Anwar Ibrahim’s Media Statement Re: Raja Petra
ANWAR IBRAHIM’S MEDIA STATEMENT:
Re:Â Police Action on Raja Petra
25 July 2007
I condemn the intimidation by the government and police towards Malaysia-Today’s Webmaster, Raja Petra Kamaruddin.
           The action against Raja Petra began as a police report and followed by speeches criticizing bloggers by a few UMNO leaders including Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak. This is the latest intimidation on webmasters and bloggers following the arrest of my secretary Nathaniel Tan recently.
I demand the police to use their time to investigate the numerous allegations of corruption involving government leaders published by Malaysia-Today and to fight the rising rate of crime that is plaguing the country. Various reports have been made on present and former government leaders that have not been followed up, yet a report against a webmaster is immediately investigated by the police.
Malaysians need open-minded and forward-thinking leaders, not those still trapped by an outdated political culture and unable to grasp the technological realities of today. At a time when UMNO leaders are demanding bloggers to be responsible for their writing, I urge the UMNO leaders and police not to forget their responsibilities towards the Malaysian rakyat.
Anwar Ibrahim
MBM’s comments: I could not add to or agree more than what had been so clearly expressed by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The summoning of Raja Petra to the police station was uncalled for. The police should have instead questioned this double Muhammad on the serious allegations made by Raja Petra. Surely the police do not have to be told to do their job, or are they like the rest of the civil service, menuggu perentah (awaiting orders)?
If this double Muhammad has any sense of integrity, he should have sued Raja Petra if those allegations are untrue.
M. Bakri Musa
July 25th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Bakri,
It’s not “Saya yang menunggi perintah” but “Saya yang menurut perintah”. And that being the case they will forever remain submissive, subdued and subverted.
July 25th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
FZ,
UMNO is full of corrupt politicians. My son and his friends told me at golf yesterday (July 25) that even the next echelon of UMNO leaders and their wannabes are soiled as they too “nak kaya cepat”(want to get rich quickly). After all, if they are caught by immigration and customs in Australia for smuggling foreign currency, they can plead that they do not understand English and be assured of protection by the UMNO-led government of the day. So, we have many” M-squareds” or “double Muhammad(s)” (Bakri Musa) in this prominent Malay party.
Anwar Ibrahim was part of UMNO beforehe was booted out by Mahathir in 1998. He could have been their leader today in stead of Imam Badawi. I doubt if the now KeADILan Advisor could have done much to change the political culture of UMNO if he had been UMNO President. However, I believe that he would be more effective as Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional Chief than Badawi. There is a huge difference between Cerok Tok Kun and Kepalas Batas.
I agree with Anwar when he said: “I demand the police to use their time to investigate the numerous allegations of corruption involving government leaders published by Malaysia-Today and to fight the rising rate of crime that is plaguing the country”.
Unfortunately, he (Anwar) cannot “demand” the police to do anything since he is not paying their salaries. He is not their “pemerintah”.That is the reality now. But if he became Prime Minister again, inshaAllah, the Police would lick his feet or kiss the ground he trappled on, and let bygones be bygones (remember he received a black eye from the former IGP, Tan Sri Rahim Nor).
July 25th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Din Merican,
‘Unfortunately, he (Anwar) cannot “demand†the police to do anything since he is not paying their salaries. He is not their “pemerintahâ€.That is the reality now. But if he became Prime Minister again, inshaAllah, the Police would lick his feet or kiss the ground he trappled on, and let bygones be bygones (remember he received a black eye from the former IGP, Tan Sri Rahim Nor).’?????
Din Merican,
To move Anwar needs ‘fundings&assistance’ which would be very open to scrutiny by everyone. Otherwise he will be back at square one. Hot curry puff seller caught with embezellement or hot money or undeclared income etc. etc.
Why not do something that is legal like what Obama and co. is doing in the USA. Perhaps, Bakri, you could enlighten us on this peculiar aspect of the democratic election process of the USA: Campaign funds.
Thank You, Din Merican
Salaam
July 26th, 2007 at 12:42 am
Hello Dr Bakri
For once, I began to see with a better and clearer picture who Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is. I can agree with you in your support of his statement on RPK but the timing of his statement has completely eroded my confident and belief in him as a leader.
