Cartoonist Arrested in Cartoonophobic Malaysia!

Cartoon-0-Phobia, front cover

Zunar holding his book of cartoons,
he was reported as saying that police seized 70 copies of his latest book,
called 'Cartoon-O-Phobia',
at his home and are holding him
ahead of its scheduled launch on Friday evening.

"The raid at his office and his arrest only go to prove that the authorities are cartoon-phobic,' said Steven Gan, chief editor of online news portal Malaysiakini, the publisher of 'Cartoon-O-Phobia' and some of Mr Zunar's earlier books.

'This is an attack on freedom of expression, it again shows that the authorities have no sense of humour.' Mr Gan said the 80-page book had a caricature of Prime Minister Najib Razak's wife on the front cover and contained cartoons that touched on numerous controversial issues." -- AFP

Read the news in Singapore Straits Times HERE You can see some of the cartoons by clicking HERE




You can watch all the malaysiakini videos by clicking HERE

UPDATE:
Later news in the MCA (BN component political party) controlled Star newspaper reports that Zunar held under the Sedition Act, click HERE & also on 25th September HERE

Malaysiakini reports at about on 24th September 22:00 that:
"Police this evening arrested Malaysiakini cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque - better known as Zunar - under Section 28 ?sic of the Printing Presses and Publications Act."

CARTOON-O-PHOBIA LAUNCHED SUCCESSFULLY

Book launch a hit despite author's arrest

click HERE for news & look for video under malaysiakini TV / video

2nd UPDATE

Watch the video (HERE) showing how the police shunted Zunar around to several district police headquarters, starting off at Brickfields (sponsored by insurance company MAA, look at the sign!) before finally detaining him overnight at the KL International Airport Lock-up!

He is expected to be in court before a magistrate on Saturday 25th September 2010.

It sure is 1 Pathetically Funny Malaysia!!!!

3rd UPDATE: 25.09.2010

It has been reported that the police have managed to obtain a one day remand order from Sepang Magistrates' Court today (25.09.2010) to enable them to continue to hold political cartoonist Zunar in police custody for further questioning.

4th UPDATE: 25.09.2010

News reports state that:
Zunar, who was arrested on Friday under the Sedition Act, has been released on police bail from Sepang police station a few hours after police had obtained a one day remand order. Sepang police chief Supt. Zahedi Ayub confirmed the 18:30 release.

Meanwhile, Zunir has vowed to carry on with his work as a cartoonist and was reported as saying he will sue the police over his detention.

Divide et impera


Divide and rule



Ab actu ad posse valet illatio


From what has happened we may infer what will happen

Is Malaysia Becoming More of a Police State?

Najib Armed and Dangerous?

Since Najib became PM of Malaysia there has been a lot of empty talk about reforms, easing of draconian oppressive and undemocratic laws, but the actions have been in the opposite direction.

There has been talk about enhancing racial integration by an, as yet, abstract concept dubbed '1Malaysia' which was introduced by Najib, one could be excused for thinking the there is a typo and it should in fact be 'I'm Malaysia'?

The police have recently become more aggressive than ever VIDEO HERE and seem to be acting outside the law by arresting members of the public, opposition MP, and even lawyers by using the catch-all provisions of the Sedition Act, the Printing Presses Act and the Police Act, etc.

Raids on private property have been carried out without a warrant, and computers and their external data storage disks have been seized.

The recent raid on the opposition party, Democratic Action Party (DAP) HQ is a case in point.

The UMNO controlled rag the New Straits Times Press (NSTP) reported that:-

“Police made an inspection at the DAP's head office in Seksyen 20/9, Petaling Jaya, near here yesterday and confiscated computers and computer components believed to have been used to print flyers containing elements of sedition.”

'made an inspection', is used by this crappy newspaper, presumably as a pseudonym for 'raided without a warrant.'

'confiscated' computers and computer components evidently is another way of saying 'without authority, therefore illegally, removed'.

You can, if you wish to be polluted, read all the NaSTy Pee & crap HERE

The Star was a little more honest in their report. which stated:

“Police raided the DAP headquarters here last night in connection with the candle-light vigil two nights ago and seized a computer and 19 DVDs.”

"The one-hour raid by 12 plainclothes men headed by ASP Kamal Khan Mohd Shariff began at 6.25pm."

“Gobind later told reporters the police acted wrongly as they conducted the raid without a warrant.

“It is a clear-cut unlawful invasion and trespass of private property. I will be lodging a police report against the conduct of the raiding party,” he said.”

