March 2008 political reality will clearly not tolerate any replay of the events of 1998.

Institutional and policy reforms must continue. At the same time, our civil and political rights guaranteed under the Federal Constitution must be respected. These rights include the rights to assemble peacefully and to exercise our freedom of speech. In exercising those rights, we the Rakyat, should be allowed to organize events which promote open and rational public deliberations.

Signed by
Coalition for Good Governance
–
Empower
(Pusat Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor)
Address:13, Lorong 4/48E,
Seksyen 4,
46050 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel/Fax: 03 - 77701475
Email: empowe…@gmail.com
Website:www.empowermalaysia.org