Joint press statement on Bakaq's detention by the police on purported sedition charge

http://penarikbeca.blogspot.com

Please read Bakaq's blog and this Joint Press Statement:

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BLOGGERS
and THE CENTRE FOR POLICY INITIATIVES

on the detention by the police of
Blogger Bakaq aka Penarik Beca.

"JOINT PRESS STATEMENT ON POLICE DETENTION OF BLOGGER BAKAQ

The National Alliance of Bloggers and the Centre for Policy Initiatives view with dismay the detention of another Blogger Bakaq (Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar) aka Penarik Beca, which indicates a worrying trend of the government's lack of commitment to open, public discourse. This latest detention followed the repeated police harassment of Malaysia Today editor and blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin before formally charging him with sedition and then defamation. As civil society members, we view such developments with great concern.

Bloggers in general have proven themselves useful in providing feedback to both the Government and Opposition on issues of national importance, and the Fifth Estate members do play a significant check-and-balance role in national affairs. This is well acknowledged by the opposition leaders and some in government.

The present administration must strictly adhere by and honour the Multi-Super Corridor (MSC) Bill of Guarantees conceptualised in 1996 which includes a provision that the government will not institute Internet censorship.

Any breach of the Bill of Guarantees will not only hamper the promotion of rational discourse using the Internet medium but also set back the government's efforts to draw in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). More important, the government’s action will adversely affect international opinion on Malaysia’s commitment to basic freedoms.

We, the undersigned, therefore urge the authorities to immediately release Saudara Bakaq unconditionally, and that the government practises what it preaches about freedom of speech and the respect for human rights for all Malaysian citizens, whether they choose to agree with or beg to differ from the government's views and policies.

Kuala Lumpur
August 8, 2008


Ahirudin Attan
Interim President, National Alliance of Bloggers (AllBlogs)

Dr Lim Teck Ghee
Director, Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)"

See my earlier post HERE

Emitte lucem et veritatem

- Send out light and truth