MNC hits blogger with RM10m demand

 Civil society, Corporate agenda, Human rights, Media, Workers' rights  13 Responses »
Feb 182011
 

A Japanese multinational company is demanding RM10 million by today and a public apology from lawyer-activist-blogger Charles Hector after he highlighted problems faced by Myanmar migrants working at the firm’s plant in Malaysia.

Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn Bhd claims the workers are not employed by the firm and are instead supplied by an unnamed third party and that Hector had thus defamed Asahi Kosei through his blog postings by suggesting that the firm was responsible for the alleged poor treatment of the workers. Before he was slapped with the RM10 million demand, Hector had sent two e-mails on 8 and 9 February 2011 to the company expressing concern about the workers’ problems – but did not receive any reply, clarification or denial.

Hector had also released a joint statement, endorsed by 82 civil society groups and published on his blog, to express concern about the workers’ plight. Continue reading »

Meanwhile, at the RPK trial…

 Human rights, Judiciary, M'sian politics, Media  6 Responses »
Oct 072008
 

Two of the most well-known critics in the land, Anwar and RPK, are involved in legal proceedings today, both facing different charges.

Blog reader Stephen gives us a taste of what it was like in court on Day Two of the RPK sedition trial:

I went to the PJ Sessions Court this morning at 8.15am. It was full house. I went back to work and came back at 1.30pm. The court had a short break for 15 minutes at about 1.30pm, but no one came out to give up their seats.

We had to be seated in “transit” outside the court’s front office . As one visitor left, another went in. I went in from 2.15 to 2.26pm when one guy left to answer his phone and he let me ‘borrow’  his ‘seat’. Better than the Mama Mia! blockbuster showing in cinemas in PJ now. Continue reading »

Lawyers say loud “No” to ISA; Kickdefella is back!

 Civil society, Democracy, Human rights  21 Responses »
Sep 202008
 

The man himself, blogger Sheih (photo courtesy of his blog)

People power is slowly but surely having an effect. Blogger Sheih Kickdefella has been released and he hasn’t wasted much time in updating his blog with an entry titled Sheih is back:

Hi folks, sorry for all the unreleased messages and comments. As you know, I have been away on holiday in Lokap Balai Polis Kota Bharu and Lokap Dang Wangi. I tried to check in at Pudu Prison but was turned away because not enough qualification.

I wish to thank all for the support and prayers.

The police have treated me well and most of the time, beyond the call of duty. I made lots of friends too.

A PC is arranged for me at 5.30pm today for me to bare all. Hehehe if any….

Till then, rest assured, I have kicked Dollah again as soon as I was released. You can ask the press.

The Malaysian Bar’s EGM, attended by 739 members, has unanimously called for the repeal of the ISA and all preventive detention laws and the release of all ISA detainees. It’s six-point resolution also condemns the show-cause letters issued to several newspapers.  The resolution, also supported by the Bar’s four past presidents, will be handed to the Prime Minister on Monday.

Three special guests addressed the EGM: S. Pushpaneela (the wife of Hindraf leader M Manoharan), freed ISA detainee Teresa Kok, and Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) activist Norlaila Othman.

Continue reading »

Malaysia’s folk hero Raja Petra opts for jail to prove a point

 Democracy, Human rights, M'sian politics, Media  1 Response »
May 062008
 

Spent the evening working with Mus on a press statement in response to the action taken against Raja Petra.

It is just three days after we marked World Press Freedom Day.

Not good. And downright depressing.

But mind you, this move could backfire. It is high stakes poker, and I guess they didn’t anticipate that Raja Petra would refuse bail. Now he is in jail and the glare of the international media will focus even more on him, the Malaysian government, the judiciary and the Altantuya trial.

Certain people are going to be shifting in their seats rather uncomfortably – or maybe having sleepless nights. They have no idea what Raja Petra is going to say in court, come October.

As Malaysiakini observes, hauling Raja Petra to court has only turned him into a legend – if he is not already one. For it was Raja Petra and his Malaysia Today website that played a not insignificant role in the fall of five states to Pakatan Rakyat.