Read the full story HERE

Commodum ex iniuria sua nemo habere debet

No person ought to have advantage from his own wrong

Footnote:

Human rights group SUARAM has compiled a list of the May 2009 series of arrests, up to date it is as follows:

5 May 2009
1 arrest – Wong Chin Huat
(He was released on the 8th May)
Arrest at apartment in Seri Sentosa, Kuala Lumpur and taken to Bukit Aman then to IPD Brickfields, KL

6 May 2009
3 arrests – Sani Md Shah, Saufi Mihat, Yasir Sheikh Abdul Rahman
(Released under police bail on the 7th May)
Sending birthday cake to Prime Minister in Putrajaya

6 May 2009
1 arrest – Mohamad Sabu
(Released on the 7th May)
Near the Harakah office in Jalan Pahang Barat, Kuala Lumpur.

6 May 2009
14 arrests
(Released under the police bail on the 6th May)
Candlelight vigil outside IPD Brickfields, KL

7 May 2009
69 arrests
(Released on the 7th May)
Ipoh, Perak

7 May 2009
20 arrests
- Law Teck Hao (arrested on 6 and 7 May)
(Released under police bail on the 8th May)
Candlelight vigil outside IPD Brickfields, KL

7 May 2009
1 arrest – Eng Kiat
(Released under police bail on the 8th May)
Candlelight vigil in Penang

7 May 2009
10 arrests
(Released under police bail on the 7th May)
Candlelight vigil in Sarawak

19 May 2009
11 arrests
- Teo Nie Ching (arrested on 6 and 19 May)
(Released on the 20th May at 3am)
Candlelight vigil outside DAP MP Teresa Kok’s office

21 May 2009
16 arrested in Teratai, Ampang
(They were remanded for 2 days)
- Jenice Lee (arrested on 7 May in Perak ,19 May and 21 May)
Candlelight vigil outside DAP Teratai Service Centre

Total: 146 arrests (of 142 individuals)

Meanwhile what about the real criminals?

Surely the police resources could be put to better use apprehending them instead of what seems to be 'dancing to their political master's tune'?

UPDATE:

Pathetic pompous police prattle from a peeved policeman!

The cops have, as reported in The Star online, denied allegations that they have acted beyond their jurisdiction when raiding the DAP headquarters to find the source of pamphlets printed and distributed without permit.

Selangor CID chief SAC II Hasnan Hassan was reported as saying that the issue of needing a warrant to search the premises should not arise because it was part of a follow up investigation where one of the detainees assisting with the probe led the police to the site.

Hassan was quoted as saying:

“Furthermore the raid had to be carried out immediately before the evidence was wiped out.

“Speed was of the essence and the raid had to be carried out during the weekend when the court is not in session."

WHAT PURE UNADULTERATED BAREFACED BULLSHIT!

DOES HE EXPECT ANYONE TO BUY THIS CRAP?

Raja Petra Sedition Trial Day 4

The prosecution is apparently in a predicament, the trial appears scuttled since the charge may be held to be defective.

See Malaysia Today HERE

and in other media The Star, has a detailed report under headline 'Raja Petra Sedition trial: "It was not C4"' HERE

'Elements in article "untrue and made up" says cop' are the headlines in The Sun HERE

The trial has been adjourned until Monday 13th October 2008.


Fallaces sunt rerum species


The appearances of things are deceptive

RPK SEDITION TRIAL: DAY 3 SOME HIGHLIGHTS

The defence team began robustly in the Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin sedition trial, when they said that the police search conducted at RPK’s house, on 2nd May 2008, had been carried out in a reckless, incorrect and unlawful manner.

On Wednesday 8th October 2008 defense lawyer Gobind Singh Deo questioned police cyber security chief Superintendent Victor Sanjos, regarding why he did not get a search warrant before going to the blogger’s house that day.

Gobind Singh asked Supt. Victor if he was familiar with the provision of the Sedition Act 1948, to which the fourth witness replied that he understood it.

When he was asked by lawyer Gobind Singh if a search warrant was required for the purpose ,unless there was reason to believe or suspect that the evidence would be disposed of, Supt. Victor said he did not need a warrant as the case was investigated under the Sedition Act, he added, “I have the power”.

This resulted in Gobind Singh firing back at the witness saying that Section 8 of the same Act clearly explained the matter.

Supt. Victor, who is attached to Police Commercial Crimes Investigations department at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, however disagreed.

Gobind Singh then suggested that the inspection conducted at Raja Petra’s house, by Supt Victor, was done with complete disregard for the law when it required him to obtain a search warrant for the purpose.

Supt Victor again denied this suggestion.

To another question, he said he did not arrest Raja Petra on the same day as he had no reason to do so.

He agreed that a special task force had been set up for the sedition case as it was “opened” at Bukit Aman with each officer playing their respective role. Supt Victor said he was appointed to take part in the task force on 1st May 2008 by his superior officer, ACP Mohd Kamaruddin Md Din where “all cases were treated with urgency”.

