Malaysia's human rights abuses highlighted at UN

A team of civil society activists from Suaram, Bersih, Empower and Aliran wrapped up a week-long visit to the 20th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva today.

Their aim was to highlight human rights violations in Malaysia, in particular the clampdown on freedom of assembly, association and expression and police brutality at the Bersih 3.0 rally in April.

During the week the team took the opportunity to brief various UN Special Rapporteurs, country specific permanent missions and human rights organisations on deteriorating conditions in Malaysia.

Ambiga a victim of race and religion, says Pak Samad

Today, as Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan’s Bukit Damansara residence is turned into a bizarre combination of a mini market, crime scene and conflict zone with pro- and anti-Ambiga groups taking their positions under the watchful eyes of the authorities outside her house, it is business as usual at the Bangsar Utama flat of her fellow co-chairperson A Samad Said.

Since the Bersih 3.0 protest on April 28 which organisers claimed saw some 250,000 participants taking to the streets of Kuala Lumpur, anti-Bersih groups have taken their counter-protest to the doorstep of Ambiga’s residence with burger stalls, butt exercises and now, a mini-market.

Pak Samad: Stop All Personal Harassment And Intimidation Against Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan, Co-Chair Of Bersih 2.0

On behalf of BERSIH 2.0 and its steering committee members, I condemn the on-going harassment and intimidation meted solely against Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan.

It pains me to witness the despicable harassment committed against her, my fellow Bersih co-chairperson and fellow Malaysian. She is someone who has dedicated years of her life to the advancement of human rights and the betterment of our society. While abhorrent and sometimes aggressive attacks have been carried out at Dato’ Ambiga’s private home, Dato’ Ambiga has been handling the situation with dignity and grace.

Najib's London speech drowned by chants of Bersih

A flower girls welcoming Najib in London with yellow flowers.

LONDON : Prime Minister Najib Razak’s speech to overseas Malaysians at a get-together in London a few days ago was interrupted by repeated chants of “Bersih! Bersih!” from the floor.

The chanting started when Najib took to the stage, and it continued when he began his speech.

BERSIH 3.0 Broke Many Glasses (Including A few Glass Ceilings)

By M. Bakri Musa

In the aftermath of the largest public demonstrations against the Barisan government, the officials’ obsession now turns to the exercise of apportioning blame and the associated inflicting of vengeance. Both are raw human reactions, but hardly enlightening, sophisticated, or even fruitful. Besides, there is plenty of blame to go around. I prefer to look at the bright side and on the lessons that can be learned.

Hishammuddin humiliated by own IGP

This is the SOP of police…,Hishammuddin Hussein

KUALA LUMPUR: The Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar today said that the police do not have a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) allowing them to seize media equipment including cameras or memory cards.

“There is no such thing, we act in accordance with the law,” said Ismail, stressing that the police acted professionally during the Bersih 3.0 on Saturday.

Ismail’s statement contradicted with what his boss, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, said yesterday.