I said this because when the initial police report by UMNO was make earlier, there were no initial comment of any kind by him in his website at that instance whereas Lim Kit Siang has already responded in his website within the same day or so upon the news of that initial police report by Tan Sri Muhamad Muhamad Taib. Even you yourself had make a statement in your site here the soonest the news of that police report was make by your support of Dr Lim Teck Ghee’s statement.
I take his statement about the issue surrounding Malaysia Today and Raja Petra Kamarudin in good faith but I have come to realise the character of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and by extension, Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Best regards
July 26th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
If they can arrest Irene Fernandez for reporting on the conditions of the workers camp, why didn’t they arrest this M2 for making the report on RPK and Malaysia-Today? Just like Irene, M2 should be brought to trial for making false accusations. Like RPK said, it was only after making the police report that they started searching for articles, any articles that ring very close to insulting Islam and the King; and causing racial tensions. They even quoted the date of the article which did not exist. Sort of remind me of Anwar and the Tivoli Apartment case. On the other hand, Irene had proofs but charged?
July 27th, 2007 at 12:36 am
Aiya RPK and his supporters, don’t try to be holier-than-thou la! This is politics and so it has to be played by the “rules” of the game la……unless you think you are BIG enough to change the “rules”.
I don’t disagree with what RPK does in MT, but when I apply the same freedom of speech at his blog narrating his family’s beneficial relationships with TDM, RPK banned me with the same high-handedness….so that’s the reality in Malaysia………
July 27th, 2007 at 12:46 am
To me, the more relevant question to ask of RPK and other players in Malaysia is that: are you playing good or bad politics??? By good politics I meant the Singapore style of political culture based on merits and sacrifices for the good of the public.
July 27th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Timing of AI’s statement on RPK also can “completely erode the confident and belief in AI as a leader!” If you can wait for 50 years for all the rots to set in, can’t you wait for a day or two for snail-news to spread?
The mores of UMNO are so well entrenched whoever is in, he will be “converted.” It takes an insider or an “ex” who has some conscience left, to create some waves of change.
If you think you can “vote in” a better person, you will be mistaken. There is no way to vote in a “nice guy” - he just got in through the system!
May be you duty is to “vote out” or “sack” those who have been proven to be incorrigible corrupts - if it is still possible!
July 27th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
twotablet,
Don’t create issues. Why pick on Anwar Ibrahim for the timing of his statement? What has that to do with his leadership? I don’t think he needs to explain to anyone because anyone who likes him doesn’t need it, and people like you who dislikes him, won’t believe it.
You have nothing better to do or are you another umno cyber-trooper sent in by Azalina lesbian? We should all stay united and speak in one voice to support RPK and/or bloggers being hauled in and harassed by those corrupted cowards to silence them, and be appreciative of whatever support we can get to make it a credible cause.
July 27th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
And as Din Merican said above, if Anwar Ibrahim becomes a Prime Minister again, inshaAllah, you will be licking his feet or kiss the ground he trappled on.
Terima kasih.
August 4th, 2007 at 2:04 am
“Surely the police do not have to be told to do their job, or are they like the rest of the civil service, menuggu perentah (awaiting orders)?”
C’mon, please stop taking cheap swipe at the civil service.
August 16th, 2007 at 12:59 am
Dear Fellow Malaysians,
Why don’t we Malaysians look at examples from “developed” economies/democracies, such as US, Britain and Australia. BTW, i’d like to emphasise here that i’m not a supporter of any of these western decomocracies, but i’m just suggesting that we model something from their “system”.
US have Democrats vs Republicans, Britain has Labor vs Tory, Australia has Liberal vs Labour.
When the one party wins election, the other party will set up their “shadow” govt (NOT opposition govt) that provides the check and balances to the current ruling govt. With this concept/system in place, an opposition/shadow govt set up by any party/or parties can “take” over the governance of the country overnight, because their “shadow” ministries are already ready with the necessary “governing engine” to run the country, from the highest level (PM, President, Leader etc) to the ministries (they even have “shadow” Minister”), right down to the states and municipals.
The “problem” with our Malaysian politics is that there is only one ruling Alliance (Barisan Nasional), and a pseduo opposition (Barisan Alternative) that doesn’t have a clue how to “take over” the governance of the country IF they win (big IF, mind you). The opposition are themselves divided, eveyone wants to lead … (first rule of thumb, there should only be ONE leader of the “shadow” govertment). I myself have no confidence to vote for any “opposition” because i’m not sure if they have the “engine” ready to take over as a ruling goverment ….. right?