He said he did not feel pressured when he conducted the inspection as “it is routine” in his job.

Supt Victor said the purpose of the visit was to search and seize any evidence in relation to a police report. He said he started to search the house at 09:55 and had asked the blogger about the computer he used to access the Internet.

“He told me that he already knew that the police would be coming by and I told him to just let me do my job,” he went on to say Raja Petra, had showed him the computer located on the first floor of his house.

“I seized the central processing unit and a notebook computer from the same area,” he said, adding that he prepared a search list and gave a copy to the blogger after the accused had signed it.

He said he later lodged a police report regarding the search and the seizure of the items and handed over the personal computer as well as the portable computer to the investigating officer.

Questioned by lawyer J. Chandra, he said that ACP Mohd Kamaruddin had showed him an on-line article entitled “Let’s send the Altantuya murderers to Hell” before he had gone to Raja Petra's house.

He said he has been instructed to seize any computers and data storage devices.

He stated he had contacted Raja Petra at 15:10 on the same day asking him to come to his office where two senior officers recorded his statement.

The hearing before Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob will continue on Thursday 9th October 2008.

Fiat justitia (et ruat caelum)

Let justice be done. (though the heavens fall)

Raja Petra Sedition Trial Day 2

Some Highlights from various media reports:-

Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin had told a talk show host that he had written about Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu two days before the programme was aired live nationwide on 27th April, the Sessions Court heard, he however stated that Raja Petra did not state the title of his article.

Hasshim Abu Hanifah, who is a host of RTM’s [GOVERNMENT RUN RADIO & TV] Blog TV talk show, said he had interviewed Raja Petra for its second episode broadcast on 27^th April 2008.

“If I am not mistaken, he mentioned that he had written about Altantuya two days before that,” he told Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob in the packed courtroom.

Raja Petra has claimed trial to publishing a seditious article on its website on 25th April 2008.

Questioned by DPP Ishak Mohd Yusof, Hasshim, the second witness testified that Raja Petra had made such a comment when he was interviewing him under the “Keterbukaan” (openness) segment.

Hasshim then continued to testify that Raja Petra hd told him, in the Arabic language, that his (Raja Petra's) contributions as a blogger were to do good and reject bad things.

Asked by lead counsel J.Chandra, Hasshim denied that the talk show was made to “trap” the blogger.

He said he did not give any caution to Raja Petra before the show that anything he said could be used against him.

The hearing continues tomorrow, Wednesday, 8^th October 2008.

LET JUSTICE PREVAIL

Please read this article about RPK, entitled "Sleepless in Malaysia" HERE

Veritas vos liberabit

The truth will set you free

Malaysia Today blog website denounces money politics, ethnic polarisation and advocates transparency, accountability and justice

During his testimony on the first day of Raja Petra’s trial under the Sedition Act, Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission’s director for Security, Trust and Governance department Harme Mohamed said that the Malaysia Today blog website denounced money politics, ethnic polarisation and advocated transparency, accountability and justice.

The UMNO / BN Malaysian government seems not to like those who oppose money politics, ethnic polarisation and those who advocate transparency, accountability and justice, as it tries to silence patriots, like RPK, by using the Internal Security Act and the Sedition Act against them.

See news reports in The Star HERE

& in the Sun HERE

Adhuc sub iudice lis est

The case is still before the court

Raja Petra's arrival at PJ Sessions Court, video

Please view the You Tube / Malaysiakini video below.






See BBC news report HERE


See Al-Jazeera English news report HERE

The trial of RPK, on charges brought under the Sedition Act, resumes tomorrow, Tuesday 7th October 2008.

If possible, please attend to give your support to RKP, and to reinforce the efforts to get the ISA and all other draconian and unjust laws repealed.

LET JUSTICE BE DONE.


Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges


In the most corrupt state are the most laws

Malaysian Government arresting more and more bloggers!

Malaysiakini reports: HERE

and The Star on-line HERE

The police have arrested another blogger, ‘Sheih Kickdefella’- Syed Azidi Syed Abdul Aziz, in Kota Baru this afternoon.

His blog url is:

http://kickdefella.wordpress.com/

His wife said he was arrested under the Sedition Act 1948.

He is said to have suggested flying the Malaysian national flag upside, (this is an informal international distress signal.)

Another blogger, Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar - ‘Penarik Beca’ was arrested a while ago, and then released (see his blog), also under the Sedition Act 1948.

An earlier report that he had been arressted again, now appers to be untrue.

http://penarikbeca.blogspot.com/

Are they starting a campaign to pick up bloggers one by one?

Malaysia seems to degenerating into a more oppressive, and more undemocratic place, than it already is; where will this end?

A new federal government may be an excellent solution.

