MADPET: HOME MINISTER’S THREAT TO USE ISA AGAINST BLOGGER DEPLORABLE

MEDIA STATEMENT –

HOME MINISTER’S THREAT TO USE ISA AGAINST BLOGGER DEPLORABLE

- Repeal ISA and release all held under Detention Without Trial Laws -

MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture) is disturbed by the statement of the Malaysian Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar that the Internal Security Act (ISA) may be used against "Malaysia-Today" blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin for his comments on the blog which allegedly insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad. (Bernama report, 5/9/2008 - ISA Can Be Used On Raja Petra, Says Syed Hamid)

It is shocking that the government still chooses to resort to draconian and unjust detention without trial laws like the ISA which do not accord the victim the right to defend himself or a fair and open trial. Clearly the government has not heard the message delivered by the people of Malaysian at the recent general elections.

If what Raja Petra Kamaruddin did was an offence, then charge him. Do not threaten the usage of this ISA or other Detention Without Trial Laws.

MADPET reiterates its call for the abolition of the ISA and all other laws that allow for Detention Without Trial.

MADPET also reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of P. Uthayakumar, M. Manoharan and all those currently detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and other laws that allow for detention without trial.

Charles Hector
for Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET)
6th September 2008

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The relevant BERNAMA and Malaysiakini Reports are as follows:-

ISA Can Be Used On Raja Petra, Says Syed Hamid

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- Action under the Internal Security Act (ISA) can be taken against "Malaysia-Today" blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin for his comments on the blog which allegedly insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said if the investigation which was being conducted based on police reports made by four religious agencies found that he committed the offence, Raja Petra would face the action.

Syed Hamid was commenting on the police reports lodged by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim), Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (Maiwp) and Federal Territory Religious Department (Jawi) against Raja Petra.

They complained that in his comment on an article entitled "I Promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim", Raja Petra allegedly used sentences which insulted Muslims.

He is also alleged to have allowed comments which degraded Islam and Prophet Muhammad for an article entitled "Not all Arabs are descendants of the Prophet" to be published in the blog.

"The action taken by the religious agencies is in line with the law because his (Raja Petra) actions to use obscene and bad words for Prophet Muhammad is clearly in contradiction of the law.

"The probe and action should be expedited so that he will realise his mistakes and learn to respect Islam," Syed Hamid said.

Although Raja Petra claimed that he was not the blog's owner, Syed Hamid said Raja Petra had to be responsible for the contents published as he had always made himself appear as the sole representative for the blog.

On a related development, Syed Hamid said the establishment of a media council should be reviewed due to the "daringness" shown lately by bloggers to put themselves above the law.

The establishment of such a council was proposed earlier but was protested by media practitioners.

"The establishment of the council is not meant for controlling the media, but more on managing them in case they violate the freedom given to them.

"I will try to discuss with media practitioners to get their feedback on the matter," he added.

-- BERNAMA

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Syed Hamid: ISA can be used on Raja Petra

Sep 6, 08 12:03pm (Malaysiakini)

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin could be charged under the Internal Security Act for comments allegedly insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad. MCPX Raja Petra, who edits popular news portal Malaysia Today, is being investigated after several religious groups - Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim), Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (Maiwp) and Federal Territory Religious Department (Jawi) - lodged police reports against him. "The probe and action should be expedited so that he will realise his mistakes and learn to respect Islam," said Syed Hamid, adding that Raja Petra would face action if the authorities found he had committed the offence. The religious groups had complained that his comment in an article entitled "I Promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim", Raja Petra allegedly used sentences that insulted Muslims. Raja Petra is also alleged to have allowed comments to appear on his website that degraded Islam and Prophet Muhammad in an article entitled "Not all Arabs are descendants of the Prophet". "The action taken by the religious agencies is in line with the law because his (Raja Petra) actions to use obscene and bad words for Prophet Muhammad is clearly in contradiction of the law,” Syed Hamid said in a Bernama report. Media council to be reviewed Raja Petra has claimed he does not own the news website, but Syed Hamid said the former still had to be responsible for the contents published as he had always made himself appear as the sole representative for the portal. On a related development, Syed Hamid said the establishment of a media council should be reviewed due to the "daringness" shown lately by bloggers, who dared to put themselves above the law. Media practitioners had protested the establishment of the council. "The establishment of the council is not meant for controlling the media, but more on managing them in case they violate the freedom given to them. I will try to discuss with media practitioners to get their feedback on the matter," Syed Hamid said.