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Freedom Film Festival comes to Penang

Anil Netto
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Hi folks, I highly recommend this film festival. Choose a film that catches your fancy and support the cause of freedom and justice. And it’s free! This event has been growing and growing over the years. The old venue near Green Hall was just not big enough anymore, so the organisers had to find a bigger place to hold the festival. This year’s festival will be held in Wawasan Open University in Penang on 26-28 September.

The theme “Democratic Space – Making Room for Human Rights” was chosen to draw attention to the deteriorating state of democracy in Malaysia. What was once a desperate situation of increasing restrictions to freedom of speech, assembly, information, free and fair elections, religious practice and other basic rights, since the March elections and with the dawn of a new political era, the space suddenly feels bigger.

The questions that still beg to be asked are: what really is democracy, where are the democratic spaces in Malaysia and what can we do as citizens to reclaim the space?

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All systems go…

Anil Netto
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The lines are being drawn. It looks as if Abdullah has thrown caution to the wind and is now determined to press on with the December Umno presidential election, now that Kelantan and Penang Umno have thrown their backing behind the transition plan.

Najib may now have to be content with the No. 2 position – for the time being. All eyes will be on the first few divisional nominations from 9 October.

In the other corner sits Razaleigh. Who will be his running mate?

The spotlight is now on Muhyiddin. Once again, he has attacked the transition plan. His options appear to be open.

Over on the Pakatan side, the mood appears upbeat.

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Cabinet to review petrol price on Wed: Shahrir

Anil Netto
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According to Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad, the Cabinet will review the petrol and diesel prices this Wednesday. It is set to discuss a proposal to reduce retail prices. This from Shahrir’s website in a posting titled ‘Price drop ahead of Raya?’:

JOHOR BAHRU 20 Sept. – Keputusan sama ada kerajaan akan menurun atau mengekalkan harga runcit petrol dan diesel bakal diketahui pada mesyuarat Kabinet Rabu ini.

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RPK’s habeas corpus hearing brought forward to 23 Sept

Anil Netto
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Meanwhile, something else is happening…

This was reported on Malaysia Today:

RPK’s habeas corpus hearing has been brought forward to Tuesday, 23 September 2008 at 9:00am at Jalan Duta Criminal Court 2. (That’s tomorrow! – Anil.) The judge hearing the application is Yang Arif Puan Suraya binti Othman.

It was originally supposed to be heard this Friday before a different judge.

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Something is brewing…

Anil Netto
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Just 48 hours to go for the Tuesday deadline to expire.

That’s the deadline given by Anwar for the PM to convene Parliament for an emergency sitting.

I am getting a little “chatter” which suggests that something could be brewing… I can imagine there is probably a lot of behind-the-scenes activity going on in KL.

Earlier, I had been informed that Anwar was expected to be in Permatang Pauh this weekend.

Instead, it was Wan Azizah who showed up for a little constituency work as Anwar was tied up in KL with strategising.

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

Anil Netto
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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.

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Penangites keep up pressure against ISA

Anil Netto
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Despite Teresa Kok’s release, some 1,200 concerned Penangites flocked to an Abolish ISA forum organised by the DAP at the Penang Chinese Town Hall last night.

Among the speakers at the forum were MPs Liew Chin Tong and Chow Kon Yeow and Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim.

Says Aliran member Wong Kok Keong:

Yes, it is great that Teresa has been released although her arrest, to begin with, clearly indicates an abuse of power by the authorities. Teresa’s point about why the authorities still have not interrogated others who are linked to the so-called reasons she was arrested for shows they were clearly politically motivated. What a travesty of justice. It is great that Teresa’s statement does not show she is cowed in any way by the cowardly arrest of her. Indeed, she appears to come out even more righteously fiesty in her fight for the rakyat and a better Malaysia. And more power to her – a sassy MP indeed.

Finally, this is yet another strong indication that the ISA simply has to be expunged from Malaysia. Only cowards using it still want to keep it for their own selfishness instead of protecting Malaysians.

And just a couple of hundred metres away, another 50 concerned individuals gathered in front of the Dewan Sri Pinang. (In the background is the Penang High Court building.) They sang songs of freedom and solidarity, read poems and chanted “Mansuhkan ISA” under the watchful eyes of about a dozen police personnel, who to their credit did not try to stop or cut short the event.

Volunteers distributed Raya cards for people to write messages in. These cards will then be sent to the ISA detainees in Kamunting.

Among those who turned up were a few of you blog readers, including regular Andrew, who often leaves comments. Good to meet you, Andrew!

I spotted blogger Amiruddin of the Wartawan Rasmi Laman Reformasi blog, who has more pictures of the event here. Mustafa too has pictures here.

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RPK still blogging; Rosmah’s “conscience is clear”

Anil Netto
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It looks like an RPK posting, it sounds like an RPK posting, it has to be RPK!

Sounds incredible? See the latest posting on Malaysia Today.

Today is my eighth day of detention under the Internal Security Act (“ISA”). When I was detailed on Friday, 12th September 2008, it was supposed to be in respect of articles I wrote in Malaysia Today about our leaders, which was supposed to have confused the public and articles which insult Islam…. Full posting here.

At least, we know his spirit is still intact.

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Freedom! Teresa conveys her gratitude

Anil Netto
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Teresa Kok: “I didn’t do anything wrong” (Photo courtesy of her blog)

Just off the phone with Teresa Kok and she sounds happy to be back.

I asked her if the police had given her a tough time and kept her awake at night with interrogations and all the usual things they tend to do with ISA detainees.

She said, “No, because I hadn’t done anything wrong. They couldn’t find anything.”

Anyway, she was delighted to hear that so many people had been praying for her release.

Blog reader gregwar sends this prayer:

A Prayer for Teresa

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me see a country of justice and peace
and directs my steps towards his land.

He gives me new power.
He guides me in the paths of victory,
as he has promised.

Even if a full-scale violent confrontation breaks out
I will not be afraid Lord,
if you are with me.
Your shepherd’s power and love protects me.

You prepare for me my freedom,
where all my enemies can see it;
you welcome me as an honoured guest
and fill my cup with righteousness and peace.

I know that your goodness and love will
be with me all my life;
and your liberationg love will be my home
as long as I love.

By Zephania Kameeta, based on Psalm 25 in “Why O Lord
– Psalms and Sermons” (World Council of Churches)

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Thank God, Teresa’s freed! Now let’s get the others out

Anil Netto
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I was just looking for a photo of ISA detainee Teresa Kok to put on my blog when Aliran president Rama phoned with the good news that she was freed at around 1.00pm. That kinda spooked me – but it’s wonderful news.

This is how Kit Siang described her release in his blog:

At 12.56pm, at lunch in Ipoh, my mobile phone rang. I saw the caller was “Teresa” and wondered who was using her phone.

But it was her on the line and wondered how she wangled the use of her phone while in detention.

But no, she did no such improper thing. She told me that she was being released.

Bravo. The irresistible pressures against her unjust and undemocratic detention had succeeded.

And this is Teresa’s reaction upon her release:

I have been released after being detained in solitary confinement in a 6-by-8 holding cell for seven days under the Internal Security Act (ISA). I was informed by the police that they detained me under section 73(1) of Internal Security Act 1960, which means I have incited racial and religious tension and conflict.

After being detained for seven days under the guise of so-called investigations, the police failed to produce any evidence or proof of me being involved in the activities of causing racial and religious tension. Full statement

Now, who says God does not listen to our prayers. 🙂 How could he not listen to our prayers, some of them found here. This is what happens when Prayer Power meets People Power.

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