Once the Barisan Alternative (or whatever you want to call it … i like to refer to the alternative “shadow government” as Malaysian Progressive Front or Barisan Progresif Malaysia) is set up, then we can use whatever free media thats available (net, independent dailies, non-govt controlled media channels) to “promote” these “shadow” government and their “shadow ministers”, including the Leader, the Supreme Council and shadow “menteri besars”. Promote these individuals, name them and tell the people that these are the individuals that will be taking over the governance of the country if they get voted.
Of course, any of these will not happen overnight.
These individuals in the shadow govt must be united, and whatever the current govt does (good or bad), then the respective shadow ministries should be credible enough to know whats happening to provide “check and balances” …… not just oppose without proper knowledge or credentials.
I take for example the current Australian govt (i was an Australian grad some 25 years ago), John Howard was the opposition leader (Liberal party) and Alexender Downer was the “shadow” Foreign Minister when the Labor govt (under Paul Keating) was in power. Downer (who is now the current Australian Foreign Minister) even came to KL to meet up with our BN ministers and other ASEAN countries (back in early 90’s), because other countries “recognise” the Australian “shadow” govt and their “shadow” minsters. Howard and his shadow minister then know exactly what to do if they take over, and they are all credible people (then). Such was the case that other coutries welcome them for visits, discussions, talk policies if they get into power etc etc. What have we Malaysia got??? I only see Anwar talking to CNN, AlJazerra…. but the world only knows him (one person)….. what about the rest of his geng? Are they recognised? I doubt they are credible in the first place (including maybe himself).
Malaysia should have a “shadow” government that is credible and recognised by not only Malaysians, but also the world. Only with this approach, would our democracry be a “matured” democracy, and not a one party/alliance ruling govt, which will win every election until kingdom come.
So, why not people suggest who should come and sit down and start coming to terms with each other to start this “shadow” govt? Remember, there should only be ONE leader.
“What about money?”, you might ask.
Yes, money is important in any elections/politics. Look at US, Britain or Australia. They organise “fund-raisers” to raise money (their governance is such that even though they are the ruling govt, they cannot touch the govt’s “bank”), but of course our BN govt use our own MOF coffers (indirectly through giving “central” contracts or projects to their cronies to pass back to the ruling parties etc, to raise fund for their own campaign. In a “matured” democracy, this SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. If we all Malaysians wants to see the light of day when election money are not abused using the rakyats money (governed by MOF), then we should start cranking NOW!
Just a slight note away from this subject.
Currently i’m a “apolitical” citizen. Why? Because based on principal, i cannot and do not want to vote for anyone that do not justify themselves to be voted. I do not want to vote for anyone that represents a party that abuses the system and then justify themselves as the “defender” of the rakyat. No matter if the guy is my friend or my my brother or my race, if he/she represents someting that i do not agree, then he/she is an accesory to the misdoings. Sadly, our system is such that, if you can’t beat them, join them …. (:. Not only that, they even can switch camps and follow the next “power base”, so that their future is taken care of, don’t matter if the person is a gangster or dungu.
After 50 years of Merdeka, we can make a POSITIVE difference (and not just a difference, because negative difference can be bad), for the future of our children.
Believe in PEOPLE power. Remind the powers that be, that we, the people, are the ones that put them where they are today. not some policies that was drawn up 50 years ago. Yes, it is true that our fore-fathers struggled for our independence, but sadly, some of their sons and whatever, has forgotten that and became very smart to how use “history” for their own advantage.
Our shadow govt should consist of people of all races, and people that can really stand up for the rakyat. They are Malaysians that are proud of their birth country, smart, intelligent, professional and credible, and most importantly, RESPONSIBLE individuals. And, IF this “shadow” govt ever gets into power, and they also goes thru the same circle of abuse and corruption and 2X5 attitude of the current govt, then we can outvote them in the next election (and hopefully the BN when they become shadow govt would have cleaned up their act to get voted again …hehe!. Otherwise, we need a 3rd shadow govt, God-forbid!!!!).
Enough of my babbling. Positive and constructive feedback are welcomed.
Putra Malaysia.