Credula vitam spes fovet et melius cras fore semper dicit

Credulous hope supports our life, and always says that tomorrow will be better

Blogger Bakaq finally ‘freed’

SOME GOOD NEWS

Blogger Bakaq, whose blog is called “Penarik Beca” who was detained by the police, and has been held since 6^th August 2008, for allegedly 'defacing' [on his blog] the Royal Malaysia Police logo by replacing the tiger symbol with a barking dog, (he is also said to have ‘removed or defaced’ the crown bearing the words Allah and Muhammad with the symbol of a star), has finally been released.

CCID Director Commissioner Koh Hong Sun confirmed that Bakaq, whose real name is Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar, was released from the Federal Commercial Crimes Investigation Department at 17:40 on Friday 8^th August 2008.

Bakaq has been instructed to report in person to the Federal Commercial Crimes Investigation Department at 10:30 on 20th August 2008. This sound ominous and threatening!

Four plain-clothed policemen arrested the the blogger at his house in Taman Greenwood in Gombak at about 23:00 last Wednesday night, note the intimidating anti-social timing.

It is understood that police seized a portable computer and a mobile telephone belonging to the Bakaq, and arrested him under Section 4 (1) of the archaic and suppressive Sedition Act.

Say no to a police-state

Power to the People!

Aim for a true democracy, full human rights and freedoms

De integro

- Repeat again from the start

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

Malaysian Blogger Detained by Police in Kuala Lumpur

SEE BERNAMA REPORT HERE

"Blogger Detained Over Article On Police

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Blogger 'Penarik Beca', who real name is Abu Bakar Mohd Rashid,50, was detained by police in connection with an article on his blog about the police force and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

The Commercial Crimes Investigation Department's investigation officer for cyber crimes Supt Victor Sanjos said Abu Bakar was detained at 10pm at his home in Taman Koperasi Polis here to assist investigations under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948.

"Abu Bakar in his blog had published an article which showed a modified logo of the Royal Malaysia Police with derogatory comments about Musa including claims that Musa was being controlled by Chinese crime syndicates," Sanjos told Bernama here Thursday.

The blogger was being detained at the Dang Wangi police station lock-up and would be released tomorrow, he added."

-- BERNAMA

Free RPK, Vigil tonight, a call to 'Investigate Najib for sedition'

Invitation
CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL

Today: Thursday 8th May 2008. Time 20:00 (8 pm).
Venue: Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
source: www.malaysia-today.net/2008

The letter to the Editor (see below) was posted on Malaysia Today, it is reproduced here, in full, for general information, in the interest of freedom of speech, democracy and truth.

"A Call to Investigate Najib Tun Razak under the Sedition Act

Posted by Erin

Thursday, 08 May 2008

by V for Vernon My fellow Malaysians, It is indeed noteworthy that our ever-so-efficient and conscientious Polis Di-Raja Malaysia and the Attorney General's Chambers have recently demonstrated vigilance and duty in upholding the laws of the land. As such, Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin, editor of Malaysia-Today.net news portal and blog, has been charged under the Sedition Act 1948, specifically under Section 4(1)(c) related to publishing a seditious article. It is also understood that a Malaysian author, Syed Akbar Ali, was also charged for seditious comments on Malaysia-Today's website. These two cases now are ultimately in the hands of our enlightened and impartial judiciary to determine if these two individuals are guilty. (Correct, correct, correct! I did indeed say "enlightened" and "impartial"). In the meantime, I would like to bring everyone's attention to a couple of other sections of the Sedition Act. Under section 3(1), those acts defined as having a seditious tendency include: 3(1)(d) - to raise discontent or disaffection amongst the subjects of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or of the Ruler of any State or amongst the inhabitants of Malaysia or of any State; 3(1)(e) - to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes of the population of Malaysia; It is widely documented that in the days preceding Operasi Lallang in October 1987, Najib Tun Razak then as the head of UMNO Youth, made a speech at a rally in Kampung Baru where he vowed to bathe his keris in the blood of Malaysian Chinese citizens. And this speech was delivered against a background of banners by UMNO Youth saying such things as "MAY 13 HAS BEGUN" and "SOAK IT WITH CHINESE BLOOD". I would therefore like to invite my fellow Malaysians to join me in a call to the Polis Di-Raja Malaysia and the Attorney General's Chambers to investigate, without fear or favor, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and to determine if he had indeed violated the sections above of the Sedition Act. Given that the event occurred 2 decades ago, there may perhaps be a statute of limitation in effect on whether Najib can be charged, if he had indeed broken the law. Never the less, it is only right that a full and impartial investigation be carried out. And as a separate matter as to whether Najib ends up being charged or not, it is certainly the case that such a man who can put himself into such a vile context and say such heinous things, should be deemed unfit to become the Prime Minister of a multiracial country like Malaysia." Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet -He who feared he would not succeed sat still.