Mindful Mariner: WOT'S UP? Is a Sedition - itis Epidemic breaking out?

THE SEDITION SNAKE

Click on image

FIRST:

PM Abdullah told UMNO Sec. Gen. to make police report against opposition MP Karpal Singh.

SECOND:

PM Abdullah wants AG to expedite the case.

THIRD:

The police are already, according to the local media on Saturday 10^th May 2008 already recording statements, and investigating, they also want to record Karpal Singh’s statement.

In Malaysia, it is not unusual for a long time to elapse before any action is taken after a police report is made, and in many cases, the police report is just filled away for posterity, under a 'NFA' (No Further Action) heading.

But in Karpal Singh's case, as it was with Raja Petra recently....this is another rare case of things moving ‘like shit off a shovel’.

Extract from the SUN newspaper Friday 9^th May 2008

"Abdullah..expedite the case on Karpal"
To read the full Story click HERE

Extract:
"KUALA LUMPUR (May 09, 2008): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi expressed hope today for the case against Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh to be expedited if it was to be brought to the court.

"We leave it to the AG to decide. If he thinks the case could be brought to court, I hope it would be done quickly because many people are interested to know the ruling on this case," he told a press conference after a special Supreme Council meeting today (Friday).

He said the cabinet meeting earlier today did not discuss the matter although according to Bernama, nine police reports have been made against Karpal in connection with his statement on the powers of the Sultan of Perak.”

To see other related stories in the Sun, click: HERE

Extracts from NST 10^th May 2008
See full story HERE

“KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called on the authorities to expedite investigations on reports lodged against DAP chairman Karpal Singh for allegedly questioning the powers of the Sultan of Perak.

Abdullah said though it was a matter for the attorney-general, he hoped the investigation and decision on whatever action was to be taken would be made soon. "This case has created a lot of interest. I hope the attorney-general will decide quickly on the case if it is to be brought to court," he said yesterday when asked about the police reports lodged against Karpal.
When asked, Abdullah said the government would not use the Internal Security Act. At least nine police reports have been lodged calling for action against Karpal.

Police started receiving the reports on Monday with five coming from Kuala Lumpur, and the others from Ipoh, Port Dickson, Muar and George Town.

Penang Umno Youth secretary Ramelam @ Ramlan Ishak said Karpal's remarks were seditious in nature as they had incited the people not to respect the monarchy."

BERNAMA reported on Friday 9^th May 2008 See full report HERE

Extracts:

"KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday he hoped that the Attorney-General would be able to act immediately on the issue of DAP chairman Karpal Singh's questioning of the jurisdiction of the Sultan of Perak in the issue of the transfer of Perak Islamic Religious Affairs Department director Datuk Jamry Sury.

He said that if the Attorney-General felt that there was a case, he should bring the matter to court as soon as possible.

"It is my hope that he will act fast," he told reporters after chairing a special meeting of the Umno Supreme Council at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), here.
The prime minister said the action has to be immediate because the issue is being followed with great interest by many people.

"Many people are showing interest in the issue. (They want to know) what the penalty is in the matter," he said.

Asked whether the Internal Security Act (ISA) would be used against Karpal Singh, Abdullah said: "If the ISA were used, he would have been detained a long time ago. We have not used it (on him)."…………….
The prime minister had yesterday instructed Umno to lodge a police report against Karpal Singh over his remark which was said to border on treason and had incited anger in the Malays.

The police have so far received nine reports against Karpal Singh, the MP for Bukit Gelugor, over his remark. Among these are one by Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor yesterday and Malaysian Youth Council secretary-general Tajudin Ahmad Friday."

About the Malaysian Government

"Malaysia practises Parliamentary Democracy with a constitutional monarch, His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as the Supreme Head of the country.

In keeping with the concept of Parliamentary Democracy which forms the basis of the government administration in Malaysia, the Federal Constitution underlines the separation of governing powers among the Executive, Judicial and Legislative Authorities. The separation of power occurs both at the Federal and State level."

TWO QUESTIONS:

1. What happened to the separation of power in Malaysia?

2. Are there not supposed to be three branches of government, namely:

THE EXECUTIVE
THE LEGISLATIVE
THE JUDICIARY

and are each of these branches supposed to be not only separate, but independent?

The PM sits in the Executive Branch according to the government web site HERE

To see how some bloggers view these developments, and what Karpal Singh himself has to say about the police reports lodged against him, and also his views about the things some MPs have said, which insult, demean and disrespect the disabled, please view this malaysiakini / YouTube video

"Sedition reports: Defiant Karpal says PM seeks to divert attention”

“DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh warned Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak of legal action should the pair continue to make 'defamatory remarks' against him.”